I signed up for the Spinning Roving Swap a few days ago, because it sounded like a lot of fun. In some ways it feels more creative than the Sockapal000za swap, even though there are tons of things you can do with socks. This is probably because I am a complete novice at spinning. There is this long questionnaire to fill out and I don't really feel like I know the vaguest about any of this, but it is all about learning a new experience, trying something new and happy. Here goes nothing.
1) How long have you been spinning?
I signed up a virgin, which is pretty much true. I have a small bag of brown roving that I bought from Mind's Eye Yarn with my first spindle ages ago and a single 2 ounce bump of superwash merino that I bought about two weeks ago. I can't really say that I have been spinning, but I can say that I enjoy playing with the fiber. I want to learn how to make the yarn to give myself a better appreciation of the fibery goodness that I play with.
2) Are you a beginner, novice, or experienced spinner?
Beginner. Rank untutored beginner. I am so new that the roving shivers away from my touch. I do such nasty things to it.
3) Do you spin on a drop spindle or wheel, or both?
I have a cat and a small condo, so I don't have a wheel. I have a spindle, but I don't use it very often (I have used it recently though on the subway).
4) What types and weights of drop spindles (or what type of spinning wheel(s) ) do you currently own?
I blush because I haven't the foggiest idea what the weight of the spindle is.
5) What type of fibers have you spun with before?
Wool and superwash merino. I don't know if I have even produced a single yard of quality string, much less yarn but I have enjoyed trying.
The remaining 12 questions are behind the cut, because I don't want this getting too huge!
6) What fibers do you prefer to spin with?
As a neophyte, I like things that are soft. I love the superwash merino, because it is wonderfully pettable. I am not sure if it truly matters if it is easy to spin, because I will probably thrum or just knit with the roving after awhile.
7) What fibers do you dislike?
Umm, I would like something less scratchy and slighly less vm (vegetable matter??), but that is mostly a prep thing.
8) Do you prefer natural colored fibers, or handpainted/dyed fiber?
I love color, blacks and greys. Not too big on brown.
9) Would you prefer all one type of roving or smaller amounts of different types to sample?
I think a sampler pack would be a ton of fun. I could make something like the magic ball with all of the different types.
10) What are you favorite colors?
Blues, purples, greens, deep reds. I love anything that reminds me of the ocean or the sky or storms.
11) What colors do you dislike?
Well, I fear pink. Pink is a color that I only like in socks (at least as evidenced by the number of pink socks in my sock drawer), but couldn't picture using in any other context.
12) What would you like to do with your handspun yarn, or what do you plan to do with it? (pattern clarification here)
I would probably predraft it and split it into smaller bundles. I would try to spin with some of it and if my spinning felt too much like I was reeking havoc on the fiber then I would knit with the rest straight from drafted roving.
13) What spinning projects are you currently working on?
I have the superwash merino that I am currently playing with. It is from Dorchester Farms and I was trying to spin part of it on the train this weekend. I loved drafting it, but I couldn't tell if I was making heads or tails of the spinning part. I think I am going to try and work my way through the entire thing though, because even if it is scary it can always be a hat or a scarf.
14) Do you have a wishlist?
Nope.
15) What are your other favorite hobbies?
I knit, crochet, cross-stitch. Nearly anything that involves some fiber is on the list. I also read tons of books, but mostly fantasy stories like Harry Potter. I love Ravenclaw and have made a scarf that is so big I might drown in it!
16) Do you have any allergies (pet, smoke, food, fiber,etc...)?
No allergies, I'm safe.
17) What is your preferred shipping method (USPS, UPS, FedEx)?
I love the USPS. Nearly anything else requires that we go to some external facility and try and get there before closing, which greatly slows down our mail at times.
Phew! Surveys are pretty darn long. Honestly, I will have fun with just about anything and should try and schedule a lesson or two from Mind's Eye Yarns, because Lucy is supposed to be one of the best with explaining how to spin in the area.
