Summer Workshops 2010

At the request of my friends and fellow spinners, I've designed a few spinning workshops for this coming summer. Having released the info to my gang of spinners (well, they ARE the ones who encourage me--the wind beneath my wings, so to speak), I'm opening things up to the public. I'll be posting them in 3 parts because I'm not sure my host will allow the entire document in one post, and I'd rather be spinning than editing Word documents!

Workshop/Class Offerings, Summer 2010

Spinning Woolen vs. Worsted Yarn

Did you know that the preparation of your wool affects the type of yarn you will produce? That there are different methods of drafting your wool to achieve either woolen or worsted yarn, and variations of these techniques? We’ll be preparing our own fiber from washed fleece, and talking about the traditional uses for both types of yarn. Students should be comfortable spinning on either a wheel or spindle.

Supplies to bring with you:
Spindle or wheel (don’t forget oil, hook & extra drive band)
Handcards/minicombs, if you have them (one pair of each will be available to share)

June 26, 2010—12:30 to 2:30
$35 includes materials and handout

Payment Information
Register early by contacting me through this blog to reserve your space. Payment can be made via Paypal (I’ll send you an invoice once you’re registered) or personal check. At this time I’m not able to accept credit cards. Payment in full is expected three days prior to the workshop.

So there you have it. Please feel free to get in touch with any questions, comments, etc. And be careful out there--tornado warnings abound in Western Pennsylvania this morning.

COE Handspinning progress report 1

This was the week I started in earnest on spinning the 40+ small skeins required for my submission. I had originally planned to post photos and give in-depth details of the process, but then realized that my identity is supposed to be anonymous for my submission. While I can talk in generalizations, I won't be posting pix of the skeins at this time.

It took me 2 days to finish the skein of Fine Woolen yarn from a raw fleece. I'd forgotten how much work is involved in cleaning, carding and finishing wool--and now I'm glad that I now longer have to do it this way. "Back in the day" when we didn't have access to many mill-prepared fibers, if you wanted to spin you bought a fleece and prepared it yourself. And spinning a fine and truly woolen yarn was something I'd never done. I've used long draw and I've spun woolen yarn (especially good for the kids mittens when they were little), but not so fine as required for this skein. I've got over 300 yards in a 1.4 oz. skein!

Have started prepping the cotton bolls for spinning, teasing the cotton off the seeds and carding it into punis. I've also gotten some Rambouillet lambs fleece from Wild Rose Farm washed up and ready for combing. Hopefully, I'll get some spinning time this Saturday either before or after I teach on Saturday. Sunday is, of course, reserved for watching the Steeler game--Luv Ya, Black 'n Gold! Go Steelers!