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Stitching & Crafting Room:  Spinners and Weavers  |
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Cheekyredhead
True Blue Farmgirl
70 Posts
Christine
Lansdale
PA
USA
70 Posts |
 Posted - Jun 25 2008 : 05:22:45 AM
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I just wanted to say Hi to all the farmgirl spinners and weavers. I'm wondering what's on your spindles, wheels, and looms. I'm working on spinning sock yarn but there's nothing on my loom at the moment.
TTFN
Cheeky
Imagine the view from the top of your dreams
www.getaclew.blogspot.com |
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Jami
True Blue Farmgirl
1238 Posts
Jami
Ellensburg
WA
USA
1238 Posts |
Posted - Jun 25 2008 : 06:48:14 AM
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Hey Cheeky:
I don't spin much in the summer, always outside this time of year grabbing every minute of daylight, but it's fun to hear of others spinning! What breed are you spinning up for sock yarn? I am giving a striped sock dyeing demonstration in September and need to get some spun up for that and do a test run on some colors. Happy spinning!
Jami in WA
Okay, so now I have a blog. http://woolyinwashington.wordpress.com/ |
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sdleah
True Blue Farmgirl
93 Posts
Leah
Pittsburg
TX
USA
93 Posts |
Posted - Jun 25 2008 : 07:03:25 AM
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Right now I'm spinning some miscellaneous wool that my mom gave me...small amounts of different bright colors. I'm going to use it for diaper covers/soakers for the new baby.
I don't weave. Maybe someday. I'd love to get a triangle loom.
www.narrowgatemorgans.com
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ruralfarmgirl
True Blue Farmgirl
4309 Posts
Rene'
Prosser
WA
USA
4309 Posts |
Posted - Jun 25 2008 : 07:12:11 AM
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I dont spin or weave at all.. but I am so facinated by it so I thought I would drop in and read all about it.... Jami - another Washingtonian - we are not to far apart, and I was just in Ellensburg!
Rene~Prosser Farmgirl #185
" Plant goodness, harvest the fruit of loyalty, plow the new ground of knowledge. Hosea 10:12 |
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mikesgirl
True Blue Farmgirl
3659 Posts
Sherri
Elma
WA
USA
3659 Posts |
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Sandra K. Licher
True Blue Farmgirl
1106 Posts
Sandra
Horseshoe Bend
Arkansas
1106 Posts |
Posted - Jun 25 2008 : 09:43:32 AM
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I'm like Rene'...interested in it but where do you go to learn? I'd eventually love to raise my own sheep, spin the wool...the whole 9 yards! I want to farm but know I can't raise anything I would have to kill...I just can't do it. I think you have to be raised with that and I wasn't. My Mother on the other hand knew how to butcher chickens and lots of stuff but she didn't raise me on a farm so now I can barely kill bugs...sad but true. If I had to butcher what I ate I would totally be a vegetarian but boy would I miss my bacon!
Please keep this topic going....I want to listen and learn. I do hook wool rugs from old wool clothing that I get used and recycle and dye it for colors etc., but I've never spun or woven.
I'm like you though Sherri...I have gardening and outside stuff in the summer and it is too hot down here to work with wool in the summer. I reserve that for wintertime. Keep talking...I'm listening!
Sam in AR..... "It's a great life if you don't weaken!"
Farmgirl Sister #226 |
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KnitSteph
Farmgirl in Training
39 Posts
Stephanie
Longview
TX
USA
39 Posts |
Posted - Jun 25 2008 : 09:47:19 AM
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I don't have anything on the wheel right now Ok, I do, but I've not used my wheels in a while. I'm saving it all up for the Tour de Fleece in July. :) I just finished warping my loom full width to weave some yardage. I've been doing "Warped Wednesdays" on my blog and I posted today about finishing up the warp. I have some 6/2 wool sett at 12 epi for the full 36" loom width. The warp is a charcoal tweed with blue flecks. I'm using the same 6/2 in a taupe color for the weft.
I noticed when I started the weave yesterday that I have a 3 threading errors. I'm not going to try to figure out how to fix it at this point and I'm calling them design elements. ;)
http://www.knitsteph.com |
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Aunt Jenny
True Blue Farmgirl
11381 Posts
Jenny
middle of
Utah
USA
11381 Posts |
Posted - Jun 25 2008 : 10:07:59 AM
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I am spinning some natural white Targhee right now...very soft. It is roving that my sis in law gave me that she wasn't ever going to spin..I love it. I have alot of other wool waiting to be next!
