Spinning – Spinning School

Is raw fleece worth spinning?

Pam Austin — Fri, 21 Jun 2024 08:16:52 +0000

Not all fleece is worthy of a handspinner’s skill. It is a great joy to spin fleece as it comes off the sheep while it is still warm and the best parts easy to locate – but no joy in trying to spin fleece that is matted, smelly, dirty or tangled with thorns or straw. Shearing is a bit later this year due to the wet weather, and as supply always exceeds demand, it makes good sense to pick the best and compost the rest. Spinning in the grease saves time and effort in washing and work with a flick carder, hand carders, table carder, drum carder, or combs. And if preparation is all part of your pleasure it still makes sense to pick the best to start with as better quality fleece will inevitably yield a better quality yarn. And higher quality and greater productivity will increase the pleasure and satisfaction from your skill. No, not all raw fleece is worthy of the handspinner’s skill.

An easy to spin staple length is about the width of your hand. And there is the question of purpose i.e is it for a scarf or a rug or just to practise with? Quality varies enormously between breeds, and within the breed, and within the specific fleece itself where, the easiest part to spin is mostly found where the saddle would go if it were a horse. Feel, smell, knowledge, nous and even hearing all play a part in making the important choice that may – or may not! – bring you joy in winter. For more information on choosing the best see: Ch.4 Fleece Nature’s best, ‘Handspinning – essential technical and creative skills’ (now in paperback) or request an extract.

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Epitome of Art Yarn

Pam Austin — Fri, 03 May 2024 08:10:50 +0000

‘Fowey Woods’ art yarn by Jane Heynes

This Fowey Woods art yarn, by Jane Heynes, epitomises Art Yarn. It was inspired by a photo taken from the yacht “Steady’ while anchored in Fowey, Cornwall last month. The yarn includes my hand dyed Angora goat locks (mohair) that bring colour and texture reminiscent of the fresh new leaves just opening up in Fowey Woods alongside the estuary. What makes it art yarn?

woodland coming into leaf at Fowey in April 24

Art is a personal response to something. If you are an artist and a spinner that response is art in hand spun yarn; a unique and meaningful blend of fibre, colour, texture, yarn structure(2ply) and spinning method (long draw) all brought together by that inimical spark of inspiration we call creativity.

The purpose of the yarn is Art; it may well become part of a project at sometime in the future; for today this yarn Being what it meant To Be, is enough -the epitome Art Yarn.

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Joyful weekend

Pam Austin — Fri, 23 Feb 2024 16:38:20 +0000

My dyeing complements William Morris’ Strawberry Thief

What Joy to spin. Moved my wheel into the sitting room and will spend the weekend spinning by the fire; unless it dries up enough to dig over the asparagus bed that is…Hopefully it will be a weekend filled with Joy whatever the weather!

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COP26 – time to shake up the Woolsack

Pam Austin — Mon, 18 Oct 2021 14:01:44 +0000

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 staggering to to learn is that much of this just gets burned! Yes. It gets burned! By tradition the Chancellor of the Exchequer sits on a woolsack. A sort of diplomatic nod to the esteemed place wool held in the economy – once upon a time.

Sadly this one-time building block of the British economy is now a commercial liability – and yet it is still an unbeatable textile, environmentally sound, a naturally renewable resource that presents no cultivation costs whatsoever! When the Wool Marketing board was established in 1950 to ‘Maintain the best possible net return for producers’, the commercial price of wool was 144 old pence per pound in weight; that is equal to about £20/kilo today.

Absolutely no fibre compares to wool for its warmth, resilience, elasticity, breathability, insulation, non-flammability (see below for more properties) – which is how it came to be the basis of the economy in the 17th C. As a textile it is naturally soft, and needs comparatively little washing and processing to become an extremely versatile ready to use textile, Contrast this to plant-based fabrics such as cotton, bamboo and bast fibres; here, bamboo in particular, makes massive environmental demands in terms of energy and resources and pollution, long before it gets anywhere near becoming a useable textile. Literally one could say: plant fibres cost the earth! Just look at the cultivation, fertiliser, irrigation and industrial machinery needed just to produce the bare crop. Now factor in the complex chemical and mechanical processing equipment and the waste it creates, that can only ever be released back into the locality. Now compare this to what it takes to create a similar sized yield of wool. Not much really. The sheep do it for us. All we have to do is clip, sort, wash and spin it.

Every year UK sheep farmers offer up a huge home-grown (!) crop of the world’s most versatile fibre, it is even harvested with hand-held clippers. Could any environmental impact assessment beat that? I dont think so. And as a bonus, it repeats annually from sheep primarily kept for other more financially rewarding reasons. Furthermore, most of the UK breeding ewes feed mainly on natural herbage and are frequently found on land that is no good for any other purpose. The environment case for wool just get better and better the more you look at it.

