Beginning Wheel Class

We had our beginning wheel class this weekend.  It was a great time.  My faithful student showed up and we spent the day spinning and talking while they worked on the church.  We spent the first part of the class going over the parts of the wheel and playing with her tension so she could get a feel for what her wheel can do for her and not what she had to do for the wheel.  I had some different fibers for her to try out and some different techniques for drafting that helped her work with her fiber and get it to where she was happy with the finished single.  

We took a break at dinner and joined the others working there for lunch.  Times of fellowship are so blessed.  after we were finished with dinner it was back to the wheel.

With this class I was able to teach her how to ply and she did very well.  I knew she still only had one bobbin for her spinning wheel so I taught her how to Andean ply and it went very well.  I, on the other hand, keep forgetting that a hand is not meant to hold a whole ounce of fiber and watched as my finger bent lower and lower trying to accommodate all of the single.  I did it though.

Our next classes will deal with preparing raw fiber for spinning, combing, flicking and carding as well as working with exotic fibers and blending fibers.

Spindle Class #2

Well we get to do the spindle class again this weekend.  The ladies who did not make it last weekend decided to come this weekend.  I told them I would make the time, but they needed to be there.  LOL  They are nurses coming from the hospital so I know the spinning would be good for them.  I know when I spin I feel a sense of peace and tranquility and their line of work does come with stresses as well.  All but one will be coming from in town so as long as it isn't freezing cold out they should make it.  They might have to tell us to keep it down in the room though beings once we get going I am sure there will be quite a bit of giggling and we will be at the library where quite is the key.  LOL  I hope to get at least 2 or 3 people interested in spinning so we can get together once a month and spin and spin for projects too.  I have been dreaming of starting a prayer shawl ministry and what is more fun then spinning the fiber and then knitting it up or crocheting it into a shawl or blanket for someone who needs it.

Spindle Class

Only had one lady show up for the spindle class, while the other 5 chickened out, but that didn't stop us.  I had the class just the same.  Any reason to spin, right!  It was a great time.  She admitted that she thought my 3 hours for a spindle class seemed like a long time, but it went fast and we just were able to cover the basics and one plying method.  I sent her home with her spindle and a couple ounces of fiber and a new spinner is born.  ;o)  I talked to her the next day and she informed me that she sat down and spun some more when she got home and was excited for another class.  Spinning is good for the soul.

Spinning Beaded Yarn

I took some time a few weeks ago to spin a beaded yarn for our January Challenge in the North Dakota Spinners Ravelry group. I used some roving I had dyed a couple weeks ago. We dyed it with food coloring, red, blue, yellow, green and purple. The yellow ended up blending in with the other colors and creating an orange and a brown color, but it is beautiful. I strung the beads on a piece of thread and plyed it with my two singles and it went pretty good, but I did spend a bit of time untwisting when the yarn and beaded thread decided to have a fight once in a while. I used clear beads with hopes that it would blend with all the different colors and it seemed to work quite well. This is one yarn I do plan to try again in the future and maybe test our a new technique for adding the beads.

 

You can see all the difference colors we had in our yarn. The beads look like little water droplets.

This shows the beads in the yarn pretty well. They are spaced about every 12 to 18 inches.

 

Here we have the yarn twisted into a skein. The beads seem to blend into the yarn more in this shot.

This really was a lot of fun once I figured out how to to ply everything together.  I think the next time I do this type of yarn I will use a smaller bead size.  If there was more of it I know this would make a wonderful shawl.

 

Spinning Classes

Wow!  I can't believe it is already a new year.  It seems like only yesterday it was the beginning of 2009 and now it is 2010.  With the dawning of a new year comes some exciting adventures.  Since I started spinning in 2008 I have had people ask me if I could teach them how to spin so I have decided to hold spinning classes so we can all get together and learn.  I am posting the information her in case others might be interested in joining.  We will be happy to have you there.

Learn to spin. Our first class will be taught on drop spindles. If you have ever wanted to know how yarn was made before we could purchase it at the store this is the class for you. The first class will deal with drop spindles, learn about predrafting fiber, drafting while spinning, Z twist and S twist and setting your twist. We will learn the fundamentals in this first class. You will receive a spindle and fiber to take home and work with as well. Additional fiber and tools will be available for purchase.

If interested contact for registration form
701-693-6785 or jnlgessele@gondtc.com

Pre-registration for classes is required
Room for 8 people per class only.
Class held Jan. 30th 1PM - 4PM
Centennial Room Harvey Public Library
$40 per person 2.5 to 3 hour class.
Spindles, fiber and handouts included in class fee.

 

 So if you are interested please drop us a line.

Crafty Creations

With the dawn of a new year coming soon.  The girls and I have decided to start a blog that will tell all about the crafts we are working on at the time.  We hope to post something at least once a week with pictures.  Wish us luck.