My loom isn't warped right now. I meant to get to that..but havn't. It is a project for sure. I do have a little weaving with natural colored yarns from my own sheep going on my little navajo loom, but that has been ongoing for quite some time. I find time for other things more than weaving for sure.
Jenny in Utah
Proud Farmgirl sister #24
Inside me there is a skinny woman crying to get out...but I can usually shut her up with cookies
http://www.auntjennysworld.blogspot.com/ visit my little online shop at www.auntjenny.etsy.com |
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Cheekyredhead
True Blue Farmgirl
70 Posts
Christine
Lansdale
PA
USA
70 Posts |
Posted - Jun 25 2008 : 10:17:07 AM
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Hi all,
I figured I answer the question about learning to spin since Sandra asked. You have a couple of options: Call your local yarn shop to see if they know of anyone local who teaches or use the internet to buy a kit and there are lots of resouces that show you the basics. Another place that you might check in with is your local extension office. Since they know who's got the sheep they may also know of a spinner or two.
I do understand about spinning being a seasonal thing. I only spin flax in the warmer months since I wet spin it.
The sock yarn I'm spinning right now is a superwash merino dyed by Lisa Souza at http://www.lisaknit.com/. The yarn is going back to her after it's done.
Any other questions feel free to ask.
TTFN
Cheeky
Imagine the view from the top of your dreams
www.getaclew.blogspot.com |
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windypines
True Blue Farmgirl
4179 Posts
Michele
Bruce
Wisconsin
USA
4179 Posts |
Posted - Jun 25 2008 : 5:56:05 PM
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JUst thought I would jump in here. I am not spinning anything right now. I do have a bit of last years fleece to finish up, from my own sheep. Then I have to get busy and clean this years wool. I am just learning, so I still call my yarn a unique novelty yarn! It is getting better though, I think! :) Maybe!
Michele |
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Cheekyredhead
True Blue Farmgirl
70 Posts
Christine
Lansdale
PA
USA
70 Posts |
Posted - Jun 25 2008 : 6:08:24 PM
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Hi Michele,
What kind of sheep do you have? Do you ever sell any of your fleeces?
TTFN
Cheeky
Imagine the view from the top of your dreams
www.getaclew.blogspot.com |
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KnitSteph
Farmgirl in Training
39 Posts
Stephanie
Longview
TX
USA
39 Posts |
Posted - Jun 25 2008 : 6:39:59 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by Cheekyredhead
Hi Michele,
What kind of sheep do you have? Do you ever sell any of your fleeces?
I was going to ask the same thing!
http://www.knitsteph.com |
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grace gerber
True Blue Farmgirl
2804 Posts
grace
larkspur
colorado
USA
2804 Posts |
Posted - Jun 25 2008 : 8:01:01 PM
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O.k. I am the weird one - I have one my Joy some fantastic handyed silk of my own creation. I have on the other joy some of my new list Yak,Alpaca,Merino from my own shop. On the drop spindal I have a cashmere with gray fresh water pearls. I have on the Patrick Green Carder and blend from one of my Alpaca Studs "Smokey" that I have dyed on some wonderful colors that I will blend with some silk, cashmere and I am not sure but maybe some bamboo. As you can tell I love to have tons going on. In the dye pots I have some silk cocoons which might go into a new yarn I have been working on in my head. One the drying racks I have a spirited yarn that is Mohair slubs with nylon - wild and fun to spin.
Summer is a great time to spin - just put you feet on concret and a fan in the face and spin away. Have a ball ladies. If you wish to see some of the new blends that I just posted they are on my etsy site or blog.
Grace Gerber
Larkspur Funny Farm and Fiber Art Studio
Where the spirits are high and the fiber is deep
http://www.larkspurfunnyfarm.etsy.com
http://larkspurfunnyfarm.blogspot.com
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Aunt Jenny
True Blue Farmgirl
11381 Posts
Jenny
middle of
Utah
USA
11381 Posts |
Posted - Jun 26 2008 : 12:03:26 AM
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Oh Gals...Grace has the yummyest yarns!! I love her alpaca sock yarn!! I have knit a few pair with it and it is soft and wonderful to knit with...You really should check out her stuff..I have never been dissapointed. I have a pair of socks on my needles right now with her yarn!
