DYE SAMPLES IN USE

DYE SAMPLES IN USE

             Since we, Bedfordshire guild WSD, along with Guild of Longdraw Spinners took the time to create this useful reference it has been used very infrequently.
             New members have joined the group and they want to learn how to create their own self striping yarns, mainly for socks and small items to be knitted or crocheted.

                'There is a tendency for all of us to use dye colours straight from the pot, without mixing and creating new shades, unless of course there are small quantities of liquor left at the end of a project. It is time consuming and expensive to make your own shade cards. This year I am working with two Weavers, Spinners and Dyers guilds to produce, hopefully, the shades that can be produced with all 16 of the Texere Acid Dye range. Hundreds of skeins and many cards to file the colours have had to be made and distributed, but later this month the project will be close to completion. Fingers Crossed!!! Above are photos of the first batch of samples, waiting to be threaded on to the file cards. Don't they look great! It seems a shame to split them up.'

For more information look at the blog entry:- 'All colours are there. creating shade cards.'

Feb 17 2017- Handspun Self-striping Yarn

Feb 23 2017- Striped Sock yarn Using a Skeining Board.

A Present to Myself!

E spinner Combo - SUCCESS!

               More and more spinners are turning to electric spinning 'wheels'. They are more portable. It is difficult to take a spinning wheel on public transport!

               The photograph above shows my e spinner on top of the wheeled trolley that holds all I need, including the e-spinner, to take to guild meetings.

                Inside the trolley, in the foreground, is the E spinner in the left hand compartment of the bag provided with the spinner. The right hand compartment holds the lazy kate with 2 more bobbins as well as more fibre and a battery to power the e spinner away from home. There is still more space for lunch, books magazines etc.

WHY AN E. SPINNER?

                As I've probably said before, my reason for learning to spin was to be able to spin my own yarns for weaving. I have discovered that it can take longer to spin the yarn than to weave it up. It is supposed to have taken 7 hand spinners to supply a weaver and that was probably before the yarn produced was plied. 

The company who designed and make the 'WooLee Winder advertise the following advantages:-

You can spin a more consistent yarn.

Spin more yarn in less time.

Ply like never before

Never have to change hooks again.

Have more fun spinning.

            With this in mind and the knowledge that having 'WooLee Winder' on your spinning wheel means you can get 1/3 more yarn on a bobbin by winding and save 1/3 of the time taken to spin the same amount of yarn using a 'normal' flyer with hooks that enable you to wind your spun yarn onto your bobbin in a series of small peaks.

Their claim that:-  'You'll be able to ply an entire bobbin of yarn in only a few minutes and without stopping.' I'm still not sure about!

This will allow you to ply evenly and consistently.

 Plying from WooLee Winder bobbins can also help to improve your plying experience since the yarn on these bobbins will unwind smoothly without any of the problems experienced with hook-wound bobbins.'