Clipping the wool off each year is essential to keep sheep healthy; it currently costs +/-£2.00 per ewe. The market value of wool is a pitiful 15 pence per kilo, and even less for some breeds; impossible as that may sound it is true. One does not need to be an economist to see why so much of it gets burned – the price doesn’t merit anything else! Financially is has become not worth bothering with.

And yet wool ticks nearly every box on the green list. But the market price remains a paltry 15p/kilo. £2.00 for shearing and 15pence for the fleece… Diddly Squat indeed!

Can we change this? Create a shortage, like toilet paper or fuel? One would think so, or at least do a bit better. But it seems not. The Campaign for Wool made great hits into Europe’s high fashion houses after ten years hard slog. There is an increasing demand for spinning wheels. But the price of wool could hardly get lower. Admittedly markets are complex and times tricky. But on the other hand, as the economists love to say, there is no denying the unique benefits wool offers, not just to the clothing and fashion industry, but in home interiors, and vehicle upholstery and buildings insulation. Not to mention the environmentalists undeniable argument.

Speaking figuratively, wool ought to ‘cost the earth’ because it ticks so many boxes. Look how people willingly pay £Ks extra for things perceived to be ‘greener’; take cars for example. Maybe some COP -26 warriors will be inspired to think about this en route to Glasgow. One or two may spot sheep grazing distant uplands, as they speed past seated on the acrylic-upholstered seats of trains and cars and buses and planes; some will be wearing cotton jeans, and bamboo socks and ‘woollies’ made in Bangladesh from recycled plastic bottles…

Maybe the problem is that British wool does not cost the earth? We might value it more if it did. It is time the Chancellor’s cushion got a serious plumping!

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Need or want?

Pam Austin — Fri, 17 Apr 2020 13:33:40 +0000

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 veg, dishwasher tablets on special offer…and so on. I buy all these things of course! But these are the things that ‘cost the earth’ in more sense than one. They are not necessities – at least not to me, I now realise.

What do I really need? A roof over my head, means of keeping clean and warm, and food and water – i.e. protein of some sort, fruit and veg, and, of course, toilet paper! Provided I can get to the shop, I’m ok. There is much more in Wilbarston shop that I don’t need, but do want. For example; fresh coffee (roasted and ground on the premises) fresh cream, rice and pasta, wine, yeast, newspapers and postal services.

There is more to want than meets the eye. The eye stimulates want… until I know something exists, I cant want it – hence the £billion advertising and packaging industries. Or maybe, it’s not until I see something, or run out of something I am used to having, that want kicks in. For example I want fresh coffee, wine, and chocolate. (all stimulants I note!)

Over and above these earthly needs is a far greater human need; love. Everyone needs love. Without love we would not survive infancy, never mind a crisis like this. I’m not talking about erotic love, which we all yearn for at some point in life. But the love that transcends everything, for which a language does not exist to describe it. Love of the sort I received from my parents, and love I share with my family and friends and those who fit somewhere in-between. Those who fit somewhere in-between include many pupils and fellow ‘woolies’ who spin and weave. They love what I love. Hence we share a love and respect for each other and our individual uniqueness, and creativity.

We feel the same for our pets and gardens, love that is indescribable, and the very essence of our being. This transcendent love is where creativity is found. When you do what you love doing, you realise your own potential, and therein lies joy. I don’t think this can be found in a shop full of things we might want but don’t need. It is found in simple things shared with those we love.

Love Bears All things 1Cor 13.4-7 – I think it needs saying.

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First long draw spinner from Japan

Pam Austin — Thu, 07 Nov 2019 20:18:04 +0000

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 for a pupil who first lesson took place just three weeks ago. She has also made a felted fox who looks very cosy hiding beneath the rosette. She chose an Ashford Joy wheel that folds up into a strong secure bag suitable for air freight, so that she can take it back to Japan when she returns. I am hopeful that Japan will soon have its first Long Draw Spinning teacher.

Felted fox

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Dyeing for summer school

Pam Austin — Tue, 23 Jul 2019 13:01:13 +0000

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.

Sweet Pea Socks – hand dyed BFL – 75% of sock yarn.

Knit socks.
We will be making luscious socks that will bring joy to the eye – as well as the feet.
There’s much more to socks than an luscious yarn…You need the skill to knit them and for this we have professional tuition from Jacqui at Purlwise – Jacqui is to knitting what I am to spinning – but we both spin and knit. We just love what we do and never happier than when sharing out passion. You can learn to knitt from scatch, and for those that can already knit, learn how to knit socks – quickly and without complexity.
Spin socks
Hand spun socks need control over every aspect of yarn design, spinning method, fibre choice, yarn structure, and colour. But to make something really special it takes that little bit of inspiration to turn it into an art form. And where better to look for inspiration on a hot day like this than the garden. Hence the the names ‘Sweet Pea’ and ‘Geranium’.

