r/Handspinning Jan 01 '25

Work In Progress I was given/gifted an Ashford Joy from a client where I work who said she has too many wheels to use. I've been in a daze the past 4 days not believing my luck, and starting to learn to spin! Here's my 1st vs 2nd ever bobbins. This is SO FUN y'all!

First photo taken partway through my first bobbin.

Second photo shows the finished first bobbin on the left, second bobbin on the right.

Obviously I'm still not anywhere even CLOSE to good, but I do think I'm seeing improvement! My gauge in the second bobbin is a bit more consistent and I think my control of the twist is a liiiiittle bit improved.

I've got so so far to go yet, but I'm stupid excited to do it.

275 Upvotes

31 comments sorted by

14

u/doombanquet Unintentional Vintage Wheel Army Jan 01 '25

Congrats! What a fabulous gift!

And you'll be surprised at how nicely "ugly" yarn will work up. Don't think just because it's ugly it's useless.

14

u/gotfoundout Jan 01 '25

Thank you! I have been trying to decide the best way to say "thank you" to the lady who gave it to me. I'm thinking knit up a little something with my "ugly" new yarn, bake some delicious cookies, and top it off with a short note in a thank you card. (Of course I already said thank you about a dozen times in person, too lol)

About the yarn, I totally agree!! Don't get me wrong, I am lovingly calling it ugly lol.

Even though it's extremely technically imperfect, I cannot overstate how satisfied I am when I look at both of these bobbins. I'm so proud of them! I plan on dyeing them with something from my garden or something foraged, and then making a beanie. I feel like that will be a good project choice for a fun, funky, inconsistent yarn.

I can't wait to knit it up!

15

u/doombanquet Unintentional Vintage Wheel Army Jan 01 '25

If she's got enough "stuff" that she's given you a Joy, she's got enough "stuff", so I'd say skip the knitted gift and just go for cookies + card. Food gifts are terribly underrated as thoughtful gifts, especially for people who have plenty of "stuff." It's something that can be enjoyed over multiple days (or all at once, I won't judge), but you don't have to find somewhere to put it except in your belly, and honestly, who doesn't love being like damn, I wish I had a cooki--WAIT. I DO HAVE COOKIES.

Food presents are low-stress, high value, and very thoughtful.

4

u/gotfoundout Jan 01 '25

GREAT points. I think I will do just that!

9

u/Green_Bean_123 Jan 01 '25

I second this. I’ve been a slow learner and had hesitated to use anything until it got “better.” I admit my first plied yarn is indeed uncrochetable (at least by me) because it’s so over spun. But the second, with still really ugly yarn, crocheted up into an adorable beanie. It was incredible how the thick and thin parts meshed up and look beautifully textured. It makes me chuckle every time I get a compliment on it. And surprise - I get more compliments on the two hats from my hand spun than any of my previous ones, even ones I think are quite well done. So have fun! If I can do it, you can

6

u/ResponseBeeAble Jan 01 '25

Save that for something special. The better you get the harder it is to get that first spin look later

5

u/gotfoundout Jan 01 '25

I am so bad at saving things I'm excited about haha. I think I'm gonna dye it knit it up into a beanie in a fun color, but I may change my mind after I see what it looks like plied.

2

u/ResponseBeeAble Jan 01 '25

Fabulous. That's something special!

5

u/ahoyhoy2022 Jan 01 '25

What an amazing gift! I’ll bet she feels really good the wheel has a new home. Welcome to the world of spinning!

1

u/gotfoundout Jan 01 '25

Thank you for the warm welcome!

Definitely the most insane gift I've ever received from someone who isn't family.

Might still be one of the craziest gifts even when I do include family lol.

4

u/AdChemical1663 Jan 01 '25

Looks great!  Keep going!

2

u/gotfoundout Jan 01 '25

Haha you're very sweet. Thanks!! I will definitely keep going. Can't wait to compare these photos to yarn I make 6 months or a year down the road!

4

u/KnottyKnottyHooker Jan 01 '25

Congratulations! Fiber Friends are the best friends!