Jenny in Utah
Proud Farmgirl sister #24
Inside me there is a skinny woman crying to get out...but I can usually shut her up with cookies
http://www.auntjennysworld.blogspot.com/ visit my little online shop at www.auntjenny.etsy.com |
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frannie
True Blue Farmgirl
2246 Posts
fran
bonham
texas
USA
2246 Posts |
Posted - Jun 26 2008 : 06:24:03 AM
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so happy to see this thread.
i just started spinning, finished my lessons about 2 weeks ago.
so i am just starting my spinning adventure. i have a kromski minstral and some drop spindles. i had to order some replacement parts for my wheel and a lazy kate so im waiting to receive those to start spinning again. when i have enough yarn i hope to start weaving again. havent done that in 21 years. i have a loom which was given to me and i need also to replace some of the parts.
my spinning teacher is gonna help me get my loom back in weaving condition.
love that we have a place here to share stories and info about spinning and weaving.
love
frannie in texas
(http://farmfolks-frannie.blogspot.com/)
(http://abunnystale.blogspot.com/)
(http://abunnystale.wordpress.com/) |
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KnitSteph
Farmgirl in Training
39 Posts
Stephanie
Longview
TX
USA
39 Posts |
Posted - Jun 26 2008 : 08:26:59 AM
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quote:
Originally posted by frannie
i have a kromski minstral and some drop spindles.
Yay! Another Kromski owner! I love my Prelude! (I also have an Ashford Traditional and a Babe production wheel)
http://www.knitsteph.com |
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grace gerber
True Blue Farmgirl
2804 Posts
grace
larkspur
colorado
USA
2804 Posts |
Posted - Jun 26 2008 : 09:05:59 AM
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Thanks Jenny for those kind words - my yarn is only as good as the talented hands that are using them - Jenny does my yarn very proud. I have some great new yarns coming on etsy by the weekend - I just love what I do and I hope it shows.
Grace Gerber
Larkspur Funny Farm and Fiber Art Studio
Where the spirits are high and the fiber is deep
http://www.larkspurfunnyfarm.etsy.com
http://larkspurfunnyfarm.blogspot.com
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grace gerber
True Blue Farmgirl
2804 Posts
grace
larkspur
colorado
USA
2804 Posts |
Posted - Jun 26 2008 : 10:15:09 AM
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Frannie I am so excited for you to start your way into making handspun for your weaving. I sure hope you will share photos of your yarn and finished weaving. I have a couple of looms around here that since my youngest son no longer lives here are sitting with dust on them. I think I should find them new homes - hate to see good things sit in a corner - even me.
Have fun and share pictures - please.
Grace Gerber
Larkspur Funny Farm and Fiber Art Studio
Where the spirits are high and the fiber is deep
http://www.larkspurfunnyfarm.etsy.com
http://larkspurfunnyfarm.blogspot.com
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frannie
True Blue Farmgirl
2246 Posts
fran
bonham
texas
USA
2246 Posts |
Posted - Jun 27 2008 : 05:52:50 AM
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steph, so glad to hear you have a kromski too. i bought mine used from one of the farmgirls here who was selling out a spinning business and i really didnt know what i was doing, i just bougtht it on blind faith.
i still am not experienced enough to know if it is a good wheel, but it seems to be good, and my teacher said it was fine.
grace, what kind of looms are you talking about. do you weave as well as all the spinning etc, you do?
i am just starting on my spinning journey and so far, so good. i dont knit or crochet, but i hope to use the yarn to weave. we will see.
love
frannie in texas
(http://farmfolks-frannie.blogspot.com/)
(http://abunnystale.blogspot.com/)
(http://abunnystale.wordpress.com/) |
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LibraryGirl
Farmgirl in Training
18 Posts
Beth
Mt. Blanchard
Ohio
USA
18 Posts |
Posted - Jun 27 2008 : 1:22:01 PM
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I don't weave, but I'm spinning up some superwash merino sock yarn and some kettle-dyed corriedale roving in blues and purples. I have a hard time spinning in the summer -- my hands sweat too much!
