Wool with a new spin

By Lazykate

Ah spinning. Is there anything else in the world that can make you want to scream / kick a dog / throw the damn thing through the window as much as learning to spin can? The whole process is so utterly frustrating.

Having been inspired to attempt to create my own textured embroidery threads, I made arrangements to attend a day long course in the lake district which was a wonderful experience, learning at the feet of Carolyn Rawlinson, a member of the Wool Clip, a co-op of ladies creating and selling their own wares.

We spent the day desperately trying to attach the fleece to the leader, keep the wheel spinning, control the spin and feed the fleece through the orifice. How on earth are you expected to do all those things at the same time? I was shocked with the terrible swearing that seemed to be constantly going through my mind. Carolyn said that my completed skein of wool was of the �rustic‘ variety — how diplomatic and I have to confess that when I got back home the dog got hold of the wool and ragged it around the room a few times. It didn‘t really look any different.

Anyway, three years on and I can gladly say that I have mastered the thing. I could even say that we have a very good understanding. I love the wool that I produce, spinning for yourself is a wonderful thing. It‘s possible to create fat skeins, thin skeins, rustic, delicate, whatever your requirement is. And there is a great sense of achievement when it‘s done. I now know about different types of sheep, which parts of the fleece to use, how to prepare it, card it etc, but it is the spinning I love and so I cheat and buy prepared tops — fleece that is all clean and ready to go — now that I can spin I don‘t want to spend my time doing anything else. Who‘d have thought it!

To read more about Lazykate's world of spinning
visit her blog at lazyblog.lazykate.net