The Accidental Smallholder Forum
Community => Introduce yourself => Topic started by: Goat-Lady on June 05, 2012, 11:32:09 am
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Sheep sheared this morning, now looking for some kind person to show me how to spin. It always seemed a shame, in past years the fleeces had to be burnt. So please any volunteers within the Welshpool area. (50 miles radius)
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You might want to try your local guild of Spinners, Weavers and Dyers.
They have local meetings, ours is very friendly and very happy to help beginners.
This one looks to be your nearest: Montgomeryshire Guild of Spinners, Weavers and Dyers (http://www.montyguildwsd.org.uk/)
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There's a lady down the road from me who I could get details of if you wished. We are near Tintern Abbey in the Wye Valley/Forest of Dean. Let me know if you are interested :)
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The guild would be my first idea, too.
But why would you burn the fleeces? If you can't even give them away, at least compost them - use them as mulch.
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There's a lady down the road from me who I could get details of if you wished. We are near Tintern Abbey in the Wye Valley/Forest of Dean. Let me know if you are interested :)
Thanks, but the Wye Valley is just a bit to far. I'm Mid/North Wales.
Thanks Again.
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http://allinaspin.wordpress.com/ (http://allinaspin.wordpress.com/)
This lady gives tuition and workshops in our area , give her a call to find out when she's close enough for you, have you got your carders to make rollags? etc. I'm sure there must be demmos on Utube, and books on the subject. :innocent:
Did you post this in the right section? skills and crafts ? or sheep maybe?
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Sorry I'm too far away up here in Scotland. However, there are some other options. I taught myself, with the help of books and a video and lots of trial and error. However, if you want to learn quickly then you couldn't do better than going on a course. Ruth Gough of Wingham Wools is an excellent teacher - she makes the whole process seem so simple. Look up beginners spinning courses online - there are lots around.
Don't give up the idea though - it's a wonderful skill.
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Goat-Lady there is a place at Llandyssil which seems to be around the right area.
http://www.hotfrog.co.uk/Products/handspun (http://www.hotfrog.co.uk/Products/handspun) I got the details from this website. The place I was looking at is called Tinker Tailor
Sally
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Thanks everyone who has taken the time to reply. You all have given me a few options to look into, I will let you know in the near future of my progress. Thanks again.
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and... There is no substitute for 'hands on' help BUT.... I have found loads of helpful clips on you tube (especially for the drop spindle, which should whet your whistle whilst trying to make local contacts. Good luck, Fi xx
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Hi Goat Lady, it's a few years since I did any but I used to spin AND I'm coming to visit you. Sounds like I'd better make it sooner, rather than later.
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Contact me if you like I am in Llangurig. Have you got a spinning wheel?
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Contact me if you like I am in Llangurig. Have you got a spinning wheel?
I have had the wheel for several years , but no carders. Not sure where to purchase them or what sort would be the best.
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Suggest using prepared tops to start with, you want something that drafts easily.
I tried to begin with merino which was a mistake. Once I swapped to Corriedale, I got going. Now I can spin merino, hand carded fleece, unwashed fleece etc, but it's not the way to begin.
I watched a lot of this lady's YouTube videos when I was learning. She's a self-confessed 'geek' but she teaches well and I got to like her quirkiness.
Spinning Basics (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wGQXo5ZQYMo#)
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Providing the fleece is well-prepared, you don't need to card. I've often spun uncarded fleece.
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Jaykay, I enjoyed that video and I quite like her geekiness too. I will look out for some more of her vids. Thanks
Sally
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Mad as a hatter ;D Did I hear what I thought I heard just before she says 'pardon me' ? :o ;D
I have seen some of her other video clips - definitely worth watching :thumbsup: