Home-spun

Enjoying the journey....


Cross patch, draw the latch,
Take up your wheel and spin.
Take a cup, and drink it up,
Then call your neighbours in.


Or so the old nursery rhyme goes.


There are many variations and suggestions of the use of words in this old rhyme. One school of thought is that she that worked alone, which often made her feel cross in doing a menial job for a pittance.
Another suggestion is that the 'cross patch' referred to the woman who would mend and make do with whatever materials were available at the time. The last two lines suggest a time of celebration with friends.

Time has changed; and with respect to the above...for the better.

The spinners and other craft people whom I've come into contact with are well respected and a cheerful bunch !

I  have quite recently discovered , (through researching our family tree ) that my ancestors were frame-smiths and frame-masters., living and working in the town where I now live myself.; right in the hub of the old stocking frame area.  Incredible !
More information has come to me that involves craftsmen in engraving, authors, teachers, artists, designer /makers;  and for those of you out there of a 'certain age', you may remember your bicycle saddle having the name of Brooks on it.
Ooo wer !

my first ball of hand-spun yarn

The small ball of single yarn was just enough to knit this simple cuff.

Enjoying the journey, and meeting lots of interesting folk; re-connecting with those from generations past and  those very much in the now.

Yesterday is history,
Tomorrow is a mystery,
Today is the gift,
That's why it's called the present.

Fleeces and Spinning

Well, I suppose it was inevitable that I would eventually want to have a go at spinning !
'Having a go', being the operative word !
Ummm !
The 'ladies wot spin' make it look so easy.!

These are the locks from the Lincolnshire Longwool. Considered amongst some spinners, to be not a 'beginners' fleece., and the staples are indeed  long !; but it does have a beautiful lustre.  It took me the best part of a day to separate the locks and wash them. They looked so pretty hanging out to dry; and the more they dried, the whiter they became. I'm not sure what I will create with them., but I have some projects in mind that involve felting and weaving.  

 

This is Portland fleece

Portland

And here it is after washing and drying. A huge white fluffy cloud of white fleece. Scrummy.

Washed and dried. Scrummy and fluffy

This does not wet felt easily. It needle felts though., and is one of the favourites among spinners.



  My first spun cord of Lincolnshire Longwool., spun on a drop spindle. I don't think I'll be knitting anything with it !  More practice needed me finks. 

first spinnings on the wheel

Not worrying about the destination, just enjoying the journey into this wonderful world of fibre art.