A Kromski Polonaise from Wingham Woolwork.
This is a Ferrari of spinning wheels.
In order to give this new wheel a true test of what it can do, I then went to London’s local weaving centre – located in North London – Handweavers Studio and Gallery where they have a sumptious selection of handspinning fibres.There I discovered milk protein fibre top. I had heard of it but had never had the opportunity to test it out. What fun!Innovative fibres such as milk casein and soya fibre were developed during the early 40′s as a substitute for wool, which was needed by the men on the front line. These virtually faded from existence as other synthetic yarns such as nylon were developed. Some of these fibres are now making a comeback as there is more emphasis on environmentally safe products and eco-friendly textiles.Milk casein fibre is made by separating the oils and fats from the protein. The curd is rinsed, dried and dissolved to form a ‘dope’ that is pushed through spinnerets into an acid bath that forms the fibre. The fibre goes through further salt and formaldehyde processing to soften and improve the quality.Because milk casein is a protein fiber it can be dyed with CIBA acid dyes.I did find the milk fibre very soft and silky to spin.
This spun up very quickly. I used the smallest whorl on my Kromski Polonaise wheel, using the 20:1 ratio. When using the smaller whorl on the Kromski wheel, don’t forget to turn the bobbin around so that you are using the smaller end of the bobbin
The Kromski Polonaise also has two adjustment screws on either side of the wheel. These can be turned to adjust the alignment of the wheel to the bobbin whorl. This needs to be adjusted whenever you change the whorl size.
I am going to leave this yarn as a single spun because I think it would be quite nice to use it as weft in a future silk scarf project.
As many of you may know, I have been a handweaver and spinner for many years. In addition to managing this website, I also have another website through which I market and sell my own handspun and handwoven products. I like to work with natural fibres and eco-friendly dyes.
Some time ago, I moved to Chichester, which is located on the south coast of England, in the county of West Sussex. I retired from work recently so now have more time to devote to spinning yarn and making pretty things.
The local Council of Chichester operates a bi-weekly farmers market providing local farmers a venue to sell their farm products. I have applied for permission to operate a market stall where I hope to sell my hanspun wools and wares. Part of their criteria for operating a market stall is that at least 30 % of the products are obtained locally – within a 30 mile radius of the city of Chichester. I agree with the council’s strict criteria and am happy to support the local farming community.
This has now led me on a search for locally grown fleece. Previously I was purchasing wool roving from the UK mills and weaving shops. However, the mills are often not able to identify which sheep farm the wool came from.
Over the last few weeks I have met some wonderful farmers and visited their farms and pastures where the sheep and alpaca graze.
I am still waiting to hear whether my application will be successful – fingers crossed.
If not – I have enjoyed the adventure and it has led me to some lovely countryside adventures as well as new sources for fibre.
I have also had some difficulties in sourcing suitable fleece. I visited a sheep farm today, hoping to purchase some coloured fleece. Sadly, although the fleece were in reasonable condition, they were not of a fine enough quality for hand spinning yarns suitable for knitting clothing. It would be good fleece for rug yarns however. I considered purchasing the lot and sending it to a local mill to be cleaned and carded. I could use it for weaving rugs, but this isn’t the current quest, so decided I would leave this for another day.
The farmer admitted that he was primarily concerned with breeding sheep for food production rather than for the wool. He shears his sheep and sends it off to the wool marketing board where it is graded and sent to mills for processing into yarn but he doesn’t know what type of yarn is produced. I think if we as hand spinners wish to keep this craft alive and want to support good quality local wool production, we have to become more demanding and ask farmers to also consider breeding sheep for wool and not only for meat.
I thought that I would set up a Facebook page to document the places I go, the farmers I meet and also have a daily record that shows what I have carded, spun, and dyed today.
I hope that you will enjoy following along and that it will inspire you to get spinning!
Santa’s Trousers
After felting I cut a piece of this felt that was wide enough to fit around Santa’s tummy, and long enough to fit his legs. Then I cut partly up the center of the piece of felt – to fit around his legs.
I hand stitched around the cut piece with a length of wool yarn, to strengthen the edges.
