Sad news, guys, remember these?
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| Play at Life Fiber Arts silk hankies (a.k.a. mawata) |
I bought them to try spinning silk and it turns out… I don’t like it.
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| I tried! |
It… just doesn’t feel right. It’s hard to explain. Drafting silk is difficult, you have to tug pretty hard and pre-draft before you try spinning it (at least, that’s what it seems like I need to do). Which is fine, I suppose, though I think what I’ve learned is I really like the way it feels to draft wool while spinning it and this is not at all like that.
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| Where’s the twist? |
I also can’t seem to get enough twist into it. See how loosely the single twisted back on itself? That can’t be right, can it? I just don’t know! I’m thinking I’m going to have to join the Nutmeg Spinner’s Guild of Connecticut and try to make it to their next meeting, whenever that might be. This spinner needs help!
Finally, my wool/silk blend Shiny Slouch hat is taking way too long to dry. I want to wear it already:
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| Patience, patience, I know. |
Have any of you had success with spinning silk? Got some tips?
Woolen Diversions 
I didn't really enjoy spinning with silk either, I agree, it just doesn't feel very natural. I know a lot of knitters that just draft it and then knit with it, which I've always thought would be more fun than spinning with it. I hope you can get some help! At the very least, that hat is gorgeous!
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I have never spun silk, but I have a silk/merino blend roving so maybe spinning it like that will help? I actually have just never been a silk fan I hate how it always catches. (The dry hands of a knitter :P) That hat looks amazing though!
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I never spun silk. I have tried bamboo, and it was similar I can imagine, but in a hank form so not quite a silk hankie. I hope it works out for you.
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Thanks! Glad to hear I'm not the only one.
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Yeah, it definitely feels spider-web-y when it does that.
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I'll have to try bamboo sometime.
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