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Ramblings

Musings on Spinning Wheels and Low Tech Processing

16th April 2018 by Caroline

A knitty friend of mine once told me that, “Spinning is a slippery slope which, if you’re not careful, ends in a flock of sheep”.

I began spinning, as many people do, with a drop spindle.

Then, when my Dad tipped me off about a wheel in a local charity shop, I bought a 1970s Ashford Traditional, which I tested with a bit of string and carried home on the bus. That was an interesting journey, with great conversations.

Then I saw a sweet little flax wheel and spinning stool, and bought that, meaning I had a wheel at home and a wheel at the studio.

After losing the studio I have been trying to find a way to store 2 spinning wheels and assorted gubbins at home.

No sheep, yet.

Natural dye books

Whether it was the weather, or enthusiasm, or losing the studio, I’m not sure, but last year I spent quite a bit of time at the allotment.

The salads I brought home were amazing – packed full of young kale, nasturtium flowers, and leaves, many different kinds of salad leaf and spinach.  Everything was freshly picked, and delicious.

Moving on from slippery commercially prepared wool, I began cleaning fleece in rainwater at the allotment, and drying in the sun – clean fibre for me, fertiliser for the plants.

It was very enjoyable.

There’s something wonderful about the process – cleaning gently and naturally, using natural dyes (like the elderberry I showed last year), and basic tools to make yarn. This is something I want to explore and share with you this year.

Actually, the colours available from nature might have influenced my seed shopping just a little. Plus I’m saving daffodil heads and onion skins already.

I intend to teach crochet classes again this year, and I’m considering different venues. I do feel it needs to be consistent and I’m looking for a long-term solution where we can really be comfortable. I’ll have more information about that soon.

Filed Under: Ramblings

Edinburgh Yarn Festival 2017

15th March 2017 by Caroline

I was pleased to be visiting Edinburgh Yarn Festival for the first time this year, especially pleased as we finished moving the last of the studio items on Thursday evening – Friday and Saturday were something of a luxury!

So come on, show and tell time… I took my trusty Northern Yarns tote and carried it with pride. Thanks Kate.

Northern Yarns

I travelled up early on Friday morning, and met a fellow KnitBod, which was unexpectedly lovely. We found another knitter (or did she find us?) so we travelled together and chatted whilst playing ‘Spot the Knitwear’, a popular pastime it seems!

Once at the Corn Exchange I had a quick sweep around to get my bearings, then started to investigate. I had my map, on which I had noted my budget (ha!), stalls to visit and my wishlist in order of priority.

Oh ok, time to see what’s inside the bag…

My shopping EYF2017

 

I really wanted some better hand carders – I found some at Once Upon A Sheep (who were lovely). 9″ short circulars were on my list too, since being converted to them for socks. No more Second Sock Syndrome for me – now I can knit 2 at once!

I looked for some fingering weight yak to contrast my green, but only found double knit weight, so I decided to buy the crochet shawl book instead.

It was had to resist the Dorset button kits from TJ Frog (have you heard her podcast? Super stuff). I stopped resisting and bought a kit, since one of my goals for the visit was to learn something new.

I bought some combed tops too for spinning – beautiful, soft and clouds, rich Blue Spruce and Pomegranate.

Yarn wise, I bought some Tamar from Blacker Yarns, after being so impressed with the way the small ball I bought blocked, and also some small balls of 3 ply by Jamieson.

The two wooden things you can see on the right are tapestry bobbins. I’ve been working on a large weaving and thought they would be useful, so I have one from Dovecot Gallery, which I visited on Saturday, and one from the Threshing Barn at EYF.

The podcast lounge was very busy but I spoke to a Louise (@KnitBritish) briefly and shouted “Quiche!” at Louise from @CaithnessCrafts, which was fun.

On Saturday I had a little walk around Edinburgh and recorded a podcast to share with you as I wandered. I’ll try to get that edited this week.

It was a smashing break and I met some wonderful people from all around the world (Scotland, Italy, America…), visited some fun places and spotted some fantastic knits. Thanks Edinburgh, I’ll be back.

Filed Under: Ramblings

Here today, gone tomorrow

20th February 2017 by Caroline

Ok, bit of a surprise for you, so sit down and grab a brew while we chat.

 

The landlord of Oxheys Mill Studios has decided that it’s time to sell the building. Sadly, this leaves us artists with the mammoth task of emptying our studios and putting into storage things we want to keep until we find new premises.

 

I am relocating classes which were to be held at Oxheys, or where that isn’t possible, cancelling them and refunding people. It’s going to take some time to find somewhere new, and while that happens I’ll be working at home. I don’t think it’s fair to continue booking places while I’m on the move, so just for the moment, I am closing the shop.

 

I will have some things for sale (materials, yarns, etc) at the Oxheys closing event to be held on Thursday 2nd March 6-8pm. Anything that isn’t sold on the night will go to auction on my Facebook Page on the Friday.

 

I will be back next month with updates, and hopefully new regular venues. Onwards and upwards!

Filed Under: Events, Ramblings Tagged With: Oxheys

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I'm Caroline and I'm a multi-passionate artist in the North-West.

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carryyarncaro

connecting through creativity

Caroline at Happy Makes
Mmmm yummy bits! Mmmm yummy bits!
Rose fibre and real wool. Having a bit of a spin. Rose fibre and real wool.

Having a bit of a spin. I don't make nice even yarn - I don't have the attention span for that - so I add bumpy bits and slubs to my yarn, and change colour frequently. It makes it a surprise when I ply.
Today has mainly been about warping my loom ready Today has mainly been about warping my loom ready to weave. This is a chance to check every bit of the warp yarn and get a good foundation. It's tricky to do alone so I bribed a teenager! 

Lovely weather so I've done most of it outside, listening to the birds.
Today I am spinning in the garden. I'm thinking of Today I am spinning in the garden. I'm thinking of plying this with something sparkly.
Indian Jones and the Temple of Yarn. Mmmm yarn. Indian Jones and the Temple of Yarn. 
Mmmm yarn.
I planted some wild flowers last year and today I I planted some wild flowers last year and today I spotted this while I was pottering. Bobbin the robin visited again too, and I pinched the top off the purple sprouting broccoli (I might have eaten it!)
I've plied the rose fibre but I can't decide wheth I've plied the rose fibre but I can't decide whether to dye it or not. It's so shiny! I might dye a sample and see how it goes.
Beautiful rose fibre on my wheel today. It's very Beautiful rose fibre on my wheel today. It's very silky and soft. I'm trying to decide what to ply it with.
A little bit of jacob wool spun on a 3D printed tu A little bit of jacob wool spun on a 3D printed turkish drop spindle.
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