Free Introductory Lesson – How to spin long draw
Free Introductory Lesson – Making Rolags
I am never happier than when sharing my love of spinning and all things woolly. My aim is to help and inspire people to become independent, discerning and accomplished spinners; i.e to become the spinners they want to be and make knowledgeable choices about how, and what, they spin. I want them to get the same pleasure from spinning – and weaving, and knitting- as I do.
I Teach All Methods of Spinning
I teach all methods of hand spinning, including on a great wheel. I was professionally taught in the 1980s and have been teaching ever since. I am one of very few teachers of the long draw technique – the hallmark of accomplishment in handspinning. In the last year I have taught pupils from France, Germany, Australia and California – so, as this shows, there are not many teachers of long draw around.
I prefer to teach absolute beginners individually (one-to-one) for the first lesson. For complete beginners I treadle the wheel for pupils to allow beginners enough ‘brain space’ pupils to concentrate on their hand work. It is too difficult to do both together for a start! After about an hour we both treadle and soon find pupils are able to produce yarn by themselves. Not their best spinning of course, but they have grasped the technique and can spin with help to keep the wheel turning in the correct (clockwise) direction. My initial focus is to learn the technique – quality control is lesson two, along with plying and finishing the first spinning. Even after more than thirty years, I can still recall the joy of holding my first spinning – it was such a moment.
Wheels and fibre
Learning to spin is easier with a that performs properly and fibre that is easy to spin. For this reason my lessons include free fibre and the use of a wheel both in the studio and at home to practise. We begin spinning with commercially prepared pure Blue Faced Leicester wool rovings, and spinning on an Ashford single-treadle traditional wheel. I also have double treadle, double drive and integral wheels for pupils to use and there are other exciting fibres that you can learn to spin too, for example, silk, mohair and alpaca.
Which Spinning Wheel Is Best For Me?
There are so many different types of spinning wheel it leaves the beginner bewitched and bewildered. Most people don’t choose a car until they can drive, so why choose a wheel before you can spin if it can be avoided? I have a personal interest in helping pupils find the wheel which really suits them. If this turns out to be an Ashford they get a discount – I sell all models ready assembled (Not Flat -packed, please note!) at no extra charge. And I actively encourage my pupils to try out all types of wheel to find out which suits them best.
To get started…
My studio is at Albany Lodge, Desborough Rd, Stoke Albany, Leicestershire, LE16 8PS where there is off-road parking for several cars.
I find most pupils are happy to travel for about an hour and I time lessons to avoid busy times of day.
Market Harborough Train station (Midland Mainline out of St Pancras/KingsX) is just 4.7 miles or 9 minute drive.
Overnight AirBnb accommodation is available at various places in Stoke Albany including Lower Lodge Farm, Ashley Rd, (roundhouse haven.co.uk) and The White Horse Inn , Desborough Rd, www.thewhitehorsestokealbany.co.uk that has rooms opening directly onto a courtyard and car-park and is just five minute walk from my studio .
Beginners Spinning Starter Pack (£150)
Beginners Spinning Starter Pack appeals to students as it offers the chance to find out if spinning is really for them before buying a wheel and investing in something they may not ‘fall in love with’.
The pack includes:
- Home loan of an Ashford Traditional wheel for one month (if required)
- Three hours’ Individual tuition in two separate sessions, or in a group class if available
- 200gms/ commercially prepared and ready to spin Blue Faced Leicester wool – enough to make a cushion cover, scarf or hat
- Wheel Magazine
- Ashford Brochure
My Beginners Spinning Starter Pack can be booked online. The first stage is to agree a date and sort out any queries either by email pam@spinningschool.org or phone – 07940 839 143 – this may include travel distance, public transport, accommodation. When you are happy about matters the pack can be purchased on-line just like any other product.
If you already have a spinning wheel…
…You are encouraged, and most welcome, to use your own spinning wheel and pay for lessons as you go (£33/hour). However, if the wheel is not in full working order it will be difficult to learn on it! If in doubt then it is best to book a free half hour assessment beforehand. It is often wiser to learn on a reliable well used wheel available free with Beginners starter pack and leave a possibly tricky one until you have more skill
for Wonky wheels…
I can repair or renovate most Ashford wheels. Simple maintenance and repairs are carried out while you wait as I stock all parts for Ashford wheels. If necessary I can arrange for you to borrow a wheel for your lessons, while repairs take place. Maintenance and repairs are £25/hour plus parts.
For more information about spinning lessons, please call me on: 01858 535466
or
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