Welcome to novelty yarns. For the next two weeks, we will be learning and/or renewing our knowledge of ten basic yarn construction techniques.
How are we going to accomplish teaching techniques over the internet? We expect this will happen with patience and humour. Each of the ten lessons will focus on a single construction technique and will give you the basic information you need to start the learning process at your wheel. You may chose to do one, some or all as your time and interest permits. The lessons will be presented on weekdays with some additional images offered on weekends. They will not be posted in order of increasing difficulty, so challenges with one technique will not be likely to cause problems with those which follow.
Please post your questions, joys, discoveries and frustrations with these yarns. We are on the North American side of the Atlantic, so there may be a delay between your queries and our responses. To help us answer your questions effectively, please let us know:
1. the type of fibre you are using (wool, mohair, etc.)
2. how the fibre was prepared (roving, tops, rolags, etc.)
3. wheel manufacturer (Lendrum, Schacht, etc.), and
4. the drive ratio you are using (7:1, 20:1, etc.)
Also, please remember to post images of your yarns. Pictures do a great deal to facilitate communication in this virtual environment.
Take some time to find your fibres, oil your wheel, and find your lazy kates. The fun starts with the first lesson!
Happy Spinning,
Barbara and Tricia
Tutors
