I bought the silk in "hankie" form. Basically a square with MANY MANY MANY layers. And these layers are thin. Very thin. My first piece of advice - exfoliate your hands and keep a container of hand cream next to your wheel. Seriously ... this stuff sticks to dry hands like velcro. You'll get frustrated if you don't do this ... and that's just no fun. This is an exciting adventure and frustration should not be found on the trip.
So, this is how the silk hankies come if you buy them dyed. A nice pile, usually about an inch or so thick and "usually" measured out to an ounce per pack. Obviously there are variations to the weight depending on where you buy them - I know one place who measures out 40 grams, so you end up with more in a package if you buy from them. But, for my purpose of trying silk out, an ounce was perfect.
First thing you want to do is peel one single layer off. **Useless trivia fact - one layer is one silk cocoon that is opened and spread out.** On each layer there is a little bit of an edge, so it's not bad to separate.
Make sure you put a little hand cream on. I tend to use an unscented one JUST in case the scent sinks into the fiber. I don't want to offend anyone with a peach-raspberry-vanilla-coffee scent. (Okay, maybe that last one isn't in cream form, but there's a lot of it flowing around here!)
Each layer is thin. I'm talking see through thin. So thin that at first you question if you didn't take a full layer off thin. But you did it right. If you're wondering if you took too much off, check the edge. The edges are slightly thicker and you can see if you have one or more as they separate ever so slightly.
Next ... poke a hole in the middle. Yup ... just use your fingers and make a hole smack dab in the middle. Use both hands and start to open that hole up a bit.
It's hard to photograph both hands doing this ... my nose doesn't work well to snap a photo. (I'll work on that technique though. *giggle*)
Using both hands - start pulling at the hole. Make it big!
Now, putting your hands about 18 inches apart along your circle of silk - give or take - start drafting. Just gently pull at the fibers making your loop longer and longer, thinner and thinner. How much do you pull she asks. Depends on how thin you want your yarn. I do it by feel and sight. You will be able to tell areas that have been pulled more and areas that have been pulled less. There is no right or wrong here. Just depends on what you're looking for, what you're comfortable with, what your creativity decides on.
See how one area is super thing and another area is still really thick? You can just tell. Trust me on this one.
This is mine all drafted out. I usually end up with one area that is super thin - and that's where I end up breaking my loop and start to spin it onto my wheel. The spinning is a bit different with silk - for me at least. My hands are working a bit differently, the silk slips through a bit faster, the twist is slightly different ... just work with it until you get it. It's all about fun and experimenting in the beginning. Don't worry about perfection ... just have fun with it.
Here it is going onto my wheel. It's a bit of a longer process then spinning up some wool, but it's worth it. It's SO pretty and shiny and, well, just beautiful. Can't wait to share the finished product with you. Off to play with the baby for a bit and then spin during his nap.
Here's to living the dream!
P.S. I'm putting together a little contest for this evening. Like my page on Facebook and join in the fun!
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