Wednesday, February 15, 2012

Spinning Workshop, Part Deux

Today I was out the door early and driving through the Oregon countryside to Damascus to the Fiber Arts School.  When I Google mapped directions it took me the "back way" through the country and I'm so glad I found that way to go as it's so lovely and rural.  We have LOTS of nursery farms that grow trees and shrubs.  My route takes me through a little country town called "Boring".  I've gotten a kick out of the newspaper stories over the years such as "Boring Girl Wins Contest", or "Boring Business Opens", etc.  Today our instructor planned to introduce us to an array of different fibers to spin.  The first one was wild, to say the least.  It was all kinds of different fibers, including snippets of other yarns and even tree tinsel!!  I joked to the teacher that it looks like someone swept up at the yarn factory.  
It was kind of like clown yarn with all kinds of bright colors. 
It wasn't super easy to spin as there were so many different kinds of fibers and yarn snippets in it. But it was an experience, for sure!
Can you say bright? 
Here is the teacher, Joanne.  She's holding the hank of fiber she gave us to spin. 
This is after I'd plied the yarn and wound it on my niddy noddy.  Wow! 
Here is my unique and wild and crazy skein of yarn hung on my spinning wheel for a photo op.  :-) 
Here is our instructor showing my friend Gracie a spinning technique.
NEXT.... was a delight.. silk.  A wonderful unbleached silk - spinning it was a wonderful experience, it felt so soft and smooth as it ran through my hands and twirled into spun yarn. 
She also gave us some blue green Angora goat - Mohair.  First we spun the silk then the mohair and then she had us ply the two together.  I learned that I'd have preferred to just ply the silk together as I loved it so much more than the mohair.  Below is a shot of the activity... my high school friend, Kevynne, brought her Lendrum wheel made in Canada. 
Then the best was last.. Joanne gifted me with a large batt of Angora rabbit!  Angora is possibly the very softest fiber to spin.  I had a very enjoyable hour spinning this on my wheel.   
And here is my pretty bunny fur all spun up.  Isn't it pretty!?  What is funny is since we brought the wheel back into the house the dog has smelled the bunny on the wheel and hasn't left it's side since.  I haven't plied this but will soon. 
Another shot of my wild yarn. 
Closer.  Fuzzzzzzzzzzzy!! 
What would you make with this?  LOL!  ((hugs)), Teresa :-) 

17 comments:

  1. Your good report about the workshop helps me appreciate the challenging fun we had today all over again. Thanks, Teresa! <3

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  2. I am so glad you are having a good time at spinning class. I wish we had places like that here. And the drive you took reminds me of home :) I can picture it in my head :)

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  3. Oh my...when I read your post title, I realized that somewhere I had missed Part One!!! So back track, I went to find it. Wow...I am so envious!!!! I have always been intriqued by this art as well. Do you have your own wheel? Where did you get it? I would LOVE to have that class available near me. In fact, it appears that there are so many wonderful things going on in your area. I really must come visit!!! Lucky you!!! Looked like such fun!!

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  4. Hee, hee!! When I saw your wild yarn the first thing that went through my head after the thought *bright* was "what could you make with that?"

    Love the sheen on the angorra, it looks beautiful

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  5. I love your wild yarn, you could make simple hats with a huge crochet hook, it will work up super quick, then you could put beautiful crochet flowers on them and send them to little girls! (perhaps not overnight!) I think you have done a great job. I adore angora but it doesn't like me! It is an instant allergy issue. I get swollen eyes (very swollen) and the sneezes. If I didn't I would be keeping my own angora bunny. I am glad buddy is enjoying your spinning adventures too. I love the story about 'Boring' sounds like my kind of place. :)

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  6. Hi Teresa sounds as though you had another brilliant day spinning and spending time with friends- what could be better. My first thought was what would you make? Not answered my own question yet. I usually have to think for quite a while before an idea takes shape. Am looking forward to seeing what you decide to do. I have no doubt that it will be beautiful. Anne x

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  7. Sounds like you're having a wonderful time with that gorgeous yarn. What are you planning to make with it?

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  8. I think I would make a crazy rooster to hang in my window. I am glad you had so much fun and again I am going to say that I am totally jealous of your spinning workshops.
    Have a wonderful day,
    Meredith

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  9. I think that the wild yarn would make great hats...very cheerful! I am so living vicariously through you and enjoying this so much....except for the Angora. It is so amazingly soft and makes me sneeze like crazy! I found this out when we went to SAFF and went past the bunnies and yarn booth that was there. The lady running the booth handed me tissues and kept apologizing! Like it was her fault...sweet thing. Can't wait until the next installment!

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  10. Loved your post (as always)!

    The yarn you spun is so pretty....I don't think I would make anything out of it...I'd just keep it in a basket and pet it every once in a while, because it's so pretty!

    And what may I ask are you hooking lately? :)

    Blessings always

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  11. Lovely and yes bright!

    Discovered your blog via Claire (Simply ..Life). Your workshops sound like a wonderful thing to have access to. I love to spend time learning from fellow spinners, fibre artists, etc.

    off to click follow x :-)

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  12. Hello Teresa...I am so enjoying your posts about your classes at the Fibre Arts School...it looks such great fun to do!...I really love the softness of angora and I'm loving the wild mix of colours you have created there,
    Happy spinning!
    Susan x

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  13. Beautiful! This is such an art form!

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  14. Your wild mix yarn is beautiful just as it is, Teresa! I just love the different textures and colours. It is a work of art! Love hearing about your adventures...and love the idea of a place named Boring :-)
    Have a wonderful weekend and enjoy your crafty times.
    Helen x

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  15. What fun was Part two. Love the chunky-ness of the yarn. And the colors, well, too die for fun. This is going to make a fun little project to work on. Yes, you are really wanting to make me get a wheel and start spinning away. I'm so envious that you have a fun place like this near by to go and play with friends. Off to start my Saturday.

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  16. Wow...those colours are amazing...what fun! Love your new banner. xoxo

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