Yarn arts

I've decided I'd like some wall art depicting knitting and spinning, but don't really want a print. Most of the artwork I have is original, so I may need to paint my own. But here's an idea of what I'm looking for, a few examples from history. Aren't they lovely?

Another book comment

I've had every book I can find out of the library about spinning. I have to tell you that my favorite so far is Teach Yourself Visually - Handspinning by Judith MacKenzie McCuin. I'm so impressed, I think I'll take a peek at the Knitting book just to look at their hand exercises.

I won't buy either book. I'm becoming more and more concerned about the environmental impact of all the glossy photos, and though I like to support the arts & crafts as well as artists and writers, I'm trying to add to my own collection books that meet my standards. I can't always, but I can try to minimize the number of books I buy that fall into the questionable category. Sometimes that means passing up a lush book simply because I already have too many that were printed in China and took thousands of miles of non-renewable energy to land on my shelf. It ain't easy, but every little bit makes a difference and you have to walk your talk, even if it's little steps. So to the library it is when I need to take a second peek at this one. Ask your library to get a copy, too.

So what did I learn?

Well, we learned all the basics of spinning, of course. The components of the wheel, a little about fibers, how to work the wheel and actually spin yarn, how to measure the yarn and wash it, blending fibers, and on and on. I also learned what a niddy noddy was, finally! If you look really closely, you'll see kitty naughty down there, too.

The knowledge that made the cost of the class priceless was determining what spinning wheel to buy. We had numerous models to try in the class, and the experience of the teacher to draw from. I quickly determined I wanted a castle, or parlor-style wheel, with double treadle, and scotch tension. I'd had enough of the double driveband jumping off with the Ashford Elizabeth. So, the next step was to find a wheel that had all the required qualifications at a moderate price. We settled on a Baynes wheel that we purchased for $348 and free shipping through The Spinning Bunny. That took about ten days to arrive from New Zealand.

Next, we'll cover our adventures as The Man o' the Place attempts to assemble the wheel in the stated half hour.

Spinning Tales

I suppose it’s inevitable that any truly compulsive knitter will eventually entertain thoughts of spinning their own yarn. There’s a nostalgic part of me that connects with the old crafts and a slower time, an era when life was more involved with the land, and when our survival and well-being depended on simpler activities. I suppose my times in the country bring those feelings to the surface. Well, and it’s a fad now too, isn’t it? Youngsters half my age are into it and posting their goods at etsy and eBay. My little pal, Faith spins some lovely yarns and so does Rachel at Have You Any Wool. For crying out loud, it uses no electricity! How can an environmentalist like me resist that final straw?