Let's spin flax! Bring your questions - Vlogmas 2023

I love how people are getting into spinning flax. Let's spun up some linen thread and chat about it! Also, if you haven't seen it already, go check out @EngineeringKnits Craftmas series. She grew, processed, and dyed her own flax and I can't wait to see what's next!

__________________________________________________

~~ Social Media ~~


_________________________________________________

*I use some affiliate links. They will always be clearly marked and you are never obligated to use them. If you make a purchase through an affiliate link, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thanks for your support!
__________________________________________________

[amphibiousone]

Newbee here 👋 thanks for the encouragement.

[jessicaneal]

I absolutely love that you have seen the videos from Engineering knits and have chosen to expand on her knowledge and answer her questions! Thank you so much! 💓

[jamiethrogmorton]

I lived for 18 months in Peru as a foreign exchange student, and I LOVED IT. I stayed about 6 weeks in the Cusco area, I’m sure your trip will be life-changing. 🎉

[Kelli.Hicks.]

It's such a simple solution, but I love the addition of the flax seed to the wetting water. I wouldn't have thought of that, but upon hearing it, I bet the gel-like consistency really helps glide the fibers into place without too much friction on your fingertips. ❤💧

[Devoted-to-needlecrafts]

I love love loved that we got a really good view for an extended amount of time of how you spin line flax.

[robinmitchell]

My apt. is too small for a distaff so I fold a towel around the strick, put it on a table next to me with the flax hanging off the edge & draft that way. Keeps the chaf in the towel and out of my lungs & rug. I use an old postage stamp sponge in a dish/bowl so I don't have to worry about spills.

[arwenwestrop]

Hi Evie, I think that the 'gossip' wheel is called that because of the two flyers sitting next to each other and 'gossip' together. I really don't think it has to do with two people sitting together gossiping while they are spinning - although that may well have happened with any kind of wheel you sit at! Wonderful information as per usual, and well presented too!

[thegadflysnemesis]

oh, so that's how linen could be spun on a great wheel! i commented a question a while ago on the great wheel video, about whether it was possible to spin flax basically one handed as would be needed on a great wheel (ie, prior to the introduction of treadle wheels into Europe), and your mostly-one-handed technique with the well-arrayed distaff seems like it could apply. Im sure there would be some complications in having the left hand both turn the wheel and steady the flax, but once one got the rhythm of it, at least hypothetically to my zero practical knowledge, it does seem possible.

I really enjoyed this one!

[Meredith]

I love your words of encouragement for all beginners. I got so frustrated I put down my spindle. Now, it's time to pick it back up again. The rhythm of you spinning of the spinning wheel and the sound is so soothing. Absolute magic. Happy creating 💚🧶💚 and Happy Holidays 🎄

[nicolelafontaine]

I love to see you spin so many different fibers in so many ways. This is mind blowing. THANKS !

[karal]

Thanks for all the lovely volgmas videos, Evie! We are all loving them!

[lauramissy]

I am such a beginner that I am still putting pre-spun fiber on my bobbins... just trying to get the hang of spinning the wheel without having to focus on fiber. 😅

[Pharmbe]

You’re always so cheerful and it brightens my day! 💕

[kittyjohnstone]

I’ve just started spinning flax - on a drop spindle - And that is tow, and I think it is a joy to spin, but I don’t know what to do with it. I shall decide once I have enough spun to know how much I have to play with.

[Which-Craft]

So, all of my flax is tow, and I probably ruined my first batch by trying to dye it. I've been playing with it in small amounts on a spindle. Doing a flax/silk blend on my EEW, crazy thread thin (because you can with flax and silk), just spinning a short worsted style and it seems to be working well. Looking forward to the day I can get some line flax and try that.

[slhughes]

Linen thread was also used for assorted types of lace making.

[anitahebert]

So a friend had suggested this channel, as I am a spinner. Im also interested in spinning flax, so I thought I would check this one out. I was blown away by the, well...BS about the direction for spinning flax at 8:37. The direction that some vines twine is genetic, it has nothing to do with the direction of the sun and definitely said same vines do not twist in the opposite direction in the southern hemisphere. Different vines in the same garden prefer to twist in opposite directions, yet they share the same sun, after all. Now, does that mean that some non-vine plants like flax can have fibres that exhibit some chirality? Possible, maybe likely. Might a plant's fibres align better spun counterclockwise? There is probably a textile science article out there already on that topic. I may try the experiment, but I think the affect of it would be nominal at best, given all the other variables such as amount of pectin, humidity, completeness of the retting, fibre length, etc. Im willing to give the rest of the vlog a go, Im sure there are things I can learn here. But please try to find some primary source citations before stating something like that as fact. Sorry to be a downer, but my little sciency nerd brain just had to speak up. Im not saying that the vlogger isnt good at spinning, nor questioning their assessment of the wheel for spinning flax. But it might be better than others for flax for other reasons, such as the twist ratio, tension control, orifice shape or egonomics.

[janeilhenderson]

I cover my distaff with tissue paper to keep the flax from falling between the reeds. Then I wrap it with flat trim lace to hold it in place. I pull downward more than horizontally. I grow flax so it has been coarser than the finest. It's more challenging. Control of fiber on the distaff is even more important. I'm working on how to grow it finer. I have some finer stuff and it is so much nicer to spin but harder to find. I could send a picture of my distaff. What address? Oh, and I spin z and ply s like everything else so I can weave them together if I want. I took a spinning class over zoom from Patsy Zawistoski. I have tried your hand distaff method. It works with the finer flax but tricky. Any more tips on that? I use a 3/4 inch dowel rod.

[CheapEngineerCrafts]

Where can I get notices of your Vlogmas? I keep missing them bc I’m not on my phone when they pop up.

[tattercandy]

i would like to know more about dyed flax and how it is spun , i have some