I have visited Linda W's farm & studio where my husband & I were welcomed to view the animals that will soon be sheared. There were approximately 34 sheep of the Shetland variety in varying colours, all of which were beautifully woolly wonderful to see. I loved seeing their thick coats, the fleece on the sheep, which will someday soon be turned into creative & maybe beautiful, but useful.
Then the beautiful Angora goats. It's fascinating to see the lovely ringlets and to finally see where mohair comes from. I have always loved the mohair throws, etc. that I have seen in store windows my whole life. In the 70's I was given one from Scotland & I still have it handy on the back of a chair in my living room to throw over me on a chilly evening.
Linda's studio is absolutely beautiful. She teaches weaving classes & has many looms & spinning wheels. It was wonderful to see them set up with projects. Someday I hope to be able to weave too.
What an opportunity you gave us to see. Thank you so much.
I reserved a couple of dark ones that should end up as sweaters & one white fleece to maybe dye.
Something to look forward to.
More spinning today.
Sunday, March 21, 2010
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Spring is here
Well it feels like it is.
I haven't been here for a bit... and I have many reasons. The first being work,work and more work with almost no play.
I must take time & do the things that are important to me at this moment. These things are knitting some socks, knitting on my shawl and the spinning which I started this year.
Did I mention I like to cook, but it's not a food blog & I will stay on topic.
First came the spindles, then my Louet S 75 wheel and a visit to the local spinners' & weavers' guild in Woodstock.
My spinning wheel has a single belt bobbin drive with an adjustable flyer brake to regulate tension and flexible polyurethane belt. The 3 bobbins included have three settings on one side used to obtain three spinning speed ratios: 1: 5 slow 1: 7 medium and 1:10 fast spinning for fine yarn. The fly wheel is 20" in diameter. It has 2 treadles, but is not a true double treadle.
I don't know much about wheels, but it is working out nicely for me so far. I am studying the Alden Amos Big Book of Spinning.
At the same time, my hubby, Warren is making more spindles. The spindles are getting better with every new one. I am using a nicely balanced bottom whorl, but I think the favourite so far is the top whorl.
I have Briggs & Little pencil roving, B & L washed roving, Black Lamb merino roving, Louet Shetland roving and Hopeful Shetland roving. Favourite roving so far is the shetland which is very easy for a beginner to draw out.
I visited the Spinners' & Weavers' Guild in Woodstock yesterday for the first time & was warmly greeted by the President, Mary Saunders. I met three other members who very nicely gave me very useful tips to help me along. They meet in an old school room which is filled with looms, wool & yarns.
Before I left I joined the guild and look forward to future meetings. I also found out about the Master Spinner program offered by Olds College. There is a Ravelry group with information at this link: http://www.ravelry.com/groups/olds-master-spinners---ontario .
Here is a link to the program information: http://www.oldscollege.ca/programs/ContinuingEducation/trades-career-studies/fibreweek/OffCampusOfferings.htm .
This is so interesting. I would love to do this, but with a date of April 19, I don't think I can be ready this soon. In the fall probably.
Warren has also made a hackle & comb for me:
It works beautifully!!
Anytime one of you would like something made, please consider having Warren do the project. He is wonderfully talented at such endeavours.
I also have some wool carders:
Soon I will have a look at Linda W.'s sheep selection for some fleece. Just have to choose the colours.
I really want to try preparing the fleece right off the sheep and taking it to a finished sweater (s).
My M-I-L is waiting outside so I can take her to the grocery store. So I do hope you will drop in again to check out my progress.
Bye for now & enjoy the weather. It's free!!!
I haven't been here for a bit... and I have many reasons. The first being work,work and more work with almost no play.
I must take time & do the things that are important to me at this moment. These things are knitting some socks, knitting on my shawl and the spinning which I started this year.
Did I mention I like to cook, but it's not a food blog & I will stay on topic.
First came the spindles, then my Louet S 75 wheel and a visit to the local spinners' & weavers' guild in Woodstock.
My spinning wheel has a single belt bobbin drive with an adjustable flyer brake to regulate tension and flexible polyurethane belt. The 3 bobbins included have three settings on one side used to obtain three spinning speed ratios: 1: 5 slow 1: 7 medium and 1:10 fast spinning for fine yarn. The fly wheel is 20" in diameter. It has 2 treadles, but is not a true double treadle.
I don't know much about wheels, but it is working out nicely for me so far. I am studying the Alden Amos Big Book of Spinning.
At the same time, my hubby, Warren is making more spindles. The spindles are getting better with every new one. I am using a nicely balanced bottom whorl, but I think the favourite so far is the top whorl.
I have Briggs & Little pencil roving, B & L washed roving, Black Lamb merino roving, Louet Shetland roving and Hopeful Shetland roving. Favourite roving so far is the shetland which is very easy for a beginner to draw out.
I visited the Spinners' & Weavers' Guild in Woodstock yesterday for the first time & was warmly greeted by the President, Mary Saunders. I met three other members who very nicely gave me very useful tips to help me along. They meet in an old school room which is filled with looms, wool & yarns.
Before I left I joined the guild and look forward to future meetings. I also found out about the Master Spinner program offered by Olds College. There is a Ravelry group with information at this link: http://www.ravelry.com/groups/olds-master-spinners---ontario .
Here is a link to the program information: http://www.oldscollege.ca/programs/ContinuingEducation/trades-career-studies/fibreweek/OffCampusOfferings.htm .
This is so interesting. I would love to do this, but with a date of April 19, I don't think I can be ready this soon. In the fall probably.
Warren has also made a hackle & comb for me:
Anytime one of you would like something made, please consider having Warren do the project. He is wonderfully talented at such endeavours.
I also have some wool carders:
I really want to try preparing the fleece right off the sheep and taking it to a finished sweater (s).
My M-I-L is waiting outside so I can take her to the grocery store. So I do hope you will drop in again to check out my progress.
Bye for now & enjoy the weather. It's free!!!
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