I then hand sewed the legs together with red wool yarn.
Santa’s Jacket
From the remaining red felt, I cut a slit into the fabric and a small oval for the neckline.
I fitted this around the Santa doll and then cut away small sections to shape the sleeves.
I hand stitched the sides and sleeves together.
Then I needle felted a trim around Santa’s jacket using white merino roving.
Santa Hat
With remaining bits of the red felt I cut a triangle shape for his hat and then needle felted some white merino wool for the brim of his hat.
Santa’s Boots
I hand spun a few ounces of black Shetland wool for knitting the Santa boots. You can use any pure wool yarn. The boots are knitted in a similar fashion to Santa’s legs.
My Beautiful & Gently Used Schacht LadyBug Spinning Wheel w/attached lazy kate
I have a beautiful Schacht LadyBug Spinning wheel with the attached tensioned lazy kate.
Unfortunately, due to my own disability, I can no longer treadle with my left foot.
I would like to sell this beautiful Spinning Wheel so that I can purchase a reasonably priced electric spinning wheel, which will only need one foot to stop and start it-much like a sewing machine.
My digital camera is acting up, and in the repair shop, so I will download stock pictures of my wheel and please know that it doesn’t have a mark on it, I will send all the original paper work and items that came with it.
Also with this wheel I will send 8 ounces/1 half pound of fiber.
Either undyed Merino, or a package of the Ashland Bay Multi-Colored Merino Top – Primrose.
Primrose is a lovely light blue with streaks of pink, yellow, white and other colors running through it.
I’ve spun up a pound of this colorway and it makes a beautiful soft and lofty yarn.
I’ve also spun it and then plied it with any of the colors that are in it and it makes a wonderful colored yarn either way.
I am going to ask $675.00 for this wheel & the shipping is on me, in other words included in that price.
I will be donating some of the proceeds of this sale to the Young Writer’s Project, as that is only fair when we are able to post these free ads.
I think this is a fair price, especially considering that I am willing to cover the shipping costs to anywhere in the Continental United States and Canada.
I can accept payments through PayPal.
I would be willing to accept personal checks, but please understand that I would have to wait until the check clears, which is 14 days at my financial institution, prior to shipping out the wheel and other items.
Feel free to contact me through this site, or through my own email pas3 at verizon dot net
Thank you so much for your consideration.
Andrea Germann-
Please just call me Anne
Reading PA
Mini Christmas Knits (Twenty to Make)
Highlighting the small charms of the holidays, the 20 step-by-step Christmas projects collected here will add to the warmth of the season. With each project requiring just small scraps of yarn, knitters will enjoy applying their skills to such novelty projects as miniature Christmas stockings, holly leaves, small reindeer, a snowman, an egg cozy, knitted gingerbread cookies, and a wee Christmas sweater.
‘Twas the Knits Before Christmas
‘Twas the Knits Before Christmas features the poem, accompanied by beautiful color illustrations. Interspersed are patterns for creating a knitted scene that includes mom and dad, the children, Santa, eight reindeer, the moon, stockings, and toys.
Knit Christmas Stockings!: 19 Patterns for Stockings and Ornaments
The 19 fun, simple-to-follow patterns presented here make it easy for even first-time knitters to create beautiful stockings, not to mention delightful knit and felt ornaments for the Christmas tree.
Mini Christmas Crochet (Twenty to Make)
Among the thoughtfully selected crochet projects are mini Christmas stockings, holly leaves, reindeer, a snowman, a snowflake, a Christmas fridge magnet, a star, a candy cane, Christmas bells, an angel, and much more. Simple photographs accompany each step-by-step project and provide knitters with an easy reference to the finished piece.
Christmas Angels and Other Tatting Patterns (Dover Knitting, Crochet, Tatting, Lace)
Patterns and detailed instructions for approximately 45 tatted projects — many with a Christmas theme. Designs for stand-up picture frame, edgings (Happy Talk, Crown, Grape, Merri-Go-Round), tree ornaments (Star of Leaves, Evergreen Christmas Tree, Clover-Leaf Bell, exquisite Christmas Angel, more).
