Tuesday 28 May 2013

New crafts

 I had my very first attempt at spinning last week, on a taster session at our new Heritage Skills Centre.  We (there were two of us, so were able to get lots of attention from the tutor) learnt how to make rolags (wool 'sausages' ready for spinning) from washed fleece, using carders.  I was fine with that part of the process, as I am used to using carders for my felting.  However, the spinning was a whole new thing!  I hadn't appreciated that your hands should be constantly moving the fleece - teasing with the back hand and feeding with the front. If I left my fingers holding the wool too long, 'over spinning' happened, where the yarn twists back on itself and then won't go onto the bobbin properly. I became very good at 'over spinning'!
 Now and then, I thought I had got it and for a few brief moments, I was spinning a nice thin yarn.  Then I forgot to move my fingers quickly enough and I got large lumpy bits as can be seen above - oops!
Here is my first attempt which the tutor plyed into 2 ply yarn.  I think I shall use it as embellishments on my felt.  The tutor was really nice and said we had done really well for beginners!  My mum has a spinning wheel, so I may have another go next time I visit.
After two crochet sessions, here is as far as I got with the hat.  I ended up having to undo quite a bit as I had gone wrong, but never mind.  I am not sure I shall complete the hat as I am not a hat person and this would be a close fitting cloche type hat.  Probably not a good look! However, now that I can do chains and trebles, (well, sort of), I may have a try at a simpler pattern. 

6 comments:

  1. I have seen spinning demonstrations which make it look very easy but I can well imagine it isnt at all!!

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    1. Dear Anne
      Thank you - I think it is one of those things that the more you do it, the easier it gets, although it probably takes a great deal of practise to perfect. The tutor made it look very easy but then, as she knows what she is doing, it would look easy! The sound of the wheel was incredibly therapeutic, although I was too busy concentrating on what my hands were doing to really appreciate it, but I can imagine that once a person got the hang of spinning, it could become quite a meditative process. I don't feel too daunted and I am looking forward to having another go on my mum's spinning wheel.
      Best wishes
      Ellie

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  2. What fun to have a go at spinning! I always think spinning has a certain magic about it - looks so easy in the hands of someone experienced but it's obvious a great deal of skill and practice lies behind the scenes! You are inspiringly up for trying these things! I don't think it matters whether you finish your crochet hat if you don't really want the result - you've got the essential skills to make something you do want now! Wonderful! E x

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    1. Dear E
      Thank you for your encouraging words! Spinning was a fun thing to try and I am definitely going to try again when I next visit Mum. The wheel I was using had two pedals, which I hadn't seen before and even using the pedals to control the speed took a bit of getting used to! I could see how spinning would be a relaxing thing to do (once you know what you're doing) and am looking forward to having another go. I love trying new skills, even if I find they are not for me. I am going to try something else with my few crochet skills - Mum is a whizz at crochet, so she'll be able to help me if I get stuck. ( I think it is Mum's influence that makes me want to have a go at lots of things - she is always busy with different crafts and always has been! Over the years, she has got involved with lace making, weaving, spinning, knitting, crocheting, watercolour painting, baking etc. ) I'll post on my crochet and spinning progress.
      Best wishes
      Ellie

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  3. Oh what a marvellous thing to learn. I do hope that you get the hang of it and make lots of beautiful yarn to use in other crafts. I think that giving yourself enough time to get to grips with things is half the battle when learning a new skill. Good luck!

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    1. Dear Toffeeapple
      Thank you. It would be lovely to be able to spin yarn properly. I agree, time and practise are what a new craft skill really need. I won't give up with either and will update occasionally with my progress.
      Best wishes
      Ellie

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