Category Archives: handspun

Maker Faire NC 2011 Video


I had the wonderful opportunity to be a volunteer at North Carolina’s 2nd Maker Faire. The Maker Faire that originated in my hometown of San Mateo, CA in 2006 is the largest DIY Festival in the world! Unfortunately, I had already moved out of the Bay Area in 2004, so I never got a chance to go to one until last year in Durham, NC. The Maker Faire NC 2011 was held in Raleigh at the fairgrounds and more than double the amount of last year’s attendees showed up! I got to meet some inspiring Makers and I wanted to share a little of my experience with all of you. If there is a Maker Faire near you I highly suggest you go. It’s great for little kids too! Enjoy my video!

I’m a Spinster!

I just started spinning and i must say I’m hooked! Creating luscious yarn with my own fingertips and the flick of my wrist is incredible to watch. I first started out with some orange hand dyed wool roving I received from an Etsy swap. As you can see in the picture below, it came out pretty thick. I used a bottom whorl drop spindle. It was kind of uncomfortable at first, but then I got used to it. The second ball of yarn I spun was out of natural honey colored Tussah silk fiber that I purchased from Paradise Fibers. This fiber was difficult for a beginner to work with because it kept separating. It was very delicate and hard to keep together, but oh so soft. The third ball of yarn, also from Paradise Fibers, was bamboo. You can tell my technique was getting better at this point. The thickness of the yarn was more consistent. I loved working with bamboo because it felt like butter between my fingertips. It was so easy to spin and connect. If your budget allows, I definitely recommend spinning bamboo.

I saved the best for last. I purchased this beautiful hand painted and carded batt on Etsy.com from
Loop. It’s gold, teal, green, blue, and a little yellow. It spun into a gorgeous thread that looks like it would be at least $40 a skein to purchase. It shimmers differently depending on the light. The colors all flow together as if looking at a midnight tropical ocean. My pictures don’t do this any justice. I used a top drop spindle and no leader thread. Now I just have to find a project worthy enough to knit with this yarn.
I still don’t know how to use a leader thread correctly. I always get it tangled. So, if anyone has any suggestions or helpful hints, please contact me.