Spinning on the River - December 2005

Editor's Note

I enjoy editing the newsletter, but finding enough material every month has been a daunting task. There were no volunteers to take over the post, but I still think we should have a newsletter. There is a large amount of information in our past issues. I've decided what it needs is a change of format.

The new newsletter will be presented as a web page instead of the 4-page print layout. This eliminates the minimum requirement for content, makes layout easier and allows links to other online resources. Some months we may end up with nothing more that meeting minutes and calendar. Others may have long essays. Either way, I hope you find the new format to your liking, that it makes the job easier for me, and that you will still submit your material to share with other guild members and the larger spinning community. Your stories and discoveries are great for sharing. Original material is always welcome. If you submit anything that has already been published, please request permission from the author to reuse it.

Meanwhile, I can focus more of my energy on the web site. Here are three new and updated pages:

Happy reading,

- Angela

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Minutes for November 20, 2005

Submitted by Marie

Attendance:
Sherri B., Andrea C., Joann G., Maxine G., Eleanor H., Patricia H., Mary L., Sandy P., Kimberly P., Sylvia S., Angela S., Dana W., Marie W.
Welcome guests Kaaren R., Marcia M. and new member Betsy C.

Approx 2 pm Mary Lessman opened the meeting.

She asked that people sign up for the Gift Swap, which has been moved to April 2006. February was deemed too busy with other things. About 6-8 people had already signed up and a sign-in sheet was sent around for members to sign-up.

Mary asked all present to give a small introduction of themselves to acquaint visitors present.

Mary announced that the Memphis Guild of Handloom Weavers would be having a Holiday Luncheon and Silent Auction in Jackson, TN on December 10, 2005 at 11 am.

Celia Quinn is available for workshops. It would cost us approximately $1000 to $1200 to have her present a 1 or 2 day workshop. Subject was tabled for discussion at a later date.

The Memphis Zoo would like some demonstrators in their Once Upon a Farm area on weekends. A loom is available for use. Dates are flexible.

The December guild meeting will be our Christmas Party. It will be potluck with no set program. We need to plan for ROC day (January). Bring spinning wheels. We will have a carder for use.

A committee, to set up programs for the coming year, was chosen: Mary L., Angela S., Dana W., & Maxine G. To coordinate, “Play Dates” will be chosen and hosted by Eleanor Herron. Please let these members know what subjects you’d like to cover. Some programs are already set:
January – ROC Day
February – Parts of a sheep/fleece
April – Gift Swap
October – Guild Birthday Party
December – Christmas Party

Officers need to be chosen:

  • President: This is Mary’s eighth year as president. She would like to see a new leader. We have no Vice-President at this time.
  • Newsletter: There were no volunteers to take over the newsletter. Not enough people are contributing content for it. Angela has been doing (compiling, typing, printing & mailing) the newsletter for 4 years. It was suggested that members be assigned a month in which they would write or submit an article. The newsletter may go “online” only.
  • Treasurer Report (Eleanor Herron):
    As of 10/20/05 we have $415.82 in the bank. Bidders have paid for their fleeces (from the fair) and the Guild received $42.00. The checkbook is available for the guild to look at and ask questions. We made some money from the sale of spindle kits. Eleanor was open to questions. None were expressed during the meeting. She agreed to continue as the Treasurer.
    For the fleece auction, Mary sent out notices to guilds and shepherds trying to get buyer and sellers together. Her cost for postage, envelopes, copying, etc., is approximately $300. Shall we pay her this last receipt of $99.42? Sherry moved to pay it. Marie seconded the motion.
    For this $300, the outcome of the sales was $42 in pocket. The shepherds are bringing nicer fleeces. Other guilds may come in and buy fleeces.
  • Secretary position: Minutes will go onto the website if there is no newsletter. Marie and Joann are sharing. Marie agreed to continue in this shared position.


