Fibrary from Fibre East
Deb Robson’s 2-day Introduction to Wool Types at Fibre East was fantastic. It wasn’t exactly a beginner class, but I was helped and encouraged to keep pace and gained some great skills. After all, I...
View ArticleChoosing fleece: Must be the cloud in my eyes
Daniel is a Llanwenog x Oxford Down Cross. Ever since I started working with Daniel’s fleece I’ve been singing Elton John: “Oh it looks like Daniel… must be the clouds in my eyes!” Just wanted to offer...
View ArticleFact: Washing fleece will keep you healthy and productive
I am now in the possession of 2 fleece, (fleeces?) As I write this post, I’m washing corriedale in 20 mins increments. Let me shared what I learned… so far… Previously a skeptic, I am now an...
View ArticleReview: Spinners Book of Fleece, the missing link!
Oh how I wish I had this book about two weeks ago before I ventured into the woolly world of fleece selection and preparation. Still, I’m fortunate to have discovered it as early as I have. The...
View ArticleA new year: Crafting resolutions
On New Year’s Eve, at our friends’ we discussed ‘What would you say to 2014 if you could meet it in person?’ Aoife said she’d pat it on the shoulder, and say, ‘OK. Well done,’ friendly, but not overly...
View ArticlePower scour v Dish washing detergent for washing fleece
I have LOTS of fleece to wash, and if I don’t get it all washed by Fibre East, I’m not allowed another one for a whole year. (My rules!) So I want to get it done quickly, effectively and create as...
View ArticleOpposing ply yarn
I was my FIRST TIME ever attempting a 3 ply. I weighed and divided up the braid of dyed wool. I spun one bobbin full and another. By the time I got to the 3rd bobbin, I spun for a while and realized...
View ArticleSpin the bin 2015 – status update 1
I joined a group on Ravelry in the “Completely Twisted and Arbitrary Spinning Spin the Bin 2015” challenge. The idea with this challenge is to commit to spinning from your current stash. Plan future...
View ArticleThe talented Mr. Thayer Syme of TravelKate
My theory on Lazy Kate is that Kate was sick and tired of making plying balls. She thought of a way she could pop the bobbins down on her a contraption so she could spin away. And boom, the Lazy Kate...
View ArticlePatterns for handspun part 3: Layering garments
The likelihood that you’ll reach your hand into the stash and come up with a sweater-weight of wool is highly unlikely. It’s more likely to find you have enough for a shawl or a cowl, and that would be...
View ArticleThe scourge of the heavy “student spindle”
For the third time in as many weeks, on Saturday a would-be spinner told me of her woes trying to spin on a spindle. I diagnosed her problem: a way-too-heavy spindle. I have been delighted recently to...
View ArticleA simple spinning on a stick demo for shows
In my previous rant about the student spindle, I pointed out you’d be better off showing people to spin with a CD spindle, and showing them how simple it is to make one, than giving them a...
View ArticleFibrary from Fibre East
Deb Robson's 2-day Introduction to Wool Types at Fibre East was fantastic. It wasn't exactly a beginner class, but I was helped and encouraged to keep pace and gained some great skills. After all, I...
View ArticleChoosing fleece: Must be the cloud in my eyes
Daniel is a Llanwenog x Oxford Down Cross. Ever since I started working with Daniel's fleece I've been singing Elton John: "Oh it looks like Daniel... must be the clouds in my eyes!" Just wanted to...
View Article