Spinning flax

I've just begun my first attempt at spinning flax. I ordered 4 oz. of Glimakra soft, hackled flax from Paradise Fibers and it arrived today (along with some yak down, baby camel, baby alpaca, and polwarth roving).

Here's what I've spun thus far (click on any of the pictures to see them larger):

I wish I had a distaff, then maybe the flax wouldn't turn into such a riotous mess in my lap as I'm spinning:

Well, anyhoo, I hope I have the hang of it by the time I reach the end of my 4 oz. I'd love to grow my own and do all of the retting, breaking, scutching and hackling to prepare it for spinning. It sounds like a lot of work, but I think it'd be fun.

If I ever get a loom, I'd love to weave the spun flax into linen cloth.