New spinning toys

I've been knitting more than spinning lately but I still have to show off some new acquisitions. I used a bit more of my bonus at Knit Picks. While nothing I bought is essential, I've learned the value of having the right tools for the job. Knit Picks seemed to be an inexpensive way to get some tools to evaluate what I will use and not use.

First up we have a Niddy Noddy. It is used to skein up yarn in a very regular fashion. Once I measure how long one loop is I will be able to tell the yardage of my hand spun yarn by counting the strands and multiplying by the loop measurement. Seems like a good piece of information to have, right?

I also wanted to try out another type of spindle, this is a Turkish spindle. It can be converted to being either a high whorl or low whorl. I have read that it is not the best example of a Turkish spindle but hey there is my first learning experience. I am planning on using it for plying yarn but so far I am still too in love with my Golding.

And of course since I'm buying tools I should try out some new roving too. A beautiful dark green, which we all know is my favorite. I'll let you know how it turns out.

The other night when I went to spinning group the yarn shop just happened to have some new dyed roving so...

Anybody else have the urge to strap these to the sides of their head and go running after Harrison Ford telling him how much of a insensitive brute he is? Just me? OK more fun for me that way.

Thrumming back and forth

Last time we talked about them I was not knitting thrummed mittens but a troll doll instead. See those wispy ends? I know now that they are not intended to look like that. I have ripped back and started that section over. 

What a difference some research can make. On the left is the original thrums or what I thought was thrums. On the right is the correct thrum shape, the roving folded back on itself making a bow tie shape. I am still quite iffy on the size, but hey I am learning! How many times am I going to have to learn?

Playing with the roving certainly has triggered spinning urges in me. Dyed roving calls to me at all the festivals and yarn stores I go to. But honestly I've never seen the point. I am a product knitter, while I enjoy knitting I am really doing it to get something out of it. While spinning would give me yarn, I know I can buy yarn anytime I want. Then again based on that argument I should not even be a knitter, I can buy socks at anytime too.

It just seems to me that spinning has such a steep learning curve. You all know of course that in six months I'm going to have roving coming out my wazoo and three spindles. Any advice ya'll want to give me before I end up taking the plunge?