Yarn to dye for is worth the trouble – even if it is a two-stage process – when the colours feel as classy and sophisticated as these feel to me. I did a lot of dyeing this winter and will be demonstrating how to do this at the First Wednesday workshop at Knuston Hall next […]
There’s nothing so nice as spinning by the river – leave your fleece to soak (in a net so it does float off downstream!) while you chug off in the boat, snooze under a tree, spin a bit, nibble a sandwich, slug of wine, what better way to spend the day – love it – use […]
We had great fun at the December workshop making pots from top quality merino which felts very easily. My camera does not do justice to the colour of these pots…
I have been painting my new studio….hope to have it completed sometime in July….
Here are two of the yarns produced at the last Spinningschool day…spinning off-piste feels quite liberating and comes as pleasant relief after trying hard to spin a consistent yarn. Why do so many of us feel we have to spin perfect thread before feeling free to let go and just ‘get on with it’?
There were lots of things to see and do at Woolly Days – nothing better than spending a day doing what you love, with people who love doing what you do. Fee is £5 and includes tea. real coffee and home-made cake; there is a shared lunch for those who want to eat – or […]
Hi PamHere is a photo of yarn that I carded at Knuston, with some ribbon and ribbon tails plied in at intervals. Barbara
These Slubs and Snails are a first attempt at Spinning Off Piste! Being creative is so much more rewarding than being an inchworm – you could do it too – this Tuesday at LE7 9XE 11-4pm: £15. contact me for more information or place a comment. Pick up all the dye and fibre you need to […]
Trish produced this yarn after just two hours tuition from me – she had never sat at a wheel before, nor used a drop spindle – I think she is very talented – it feels a privilege to be at the beginning of a new life of spinning and I’m looking forward to seeing what […]
Some lovely handspun knitted shawls arrive on Woolly Days – you never know what spinners are working on – there is a huge amount of creative energy goes on all the time but we never know about it until the finished products walk in the door….spinning has been quietly going on in homes for hundreds […]
My new workshop is coming on well, ceiling is partly plastered and the sliding patio style doors will be ready on Friday….Bob and I went to John Lewis to choose the light fittings last week. I am so pleased. Two of my talented pupils have built their own studios- but I never thought I would […]
My Shetland Hap shawl is almost finished – just a few peaks still to do. The peaks represent hills, and the wavey edges the foam of waves on a beach on a calm day. The next stage will be to block it out on my specially made frame which is over five feet square.
Using colour creatively. Learn how to use Ashford dyes and turn fibre and thread like this into beautiful yarn at Spinning School on 12 June 11-3 pm. Pick up all the fibres, dyes and techniques you need to become a more creative spinner. Course fee £15.
This latest fine worsted spun yarn from Emma Boyles at the Little Grey Sheep, is just heavenly to knit – I only got it yesterday and couldn’t stop knitting last night – even done some more this morning – the yarn is new but there is nothing new about what I am knitting though….
Erica showed Jane how to use her new Knit Pro, deluxe edition knitting needle set…we were all envious of its lovely black box and the needles colour matched in sizes. It made my rosewood ones look a bit dull somehow….
This incredible knitted blanket is by Erica, a knitter of exceptional skill – the yarn is all hand spun, some of it in artful colourways….
Here is the start of jacket, crocheted in what Viv describes as her ‘basketweave’ stitch, the yarn is hand spun from her own Zwarbles sheep..