Hey! I recently acquired my own drop spindle and have been having very, um, interesting results. Granted I'm very new at it, but I feel as if I'm missing something rather vital to successful spinning. May I ask where you picked it up or if there is a reference it would suggest? Mine is also a top whorl spindle.

Thanks very much!

PS. Neat to see another yarn person on this site!

Well, see this is one of the reasons why I feel like an alien in the fandom... because up until now, I thought I was the only one who had this as a hobby. I have been spinning for two years now, and using drop spindles for one year. I bought my first spindle at an artisan show, and spun for a minimum of 15 minutes per day (usually over an hour) for two months until I really got the hang of it. Every time it dropped, I had a minor tantrum and swore like a sailor. But now.... I rarely drop them.. (I have four of them now)

In January of 2006, I took formal lessons at a small art school near where I live # (The actual course -> http://www.placedesarts.ca/Workshop.....?WorkshopID=63) and learned how to use the spinning wheel that I had at the time. I now have an Ashford Joy portable spinning wheel.

You can see what I've done with my own spindles and wheels here, on my spinning blog: http://spin.mothx3.com

You might also be interested in joining these two yahoo groups specifically for drop spindle users:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/spindlers
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/spindlitis

Ah yes, I read a bit of that when I curiosity-cruised the top of your gallery. Welcome to the fandom. It's a mixed bag of nuts. I've been in it and through it for a while now and seem to have come out alright anyway. If you ever have any questions regarding that, don't hesitate to drop me a line. I may not be able to spin but I do have a few words I might give privately about the joys and pitfalls of the community.

I'm interested in taking formal classes myself, but the local ones are interdisciplinary between drop spindle and wheel spinning, and I believe one must own the latter. I do not nor can I see myself affording to own one in the near future. It's a shame because I could almost chuck a rock at the adorable little yarn store where the classes are held. I had an opportunity once for a free demonstration at a craft event in GA, but when I told them I was using drop spindle they laughed at me and told me to acquire a wheel. I was a bit put out.

Thank you for the links, I shall check them all out. Are you a knitter as well?

I have been shown how to knit twice, and the first time I got it.... but I had already forgotten by the time I was showed a second time, and I had absolutely no patience for it, so I've forgotten again! That said, i knit very badly.

If it's not too pricey for you, this (the HitchHiker) http://www.themerlintree.com/the_me.....in_tree009.htm is a very inexpensive spinning wheel ($269 US), and extremely portable. It fits into a shopping tote bag and weighs only 9.3 lbs! It's made on the east coast of the continental USA, and this particular company is based out of Vermont. Key to its versatility is ease of acquiring parts.... the flyer and bobbins are compatible with the much more expensive Ashford spinning wheels.

I have not used the HitchHiker, but I'd like to get one just to see what it's like. I had the opportunity to try out an Indian Book Charkha two weeks ago, and it's wonderful! But that's an advanced wheel for spinning short fibres like cotton and Angora.

At this precise moment anything is too pricey for me. I've recently gone back to college and with the cats and pup to support as well as myself it's a bit of a stretch despite my outside resources. I shall certainly keep the link, though!

Okay, how about this then...? If you're feeling adventurous and up to the challenge of a really finicky machine, you could try the Charkha wheel. I just found a company that ships them directly out of India for dirt cheap prices - muuuuuch cheaper than anything available in North America: http://www.etradinglines.com/index_.....es/Page350.htm Just think, rather than vacuuming or throwing it away, you could turn all of that shed dog and cat hair into yarn!