Description
In this short workshop you will discover the joy of spinning fleece with a simple drop spindle. - Welcome and introductions over a cuppa. Looking at why the students have chosen to learn to spin. - A short history of spinning, the drop spindle and spinning wheel and the drop spindle’s attraction. - Explanation of fleece – choice and variety and the anatomy of a drop spindle and how to choose one. A brief introduction as to how to prepare fleece for spinning. - Demonstration of the processes in beginning to spin and hands on learning. - Lunch - Development of skills at the level of each student. - Exploration of the use of different styles of spindles and different fibres. - The next stages – how to ply and how to wash skeins to ‘fix’ the twist in the yarn. - Questions and where to go from here… Tutor: Amy Ford My name is Amy and I run Sheepish Woollens from my small farm in West Wales. I started spinning about ten years ago having always been fascinated by the alchemy of fleece to yarn! My love of spinning and sheep led to me buying my first three sheep 7 years ago and now I have a flock of over thirty. I particularly love the natural diversity in colour and texture of our native sheep and mostly spin this fleece. I love spinning using drop spindles and spinning wheels but am passionate about teaching the use of the drop spindle as it’s incredibly portable, inexpensive and practical and has a long and fascinating history. All proceeds from our events and holidays are ploughed directly back into managing our 40 acre nature reserve. Thank you for your support and please do come to visit soon.
What's included in the price?
Face to face teaching, tools & equipment, light refreshments. NB. There is an additional fee of either £10 or £13 for a drop spindle and supply of fleece which will be yours to keep. Please bring this amount on the day in cash.
Duration
6 hours
Cancellation policy
Medium - Cancellation and a full refund can be obtained up to 4 weeks before the course starts
Maker
Denmark Farm Conservation Centre is a 40 acre nature reserve managed by the charity The Shared Earth Trust. We host a range of craft, sustainable living, conservation and ecology courses with all profits ploughed back into caring for the nature and wildlife on site.
Suitable for
- Adults
- Seniors
- Teenagers
- Wheelchair users
- Hearing impaired
- Limited mobility
- School holiday workshops & activities
- Accommodation offered
- Intermediate level
- Parking provided
- Engagement, birthdays & anniversaries
- Corporate days out & team building
