Do you have a passion for making things entirely by hand or appreciate it in other people? In my teens and twenties, I got a thrill out of being my own mechanic on my old '75 Mustang. Yep, I've changed a few water pumps and brake pads. I have sewn every stitch of handmade rag dolls with a needle and thread (no machine stitching), and I prefer to cook from scratch. Isn't it much more rewarding to gather family and friends to put in fence posts, and raise barns? So naturally for me, prepping the fleece, learning to spin, and then making things from the alpacas' luscious fiber is my idea of happiness! -Kaylen

Saturday, February 12, 2011

Spinning Friendships


A friend introduced me to a spinning group that meets once a month and I love it!  What a joy to share a common interest.  

The chairs are empty because we were off visiting other spinners across the room, oohing and ahhing over their fleece and fiber, colors and crafts, but don't the wheels even look like friends?  Wow, the stories they could tell!  I had to grab the picture.

Mine might be giving thanks that I finally learned how to keep the wheel going in the right direction.  She (I think she is a she) might have a favorite alpaca fleece that feels softest to her.  She might be telling on me for the choice words I've used when I've messed up! :P

I like really old spinning wheels, painted pretty ones, and small ones.  My spinning neighbor sitting to the right of me had this wheel:

Majacraft's Portable Little Gem
It is just the coolest little travel wheel!  I bet it still can tell big stories though because of all the places it can go.

You don't have to have a spinning wheel to spin.  You can use a drop spindle or even make one.  The Joy of Spinning website has lots of tutorials to explore.

Here is what a basic drop spindle looks like:

Ashford Drop Spindle
Drop spindles can be fancy-schmancy or made with items from a hardware store.

An online buddy from Canada tells of her new adventure with a drop spindle in her blog, JADA Farms.  She mentions her spinning workshop and the camaraderie of shared stories.

Somewhere in the recesses of my mind I am remembering an old tale about sitting on the porch looking out at the world with friends.  I'll close with the basic gist of the tale... the bond is stronger sitting side by side than facing one another as you experience the scene  playing out in front of you together.  



2 comments:

Andy and Deb said...

I LOVE THIS POST!!! It is amazing that this craft can form friendships as strong as the fibers we spin isn't it. Thanks for the mention

Kaylen said...

What a neat thought! and You're welcome!