Cop26 – time to shake up the Woolsack. As politicians and campaigners prepare for Cop26 might someone consider the tragic waste of British wool? There are over 15 million breeding ewes in the UK ergo at least 15,000 tonnes of the most exquisitely, versatile, useful, and bio-degradable, environmentally friendly fibre known to man. What is […]
Mediation – do I care? Only you know the answer. And if you don’t, then today’s the day to find out. Contact me, to join a group of genuine caring ‘woolies on zoom for Coffee this morning or *Meditation for the Curious this afternoon, 31st July 2020…. 11.00am : Here’s what Father Lawrence Freeman, the […]
Garden shed has been cleaned out. The poor thing is collapsing, the workbench is 2 inches lower at the back than the front; it never used to be like that! It is over 30 years old, the centre part of the floor has given way, so nailed a board over the gaps for safety. The […]
Dyeing for new cushions. ‘Time for a change’ I think so dye some merino rovings to match the chairs. All that needs to be done now is card it into rolags, spin it, ply it, skein, wash and finish it, roll into balls, warp up a loom to fit exiting feather cushion pads, weave it, […]
Need or want – in these tricky times I have come to realise the difference between Need and want. Wilbarston Shop has everything I need. So do supermarkets, but there, the things I need are not as obvious. On display are things I might want, but dont need: e.g. orchids, out of season fruit and […]
Last carrot turned up as I finished digging a vegetable bed yesterday. Top half is already eaten, but there is enough left to flavour a stew. Am glad of it; normally I would not bother bending down to pick it up as my back aches enough already. But times are not normal. And backache from […]
Today is Lady Day, traditionally the day peasants were hired and tenants paid their rent. Also, in Medieval times, no-one was ever allowed to leave their parish; absconders were pursued and punished. Travel was never an option in those days. But the same sun shone then as it is doing now on this, the world’s […]
Spinning and Weaving lessons are all cancelled along with all events – I dont like it, but it has to be done. However, on the bright side, two of my cancelled weaving bookings have already taken up my offer of an Ashford 16” rigid Heddle loom for £147 with free delivery and online support; plus […]
Spinning on a great wheel is the ultimate test of competence in hand spinning. Unless you can spin long draw it is not possible to use a great wheel effectively. Spinning is done with the left hand while the right hand turns the wheel. The spinner walks backwards drawing out long lengths of singles thread […]
Gift of Spinning at Christmas is often overlooked. Without spinning Jesus,Mary, Joseph, shepherds and kings would all be naked. Apart from hide or felt, I can’t think of a way to make clothing without spinning. Even domesticating animals requires rope – i.e. spun or twisted fibre, for tethering and fencing. Spinning must be the most […]
My first pupil from Japan has earned her Long Draw Spinner rosette after only two lessons. A tremendous achievement for a pupil whose first lesson took place just three weeks ago. She has also made the felted fox who My first pupil from Japan has earned her Long draw Spinner Rosette after only two lessons. A tremendous achievement […]
Dyeing for summer school is priority with only four days to go. Bundles such as this are to help and inspire spinners dyeing their own fibre for sock yarn next weekend. Amazing the difference what a little pot of Ashford dye (£6.40) and some vinegar can make. Knit socks. We will be making luscious socks […]
Summer School at Knuston Hall for all who love wool – any skill level. Two, three day summer breaks that will feel like heaven. Saturday 27-Monday 29 July and, Wednesday 31 July – Friday 2nd August Three days in which to Learn to Knit from scratch, or Knit socks. Learn to spin Long draw from […]
International Space Station and my Spinning retreat coincided at Launde Abbey last week. It was a lovely time – three days spinning and relaxing with people who love what I love. Launde is a magical place. The monastics knew a thing or two 900 years ago when they chose the location in which to build […]
Dear Pam, I thought you’d be pleased to know that I’m still spinning and creating things from my yarns. Below are some of my recently completed projects. The cardigan is made from the yarn we dyed during my last lesson, supplemented with considerably more white. The bag is made from Navajo plied yarn from the […]
Toadstool art yarn is named after some fungi that appeared this week in my stable yard. When Mary arrived for knitting yesterday she would not drive over the fungi to park in her usual place: ‘It’s so beautiful – I can’t bear to drive over, and spoil it’ she said. The colour of the fungi […]
Beginner spinning to bouclè in five lessons is all it took for Helen to become proficient with her hand spinning. Lesson 1-beginner spinning (long draw), 2-pying, 3- dyeing, 4-quality yarn from rolags, 5-bouclè. The purpose of each lesson was clearly defined in advance. Yesterday’s lesson was to make bouclè from hand dyed BFL top. The […]
Rewards of teaching the young are not financial as I consider it an investment – as well as a lot of pleasure of course… I recently received this letter… Dear Pam, Tabitha [daughter]wanted me to write a note to you to thank you for teaching her how to felt. She really enjoys it and decided […]
Long draw spinning and Joy to the World as another star pupil makes it onto my ever-growing list of acclaimed Long Draw Spinners – all accredited with specially commissioned rosettes. This happy lady recently received her rosette – a tremendous achievement in only five weeks and three lessons: Lesson 1 – long draw technique, Lesson […]