Want to learn how to use a drop spindle? Or how to spin? Our friend Anne Schwartz is teaching some classes this month at the Keystone Art Space on San Fernando Road.
In this fun two-hour class you will learn the basics of spinning yarn on a drop spindle, and will receive your own spindle and fiber to keep!
This is a great way to start spinning because you’ll learn the basics – drafting fiber, adding twist and plying yarn – in a way that can be easily controlled, and using an inexpensive tool! Even if your goal is to spin on a spining wheel, you will learn skills and principles that will also be used on your wheel!
In addition to drop spinning, Anne offers private one-on-one spinning lessons.
For more information, check out her website spinnerscircle.com.
For anyone living outside of the Los Angeles area, an excellent way to tap into fiber knowledge is to go to a sheep and wool festival – they’re everywhere. In 2002, I attended one and found a fiber arts group in my local area where I learned to spin wool and crochet and where I help teach newbies to knit and make lace. Our group welcomes anyone who does any kind of fiber art – and we serve cake.
Since we’re a fairly small group, we can schedule lots of field trips during the summer and fall; we (and our husbands) attend loads of old-time-skills kind of festivals, of which there are many in our part of the country.
Great tip, Donna!