Preparing to use my Drop Spindle: Selecting Roving

As I mentioned yesterday, I will be using a drop spindle during part of the Tour de Fleece.  That part begins for me in about a week.

Technically I have used a drop spindle before, but only because we had to in my Spinning 101 class a couple of years ago.  I have absolutely not used a drop spindle since then.

Now I do understand the purpose for starting with a drop spindle, but it was very challenging.  There's a lot going on when you're learning new skills.  Even after we moved to the wheels, it took me a while to understand "drafting" and thus to be able to spin something that looked like yarn.  Eventually, I "got" it and can now spin a consistent yarn.

I enjoy spinning with my wheel, but I have been wanting to try the drop spindle again. Only, I have been afraid.  I would see the drop spindle in my office and remember the horribleness I created with one of it's brethren in my class.  It's almost as if the sweet little thing was taunting me... Why are you afraid of me? I'm just a simple piece of wood.  Mwahahahaha.

So I decided this year's Tour de Fleece plus a trip out of town was the perfect reason to overcome my fear with the drop spindle.  Which means I have to decide which fiber I should use from my stash.

I will not use the Paco-Vicuna, Yak Down or Cashmere/Tussah Silk.  These are all too wonderful for me to stand the thought of messing them up.  I will use something else until I am comfortable with the drop spindle first.

I will not use the Angora Rabbit or Milk fiber.  These are very slippery and I think I should choose something that will be easier to spin.

I could use the Navajo-Churro or Jacob roving.  Both of these are heirloom wools are more coarse than anything else I have.  I'm am very interested in comparing these two wools and have the beginning of a plan for the Jacob wool.

I could use the green cotton.  I have close to 7 ounces of this roving.  I thought I had two colors, but it turns out I purchased the same color twice.  Since I have so much, I could afford to mess up a little, but with the staple length being so short (~ 0.5 inches) I might want to try something a little longer.

I will most-likely use the Wool/Mohair blend.  I have already spun two skeins of this wool, so I have a pretty good idea of how it will spin.  I also have about 12 ounces left of this roving, so I wouldn't feel too bad if I messed some of it up.