Hand spun Socks – joy to the eye as well as the feet

Freedom
And during all this woolly jollity we will be free of all responsibility – no meal prep or washing up, no telephone or emails to answer (unless you want to) and no-one expecting anything of you but to have fun.
Free
What’s more, the Wool to Eternity Goody bag (free to those doing 3 days) contains a skein of Purlwise sock yarn and a pot of Ashford dye to keep you inspired when you get home…as well as lots of other things to make you happy every day.
Happy Days
Sounds like heaven to me. Wool to eternity Summer School. Just Dyeing for it.

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summer school for all who love wool – any skill level

Pam Austin — Tue, 16 Jul 2019 12:08:43 +0000

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 scratch, Design and spin your own sock yarn. Felt luscious seat pads.
Overnight accommodation available for an additional £83 per night which includes evening meal and breakfast. See Events for more details

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New to spinning

Pam Austin — Tue, 12 Mar 2019 12:54:23 +0000

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.

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

The bag is made from Navajo plied yarn from the rainbow dyed top we made.
The sheep body is BFL and the head and legs from black Jacob.
I’m finally getting round to spinning the magenta dyed top but I’ve still to decide what I’m going to make with it. I find it difficult to create a yarn without an idea of what I will turn it into and I probably need to start experimenting with different yarn structures a bit more.
Anyway I just wanted to thank you again for introducing me to the most wonderful relaxing hobby.
Nikki x

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A Student’s Story

Pam Austin — Fri, 22 Feb 2019 10:59:24 +0000

I Wanted to Learn to Spin My Own Yarn

A couple of years ago, I attended a drop spindle spinning workshop at my local yarn store. In eager anticipation of learning to spin I had purchased a Jacob sheep fleece, without a clue what I was doing, so I was lucky that it turned out to be a lovely fleece! Anyway, the spinning workshop was a disappointment; I basically learned to twist wool a bit. After watching a few tutorials on the internet I set about washing, carding and spinning the fleece on a tiny little drop spindle. I decided that I was going to crochet giant granny squares, using a 16mm hook and make a wool throw.

Well, spinning a full fleece on a tiny spindle was quite a task and I decided that there must be an easier way. So I started looking for a teacher who could teach me how to use a spinning wheel.

I found Pam’s web site and thought her Beginners Spinning Starter Pack sounded great, especially as you can borrow a wheel to take home and practise on. This way you can take time to see if you really love spinning before committing to having your own wheel. So I went for my first lesson. Pam is a great teacher, very patient and knows just how to teach each person. We all learn in different ways and at different paces, so this is important. I took one of Pam’s spinning wheels home with me, along with some easy to spin wool roving. Pam set me homework; to spin two bobbins worth before my next lesson! The following couple of days consisted of me keep snapping my yarn, cursing and taking a break then going back for another go. I was not a natural! Then it clicked, I loved it. I returned for my second lesson with two bobbins of spun singles which Pam taught me to ply to make my first little skein of yarn. What a feeling of achievement.

Choosing the Right Spinning Wheel for Me

I borrowed a couple of different wheels from Pam, so that I could get a feel for the right type of wheel for me. I settled on a Kiwi 2, a compact little work horse of a wheel that can cope with anything that I want to spin, from very fine to super chunky art yarn. I needed a compact wheel that would fit on our narrowboat so the Kiwi with its upright design is perfect.

My Spinning Wheel

Pam also helped me with my drop spindle spinning, and provided me with a more substantial drop spindle, that made spinning on a spindle a lot easier. The new spindle enabled me to complete my throw, which in the end used up two and a half fleeces!

Giant Granny Square Throw – Spun on a Drop Spindle

Falling Further Down The Woolly Rabbit Hole

Dyeing and Mohair

Shortly after my first spinning lessons, Pam was running a dyeing workshop for a couple of ladies and one of them couldn’t make it, so Pam asked me if I would like to take her place. Well, that day I fell in love with Mohair and dyeing! The lady that I shared with is called Jackie and she has a herd of Angora goats. Jackie brought some beautiful, soft Mohair locks for us to dye. Wow, they take colour well and are still my favourite fibre to dye (and spin).

Handspun, Handdyed Mohair Skeins

Woolly Days at Knuston Hall

I soon started to attend Pam’s monthly “Woolly” days at Knuston Hall. Now, the group of ladies that attend Knuston each month are fantastic; knowledgeable, friendly, kind, funny, in fact just great company. I was made to feel very welcome and have learned even more woolly skills. I leaned how to “wet felt” wool and use it to make many things; buttons, bowls, book covers and felted soap.

My Woolly Adventure Has Changed My Life!

I am now using all my new found “Woolly” skills to run my own little business, making and selling handspun Mohair yarn and scarves, felted fleece rugs and felted natural soap. If you are interested in seeing what I make, please visit my web site: www.east-hill-mill.co.uk

You never know where meeting Pam and starting your own little adventure will take you, but you can be sure you will have lots of fun, learn new skills and it can even be very therapeutic. I can recommend it highly ?

by: Viv Carter

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