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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

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

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Caroline at Happy Makes
Fun with colour and printing. Fun with colour and printing.
Despite a murky day I managed to get out in the ga Despite a murky day I managed to get out in the garden. Last year I watched the garden but didn't plant much, beyond working in the veg garden. I wondered if there were any bulbs or plants hidden, waiting for the right time  but nothing appeared.

It looks like I've been boring and lazy but I prefer to think of it as patient and considering.

I planted bulbs last Autumn, and they are started to pop up in places now, as are the roses I struggled to put in. I'm not sure they will take and maybe they would be better in pots, but I'll give it a go. Hopefully I'll be rewarded at some point.
I love making scarves like this with lots of colo I love making scarves like this  with lots of colour and texture. I weave intuitively and combine yarns as the mood takes me, so its always a surprise when I take it off the loom! 

I use different types of yarn in my weaving, including hand-dyed, naturally dyed, commercial and handspun on my Ashford traditional spinning wheel, and I choose yarn from small flocks where I know the sheep are well cared for.

There are a huge range of variations and I'm always happy to chat about alternatives, including sourcing vegan fibres. If you don't see the scarf of your dreams, please ask me and I can make something special just for you. (Prices for commissioned pieces from £90).
Found more potatoes in the garden. They have kept Found more potatoes in the garden. They have kept very well in the ground.
A crispy walk with the dog this morning. :) A crispy walk with the dog this morning. :)
Shiny new book of prints i made last year... Shiny new book of prints i made last year...
It feels odd to wish you a happy new year. As if t It feels odd to wish you a happy new year. As if the change in date will magically return things to how they were,  like Cindrella's pumpkin coach.

Happy new year, anyway. :) 

I've been binding some of my prints from last year into a book so I can see my progress and tidy my heap of papers. With that done, it's time to start building a new pile!
Thank you for your beautiful print Fi @thewoodland Thank you for your beautiful print Fi @thewoodlandgarden and thank you for organising the swap Ruby @dottydelightful 
I love it!
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