Stitches West - Sunday 2/26/12

Last weekend was Stitches West and Sunday morning Mom and I got up bright and early headed to Santa Clara for our first Spinning Class! Low and behold we are taking a class from the original Carolina Homespun owner Merike Saarniit and what a WONDERFUL teacher she is! Can't wait to take another class from her! Her website is liisu.com.

Here are my notes from the day of the class:

• Drafting = making the fibers into the thickness you want
• Carded Roving = straight off the card
• Cone Roving = after card goes thru a cone to make even

Materials we received:

1. Gray - Coopworth (a breed of sheep) Louet Roving
2. Volcano - Merino, Camel Down, Mohair, Domestic Wools - pulled from drum carder batts - Phyllis Hedrick.
3. Multi - Gray/Teal/Mulberry - Bluefaced Leicester (BFL) combed top
4. Yellow/Greens - Bluefaced Leicester (BFL) and sparkle combed top - Juno Fiber Arts
5. Alpaca Coopworth Louet Grey and White Roving
6. Pink & White - Baby Alpaca Top
7. Blue White Stripes - Superwash Merino - Cherry Tree Hill
8. Red/Purples - Merino/Silk - Widder Shin Woolworks
9. White/Cream - Organic Merino/Tussan Silk (Note: Spin from the fold) came from John Arbon Textiles
10. 50/50 Bison/Silk - Village Spin & Weave
11. Brown/Tan - Camel
12. Orange - 100% Silk
    

Spinning Notes:

• After you start tie a knot at the top of the whorl. When putting the yarn on the spindle make sure to wrap at the top making a cone look.
• Angora/Camel/Cotton - Short Fibers - Trick is to spin with a spool of thread and spin the Angora around the thread.
  
• When spinning silk put lemon juice on your hands so the scales do not get caught up on your hands.
  
• Silk Hankie - Put a hole in the middle and pull until you have a large circle and created what looks like pencil roving.
  
• To ply yarn let the spindle do the work.
• When your yarn is balanced you will have a "U"
• If you need to wake up the energy wet it.
  
• Spindles - Heavy Spindle for bulky works great.
  
• Remember to check the balance on your spindle.
  

Wheels to look at:

• Louet Victoria Travel
• Ladybug
• Mogicraft