Skip to main content

Afraid To Try New Things? Me Too, But I'm Doing It Anyway!

First Time Blending Wool 

New things can be scary, and the fear of messing up has stopped me so many times from doing things I really wanted to do. If that sounds familiar, you’re not alone! I’m trying something a little different—I want to share my experience stepping into hand spinning and blending my own rolags.

The Leap Into Hand Spinning

I recently started hand spinning yarn and decided to take it a step further by blending my own rolags. If you’re unfamiliar with this process, I’ll link to a series of videos from a friend HERE, so you can check it out. Watching videos is one thing, but there’s nothing quite like feeling the wool in your hands and working it on the board—it’s a completely different experience.

Growing up, making mistakes wasn’t something that felt very safe, especially when finances were tight. If I messed up on crafting supplies, there wasn’t always money to replace them. That mindset made trying new things difficult, but as I’ve gotten older, I’ve worked on breaking free from that fear. This journey into spinning and blending my own rolags is part of that process.

Gathering Supplies

For this project, I purchased Wool of the Andes Wool Roving from Knit Picks, get it HERE. I wanted to experiment with blending solid colors myself, creating gradients and unique mixes. I had previously shared this haul with my channel members, where I discussed pricing and sourcing in more detail.

Speaking of memberships, I have two levels available—Channel Supporter, which includes community posts and behind-the-scenes updates, and Yarn Talker, where I share two long-form videos each month. If you’re interested, you can find more details HERE.

Choosing a Blending Board

Instead of splurging on an expensive blending board right away, I opted for a more affordable one from Amazon. I took inspiration from a video by Adam Savage’s Tested (yes, the Mythbusters guy), where he discussed starting with budget-friendly tools before committing to pricier options. This seemed like the perfect approach—try it out first, and if I love it, I can invest in a higher-quality board later.

The Blending Process

I dove into the blending process with a mix of excitement and nervousness. I love autumnal  colors, so I played with golds, rusts, and deep shades. At one point, I worried I might accidentally recreate the Burger King logo (definitely not my goal!), but overall, I was thrilled with how the colors were coming together.

I also added white fiber into the mix after seeing a video where someone mentioned that white can help other colors pop. If it doesn’t work out, I can always blend it with something else—who hasn’t bought yarn they weren’t completely sure about?

Learning As I Go

As I started rolling the fiber off the board, I quickly realized I had my dowels way too close together. The fiber was too tight in some spots and too loose in others, making it difficult to remove properly. I struggled, but in the end, I was able to get it off and could already see areas where I could improve next time.

Moving Forward

Before I blend more, I plan to spin what I’ve already made on my drop spindle to see how it turns out. Click HERE to check out my Drop Spindle. This will help me adjust my technique and refine my process. The most important thing I’ve learned? Perfection is overrated. If I had waited for everything to be perfect, I might never have started at all.

Trying something new can be intimidating, but jumping in and allowing yourself to make mistakes is the best way to learn. I hope this inspires you to take the leap into a project you've been hesitant about. I’d love to hear about your experiences—let’s talk yarn!

Watch the YouTube video here!


*some links in this blog post may be affiliate links

Popular posts from this blog

Don't Panic! Here's An Alternative Yarn

Perfect Replacement for Big Twist If you’ve been a fan of yarn brands like Big Twist and K&C but are now worried about finding suitable replacements, I have great news for you! While these brands may not be as easily accessible as before, there’s a fantastic alternative that offers an incredible variety of yarns at competitive prices— Herrschners . Why Herrschners? Herrschners is a well-known name in the crafting world, and while they have only one physical location in Stevens Point, Wisconsin, they ship nationwide and even internationally! Whether you’ve shopped from them before or are completely new to their selection, you’ll be pleased to know that many of the yarns you love from Joann’s can be found through Herrschners, often at similar or even better prices. Exploring Herrschners Yarn Selection Herrschners offers an extensive range of yarns, including well-known brands like Premier, Lion Brand, Yarnspirations, and Red Heart. They also carry their own house brands, which can ...
Read more

How I Modified A Hexagon Cardi for Mid & Plus Size

Hexagon Cardigan Modifications Hey yarn lovers! If you're a midsize or plus-size crocheter looking for ways to customize your hexagon cardigan for a more flattering and comfortable fit, I’ve got some great tips for you. I recently finished my second hexagon cardi and made a few modifications that helped me feel more confident wearing it. Here’s what I learned! The Inspiration Behind My Second Hexagon Cardi A while back, I made a basic hexagon cardigan using Red Heart Super Saver yarn. While I loved the pattern and even won a blue ribbon at my county fair, I wasn’t sure I would actually wear it. It felt a bit too boxy and oversized for my liking. This time, I decided to use Herrschners Witches Brew yarn for a fun Halloween-inspired version. Get the yarn HERE . Since I wanted to ensure I would love wearing it, I made a few tweaks to improve the fit and feel. Key Modifications for a Better Fit 1. Adjusting the Shoulder Fit Instead of making the panels overly large, I measured my sho...
Read more

Big Twist Yarn Finds a New Home

What You Need to Know Hey, fiber friends! If the news of Joann’s impending closures had you panic‑adding Big Twist to every cart in sight, breathe easy. Herrschners just swooped in with the rescue we didn’t know we’d get—and it’s official: “Big Twist Yarn – Coming soon to Herrschners! Herrschners.com is thrilled to announce that we will soon be carrying your favorite Big Twist Yarn, bringing you an even wider selection of colors and textures for all your knitting and crochet projects… Sign up for our email notification list today, and be the first to know when this popular yarn arrives.” Why this matters Same beloved yarn, new storefront. Big Twist will no longer be tied to Joann’s shelf space—so once it lands at Herrschners, supply should stabilize. Read the BLOG POST on why I think Herrschners is the best replacement for Joann or watch this video:  Color possibilities. Herrschners hinted at “even wider” options; fingers crossed for the return of discontinued shades...
Read more