A new, beautiful, comprehensive book on spinning yarn I have been working with my spinning mentor, Alison Daykin over the last three years writing, photographing and testing every technique. Jane Deane and Amanda Hannaford have kindly reviewed it and added their insights and expertise to ensure all the technical aspects are accurate and up to date. This is the book I wished was available when I… Continue reading Inspired to Spin
Tag: yarn spinning
Berta’s Flax
A while ago I mentioned Berta's flax and promised to say more. Sorry it has taken so long to update this. Berta was an Austrian woman who lived in the early 20th century. Her dowery included a chest full of flax stricks. These stricks were an insurance policy, to be used if she fell on hard… Continue reading Berta’s Flax
Balanced ply in hand spun yarn
I was asked recently what balance means for hand spun yarn. What is a balanced ply? Balanced ply is when a yarn is twist neutral, i.e. the twist in the singles is balanced by the twist in the ply, the yarn has no tendency to twist. A yarn doesn’t have to have two strands the same… Continue reading Balanced ply in hand spun yarn
Blooming
The photos are of some softly spun spiral plied yarn that bloomed by 40%, the cardboard bobbins show fine tightly spun 3 ply that bloomed by 7.5% Background So what is blooming? When you have spun your hand spun yarn, it needs finishing (washing, thwacking or steaming ). The fibre fluff up and the yarn… Continue reading Blooming
Beechwood Crafts 