Spinning Binge

We like to say that spinning is meditative—but should we say mesmerizing? I bet that once upon a time you’ve looked up from your spindle or wheel and wondered, “Have I really been spinning for hours without stopping?”

Before the Binge

1. Shape Up.

Runners train, cyclists train . . . and spinners should train. Mary Egbert’s article in Summer 2017 Spin Off offers a series of 10 exercises that will get those spinning muscles in top form. And lest you think you’ll know when to stop . . . I’ve been laid up for over a month (no spinning!) because I ignored the twinges in my shoulder and hand. Mary’s putty-pinching exercises would have saved me a lot of pain (and let me spin the hours away).

2. Stock Up.

A combospin is the perfect way to bring together many braids of lovely fiber.

Or maybe just reconsider the stock you have! I broke out of a spinning rut thanks to the combospin phenomenon that I first read about in Debbie Held’s Winter 2017 article. Using this method, I pulled together braids of handpainted top from all over my stash, divided it up, and had a handy pile of fiber to spin from for weeks.

After the Binge

1. Finish Up.

A small pile of yarns collects on top of my washing machine waiting for the day when I’ll draw some hot water, drop in some soap, and finally wash my spun and plied yarns. I don’t know why I wait! But it’s a delightful day when I spread out all the yarns to dry.

2. Top Up!

Nature abhors a vacuum . . . and my stash can’t bear to have an empty space. When I’ve twisted all those hanks above into nice stackable bundles, I have an excellent reason to find some new fiber treasures.

—Anne

Featured Image: A good spinning binge, such as Spinzilla or the Tour de Fleece, makes for a glorious batch of handspun yarn.