Show and Tell:

  • Mary shared a recent newspaper clipping from St. Paul, MN. It showed a recent photo of her with other Elvis look-alikes. She also shared a magazine on Shibori knitting.
  • Angela shared what she learned about dying in Master classes. She also acquired some yak fiber. It was very coarse.
  • Sylvia showed some yarn spun from Angora she got from Bridget. The Angora rabbit fiber and misc. wool were all matted when she started.
  • Eleanor showed off her shawl that was a difficult knitting pattern. She had to tear it out and cast back on again. She was proud of the headlamp that her husband purchased for her to use while knitting on the road (in the dark). Turned out it shed the light on her work better when she wore it around her neck!
  • Andrea finished her needle-felted teddy bear after our class on needle felting and it was cute.
  • Dana began spinning again and wove her yarn into a mesh scarf form. She chose some bright colors. She spun Absalom (Angora goat) and fluffed it in the dryer. She does not recommend this procedure.
  • Kimberly spun all her Kool-Aid wool samples into one skein. Very interesting.
  • Betsy shared the story of a man in a jazz band: Bill Coleman from San Antonio, TX. If you see him wearing a sweater made from dog’s hair, it was made by her mother.
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Art Sheep

A few years back I had been in K.C. during the time of the visiting exhibit of life-size cows. The cows had been decorated/painted artistically and placed around the city. You'd find them on the street corners, in parks, indoors and other odd places. Each cow was life size and painted by individual artist...as the sheep were painted or designed, too. Evidently the sheep idea came from the traveling artistic cows. (which incidentally were in Chicago and other large cities) Eventually the cows were auctioned off at big prices... these sheep were, too. You'd not believe how fun or funny it is to track down so many different artistic critters...each done by an individuals artistic flair or sense. Leslie, a friend of mine sent me the link because we had hiked around K.C. checking out all the cow artwork. As I continue to explain this I am beginning to realize just how warped some folks can be...what can I say?? It really is fun or funny to walk around life size animals and study the detailed work. Each city that housed the cow collection would have one animal painted with the city skyline. That, too, was fascinating.

http://extras.berkshireeagle.com/NeBe/SheepTacular/2004/

- Sandy

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Parts of a Fleece



Image Credit: A.K. Schneider

The character of wool varies throughout a fleece depending on where the wool grew on the sheep's body.

The shoulder and sides are typically the best part of the fleece. The locks are longest and most well-defined here. The back is similar, but may be drier due to sun damage on an uncoated fleece. Neck wool can be somewhat felted and have straw from feeding. Kemp, a short, stiff fiber present in some fleeces, is seen in the britch and leg wool, which is also dirtier. Belly wool is short and very dirty and is often skirted out along with the leg and tail wool.

The amounts of dirt in the fleece affects the yield of clean wool. Yield is the ratio of clean weight to raw weight. This sample is from the Corriedale ewe fleece shown at left.

section washed yield
side 60.0%
shoulder 59.8%
back 64.6%
neck 55.8%
chest 62.8%
leg 53.8%
britch 52.0%
belly 56.8%
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Hi-Tech, meet Lo-Tech

On November 19th, I was the demonstrating spinner at the Memphis Zoo's Harvest Festival. Late in the afternoon, I answered a cell phone call, cradling the phone on my shoulder as I continued to spin. Right as a new group of people walked up, I finished the call and hung up. A man in the group observed this, commenting that is was funny to be talking on a cell phone while using "19th century technology."

Actually, a treadle wheel with a flyer and bobbin assembly was introduced in the 1500's. My wheel uses a basic design which has been around for 450 years. Meanwhile, my 3 year old cell phone is almost obsolete. I'm certain I will still be using one of these devices five years from now. Guess which one.

- Angela

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Calendar

Meeting - Sunday, December 18, 1:30-5pm
Program: Holiday Party
Bring your project of the day or an activity to share with the group, plus suggestions for the Roc Day meeting in January.
Refreshments: Potluck

Spinners and Weavers of Imperial Calcasieu celebrate Roc Day 2006—January 7, Lake Charles, LA. Registration deadline is Dec. 15.
For details, see runningmoonfarm.com/SWIC/RocDay2006.html.

Meeting - Sunday, January 15, 2006 1:30-5pm
Program: Spinning on the River celebrates Roc Day
Refreshments: Potluck

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Rainbow Yarn & Fibres News

New stock of Colonial white $ 16.00 per pound. Selected Yarns $ 3.00 each or 50 % off. Strauch wool and cotton hand cards in stock. Come in for a last minute gift or a gift certificate.

Brigitte Lang
www.rainbowfibres.com
1980 Exeter Road 753-9835

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