Script for
Episode 150:
Big Spins: The Singles
So you're ready to start your big spin. You know it's going to take you at least a couple of months. So how are you going to stay motivated and consistent for as long as it takes to spin this yarn?
Hello there, darling Sheepspotter! Welcome to Episode 150 of The Sheepspot Podcast. I'm Sasha, and my job is to help you make more yarns you love. In today's episode, I share my best tips for spinning happily through a big project, for spinning the most consistent yarn possible, and for staying motivated throughout this phase of the process.
Let's get into it.
1. Get Comfortable
My first tip is to get--and stay--physically comfortable. This project is going to require some extended time at the wheel, and it's worth thinking about two things that are crucial in completing a big spin: ergonomics and rest.
First, make sure that wherever you are spinning you're able to maintain good posture. That includes sitting on the couch spinning on your espinner! You're going to spend lots of time in this position, so make sure that it's a good one for your body. If you haven't yet, I highly recommend ergonomist Carson Demer's book, Knitting Comfortably: The Ergonomics of Hand Knitting. Even if you're not a knitter, this book is a great introduction to the principles of ergonomics. I'll put a link in the show notes. Carson also shares spinning-specific ergonomic tips in some issues of Ply Magazine. 10 out of 10. Highly recommend.
It's also really, really important to take breaks. I know that it's easy to get into a flow state while spinning and lose track not only of time, but also of how your body is feeling. I've had overuse injuries myself caused by exactly this. I once spun myself right into a case of tennis elbow that took months to heal. But here's the thing: not only do injuries suck, but also you are a less-good spinner when you are tired. When you're trying to stay consistent, not taking breaks will work against that goal. So set a timer. Or figure out how much fiber you can spin in 30 minutes, chunk up your fiber into amounts that size and take a break after every chunk. However you do it, do something that will prompt you to take breaks regularly.
2. Stay Consistent
Now, let's dive into the consistency piece a bit more. In the last episode I talked about using unwashed singles wrapped around a shipping tag to help with consistency. You can also use a spinner's control card for this; just be sure to make a note of the WPI you're using for the project. You just need something to serve as the standard to which you can compare the singles you're spinning. I recommend that you check against your standard every time you start spinning: at the beginning of a spinning session, and after every break. I also try to check in at least once between breaks to ensure that I'm still on track.
3. Spin All Your Singles Before You Ply
I'm a pretty undisciplined spinner in a lot of ways. But there's one thing I always do. I always spin all my singles before I start to ply, rewind them onto storage bobbins (see episode 12 for more on all the benefits of this practice), and then ply from the storage bobbins randomly. This distributes any inconsistencies in the singles through the whole yarn, and it means that your skeins will be the most similar to each other that you can make them.
I find that doing all the spinning first and then plying, rather than spinning a little and plying a little and then spinning a little and plying a little, keeps my muscle memory for spinning the singles fresh and I'm more consistent. And if there are variations of diameter or twist in my singles, they'll be scattered through the whole project rather than concentrated in a single skein.
Obviously, for a big spin, spinning all your singles first requires lots of cheap storage bobbins and a bobbin winder. Again, if you have questions about why and how you should do this extra step, see episode 12. And if you need a bobbin winder recommendation, I review my favorite in episode 36.
4. Know Yourself
Finally, and this is emerging as a theme for this month's episodes, know yourself. Part of this means understanding what will motivate you to keep spinning and what will trip you up. In an earlier episode this month I talked about how I just will not spin, ply, and knit an entire sweater in white or naturally-colored fiber. I know this about myself and I'm OK with that.
I also know that I will probably set aside my big spin for a time for some little palate-cleansing spins. I don't berate myself about this. I know it's part of my process and it's not a problem. So go ahead and treat yourself to a snack spin if you want to. Spinning is spinning, and any spinning is better than none. Just keep going. You'll get there.
Finally, I find it really useful to commit to posting pictures on Instagram (@sheepspot) when I'm starting a big spin, and every time I reach a milestone, like finishing the singles. I usually post these on Wednesdays. I'm taking a painting course right now and I actually started a separate Instagram account to document my journey learning to paint. If you're interested, it's @sashatorrespainting; I'll put a link in the show notes. I use these posts as a way to gently hold myself accountable to my making plans, and this works really well for me. So if you find that your motivation is flagging, you might try this too.
How do you keep yourself consistent and motivated through a big spinning project? I would love to know, and I know that other listeners would as well. Fortunately, there's an easy way for you to share this information and comment on this episode, in a dedicated discussion thread in The Flock! The link is in the show notes, which you'll find right inside your podcast app. So just open up the description, click the link, and you'll be taken right to the thread.
Darling Sheepspotter, that's it for me this week. I'll be back next week to talk about plying your big spin. You don't want to miss it. Until then, spin something! I promise it will do you good.