- Welcome
- About Us
- Why Spin?
- Be Inspired
- How to Spin
- Events
- ?
Welcome to Spinning School - the place to learn about spinning, weaving, dyeing and all lovely ‘woolly’ things.
You think you are not creative? - Maybe you have never been inspired!
You think you’ll be no good? - Maybe you’ve never had a good teacher!
If you never try, you’ll never know, and you can’t select until you know what there is to choose from. So give Spinning School a whirl. You’ll Be Inspired. Promise!
Discover the amazing things you can do with wool and more about yourself.
Unlock your hidden talents and the mystery of long draw spinning.
Experience the sensual pleasure of handling the world’s most luxurious fibres.
Tune in to nature and spin as people did hundreds of years ago.
Feel the satisfaction of accomplishing new skills and mixing with like-minded people.
Do yourself a favour… just for once!
Pam Austin
I’m a woman with a mission about Long Draw spinning; life’s just too short for anything else! It’s fun, fast, and satisfying to draw out arms lengths of thread at a time. I was taught by Elizabeth Palmer 30 years ago and have been spreading the word ever since. Sometimes I spin straight from the fleece but if I want a fine, top quality yarn I wash, card and make rolags first.
I started the Guild of Long draw Spinners because no-one seemed to know about long draw and run Guild workshops, residential courses and visit other spinners’ guilds. I take genuine pleasure in other people’s success, and people say I am an inspirational teacher.
I live in Stoke Albany with my husband Bob; we keep hens and grow fruit and vegetables. I have three children, seven grandchildren and a horse called Nola. Besides my passion for all ‘woolly things’, I love horses and music and am very happy and fulfilled.
I am Rosalind Willatts and have lived in the Welland Valley for 24 years. Since childhood I have knitted and sewed and experimented with every craft I could, but did not lean to spin (I was taught by Pam Austin) until the early 21st Century as I had never seen anyone spinning or knew anyone who could spin.. I cracked londgdraw spinning on 5th May 2005 while Pam and I were running a tiny country polling station (48 voters in 15 hours) for the general election.
I like to spin varied coloured fleeces in the grease as I dislike making rolags. I love creating a yarn direct from the fleece - it is so basic and so natural. I then use ingenuity and creativity to knit garments and items to my own designs incorporating different colours. I also make felt from coloured fleeces and decorate it with coloured hand-dyed yarns (I have done much dying with plants from the countryside and garden) and wools. I like using the countryside for its hedgerow fruits including cherries and plums and for the many things it can provide such as fir cones and willow fronds for advent wreaths. I make skin creams and infuse them with various herbs from the garden and countryside. Spinning has opened a new world of using basic resources and being creative with them.
My passion is weaving and in 2009 I fulfilled my lifetime’s ambition to retire and live in France where I can spin and weave in the warm sunshine. I return regularly to the UK to teach weaving and in 2011 went to Morocco with Eve Branson to teach Berber girls long draw spinning at her Charitable Foundation in the Atlas Mountains. I live in Fregeac, Sousceyrac, in the Lot region of France where I have a 250sqft studio to accommodate my collection of looms. Here, I teach weaving and long draw spinning and also sell weaving and spinning equipment. I am a member of the Guild of Weavers Spinners and Dyers of Southwest France and the Guild of Long Draw Spinners.
I live in Dunblane in Scotland and teach on a 1-2-1 basis and for a group in Edinburgh. I love long draw spinning because it's fast - I also enjoy experimenting with different types of yarn. Sometimes I spin straight from the fleece, sometimes I card and make rolags first, it depends on what kind of yarn I want to make. I also enjoy dyeing wool using natural dyes and love knitting it up. Pam taught me to spin several years ago am currently setting up a local spinning group so that people can develop their skills in a social setting and exchange ideas. In the summer I had the amazing opportunity to teach spinning in Morocco where we were using cashmere and people were learning to spin on drop spindles and spinning wheels. As well as my woolly interests I also do patchwork, make preserves, enjoy walking, outdoor swimming and being out on the bike.
Why Spin?
More and more knitters are becoming spinners because yarn is so expensive. Imagine having to pay £60 for enough yarn to knit a pullover! A £5 fleece will usually yield a pullover and leftovers.
Some people spin because they want funky stuff you can’t buy in shops. Feathers, ribbon, paper, recycled saris, pony tails, bits of glitter and even dog hair, all get spun.
Environmentally, spinning is the tops. I still wear a pullover made in 1990. How kind is that to the planet? And it certainly didn’t cost the earth.
