Tips for Learning Supported Spindle from a Beginner

You know those "aha" moments when you are learning a new craft? They seem life changing at the moment but with proficiency those moments fade. Well I am in the midst of learning to spin yarn on a supported spindle and having those aha moments left and right. While I am not an expert at this craft yet, I wanted to share the top learning moments with you while they are fresh in my mind. 

1. Take a class! This was the best thing I could have done. I was doing the endless YouTube searches trying to find that perfect video with the perfect angle and someone explaining what they are doing. Finally it dawned on me a a course creator myself, hey why not take a course. I had come across  Josefin Waltin and remembered she has online courses for spindles. Best decision!
2. Use a shorter staple fiber. Twist goes in very fast on these spindles making them perfect for spinning shorter fibers. I had the best early success with a wool about 2" in length.
3. Make sure the twist can get above your spindle finger. I was having issues with getting the twist into the yarn once I started drafting while the spindle was turning. Simply making sure the twist was getting up and over my forefinger made a huge difference.
4. Get out of your own way. Again once I started drafting with the spindle spinning my hand kept getting in my way. Making sure to raise my hand up to the very top of the spindle allowed my hand to stay out of the way and the spindle to turn more freely.
5. PRACTICE!!!! Just about everyday I sit with the spindle and practice. 10 minutes each day. And a couple weeks in, I know it has made all the difference. 10 minutes is enough to keep learning the muscle memory and just enough that if you get frustrated you are done for the day!

I did a recent YouTube episode on learning this craft and it also has videos of me spinning along the way. To view this episode click the video below!