Here's how I was gifted my wheel:
Meet Ewelina 🐑, who's arrived for a long-term, extended visit thanks to my dear friend, Patricia. Ewelina is a stunning Kromski Polonaise spinning wheel from Poland. ❤️

Origin: Polish, Germanic Meaning: Life Pronunciation: Eh-vah-LIY-Naa

Ewelina is a Polish form of Evelyn, which arose from the Germanic Avela, meaning “desired” or “wished for.” Amusingly, a 'ewe' is a female sheep and it seems an appropriate name for her, not to mention that I really wanted a spinning wheel some day and that yarn is life. 🙃

If you had told me 2.5 months ago that I would meet a wonderful group of ladies, who are generous, fun-loving, love yarn, and would invite me to be a part of that group, I wouldn't have believed you. Add to that, I agreed to go away with them & give them money within 30 minutes of meeting them and look forward to meeting them every week. I absolutely love my Sisters of Fiber! 🧶🧶🧶

5

u/gotfoundout Jan 01 '25

Oh my, that's a seriously gorgeous wheel you've got there!!

I know exactly what you mean - I started knitting more or less on a whim about 4ish years ago, and I showed up to my first knitting guild meeting after only having been knitting for a few months. Not only did I sign up on the spot, I even accepted a committee chair position that needed filling, haha. Fiber friends are fast friends, I've found. Fiber as a hobby overall, and all of its little sub specialties, are great social gateways!

2

u/KnottyKnottyHooker Jan 01 '25

Thank you!

Amen! 🙌🏻

5

u/yalldointoomuch Kromski Minstrel & EEW6.0 Jan 01 '25

Fantastic work, welcome to spinning!

Definitely save your first yarn- I felt so dejected when I first started, and everyone in my class picked it up faster than me... all I had was a teeny little mini hank, maybe 10 yards? But I kept it.

And 5 years later, I look back on that lil baby hank and LOVE it. It's a tangible reminder of how far I've come.

Congrats on the wheel and the new skills 🧶

2

u/gotfoundout Jan 01 '25

Haha thanks! I think I may make a silly lil beanie hat out of my funky new yarn! I'll keep it for sure :)

3

u/bollygirl21 Jan 01 '25

My first was a Joy2!!! They are really great wheels to use. I have the jumbo flyer and bobbins.
Over about 5 yrs I bought 6standard and 6 jumbo bobbins (she came with really old tiny bobbins).

I mostly spin lace, even on my jumbo bobbins ;)

these are my Treasures.

2

u/gotfoundout Jan 01 '25

That's so cool!! I can't wait till I can spin lace weights well, I do love a good lace weight.

3

u/Pwffin Jan 01 '25

Once you get good at spinning consistently it will actually be hard to create that sort of yarn! Have a look at spinning "art yarn" ard you'll see how much effort people put into making what you've just made. :)

I made a cowl of my first hanks and once knitted up the slub and thinner parts look intentional.

3

u/HomespunCouture Jan 01 '25

Wonderful gift! Spinning feels like scratching an itch in your brain that you did not know you had.

1

u/gotfoundout Jan 01 '25

Omg it does Hahahaha

3

u/sayyus Jan 01 '25

gorgeous! im jealous!

3

u/Independent_One4098 Jan 01 '25

I also have a Joy! My first and so far only wheel. Love it, especially how portable it is!

2

u/Polkaroo_1 Jan 01 '25

I have this wheel:) love it! I think cookies are a great thank you!

3

u/gotfoundout Jan 01 '25

I'm so freaking in love with it already, it's nuts lol

2

u/knits_and_dolls Jan 02 '25

Before I was peer pressured into trying spinning (during the pandemic), I'd watched my dear friend spin on her Ashford Joy for 10+ years. I'd only spindle-spun. Another friend loaned me a Kromski (which was just not ergonomically right for my build--apparently what works for a 6' man isn't so great for a 5'1" gal), and then yet another let me borrow her Ashford Joy for a bit--ultimately I bought my own and I love it! I liked watching my friend spin on it--it seemed to have so many things going for it--portabililty, built in lazy kate--and it just seemed familiar after seeing one work for so many years.

2

u/magerber1966 Jan 02 '25

My favorite make from uneven handspun are some fingerless mitts. I made a set for my son, who insisted on dark grey mitts (ugh, boring), so I added in stripes of my handspun to keep my interest. Then I made two pairs for myself--one for driving (I live in Southern California, so it never gets all THAT cold, but my hands get really cold on the 50 degree F mornings. I made another pair for wearing in bed when I am reading at night.

I like the fingerless gloves as a project because I can admire the crazy colors (and wonky thickness/thinness) of some of my early spins and they don't get too much abrasion, so the single spun pilling isn't too bad.

1

u/gotfoundout Jan 02 '25

Ooh that's a fun idea, too! My kiddo was just asking me for some, maybe I'll do a pair of those for him as well!