Comments on: Fiber Arts Friday – Fortitude

By: Bela Woodworth

Bela Woodworth — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 12:50:53 +0000

The thing about a beginner is that they’re eager. This is both good and bad. It’s good because they’ll put full effort into things and learn as much as they can, it’s bad because their eagerness makes them impatient! Many’s the beginner who didn’t get dramatic results in the first month and gave up because of it.

By: Katy

Katy — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 14:16:10 +0000

Thanks everyone for your comments. It helps to know that other people have gone through the same thing, and continue to do so as they learn new skills.

MaLinda – I loved this: “You have to work, cuss, throw away, take a break and jump right back in”. That’s exactly what I do. Except it’s hard to keep jumping back in with all I have on my plate. But I’m trying!

And I’ve gotten so much better with the wheel that I can’t see trying a spindle at this point. The thought is always in the back of my mind, “300 lbs. of fleece in the barn…”. So production is a really high priority for me.

By: Puddytat purr

Puddytat purr — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 14:15:48 +0000

I had exactly the same problem, I swore and bitched all over twitter when I first got my wheel. I drove everyone crackers, eventually someone took pity and spent an afternoon showing me what to do.

It clicked when I bought a different wheel and I went full steam ahead.

That was July, I’m now spinning sock weight on a regular whorl and I know I can spin cobweb weight on a Majacraft Rose with a lace whorl (yes, I have that wheel on order!).

If you’re aiming to something in particular, put a pic of your goal somewhere to give you inspiration. Talk to other crafters to keep you enthusiastic. Watch videos. Anything that keeps you passionate about it.

When you want to turn your wheel to kindling; walk away and do something else
Puddytat purr´s last blog ..My first attempt

By: kathi-fiberdance

kathi-fiberdance — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 01:23:21 +0000

I’m a frustrated knitter-I don’t read patterns real well and so don’t try too many hard ones. I have a friend who talks me through my sticky spots-just a phone call away-she’s an angel. As for your spinning-take classes from different teachers if you can-glean a little knowledge from each one and soon you’ll be on your way. And for the fun of it, watch every single you-tube video on the subject-some are good, some not so much, and some are pretty funny. Spin on…..

By: DominantHands

DominantHands — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 14:35:44 +0000

If you get frustrated with a knitting project, just set it aside until you feel the urge to go at it again. When I’m frustrated, I just make stupid mistakes which makes me even more frustrated!

By: MaLinda

MaLinda — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 14:35:28 +0000

Trial and error, perseverance, determination and dedication, obsessive and a little crazy! All of these are the characteristics of a Great Fiber Artist. You obviously posses each this is why you go forward. Spinning is not the easiest skill to pick up. You have to work, cuss, throw away, take a break and jump right back in. If you learned how to ride a bike then you can spin. Don’t expect too much from yourself instead, expect it from the yarn..place the blame on it and try to correct it’s evil ways!
MaLinda´s last blog ..Cria Fleece Is No Good..I Don’t Think So!

By: Kelly

Kelly — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 14:25:16 +0000

I don’t spin, but I’ve been enchanted with it and would love to start. But I do tend to get a bit frustrated with my current knitting projects from time to time. My solution: cast on something new! I love to knit hats, they are my solution to just about every knitting problem. Reliable, quick, rewarding, and fun!
Kelly´s last blog ..Pink? for me?

By: Kate

Kate — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 14:05:45 +0000

Don’t be too hard on yourself – just keep practicing! You also might want to try some spindle spinning. It slows the process down some from the wheel, and you can get a good feel for drafting and developing twist before it gets “sucked up” by the wheel.
Taking a little break and going back to it is also good – I’ve found that it can really help to put something in “time out” for a while.
Kate´s last blog ..Not-Quite-Perfect Giveaway

By: Tara

Tara — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 13:41:11 +0000

You should try a spindle. I started with that before I got my wheel, and it is much easier to regulate the twist. Not that my first yarn is great, but I think it is better than I would have done first on the wheel.

By: LazyTcrochet

LazyTcrochet — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 12:01:09 +0000

I like that “pushing through the pain” and how do you handle your “stuckness”! LOL
I often am a frustrated knitter. I mostly crochet, but I do find knitting relaxing…if it’s an easy pattern. If I have to concentrate on a pattern, it’s not so relaxing. I often set things aside and pick it up some other time. The problem with that is too many projects on the needles. Then I want to start another project, but have to finish the others first!
LazyTcrochet´s last blog ..What’s New…’tis the Season!