Jacob FleeceCorriedale X Gotland Having just sorted and washed over 2.5 kg of fleece – leaving me with just under 2kg clean fibre I thought I’d share a few thoughts. If your new to sorting and washing fleeces hope this helps. If you are experienced and have any comments I’d love to hear from you… Continue reading Fleeces – Sorting and Washing
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Spinning Silk Hankies
The other day I talked about how much I enjoy spinning silk. Today I’d share some ideas on spinning silk hankies These are my favourite form of silk. The fibres in hankies tend to be long so it holds together with little twist. In fact, you can knit with pre-drafted hankie without spinning it. The yarn can… Continue reading Spinning Silk Hankies
Silk preparations
I have recently spend a great couple of days with Alison Dakin spinning silk. We have played with every preparation we could find ready for Inspired Spinning. Preparations of Silk Selection of silk preparation Hankies/caps These two are essentially the same and give a characterful lumpy yarn. Layers of de-gummed cocoons are stretched over either… Continue reading Silk preparations
Blending fibre for spinning (or felting)
Just in the middle of spinning a gorgeous graduated sliver created on drum carder. will post something on graduated batts and slivers soon Why might you want to blend? For colour To produce the colour you want To create variation in colour through yarn or felt For texture Using different types of fibre or add… Continue reading Blending fibre for spinning (or felting)
Spinning cotton outside in the sunshine
Testing cotton today. We spun tops, punis, raw cotton cloud and from seed, using Ashford traditional, Lendrum with a quill, Ashford charka and book charka. For me the secret of cotton spinning is to practice spinning wool long draw, either English long draw for punis or American long draw for tops. Once you can do… Continue reading Spinning cotton outside in the sunshine
Beechwood Crafts 