I recently went to a local spinner’s meet-up at the invitation of a friend, Kimberly, who raises sheep (among other critters).
I took my new antique wheel to get some advice on how to get her up and running, and to meet and watch local spinners do their thing.
I got some good counsel on how to make the replacement footman, how the wheel requires a double drive belt, and how to oil her up.
Unfortunately, like a goof, I forgot to take a camera.
If I had, and sorry to be a tease, I would have taken photos of a circle women spinning on every kind of wheel, photos of every kind of wool (including yak) and nearly every kind of spinner, including one with a lovely Dutch accent and one with an old-fashioned frock and beautifully long, natural gray hair twirled up onto the back of her head.
For show-and-tell, (don’t you miss that from school!) we were treated to blue-ribbon winning pygora goat locks, courtesy of Dawn Brown of Tailfeathers Farms, handmade bobbin lace, and some knitting from drop-spindle spun wool.
Next time, I will bring my camera!
But for now, all I have is this picture of my first homespun wool from my first lesson (on Kimberly’s Ashford Kiwi).
It’s lumpy, it’s bumpy, with all kinds of overspun kinks, but I did it myself. And Kimberly is indeed a very good teacher. One day . . .
Thanks for the invite, Kimberly!
Fantastic! I went to my first class on how to spin with a drop spindle this week. So want to learn how to spin on a wheel! Thanks for sharing!
Oh, I think its BEAUTIFUL!!! How fun!!
lovely, ivory. i love things that are not mechanically perfect. i love irregularities, lumps, bumps and bulges. i think your tiny skein is beautiful. congratulations!
Looks great to me! I would love to learn one day!
Look for a nearby weaving guild also!
You can learn so much from these ladies and weaving your own clothes, etc.
Especially with the winter weather here.
I’ve wondered if there were local spinners. I need roving and if I can get it locally all the better. Can you provide a website or email where I might reach one of them. Also, I have a granddaughter interested in learning the art of wool spinning. Thank much in advance for your info.
God Bless
Keep the beginning yarn! Someday, you’ll want that texture for a project, and you’ll be unable to get it. Believe me. I know.
Sounds like fun, are fibery festivals like this held often?
Thank you for reminding me how lucky I am!
I had kind of taken for granted my strong fiber community. I was lamenting that I had not entered anything in our guild’s annual sale this year. I went to work the sale yesterday and took for granted the incredible people I know.
I took for granted that I know a lot about textiles. Much more than the general public. I know about how rug looms are different than other looms. I can explain rag rug preparation even though I don’t weave them.
I could tell people with confidence that a certain artist knit the knit (like walking the walk) so her sock yarn would not pool, or make weird color splotches. I would say how long she has been dyeing wool and yarn. I could say what I liked about her batts and her as a person.
I casually mention how easy it is to spin, and that I teach a two hour class. My weaving class is a guild staple, so I always have some fiber money coming in- even if I don’t sell my work.
How could I take such a treasure for granted? Thank you for reminding me how very fortunate I am!
LaPetite you are lucky indeed!
Paz–I believe they have one every month!
Wanda–You can try Kimberly via her website. Also check Ravelry.
Daisy I will look up her website. Am I right in thinking this is within the Memphis Shelby county area?
Yes, that’s right.
I agree with Kathy above. Yarn with texture and chunkiness is something I love to spin but for some reason once you go thin–you can’t go back! Well, you can but it actually takes a lot of concentration for me:)
Different subject: do you know of anyone in the surrounding area that raise and milk goats. I would love to buy some if the price is affordable. Thank you
Wanda–Maybe someone who does will see this and respond. I don’t know if the person Deanna bought her goats from still does goats. In the meantime, if you know which breed(s) you want, each breed association usually has a website with a “find a local breeder” feature. Google around and see if you can find your breed association and see if they can lead you to a local source.
I hope someone will read it and reply with where to buy fresh goats milk. I will do as you suggested and google the surrounding area for the goats milk. Thank you