I am not a very patient person. I think that’s one of the reasons why I’ve shied away from hand prepping fiber. But now that I want to learn to hand prep I have to slow down and be patient. I knew that somewhere along the way it was going to be a struggle, and […]
You all knew I’d fall. Now I’m trying not to fall too hard too fast. I decided to process the portion of Bond fleece I have. I think it’s about two pounds. I made a plan, which includes not buying any more fleeces until I finish with this one. Did you see the plural in […]
Earlier this week I woke up wanting to process raw fleece. It’s not what I usually do, it’s not what I’m drawn to spinning-wise. I’m a commercially prepped, gorgeously hand dyed fiber kind of spinner. But lately I’ve been thinking about fleece. Actually the little fleece itch started this summer when I was wading between […]
I’ve recently read two wonderful books about sheep, one written by a shepherd and one written by a spinner and knitter. Do you need a book to inspire you as spring is springing? To get you ready for the first fleece fairs? Both of these books are great company. In the Footsteps of Sheep by […]
There are a lot of different ways to keep track of your yarn for consistency while spinning. I like the lazy ways. Here are four ways to keep track that I use when I spin. On the left, WPI gauge: I love this one from Nancy’s Knit Knacks. I find I get a more […]
I’ve had a couple of people ask me lately, with all of the spinning teachers teaching these days why do they all teach the same classes? Well they do and they don’t. Think about teaching spinning like sneezing, everybody does it, just not in the same way. Some people shake the walls […]
Over my years of spinning I’ve noticed something that helps me spin faster, focus. Not just focusing on the spinning, but what entertainment helps me spin. Sometimes I watch movies or TV, sometimes I listen to music or books, sometimes I hang out with friends while I spin. Each one has an effect on the […]
I was so excited to interview Diane Varney for this new issue of PLY. Her book, Spinning Designer Yarns, has been such an inspiration to so many spinners. I was excited to hear what inspired her and to find out what she was spinning now. Except she’s not spinning now, not at all. She spun […]
Our latest issue of PLY is all about spinning thin yarn. When I think about thin yarn I think about that finer-than-fine yarn, that’s really thread, some spinners can spin. I say some spinners because so far I’m not one of them. As I read through this issue I realized that thin is relative. […]
