Because the yarn at the beginning and the end of my skeins were never quite as nice as the rest of the yarn, I used to discard the first and last few yards of yarn of each skein. Because I don’t like waste, a few years ago I started to… Read More »Plying Hint
Today I will be scouring fleece from three sheep breeds in preparation for the fleece and handspinning workshop I am teaching at Coniagas Textiles later this fall. I love scouring my own fleece. This first step provides me with pertinent information regarding the fibre I will be working with and… Read More »Coniagas Textiles Workshop
When I first began woolcombing I did not appreciate how much the act of dizzing would improve my spinning skills. Not only did dizzing reveal the best draft length for the fibre at hand, learning to draft out a consistent tape of fibre trained my hands in how to work… Read More »Skillful Dizzing, Defining Moment #7
Analyzing and Describing my Handspun Defining Moment #6 was when I took the time to learn how to analyze and describe my yarn in both quantitative and qualitative terms. Quantitative being those things I can measure and qualitative being what I can see or feel. Paying attention to my tpi,… Read More »Defining Moment #6
Further details and registration available on Eventbrite https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/exploring-sumptuous-silk-blends-tickets-138021529109
Further details and registration for this workshop is available through Eventbrite https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/blending-alluring-silk-rolags-and-sliver-tickets-138020554193
On my wheel… I just love this watery blue. The colour is reminiscent of some of the rivers we have seen on our travels throughout this beautiful province of ours. It is a Merino Alpaca blend from Chaotic Fibres and is spinning up like a dream. Will share photos of… Read More »On my wheel….
Fibre Prep: This post is a nod to my friend Marjorie, who nudged me to present this topic sooner rather than later. Yet another defining moment for me was when I realized I did not need to spin from a fibre preparation just the way it came. Many spinners tout… Read More »Defining Moment #5
My ability to spin a consistent yarn took a huge leap forward when I recognized how to change the grist of my yarn without making changes to either the fibre prep or spinning ratio. I could spin a thicker yarn by simply working closer to the orifice and a thinner… Read More »Defining Moment #4
When processed sliver or roving is packed up for storage or transport it can sometimes loose a bit of its character. My article in Spin Off’s Winter 2021 issue explains how I rejuvenate loft and crimp. The resulting rejuvenated sliver or roving feels and behaves more like my own handcombed… Read More »Spin Off, Winter 2021