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 […]
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 […]
The joy of socks is all-embracing. Someone asked me the other day if I ever wear anything I have spun? Well Yes,I do. And so do lots of other people too. Mostly it is socks; from the joy of spinning, through knitting and wearing them or, better still, giving them to someone I love to […]
Dye your own sock yarn or stash at my workshop at Knuston Hall in the Practical room – lower car park. Be inspired. Try out as many Ashford and WoW acid dyes as you like. Work on your own, or with as much help and inspiration as you need. Bring or buy Buy scrumptious undyed […]
Spin on the great wheel, make batts, try a blending board at the studio, Albany lodge/ Or just bring your wheel and have a spinning day out. From Beginner to Bored this is a sure and certain way to be inspired! Includes three course lunch and regular refreshments of all kinds…! Working at home can’t […]
Spinners, weavers day of lovely woolliness and make a felt bowl.All you need is a pinny, towel, some bubble wrap and merino or BFL tops in nice colours if you have any – but don’t worry if not as Jackie at Purlwise has kindly offered to bring her stash of lovely coloured tops so you […]
Rainbow dyeing and day of lovely woolliness. Bring your handspun skeins, apron and dye pot if you have one – everything else is supplied. Inspirational event for everyone from Beginner to Bored and a sure and certain way to be inspired! Includes three course lunch and regular refreshments of all kinds…! Working at home can’t […]
Mentoring day for new spinners who would like a little guidance, help or inspiration to find what brings them joy in spinning. Includes vegetarian lunch, fresh fruit, coffee and drinks. Number limited to 6 pupils who want to gain insight into their own creativity, progress and skill. Bring your wheel, current project, past work and […]
Spinners and weavers day of lovely woolliness. Inspirational event for everyone from Beginner to Bored and a sure and certain way to be inspired! Includes three course lunch and regular refreshments of all kinds…! Working at home can’t compete with the buzz of enthusiasm and excitement you get when others affirm your work and share […]
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 […]
Spinning lessons make happy smiles as well as sumptuous yarn as this photo of my happy pupil shows. She is holding her first spinning which turned out much better than she expected – as I find it always does! First spinning is very important as it is the benchmark upon which to assess progress. Lesson […]
Successful spinning lessons are a great joy to me. Another promising pupil is my neighbour who has her own sheep – she learned to spin on her first lesson. Like all my pupils, she learned to spin on Blue Faced Leicester (BFL) prepared tops. I always start beginners off on BFL as it is the […]
spinning locks of curly fleece or angora is easy with my supported method. spin and dye two 50 grams skeins in a day.
Beginner’s spinning ‘First spinning is very special – it is the measure of future improvement – but it is difficult to imagine a more satisfying outcome of your first spinning than this lovely hat in blue faced Leicester fleece in its natural colours. It is only a few weeks since Angie inherited her spinning wheel from […]
Long draw spinner – the world has another one and she was awarded one of my ‘Long Draw Spinner’ rosettes for her skill. This lady made a three hour trip from Yorkshire to learn the ancient craft with me. It only took her an hour or so to master the skill using her own Ashford […]
Wheel bracelets a unique new way to secure spinning wheels for transport or when not in use are now available in my shop. These high quality handmade bracelets from Celtic Leathers (Wales) prevent the flyer falling off or thread getting into a tangle on Ashford Traditional and other wheels which are supported from a stock. […]
Rainbow Dyeing with Ashford fast and easy to use dyes, all in the same pot at the same time. Suitable for beginners Bring your own dye pot* if you have one, and handspun skeins and create glorious rainbows of colour. Or dye Art yarn Dyebags (containing, 120gms Merino/bamboo, luscious mohair locks and other fibres£5.00) and dye with your own choice […]
Long draw spinning course – . Why spin 3 inches at a time when you could spin an arms length? Life’s too short for anything less than long draw. It is so relaxing and satisfying to draw out a long thread and feel it stretching like chewing gum as the fibres attenuate. Thats what I […]
