Best products from r/Handspinning

I'm sending this question to a friend who is a spinner, a SCAdian and history buff, and a librarian. If she can't turn up an answer, it's probably false information.

I'm not as much of a history buff, but "medieval" indicates roughly 5th to 15th century, and spinning wheels were first used in Europe around 1300, and those weren't like the ones you see today. They were big walking wheels with a spindle. I've never spun on those, but I have heard that the results are far more woolen in nature, so it's not something I personally would trust as warp. They'd use one hand to spin the wheel and the other to long draw the fiber. And I have no idea if they plied those singles.

It's thought that Da Vinci invented the double drive system, though they weren't produced until much later. This would mean that the earliest a truly versatile wheel could have been made in Europe was high Renaissance period. Possibly earlier in the east and middle east - I haven't looked into those time periods or their fiber equipment (maybe I should). So, the short answer to your question is that what you think of when you hear spinning wheel didn't exist until almost 200 years after the time period we're discussing. Spindles were still the best way to get a firm, even thread.

I think supported drop spindles are still a great way to spin very fine high twist singles. I don't personally like them - I chose a production style saxony wheel instead for high twist spinning - but the results that some talented spinners can get from them don't lie. If the choices are a spindle or a great wheel, I'll take the spindle.

Editing to add: I found one reference to the law here and it appears to be specific to one small geographic location. I'd be shocked to find that such laws were common. Also note that this article indicates flyer wheels were invented in the early 1500's, so early renaissance period. Those still wouldn't have had treadles. Keep in mind that the source is an SCAdian, some of whom are very academic, but this isn't necessarily an academic (or accurate) article. It's just the only thing I could find referencing a law about spinning warp. It mentions a book, though. If you really wanted to go down a rabbit hole, find that book. It of print, used editions here.

To follow up on the first comment, if you want to card your locks, you can buy some inexpensive dog brushes (something like this: https://www.amazon.com/Self-Cleaning--Painless-Cleaning-Stainless-Furniture/dp/B00OS1T65C/ref=sr_1_12?s=pet-supplies&ie=UTF8&qid=1474216515&sr=1-12&keywords=dog+brush). There are tons of youtube how-tos on carding wool or locks into "batts" or "faux-logs" (they look and spin like a different fiber preparation called "rolags"). Both will be easy to do to use what you have.

Personally, if you can afford to do so, I would probably set the locks to the side and get something you'll be a bit more familiar with. Then come back to them when you are a bit more versed at spinning. There's a lot of cool stuff that's locks only from a spinning perspective, but I would not have been able to do it as the second thing I was trying.

What came with your spindle was likely either roving or combed top. Ashland Bay is kind of the mainstream standard for spinning fibers - you can probably find their stuff on Amazon. Personally, I like Paradise Fibers for selection when it comes to mainstream fiber purchases. (I say mainstream to delineate between anything from a major reseller and indie dyers running their own shops or off of Etsy).

Lastly, you should be able to find something online that talks through good beginner wools. Personally, I really liked corriedale on my drop spindle, but a lot of people really dislike it. Targhee and BFL are super popular, but not for me. If you can find a "what should I drop spindle" article that talks through how fibers spin and their staple length, you can compare to what you liked/didn't like about spinning and make a good guess at the next wool you want to try.

I highly recommend The Spinner's Book of Yarn Design. It's thorough and covers just about every possible novelty yarn, with lots of yummy inspiring examples. It's also great for highlighting what yarns work well in different kinds of finished fabrics, in knitting, crochet, and weaving.

I bought two of these dog brushes on Amazon: Ultimate Touch

They don't handle nearly as much fiber as the actual hard cards I use in my spinning class, but I'm able to make small rolags and spin them. You can also find used drum carders on Ravelry for about $300, which is a lot faster than hand cards (I feel like it's better bang for your buck, if you're going to spend).

There's are some splice methods people use, like this. I think I just tied a simple square knot the last time I did so, on an antique German slanty that I used to own. I used this but probably should have gone with something even thinner. Fortunately, that slanty tended to not care much (it was a very cool and user-friendly customer.)

One question is: are you using a too-thick string for the purpose? Double-drive wheels often work best with a finer string than we expect.

These work great and double as a lazy late!

Whitmor Swing Arm Slack Hanger, Ebony Chrome https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000QWFAIY

Buy yourself one of these. Or I can send you one with my next paycheck. That, a decent hatchet and a regular knife and you're all set.

I really want to carve one of these

Get the book “teach yourself visually handspinning” my library had it.

Teach Yourself Visually Handspinning (Teach Yourself Visually Consumer) https://www.amazon.com/dp/0470098457/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_PZv7Bb03ZD4P2

According to this it is from this book