Little Christmas Decorations to Knit & Crochet
Projects are suitable for knitters and crocheters of all abilities and include mini Christmas stockings, holly leaves, reindeer, snowmen, snowflakes, a Christmas fridge magnet, a star, a candy cane, Christmas bells, an angel, and much more.
Christmas is fast approaching, so time to start making your Christmas crafts.
Here is a free knitting pattern for making a Santa Claus doll.
The body has been handknit using pure DK weight wool and size 4mm knitting needles. I have used merino wool roving for the body stuffing, so that this can be felted in the washing machine.
Shape Feet
21 WS – k1, m1, k5, m1, k1, m1, k5, m1, k1
22 RS – purl
23 WS – k8, m1, k1, m1, k8
24 RS – purl
25 WS – k9, m1, k1, m1, k7, turn, do not work remaining stitches on left hand needle
26 RS – sl 1, purl 16, turn
27 WS – sl1, k7, m1, k1, m1, k6, turn
28 RS – sl 1, p 14, turn
29 WS – sl 1, k6, m1, k1, m1, k3, turn
30 RS sl1, p8, turn
31 WS – sl 1, knit to end of row
Cast off
Finishing
Body
Sew the top of the head and back seam using a blanket stitch.
Stuff the body with merino wool roving.
Sew the bottom seam using a blanket stitch.
Neck
Using 1 strand of wool yarn, without an end knot, insert a tapestry needle at the back seam, under the first row of the head increase. Weave the needle through the stitches in the neck and pull the thread to tighten the neck. Tie a double knot and weave the yarn ends into the doll.
Arms
Using a blanket stitch, sew the sides of the arms together and fill the arms with wool stuffing.
Using the decrease stitches on the shoulders as a guide, sew the top of the arm to the shoulder area of the body.
Using the same method as for the neck, tighten the wrists with a strand of yarn.
Legs
Fold the cast-off edge in half and stitch together with a blanket stitch to create the foot of the doll.
Fill with wool roving and continue to stitch up the back of the leg.
Fill the leg with wool roving and sew up the top opening.
Stitch the legs to the bottom of the body.
Machine Felted Santa
After knitting, I washed Santa in the washing machine set on a gentle cycle, along with a few tea towels.
Mini Christmas Knits (Twenty to Make)
Highlighting the small charms of the holidays, the 20 step-by-step Christmas projects collected here will add to the warmth of the season. With each project requiring just small scraps of yarn, knitters will enjoy applying their skills to such novelty projects as miniature Christmas stockings, holly leaves, small reindeer, a snowman, an egg cozy, knitted gingerbread cookies, and a wee Christmas sweater.
‘Twas the Knits Before Christmas
‘Twas the Knits Before Christmas features the poem, accompanied by beautiful color illustrations. Interspersed are patterns for creating a knitted scene that includes mom and dad, the children, Santa, eight reindeer, the moon, stockings, and toys.
Knit Christmas Stockings!: 19 Patterns for Stockings and Ornaments
The 19 fun, simple-to-follow patterns presented here make it easy for even first-time knitters to create beautiful stockings, not to mention delightful knit and felt ornaments for the Christmas tree.
This is a knitting pattern for making handfelted wool mittens using handspun yarn.
I used handspun merino wool and felted the mittens after knitting. I also added a trim to the cuff of the mittens using Sami-style woven braid. You could also embroider a design into the edge.
I have a fairly small hand – so this pattern will need to be adjusted for larger sizes to fit your hand. Since the mittens will be felted, allow for about 10-15% shrinkage.
Mitten Knitting Pattern
Cast on 35 stitches.
Knit 2 rows in the round.
Purl one row.
Knit 12 rows – or about 2.5 inches in length.
The handwoven trim (or embroidery) will be added into this cuff section of the mitten.
Knit 14 rows or about 3 inches.
You can measure the length of this section to your hand – it should be from the bottom of your wrist to the start of your thumb.
Place 7 stitches onto a stitch holder. This will be for the thumb.
