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Wednesday, 4 May 2011

Creative Spinning and Intertwined

I thought I would quickly share two of my favourite spinning books.  Creative Spinning is a lovely book to read and look at.  It talks you through the basics of spinning right up to spinning unusual yarns based upon a Design Focus.  The photographs used for design focus in this book are beautiful, 'Sunset', 'Lapis Lazuli', 'Seedling' and 'Driftwood' to name but a few and the resulting 30 yarn projects are fascinating.  It discusses colour, texture, techniques and a variety of fibres, even including Possum fur.  I was Lucky enough to go to a WSD Guild workshop with Alison Daykin and it was really inspirational to see what could be achieved.  I had already spun a Yarn using Daffodils as the design focus and after working in a group with Alison I went on to spin my first 'Beaded' Yarn.  View Alison Daykin's Blog 'The Willington Weaver' here.

 


This is the second book and I could not recommend it enough.  Lexi Boeger liberates spinning in a way I have not seen before.  It freed me up as a novice spinner to appreciate anything goes, as long as I like it.  Lexi spins some fantastic 'Art' yarns using materials including recycled paper, old wrappers and audio cassette tape.  She uses yarn as a medium for personal expression.  My favourite project from this book is 'Ghost Town Zombie Hat' the yarn includes washers, nuts, springs and skull beads.  There is also a section called 'Crazy Carding' to assist you with creating wild 'Art' batts.  Pluckyfluff is the home of Lexi's website.  Youtube also has videos of Lexi's 'Extreme' spinning and yarn activities including:

Cement Mixer powered spindle

and this looks really fun to me!

Giant skein winding (winding 10.5 miles of yarn into a 'Giant Skein').
This Giant skein believed to be the largest in the world, is made from donated skeins of handspun yarn from fans and followers of Lexi's work.


6 comments:

  1. Never tried spinning. I have a friend who has done so for many years, always amazes me how you could give her a fleece and she could give you back a piece of knitting!
    A few years ago she would attend local shows dressed in "old fashioned cottage style" clothes and give demonstrations.
    Carol xx

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  2. I love the fact your doing this it's still all Greek to me. Maybe one day.
    Love Tickety-boo
    xx

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  3. I asked hubby again.. will you bring my spinning wheel down from the upstairs for me... I have to re-string it. Let's see if he will. You're inspiring me... keep up the good work. Hugs, Teresa

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  4. Never tried to spin but it looks interesting... and the videos are amazing!

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  5. I have made chords for embroidery with my electric whisk which was a bit hairy but nothing like this WOW.

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  6. Your fave books are also mine. Shall we try the cement mixer spindle at the Yummy Yarns Yurt Day lol

    Thanks Lucy, lovely blogging again xx

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