Spinning Progress

Hand spun Merino yarn

A little over a year ago I learnt to spin. I initially learnt so that I could use the spinning wheel we'd been donated at The Heathlands Project with the members there. However, I very quickly became addicted and within a couple of months I had my own wheel and a rapidly growing stash of hand-spun yarn.

First attempts...

Experimenting with adding feathers

My first attempts were very lumpy and bumpy and uneven, although not without their own charm! With practice my spinning has improved and although I'm far from expert I can now spin a reasonably even and smooth yarn. I even treated myself to a chunky flyer so I can also spin chunky yarns now (which, surprisingly, is harder than spinning fine yarns.)

Making rolags with white wool tops and nepps

Spinning with the jumbo flyer

Chunky yarn

Chunky yarn

I've enjoyed experimenting with spinning different fibres and it's been a great way of working through my fibre stash, although in reality what has happened is that I have transferred it from the fibre stash to the yarn stash. I think this year I will have to work on using up some of my hand-spun yarns.

Rolags for my Magpie Yarn

Magpie Yarn

Magpie weaving using my hand spun yarn and other materials

I'd always been intrigued by spinning but had shied away from trying it as I thought it would be far too time consuming to produce any useful quantity of yarn. I've been surprised by how quickly I can create a skein of yarn that I can then go on and use for other things (or sit and admire.) As with  many textile processes I'm drawn to the somewhat alchemy like nature of spinning; creating something precious from something everyday. I like being able to produce the materials I use in my work myself.

Fleece bought at Woolfest

Being spun...

...into yarn

Over the past year walking, being out in the natural world and collecting and using natural materials has become increasingly important in my work. Spinning feels like an extension of this, working with natural fibres to create yarns that I can then dye or use as they are. One of the things I want to explore further this year is natural dyeing. I've already dyed up some of my hand-spun and am looking forward to doing more, particularly when the weather improves and things start growing again!

Dyeing with logwood

Dyeing with Kool Aid

Dyeing with Kool Aid

In something of a contradiction to my previous point about connections with the natural world I did experiment with dyeing my yarn with kool-aid; about as far from natural as you can get. However, it's a very easy process and I'm pleased with the results. Having seen what it does to yarn though there's no way I'd actually drink it! Even without dyeing spinning is a great way to experiment with colour, blending different fibres together to create unique yarns with subtle (or bold) variations in colour and texture.)

Bowl made from my chunky hand spun yarn

Fingerless gloves knitted from my hand spun yarn

Fingerless gloves knitted from my hand spun yarn

One of the main reasons that I've got so into spinning is that it is incredibly relaxing. It's a very gentle movement and very tactile, I can happily spend an hour or two feeding the fibre through my hands and creating something beautiful and useful. I find it a good way to unwind if I'm feeling tense or stressed, the repetitive actions are soothing and there's the added bonus of a finished product! On that note, I'm off to do some more spinning...

Bits and Pieces

In Circles, 2015. Currently on show at Upfront

We have made it through the first month of the year! Wind, snow and gale force winds have made it an interesting start but each day takes us closer to spring. I've had a good start to the new year with several new projects starting off, a piece of my work on show in the Upfront Gallery Open exhibition and a large textile piece finished. I've also been to two workshops and have been busy making, drawing and creating. I thought I'd do a little round up of some of the bits and pieces I've been up to...

My new spinning wheel!

Spinning (with helper)

Getting used to a different system

Having developed a new interest/obsession over the Christmas holidays I have spent the past few weeks trawling the interweb and ebay for a second hand spinning wheel. Having been outbid on several wheels I did eventually get one and it arrived this week. It's quite different to the wheel I learnt on as it is a double drive but I'm having fun figuring out how it all works. The spinning wheel was made by Haldane (who now make staircases, apparently) and is a lovely dark wood. I'm trying hard to get all my prep and planning work done quickly so I can get back to spinning!

My hand-spun, hand knitted cushion (front)

My hand-spun, hand knitted cushion (back)

My hand-spun, hand knitted cushion (detail)

I have also knitted up my first lot of hand-spun yarn. I've made a big cushion cover using plain old stocking stitch to show off the character of the yarn. I used all six skeins that I'd spun and it was interesting as I knitted them in order so that I could see the progression of my spinning. The first skein was very irregular with lots of odd lumps and bumps but by the time I reached the last skein it was much more even. It's lovely and squishy and it is very satisfying knowing that it's something I've not only knitted but have created the yarn for.

