Spinning HAMsters!



Spinning HAMsters is here! All things knitting, crocheting, cross-stitching, sewing, soaping, ham radio, photography, music, family values, writing ... basically, whatever tickles the author’s funny bone ... may appear here. Here’s to a fun, refreshing, and uplifting page that spins a lot of stories!

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Alluring Angora

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  Alluring Angora When I resumed knitting and crocheting after decades of never wanting to do it again, I never wanted to learn to spin. Why take the time to spin when I could purchase gorgeous skeins upon skeins of OPY (Other People's Yarn)? Besides, I rationalized, learning to spin meant acquiring another fiber arts tool, and what did I need with a spinning wheel? Besides, I further rationalized, learning to spin would mean that I would crave having our own rabbits or alpaca or sheep ... and that was out of the question.  I know my limits. NO spinning. My first wheel came home in 2019.  More wheels followed, as did my passion for spinning all types of fiber. I may not have more fiber braids than I do skeins of OPY. Then again, I just may, and I'm proud of it. While I haven't become a rancher on this spinning journey, I am so blessed to have developed close friendships with several incredible ranchers here in Texas.  One of them is Rowdy, and she is an absolute trea...
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Teaching Spinning Lesson 1: Patience and Laughter

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Patience and Laughter Today, I began another spinning lesson. As with all of my sessions, I've discovered that both the teacher AND the student learn from each lesson. It's such a wonderful, organic process! While this beautiful lady has her eyes and heart set on my gorgeous cherry Schacht Matchless (shown here), she is learning on a Bluebonnet Honeybee.  I've discovered that this first lesson is always filled with anticipation and nerves, on both our parts. The student thinks, "What will this teacher make me do? Will I be spinning right away? Does my wheel work? Can I do it? How does she make it look so easy?" The teacher thinks, "How fast will this student treadle? Will she have the patience that is required? Will I be able to teach her? Will she devote the time and enjoy the process?" When designing any of my lessons, crafting or music, I am always reminded of when my oldest son brought his first violin home from school. I thought he would be excited ...
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The Spinning Hamster Workshop Schedule

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The Spinning Hamster Has Exciting News! I have been totally neglectful with my blog writing. Given the choice of spinning, knitting, or writing, I've clearly chosen the first two more often in the past several years. That changes today ... with a special announcement for Spinning Hamster Productions!       Starting in May, you can now schedule time with the Spinning Hamster to learn more about the following crafts: -- spinning fiber with a spinning wheel -- spinning fiber with a drop spindle -- knitting  -- crocheting   Spinning Fiber on a Spinning Wheel -- Wheel basics -- Getting started with your wheel -- My tips for successful spinning your first fiber -- pre-drafting, joins, music, humor -- Plying your first yarn  -- Chain-ply -- my favorite plying technique -- Niddy noddy -- your friend to winding and measuring your yarn -- Tips for finishing your beautiful new yarn -- 1:1 troubleshooting *While having your own spinning wheel is a plus, it is not neces...
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