--Beth |
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grace gerber
True Blue Farmgirl
2804 Posts
grace
larkspur
colorado
USA
2804 Posts |
Posted - Jun 27 2008 : 1:41:41 PM
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Hi Fran
I have an Ashford Standing loom, a table loom, an inkle loom and a pocket loom all where my youngest son (now 21) who was a state champion spinner and weaver. I took many weaving classes with him on his journey but for me I never was into weaving. He ever loves warping the loom - I would rather poke my eyes out then do that - I have many friends who are wonderful at it but I would rather make the yarn so others will have something to weave with.
Beth your projects sounds wonderful - hope you post pictures. Today I finished dyeing a lace weight yarn that is 1/3 cashmere, 1/3 Angora bunny, 1/3 merino. I dyed about 400 yards each in a shaded purple and then 400 is shades of rose. They turned out great - I hope they find a new home this weekend. Then I used the same dyepots and put in roving that was 80% Angora Bunny and 20% lambs wool - I was hoping to get to spin those but they are always welcome to find new homes too. Can not wait to hear how everyone's projects turn out.
Grace Gerber
Larkspur Funny Farm and Fiber Art Studio
Where the spirits are high and the fiber is deep
http://www.larkspurfunnyfarm.etsy.com
http://larkspurfunnyfarm.blogspot.com
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frannie
True Blue Farmgirl
2246 Posts
fran
bonham
texas
USA
2246 Posts |
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grace gerber
True Blue Farmgirl
2804 Posts
grace
larkspur
colorado
USA
2804 Posts |
Posted - Jun 28 2008 : 11:57:36 AM
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A pocket loom is about the length of your hand and is great for small projects. You warp the yarn from top to bottom and then start basic weaving. I love to make pocketbooks out of then - great for using designers yarns and pattern work to add into sewing or knitting,crocheting and weaving projects. My youngest son would take it on the road to show we went to to show folks what the different yarns would look like on their larger looms - also he made small items that he could finish in an hour and then sell. Great for kids to start with. I will find it and it a picture of it on my blogsite this evening.
Can't wait to shee your yarn 
Grace Gerber
Larkspur Funny Farm and Fiber Art Studio
Where the spirits are high and the fiber is deep
http://www.larkspurfunnyfarm.etsy.com
http://larkspurfunnyfarm.blogspot.com
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Sandra K. Licher
True Blue Farmgirl
1106 Posts
Sandra
Horseshoe Bend
Arkansas
1106 Posts |
Posted - Jun 28 2008 : 12:21:01 PM
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Christine,
Thank you for your info. I am going to do that! I think I did see a spinning class in the paper once in Hardy, AR but I will have to see if they still offer them. The extension office is a great idea! I call them for everything else why did I not think of them? They are such a great resource.
Thanks again and I will continue to listen to this thread as I learn something every time I logon here. I'll let you know what I find out.
Sam in AR..... "It's a great life if you don't weaken!"
Farmgirl Sister #226 |
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sdleah
True Blue Farmgirl
93 Posts
Leah
Pittsburg
TX
USA
93 Posts |
Posted - Jun 29 2008 : 06:49:19 AM
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I'm a kromski lover too...I have a Mazurka. I used to have an Ashford and I ended up selling it because once I got my kromski, I never used it.
www.narrowgatemorgans.com
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frannie
True Blue Farmgirl
2246 Posts
fran
bonham
texas
USA
2246 Posts |
Posted - Jun 29 2008 : 08:03:33 AM
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so glad to know there are kromski girls out there. now that i have a little knowledge i realize that alot of folks have the asford wheels, but i didnt really know any better when i purchased the wheel, and now so far so good. but still nice to know there are others out there that have experience with this line of wheels and is happy with it.
for any folks that are in need of lessons on all kinds of things textile and soap, i would really recommend my teacher at appleleef farms. they are in van alstyne, texas. they have a wonderful farm and at least 2 small cottages that you can stay in while you take your lessons.
leef is a very thorough teacher and seems to be very conscientous about making her students independent in their skills.
you can check out the farm at
http://appleleeffarm.com/
i have been so pleased with the instruction i got there, and hope to return for more lessons on all things fibre.
love
frannie in texas
(http://farmfolks-frannie.blogspot.com/)
(http://abunnystale.blogspot.com/)
(http://abunnystale.wordpress.com/) |
Edited by - frannie on Jun 30 2008 07:07:14 AM |
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Stitching & Crafting Room: Spinners and Weavers |
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Spinners and Weavers