Continue knitting in the round on the remaining stitches (28 stitches), until the mitten reaches the top of your fingers. (18 rows)
Decrease 4 times per row as follows:
Slip stitch, knit 1, psso. Knit 10, knit 2 together, slip stitch, knit 1 psso, knit 12, knit 2 together.
SS, K1, psso, K8, K2 tog, ss, K1, psso, K8, k2 tog.
SS, K1, psso, K6, K2 tog, ss, K1, psso, K6, k2 tog.
SS, K1, psso, K4, K2 tog, ss, K1, psso, K4, k2 tog.
SS, K1, psso, K2, K2 tog, ss, K1, psso, K2, k2 tog.
SS, K1, psso, K2 tog, ss, K1, psso, k2 tog.
Sew remaining stitches together. To knit the Thumb:
Using double pointed needles pick up the 7 stitches from the stitch holder.
Pick up an additional9 stitches to form the base of the thumb (16 stitches)
Knit in the round until the thumb measures the length of your thumb. (9 rows)
Decrease on the thumb:
In a similar fashion to the decreases at the top of the mitt, decrease 4 stitches per row.
SS, K1, psso, K6, K2 tog, ss, K1, psso, K6, k2 tog.
SS, K1, psso, K4, K2 tog, ss, K1, psso, K4, k2 tog.
SS, K1, psso, K2, K2 tog, ss, K1, psso, K2, k2 tog.
SS, K1, psso, K2 tog, ss, K1, psso, k2 tog.
Sew remaining stitches together.
Sew in all yarn ends on the reverse side of the mittens.
How to Felt the Mittens
I use a large bucket of hot water and a spray bottle filled with cold water and dish detergent.
Soak the mittens in the hot water and place them onto a bamboo felting matt.
If you don’t have one, you can use a large sheet of bubble wrap instead.
Spray the mittens with the cold soapy water and rub the outside of the mittens vigoursly to produce suds.
Turn the mittens over and spray the other side of the mittens as well.
Roll the mittens up in the bamboo matt and roll it back and forth on a table.
Unroll the felting matt and turn the mittens around, spray more soapy water.
Reroll the matt and keep rolling.
Unroll the matt again and dip the mittens in the hot water.
Spray more soapy water, rub the mittens and roll some more.
This felting process will take some time, so keep repeating the dipping in hot water, add more soap and roll again.
The mittens will look like they are stretching first, so don’t be alarmed. They will eventually shrink and begin to felt.
Unfortunately due to an illness I can’t use my right at all. As a result, I can’t can’t weave anymore. I have a Harrisville 22″ floor loom with 4 harnesses and 4 treadles I can’t use. It’s in
great shape and can be converted to a 6 treadle with a kit from Harrisville.
Also, I have the following:
a weaver’s bench, small – brand new in the box from Harrisville
a wool winder – also brand new in the box
several different dent reeds
a 12 yard warping board
several boat shuttles
Several stick shuttles
a crank for the loom
a drop whorl
sley hooks
Books on weaving, amongst which, Learning to Weave by Deborah Chandler
and loads of yarn
I have all this in Mattituck, and have to sell the house there ASAP. If someone is interested in my loom and accessories, I will at the house this weekend, 8/17-8/18, and can be reached at the
following email: kopf.loraine at verizon dot net. My cell number is 917-453-8939/
Have you ever threaded a warp, started to weave and then discovered that you have made a threading error? in the middle of the warp? Do you undo what you have woven so far, and rethread your loom (muttering a few unspeakable utterances as you do so?)
An alternative to rethreading, especially if the error is near the middle of a +700 end warp is to use replacement heddles, tied to the correct shaft. In this particular example, I have incorrectly threaded a pattern sequence, repeating it once too many times – in the middle, of course.
The offending threads are on Shaft 3 and should be on Shaft 1,that should form a section of tabby between blocks of Bronson Lace.
Find the threads that are going to be moved to Shaft 1 from Shaft 3 and mark them with a coloured thread.
Cut lengths of strong cotton yarn for the replacement heddles, making them long enough to wrap around the Shafts with allowance for tying.
