Spinning Tuesdays

Clara & Her Wool Pillow

Do you follow Clara Parkes on Instagram? She is a font of knowledge for all things wool, and lately, all ways wool as used in everyday objects. It’s from her that I learned about All Birds shoes, which I love. I’ve never worn a silkier feeling pair of shoes. Did you know there are wool coffins? I guess we can take it with us! I also find them beautiful. She wants everyone to use wool as much as they can. The more we use wool in the US or anywhere in the world, the more we need sheep. She wants people beyond spinners, knitters and all the fiber folk to discover how amazing and versatile wool is. An ...

Tiny Crochet Hooks Are My Favorite

I don’t crochet, but I have a thing for teeny tiny crochet hooks, the one that are about the size of a pencil lead. These two I found at a thrift store (50¢), my favorite place for all kinds of craft supplies, don’t ask what else I bought that day. One had a 10 on it the other a 07. I’m not sure what they are for, thread crochet, maybe? I find them at estate sales too. I use these tiny hooks for two things mostly, and I would recommend having a stash of them, they go missing because, well, they are really tiny, and they break. I use them for cleaning tools, my hand cards, ...

Here’s What I’m Doing About Those Bluprint Questions

Teachers who have classes on Craftsy, now Bluprint, got an email last week letting us know that when Bluprint switched over to a subscription model they made no provisions for students asking questions. They hoped that students would answer each others’ questions. What really happened is that students asked teachers questions and posted photos of their projects and yarns, and they got no response. Questions and comments gathered for a year and last week the folks at Bluprint let us know about them, and found a way for us to see them. But had no way for us to answer them easily. To say we all freaked out is an ...

Washing Fleece – What Do You Use?

I bought two fleeces at Maryland Sheep and Wool, a Finn and a Corrie Cross. Now I have to decide how I want to wash them. I originally wanted to compare two wool scours, Unicorn Power Scour and Kookaburra Scour. Then I listened to the Modern Wool podcast on wool scouring, and I’m not sure that I shouldn’t just use Dawn or clothing detergent. Then I went back and reread Sarah Swett’s blog post about scouring fleece (she uses Kookaburra), and I swayed that way again. Both of my fleeces are pretty middle of the road as far as staple and fineness so I feel like I can do some experimenting. ...

Schacht’s 50th Anniversary Spin Along

For Schacht’s 50th Anniversary, Felicia Lo of Sweet Georgia Yarns created a colorway called Barry’s Jubilee. It’s 85% Polwarth/ 15% tussah, I know, such a dreamy blend. As part of their 50th anniversary celebration the folks at Schacht are hosting a spin along during the month of June. If you sign up for the spin along newsletter you’ll find out all about it. I’m in, and planning on spinning two different yarns with my braid. Besides this fabu colorway, Schacht has several special anniversary products. Everything from an ...

Teaching at MDSW

As you read this, I’m am probably driving home from teaching at Maryland Sheep & Wool, after taking a day to recharge with my daughter in Buffalo. Yes, my car has a stash of Southern Tier beer and Polar nestled among the wool, and I did buy it at Wegmans. It is rare that a teaching gig that doesn’t just meet all of my excited expectations, but exceeds them. Teaching at Maryland was crazy good! It was one of those rare experiences where everything and everyone just clicked, students, the volunteers who run the show, the other teachers, and the festival itself. My students are so talented, ...

How Do You Store Your Tools?

How do you store your spinning tools? I’m having trouble figuring out where and how to store my middle-sized tools. I’m good with my little tools, they live in my spin kit. My big tools like wheels, and my drum carder have their own space. But what about hand cards, combs, hackles, little looms, kates, and storage bobbins not in use? Those tools can fit in a lot of different places. Mine are scattered all around. Combs and hackles I have stored out of the way because, ouch. Most other things are scattered around with no rhyme or reason. I want to figure out a way to organize them, so I can always ...

Maryland Sheep & Wool First Timer

Maryland Sheep & Wool fans, I need your help! I’m teaching at the show before the festival starts, and I hope to see some of you in my classes. I’m staying an extra day, Saturday, because I have never been to Maryland Sheep & Wool. Tell me please, what are the things, food, and vendors that I shouldn’t miss? Things that are unique to MDSW. Including great places to eat nearby. I am excited to teach and excited to prowl the grounds of a new-to-me show, but with almost 300 vendors, it’s a little overwhelming. Yes, I am customizing a map, with a checklist, and may even make a spreadsheet. ...

Taking a Break by Taking a Class

I just got back from teaching at PLY Away. It’s one of my favorite events of the year, and I feel lucky to teach there. Right now it’s the biggest and longest spinning event in North America (and maybe the world). The downside for this introverted teacher is a 12 hour drive on each side of teaching and 4 1/2 days of teaching and festivities. That leaves me pooped and hilariously inarticulate. This year I tried something new. I took a class in the middle of my teaching schedule. I had a half day off and I signed up for Judith MacKenzie’s paper spinning class. I spun about 50 yards of paper yarn, ...

I Just Renewed My Spin Off Subscription

You might have heard the F&W media, the parent company of Interweave has filed for bankruptcy. There is a lot of speculation on what is going to happen. Are they restructuring, looking for a buyer or just shutting down? There are a lot of people who are owed money, including authors. I don’t know anything about what is going to happen, but I know I want Interweave to succeed the best it can. I have great admiration for what Interweave has done over the years, and what the employees at Interweave are still trying to do. I was an employee for a decade, and it was an amazing experience. I can’t afford to ...