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Spinning

Portrait of Sierra Roberts
by: Sierra Roberts

…Wait, what’s a niddy noddy?

 

Niddy Noddy, a spinning necessity.

Strange as the name may sound, the niddy noddy is an incredibly helpful tool for spinners. Available in a handful of different styles, the function remains the same: Freshly spun yarn is wound onto a niddy noddy, directly from the bobbin (or spindle). Besides keeping your newly spun yarn tangle free, this tool helps measure your yardage, as the niddy noddy will be set to create a skein of a specific circumference. You merely have to count how many times your yarn is wrapped around the niddy noddy, multiply it by how many yards it’s set to wind your skein, and you’ve got a pretty close approximation of your total yardage.

Winding your yarn up into skeins is also the ideal way to prep it for your next step, be it dyeing or soaking to finish. It’s also one of the most popular ways to store your yarn and free up your bobbins. Take it from me, it’s a lot easier to make skeins with a niddy noddy than wrapping your yarn directly onto a swift, or around the back of a chair. I’ve learned this the hard way, multiple times.

Since there are a few different types of niddy noddies, I thought I’d take a moment to show you the various ones we carry.

First, there’s the Ashford Niddy Noddy (standard size). This simple niddy noddy is made from unfinished wood, and winds a 1.5 yard skein.

 

Next we have the Louët 1 to 2 yd Niddy Noddy, which comes in lacquered beech wood. This niddy noddy gives you the option to adjust it to wind either a 1 or 2 yard skein.

 

[Sorry, item discontinued or temporarily out of stock] gives you even more options – this versatile niddy noddy can adjust to wind a 1, 1.5, or 2 yard skein. It also comes with a denim carrying case, so it’s easy to transport and store.

 

Last but not least, we have the Schacht Niddy Noddy, Maple and the Schacht Niddy Noddy, Cherry. These adjust to wind either a 1.5 or 2 yard skein, and they fold flat for convenient transport/storage.

 

If you’re thinking about making your own yarn, you’ll be glad to have one of these handy tools!

 

Related items of interest: • Spinning Equipment

Portrait of Amos
by: Amos

How to choose a spinning wheel

 

How do I select a spinning wheel?

A great question, and one that will set you on an oh-so-rewarding adventure! You win by simply asking…

Luckily, spinning wheels these days are built to be good all-around performers. They are also generally made by small companies that are passionate about spinning, quality and service: Ashford, Louet, Schacht, Kromski and Majacraft are great supporters of the spinning community and we offer a complete selection of their products. Plus when you buy a spinning wheel at Halcyon Yarn it ships free within the continental USA!

Except for a few specialty wheels, most all models will help you learn to spin quickly, and make a great variety of mid weight yarns. That said, there are important differences and you can definitely give yourself a head-start with a little planning. Some things to consider at the outset and some questions that may guide you… Do you:

  • Have limited space or lots of space?
  • Want to be able to take your wheel with you to spinning groups or for travel?
  • Find yourself drawn to traditional looks, or prefer a modern take?
  • Want to spin mostly mid weight yarns, or know you’ll concentrate on either super bulky or super fine yarn?

As we talk about how to choose a spinning wheel, we’ll consider some of the parts of a wheel. These parts should be functionally similar even between very different looking wheels:

spinning-wheel-parts-diagram-overview

Ok, now we’re ready to make some comparisons. With a little looking, you can get a wheel that will feel just right, look just right, and spin yarn you’ll LOVE! Making a “good choice” for a first spinning wheel will keep you smiling for many years to come!

 

First decision: Traditional vs. modern spinning wheels

spinning-wheels-traditional-vs-modern-designs

Traditional Spinning wheels:

  • Are the ones in storybooks. The Saxony style is what Rumpelstiltskin used.
  • Often have ornate construction and may take up more space than modern wheels.
  • Not typically able to fold for travel.
  • Do still take advantage of modern components; they can be versatile, and spin easily and well.

…

Modern Spinning wheels:

  • Are diverse, with many shapes and sizes
  • Tend to focus more on function than traditional design per-se (though some are very cute).
  • Often are able to fold, are lighter, and have a smaller “footprint”.
  • Evolve more quickly to incorporate new ideas, trends and improvements.

 

The verdict: which style is right for you?

…Read more…

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