Taught first at Pennsic 2010
Class Description:
Applied Spinning: “i can make pretty yarn now what do i do with it”: Why do i need to do something with my yarn? You don’t, but it has benefits, particularly when it comes to making you a better spinner! We will talk all about this in a bit
A Few Notes From the Class
This class is geared towards a specific audience.
-New spinners who want to do something with their spinning.
-Intermediate spinners who would like to expand their technique by spinning for different projects
My primary motivation in teaching this session is to get people to think about possibilities. I’m not giving details about how to complete specific projects during this class, although i will present examples from my own work.
Theory (developed with MUCH help from my teacher!)
I. What are the Benefits of spinning for a projects
-You can finally shut up the people keep asking you what you are going to do with your spinning!
-You can make some very cool and authentically period A&S projects. Spinning for a projects also solves a potential problem. Commercial yarn does not always behave like hand spun period yarn would, so your recreations might not be as accurate,
-However, the best reason to spin for a project if you love spinning is because spinning for projects makes you a better spinner because you will be called upon to spin different types of fiber in different ways. You will need to think a lot more in depth about your fiber and its possibilities.
Some of the things you will be asked to consider are.
-How the properties of your fiber determine how it will perform (different sheep breeds have wool with different properties).
-Preparation method of your fiber (example: carding v.s. combing for wool)
-The amount of twist you put into the fiber also effects the finished product (low v.s. high twist)
II. Process v.s. Product Spinners: Even if you just spin for the fun of it (process spinners) and not to use the yarn (product spinners), you can still expand your technique by spinning for other artisans who will use the yarn you spin for their own products. Consider entering into a partnership with someone!
Project Suggestions
Beginning Projects: Look for techniques that are forgiving of week spots in the yarn and do not rub or apply to much tension to the yarn. Also, try to work with plied yarn to give your yarn added strength.
-Knitting is a great starting point! I have had a student who took my introduction to spinning class knit with the very first yearn she spun. Novelty Yarn Scarff!!!
-Fingerloop Braiding is also a good technique, although your yarn will need to be more consistent in thickness, this technique does not put the yarn under too much tension or rubbing
Intermediate Techniques:
-Inkle Loom/Rigid heddle Weaving/Lucet: these projects require small amounts of yarn to be spun, but puts the yarn under more tension. May also want to use singles here.
