How to Spin Beehive Yarn on a SpinOlution Spinning Wheel
How to spin bee hive yarn
Beehive yarn, also known as "cocoon yarn" or "egg yarn," is a delightful and unique addition to any fiber artist's collection. This type of yarn features spun nests of fiber that resemble little beehives or cocoons and adds fantastic texture and visual interest to your projects. In this blog post, we'll guide you through the steps to spin beehive yarn on a spinning wheel.
Why SpinOlution Spinning Wheels Are Ideal
SpinOlution spinning wheels are particularly well-suited for spinning beehive and other art yarns. Here are a few reasons why:
Open Hook Orifice: The open hook orifice allows for easier manipulation and passage of bulky and textured fibers, making the spinning process smoother and more efficient.
Larger Bobbins: SpinOlution wheels come with larger bobbins that can accommodate more yarn, especially bulky art yarns like beehive yarn, reducing the need to change bobbins frequently.
Ease of Use: SpinOlution spinning wheels are designed for ease of use, allowing spinners to focus more on creativity and less on mechanical adjustments.
Materials Needed:
SpinOlution spinning wheel
Fiber of your choice (preferably wool roving)
Niddy noddy or a skein winder
Wash basin and mild soap (for setting the twist)
Towel (for drying your yarn)
Patience and creativity!
Step-by-Step Guide
1. Prepare Your Fiber
Begin by prepping your chosen fiber. Wool roving works wonderfully for beehive yarn due to its pliability and ease of manipulation.
2. Set Up Your SpinOlution Spinning Wheel
Ensure your SpinOlution spinning wheel is in good working order. Adjust the tension to a medium setting and make sure you're comfortable at your wheel. It's important to have smooth treadling without too much resistance.
3. Begin Spinning
Start spinning your yarn normally, drafting out the fiber evenly. Keep spinning until you have spun all of your fiber supply into a woolen steel single ply. If it’s a little thick and thin that’s perfect!
4. Create the Beehive
Set up to spin as a two ply ( thread ply) You will be plying the single you just spun with some thread of your choice to form the bee hives.
Stop treadling momentarily. To form a beehive:
Pinch the yarn between your fingers a few inches from where it exits the open hook orifice.
Push the single ply yarn section off up towards the orifice create a puff or bubble on the thread. I like to lightly hold the thread to help get this wrapping ( see the video)
Adjust the size of the puff as desired to mimic a beehive shape.
5. Incorporate the Beehive
After creating the beehive shape, resume treadling. Allow this puffy section to twist onto the spun yarn, securing it in place. Control the twist carefully to avoid overtwisting, which can distort the shape of your beehive.
6. Repeat the Process
Continue spinning normally for another few yards before creating the next beehive. You can space them as closely or as far apart as you like, depending on the look you want to achieve.
7. Finishing
Once you’ve spun the desired amount of beehive yarn, wind the yarn off onto a niddy noddy or skein winder to create a skein.
8. Set the Twist
Fill a basin with lukewarm water and add a few drops of mild soap.
Submerge the skein in the water, gently pressing to ensure it’s fully soaked, and leave it for about 30 minutes.
Remove the skein, rinse it thoroughly, and gently squeeze out the excess water.
Wrap the skein in a towel and press out more moisture.
Hang the skein to dry completely.
You can also wet it on the Niddy Noddy and let it dry stretched out.
9. Enjoy Your Beehive Yarn!
Once your yarn is dry, it’s ready to use. Enjoy experimenting with this textured, eye-catching yarn in various knitting, crocheting, or weaving projects.
I think it’s great for a pattern like my fishman’s net cowl found free here
Tips for Spinning Beehive Yarn
Practice: Spinning beehive yarn can take some practice, especially in controlling the size and placement of the beehives.
Even Tension: Maintain an even tension and control over your wheel to avoid unwanted thin spots or overly tight twists.
Experiment with Fiber: Try different types of fibers for varying textures and effects.
By following these steps and incorporating your creativity, you'll soon be spinning beautiful beehive yarn that adds unique character to your fiber projects. With the benefits of a SpinOlution spinning wheel, the
Explore the world of art yarns—Go beyond traditional yarns and add textures, beads, or sequins to create something extraordinary. This special bonus section of our course is designed as a canvas upon which you can splash your creativity, an additive process where each skein builds upon the last. It's a loving nudge to immerse yourself deeply in the sheer joy of creation. Sometimes, the act of crafting can be its own reward.
Learn more about spinning Art Yarn Like Bee Hive Yarn
