Posted by Cecily B on Tuesday, 5 September 2006, at 5:07 p.m.:
In Reply to: Flax spinning posted by Kathy T. on Monday, 4 September 2006, at 8:03 p.m.:
I'm still pretty new at flax spinning, but I have had some very encouraging sucess.
I recommend chcking out the The Joy of Spinning, by Marilyn Kluger. Her instructions for preparing the fibers and spinning them are consistent with those I've received from other flax spinners.
Also, Patsy Z, spinninguru.com has dvd/vidios and a booklet on Flax spinning (very reasonable). You might be able to check out the video from one of the major retailers such as Halycon.
What I've discovered about spinning flax is that it has an excitement all it's own. It's more difficult than wool, and yet, it becomes easier, with practice. I wanted to learn so I could demonstrate at a cultural event, and the people that watched me spin flax were simply enchanted! And, after all that demo time, I had two huge skeins of better-than-beginner quality singles.
Flax spins well when you moisten it with water. You can spin it without, but the moisture smooths the fibers and activates a glue that is part of the fiber.
You don't need a lot of twist to make yarn; just enough to get the fibers joined and just enough tension to wind it on the bobbin.
Good luck!