Find the correct location for the replacement heddle on Shaft 1
Use the existing heddles as a guide to the correct placement of the eye of the heddle
Tie a square knot, aligning it with the bottom edge of the eye of the heddle
Bring the 2 ends of the new replacement heddle around the warp thread that you are correcting
Tie another square knot to form the top part of the heddle eye, aligning it with the top of an existing heddle
Bring the 2 ends of the new replacement heddle over the top Shaft and tie securely with a square knot
Untie the warp thread that you are fixing, from the front apron
Remove it from the reed and from the incorrect heddle on Shaft 3, leaving it threaded on the now corrected Shaft 1
Rethread it through the reed and retie to the front apron
Weaving Workshops
Since I have now ‘semi-retired’ I will be offering private classes from my small weaving studio in the UK. Please contact me for further information if you are interested. http://www.paivatar.com/studio/classes.htm
All Fiber Arts Group on Facebook
In addition to our ongoing Delphi Forum, I have also started up a Facebook Group for weavers and fiber artists who like to use Facebook. Come join our friendly group if you like. http://www.facebook.com/groups/335350539860002/
Subscribe
If you wish to subscribe to our AFA Newsletter please send me an email. Contact
It is the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee this weekend. All the shops and streets are decorated in red, white and Blue. Parades, street parties and festivities are on everywhere.
Shetland Squares
I purchased a sample pack of Shetland roving and thought this would be lovely spun up and knitted into an afghan.
Here are some of the squares and knitting patterns…more to come. http://allfiberarts.com/2012/shetland-square-charts.htm
All Fiber Arts Group on Facebook
In addition to our ongoing Delphi Forum, I have also started up a Facebook Group for weavers and fiber artists who like to use Facebook. Come join our friendly group if you like. http://www.facebook.com/groups/335350539860002/
Subscribe
If you wish to subscribe to our AFA Newsletter please send me an email. Contact
How to Weave a Rya Rug on a floor loom. This rya rug is made of 100% hemp warp and weft. The video demonstrates how to cut the rya pile, tie the rya knots and weave the rug.
The backing for the rug is woven in a tabby weave. The pile for the rya knots is cut to a length of about 3 inches. To prepare the cut pile, wrap the rya yarn around a folded piece of cardboard and cut. After the rug has been woven, trim the rya knots to an even length. Weave about an inch of tabby between each row of rya knots.
(2006)
After much waiting, searching, and deciding I have just purchased a new loom to add to my collection. This one is an 8 shaft countermarche made by Snickeri Looms of Sweden.I chose this one because it fits much more comfortably into my smallish flat in London. The loom is very similar to a Glimakra but has a smaller footprint. It is 1 metre wide and about 50 inches deep. It comes with an adjustable padded bench and you can also purchase an optional warping board that conveniently attaches to the back of the loom.
It’s wonderful to be weaving again!
You may be wondering what my first warp is…
I’m weaving some silk/hemp blend shawls for a commission – a bit boring, I know, but I’m still enjoying being back in touch with a loom.
When I’m not weaving, I’m sitting out on my patio, enjoying the view of the Thames and the Woolwich ferry.
I found some lovely examples of knitting today at my local yarn shop – in support of those ‘Big O’ games that are coming to London next week. It is nice to see that handknitters support local and global sports and use their creative talents to create works of art.
A warning though – if you do knit a doll and put shorts on it, or create other works of art that are in support of your favourite sports events, please be aware of and respect copyright rules.
Ravelry Crackdown
Unfortunately one of the well known knitting groups ran into some confrontation with the O committee due to copyright infringement rules. An Apology
Weavers and spinners are truly an international audience. I have begun to compile a dictionary of weaving terminology, so that we can all communicate better with each other.
This is an ongoing work in progress.
Can you help expand our weaving and spinning related definitions? Do you know the correct translation for a weaving term in another language? Or do you have other terms and definitions that you think should be added?
Many thanks to all of our Contributors.
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With guidance from this leading Scottish textile artist, we produce textile artwork developed from drawing, collage, and exploration of found materials from the secluded Dr Neils' Garden in the ancient... […]
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