Sheep owners love rugs and clothes made from their own stock. It costs more to have a sheep clipped than the Wool Marketing Board will pay for its fleece, so they may as well spin it up - or find a friend who will. So, if you know of anyone who has sheep…
Happily, no-one wrote the rule book on spinning. You do just as you like - nothing is right, wrong or ‘not done properly‘. I spin because I like it , and I want others to get the same pleasure from it as I do. There is always something new to try and new fleece comes every year!
Be Inspired
You will find a warm welcome at Spinning School and we have a number of Ashford wheels and equipment available for loan absolutely free of charge: the only condition for loan is that pupils regularly attend the Spinning School teaching sessions. In this way, you can be really sure you want to spin before going to the expense of buying a wheel, carders etc. No previous experience is necessary and there is always fleece to spin with and usually at least one wheel available to use on the day.
Ashford Wheel
Anyone is welcome to attend a single session. The idea is to help people get started and experience the fun and satisfaction of making your own yarn. Most people find learning and sharing the 'What they have done' with other beginners a very rewarding and affirmative experience - and get quite inspired by seeing what others have done.
On the Wheel
There are usually about six people most of whom are beginners, so they know and understand how nerve-racking it can be for a newcomer. If you would like to try spinning then, be brave, go for it. Give me a ring and we can talk about how to get started.
Dressed Distaff
Spinning School sessions last 3-4 hours (depending on numbers) and the fee is £15 per session. There is no commitment to attend every session and no annual membership fee.
To find our more or for details of the next meeting please see the Calendar/events page; alternatively, give me a call or e-mail me at the details at the side
Fibre + Twist = Thread.
Spinning is wonderfully simple. There are only two ingredients, fibre & twist; the secret to success is getting the balance right. As the amount of fibre goes up, so the need for twist goes down. As the fibres are drawn out more finely, so more twist is needed. i.e. there’s an inverse relationship between fibre and twist. Find the balance, feel it stretch, and you’ve cracked it!
I teach five steps:
1. Hold fibre in your right hand (if right-handed) and attach fibres to an existing thread. [see Step 1]
Step 1
2. Make some twist and store it on the existing thread between finger and thumb of your left hand. [see Step 2]
Step 2
3. Draft out a roving of fibres between your hands -about 6 -8 inches. [see step 3]
Step 3
4. Carefully let in some twist and draw out a thread with your right hand at the same time. [see Step 4 & 4a] Try to get a feeling of elasticity. The longer the draw, the more twist it needs.
Step 4 & 4a
5. Store the thread on the bobbin [see Step 5] and repeat the steps.
Step 5
When the balance between fibre and twist is just right it will feel stretchy like elastic. On a wheel, most beginners make twist faster than they can make yarn. So, to begin with it is easier to learn the technique by not using the wheel and simply twisting the fibres with your left hand until you can feel the stretch.
I carefully select fleece that is easy to spin and find most beginners master long draw and learn a few quality control techniques within the first two lessons. After that its fun, just fun!
A typical day starts with Long Draw Spinning Tuition, followed by a workshop:
To download a copy Click Here
DATES: |
WORKSHOP |
|---|
2012
EVENT: .................
January
Tuesday 24th: The Weaving Room, Loddington Grange: Open day
Saturday28th: /Sunday 29th: Long draw spinning;
February
Tuesday 14th: Art Yarn: how to make colours work for you
Tuesday 28th: Weaving workshop, The Weaving Room, Loddington Grange
Saturday 25th: Drum Carding, mixing batts, making rovings
March
Monday 12th: Thursday 15th Rug Weaving: Design and make your own rug using fleece, yarn and ?. The Weaving Room, Loddington Grange (numbers limited, to Book a Place Click here)
Tuesday 13th: Spinning School, Loddington Grange - Spinning to music in the Drawing Room.
March
Saturday 24th: Visit the lambing pens at Westhill Farm.
Tuesday 27th: Weaving workshop, The Weaving Room, Loddington Grange
April
Tuesday 10th: Rolags: when, why and how to make them?