Daily Drawing

Daily Drawing

Daily Drawing

Most years one of my resolutions is to draw more and to keep up my daily drawing practice. I'm feeling quite pleased that, so far, I have actually managed to do that this year. I've been trying to spend a little bit of time in the studio each day. Even if it is only five or ten minutes I feel like it's a good habit to get into. I've also managed to finish a big textile piece that I'd been ignoring for some time, I'm now quite pleased with it and it's good to have it off my 'I really should work on that' list.

Circle scarf

Circle Scarf

Another of my resolutions is to use up some of my fabric stash before buying more. I'm doing less well with this as I went to a local fabric shop and ended up buying more fabric because they had such lovely prints. On the plus side I did then use this fabric plus some from my stash to make a couple of big circle scarves. They're made from fat quarters and are a nice way of mixing and matching prints. Plus, you can never have too many scarves...

Silk Painting

Silk Painting

Silk Painting

I've also had a go at weaving a hare from willow and silk painting (not at the same time.) But, I think that's enough for one post so I'm off to play with my spinning wheel...

Beginning Spinning

My first lot of hand-spun yarn

Like many creative people I'm always interested in learning new things and trying things out. Although I already have a lit of projects (not to mention the materials) to keep me going for several lifetimes I can't help but get sidetracked by other things. In this instance, spinning is my latest distraction.

My first skein, made with help!

Pyjamas and a spinning wheel and a cat = happiness!

First attempts

A couple of months ago a very kind person donated a spinning wheel to my textiles group at The Heathlands Project. The wheel was in good condition but needed a bit of work so I took to Ravelry to see if I could find someone to help restore the wheel to full working order and get us spinning. My spinning knowledge was limited, to say the least. I've done some drop spinning but that's about it so I was clearly going to need a bit of help!

Through Ravelry I received a number of kind offers and helpful suggestions, including from a lady based near Shap who offered to come and fix the wheel and give us a demonstration. I've always been fairly sure that most people are pretty nice but I was really touched by how kind complete strangers can be and how willingly people will give their time and expertise to help with something they believe in and are passionate about.

Spiral plying my hand-spun humbug with mulberry silk

Plyed and ready to skein

Making a skein using chair legs!

In next to no time our kind person had the wheel sorted (with a bit of improvisation and cutting up of plastic lids for maiden bearings, there are some great technical terms in spinning.) She also gave myself and a couple of colleagues a quick spinning lesson. I was pretty rubbish but my colleague really took to it and within a week had bought herself a wheel. I was impressed by the beautiful yarns she produced and became more and more interested in learning. I decided that I would borrow the Heathlands wheel over Christmas and get some practise in.

Set up for spinning

Harry like to help

Or just watch

Which is what I did, before I took the wheel home I asked my colleague to give me a lesson and get me going which she did. It was frustrating at first because I could see what I was meant to be doing but I couldn't quite get there! However, patience and practise are enough to conquer most hurdles and with encouragement by the end of the day I was able to spin, sort of.

Getting better and better

Learning to spin is a bit like learning to drive, there seems to be so many different things to do with your hands and feet all at once and it feels like you'll never master it. Then at some point you find you can do it. Feet and hands are doing as they should and yarn is being created, it is a kind of magic. Of course, as with all things the more you do it the easier it gets and the better the yarn you create gets. From lumpy, uneven tangles to smooth, regular yarns but all of them beautiful because they are unique and have the mark of their maker.

First attempts

First attempts

I am quite surprised by how much I like spinning. I've always been interested in learning how to do it but it seemed so laborious and time consuming. However, I've been surprised by how quick it is once you get going and it is so relaxing. The gentle rhythm of the wheel and the feel of the fibre as it passes through your hands, I could easily spend hours doing this (and over the holidays I have!)

My first truly solo spinning project, humbug fibres plied with mulberry silk

Improvement: First skein on the left, last on the right

On top of this is the alchemy of creating something from almost nothing. There is something incredibly satisfying in making things yourself and as a keen knitter and crocheter I've always wondered about making my own yarns to work with. Having now got the basic technique I'm keen to experiment more and try things out, my mind is buzzing with new projects and ideas.

Close ups

Close ups

Close ups

My kind colleague, who gave me my pre Christmas spinning lessons, bought me some humbug fibres for my birthday so this is what I've been spinning with. My yarn is fine from perfect, it is still uneven and I've a lot to learn but I'm excited about getting better, trying new things and making things with my unique, custom made yarns. So, enough writing, I'm going back to the wheel...