By-Hand

The old Sleeping Beauty drum carder I purchased a wee while back is finally up and running. My number one supporter Brett Walker-holt kindly fixed it and worked out that the drive wheels had been assembled back to front. The problem had been that the wool was not being picked up off the smaller drum onto the bigger one, even after we went through all the typical scenario's like; the teeth distance between the drums, drive belt loose, too much wool/not enough wool, wool being held to much and even the workability of different wool breeds. I'm pretty pleased with the first batt, which is a blend of what I believe is East Freesian and a Romney Coopworth cross - both gifted from generous locals.

Meet Brooke, the latest edition to my wheel collection. She is a lovely little kauri Marion wheel that needed a little tweeking to get her running smoothly. She's a joy to spin on! On the bobbin is some Jumpbuck Jumble from Jumpbuck carding https://www.jumbuck.co.nz/

Great day had by all today and alot learned. Such a fun group! Everyone did really well and went home with an outcome and feeling confident to keep going. Two wheels out on loan again, so I will look forward to seeing the progress. It was lovely to have special guest Bella Smith there demonstrating the drop spindle too.

Back by demand,
Wheels are ready and now packed in the car for their outing tomorrow 'intro to spinning' at Kawakawa Bay Community Hall

Spinning some local wool generously gifted from a neighbor that has some milking sheep. Images show the fleece in its raw state next to some that is combed ready to spin. The images of the skeins are before and after Scouring - this takes out the yellowness and makes it whiter. For an unknown wool it is soft and lovely to handle ...

FORGOTTEN FIBRE (2023) | Short Documentary revealing the forgotten potential of wool in textiles FULL FILM | FORGOTTEN FIBRE is “the short documentary revealing wool’s forgotten potential in textiles, and the industry’s urgent need for sustainable soluti...

With some wheels on loan I now have room to get more wheels back in working order. Meet David, my latest acquisition. All he needed was an improvised wheel band and spring and away we go....
I name all my wheels so I remember where they came from and having an assortment of bobbins it's good to name those too so I'm not constantly working out which bobbins fit well with each wheel. Having a collection of bobbins is great for swapping around the wools I'm working with. I can't help myself - having an assortment of wool to spin as well as wheels to spin on is slightly addictive 😳
Watch this space for more introductions to spinning as well as preparing local fibre and felting in 2025.

It been a week since the 'Introduction to Spinning' workshop and 2 participants have a rescue wheel on loan to keep practicing.

One of the loaners, an Ashford Traditional, is with Sinead Gill, whom I visited yesterday to drop off more carded wool and see her progress. In one week, with a very helpful wet day, 🤣 her progress is remarkable and she is now getting a lovely fine thread going through that will help with the plying part of the process.

So pleased for Sinead and impressed with her determination to practice and master this age old technique.

What an awesome workshop today 'wet felting' thanks to those who attended. Lots learnt all round. The exploratory nature of students creating templates without knowing the whole process made for some fun, funky and surprising outcomes. There was a bit of "embracing of imperfections" and rejoicing the evidence of the handmade. All in the name of a good time while learning a slow process! Spending time making and putting busy lives on hold was forefront for everyone! Well done!
What an awesome bunch of participants- initial apprehension gave way to an fabulous ending of laughter and appreciation.

Fantastic wee group today being challenged learning to spin. Lots of laughter - perfect!

These are my rescues - wheels destined for the bonfire or ones that people just gave up on that needed some tlc. It is one of my missions to fix wheels that people don't know what to do with and get them working again. These 6 beautiful gals are having an outing today teaching a few folk how to spin. I have 2 more rescues not pictured but 6 is all i can get in my car haha....