Tuesday 24th: Weaving workshop, The Weaving Room, Loddington Grange
Saturday 28-Sunday 29th: Long Draw Spinning Spring Weekend: Is your spinning vibrant and full of fun? Or could it do with Spring Clean? Refresh your outlook with a spinning mentor of nearly 30 years experience; clear out the cobwebs, find what you really warm to and start becoming the spinner you would love be. Saturday only: Making true Boucle yarn. Places limited: to Book a Place Click Here: to Book Accommodation Click here
May
Tuesday 8th: How to Teach long draw
Tuesday 22nd: Weaving workshop, The Weaving Room, Loddington Grange
Saturday 26th: Dyeing with Indigo: bring your own yarn and have a dip
June
Tuesday 12th: Assessing fleece and fibre for Handspinning
Tuesday 26th: Weaving workshop, The Weaving Room, Loddington Grange
Saturday 30th: Fleece and Fibre Day at The Studio in the Barn, Marefield.
July
Tuesday 10th: How to spin Alpaca, Cashmere and luxury fibres
Tuesday 24th: Weaving workshop, The Weaving Room, Loddington Grange
Saturday 14-15th: Fibre East SpinningSchool
Saturday 28th: Understanding Silk; How to spin silk from caps, hankies and rovings
August
Friday 10th - Sunday 12th: Spinning Retreat and Exhibition in the Practical room, Knuston Hall – Long Draw for beginners and Art Yarn for improvers. Award yourself some quality spinning time in a superb country house setting. Residential: to Book Click Here
Tuesday 14th: Spinning by the River, Marquee, Titchmarsh Mill, River Nene, A day in the sun - hopefully - if not, in the marquee! Maybe even a trip up the river.
September
Tuesday 11th: Funky Yarn:
Tuesday 25th: Weaving workshop, The Weaving Room, Loddington Grange
Saturday 22nd: Funky Yarn and what to do with it!
October
Monday 8th-Thursday 11th: Weaving retreat: to Book accommodation Click Here
Tuesday 13th: Spinning to music in the Drawing room, Loddington Grange
Tuesday 27th: Weaving workshop, The Weaving Room, Loddington Grange
Saturday 24th -25th: Long Draw Spinning Inspiration Weekend: How does your spinning grow? Are you just messing about surrounded by ‘dead’ half-baked projects and waiting for inspiration that never arrives? Break Out and see what you could be doing and Be Inspired. Talk through your spinning with a mentor of nearly 30 years experience; find out what really grabs you; and make a start on becoming the spinner you really want to be. Places limited, to Book a Place Click Here. To Book accommodation Click Here.
Saturday only: How to make true boucle yarn.
November
Tuesday 11th: Hats: to weave or to knit? Use up your Funky yarn and Oddballs .
Tuesday 25th: Weaving workshop, The Weaving Room, Loddington Grange
Saturday 29th: Super shawls, scarves and winter warmers
December
Tuesday 8th: Making Felt Slippers
Book a place*
Email link to Pam@Spinningschool.co.uk
Book accommodation **
Link to:
The Fox, Wilbarston www.thefoxinnwilbarston.com
The White Horse, Stoke Albany www.thewhite-horse.net
Special spinners rates apply!
Book Directly with Knuston Hall
Knuston Hall www.knustonhall.org.uk/
Any Questions?
Your query might be below - but its far better to just ring me - I’m easy to talk to Contacts page: 01858 535466. I’m also on SKYPE
How much does it cost? - £15 per session (minimum 4 hours)
Can I attend just once? - Yes, please do
Do I need to book an appointment? - No, but I’ll be prepared for you if I know you are coming!
I think I live too far away? - There are several options - lets talk about them.
Do I need a wheel or anything? - No, we have everything you need to get started and loan wheels to regular pupils.
I’m left-handed - will I have to spin right handed like everyone else? -
No definitely not - I teach left or right whichever is most comfortable.
I’m nervous: everyone is when they start; - Ring me to talk about it - I do individual, private lessons at home if necessary.
I only want to learn dyeing? - That’s fine, I’ll let you know when it is on the schedule - or watch the calendar/events page
How long will it take to learn? - Most people get going on the first lesson and learn to improve yarn quality on the second, competence comes with practice.
How many people will be there? - Usually about six, if a group gets too big we start another on a different day
What day is Spinning School? - Tuesdays and Saturdays see Events Training days page
Can I bring the baby? - Yes, he can meet Rowan, he’s been coming for six months now!
Do you have refreshments? - Tea (s), real coffee, chocolate and biscuits are included in the fee. Bring your lunch on Saturdays or on Tuesdays have lunch with us in The Fox!
I can spin but I’m not very good? - You will soon get better with a bit of expert help.
I’m still not sure? - Be brave - Ring me Pam on 01858 535466 - I’m easy to talk to and won’t give you a hard sell or to e-mail me - Click Here