Editor's Note
Our program for this month is long draw. The names of drafting
techniques can be very confusing, since techniques go by multiple names, and
the same names are used for different techniques depending on the reference.
"Long draw" to me means pinching off a little bit of the fiber supply,
letting some twist build up in it, then drafting back to thin out
the yarn to size. The yarn starts with thick and thin spots that even out
(sometimes with a bit of fiddling). See the article in the Spring 2007 Spin-Off
on Double Drafting. When I learned this technique last fall and felt it really
work, it felt like learning to spin all over again! The finished "woolen"
yarn is noticeably softer and fluffier than what is produced but other means.
If you know how to do long draw, you can show your technique to the rest
of us. If you don't, be ready for a learning opportunity. Bring some prepared
fiber - hand carded wool rolags are ideal - and your wheel or support spindle.
Long draw works easily on a wheel, and it is also the method used on a navajo
spindle. It's also one of the ways to spin cotton on a tahkli.
Angela
Minutes for April 15, 2007
Members present: Angela, Adrienne, Marie, Patricia, Maxine, Mary and Kaaren.
New member Adrienne has joined.
There was just a little business before we got to the gift swap. Mary passed
around bookmarks for the Fiber and Folk Art festival to be held July 20-22
in Crystal Lake, Ill. Angela announced that Arlington in April is looking
for a demonstrating spinner for the 28th; Marie expressed an interest. Adrienne
is looking for a home for her sister's Border Collie puppy who is from a herding
family.
- Kaaren showed her thick and thin samples of cotton, silk and wool from
her SFFA workshop.
- Angela brought her notebook of woven samples from her SFFA workshop.
- Mary showed pictures of her new grandson Zachary on her camera - if you
looked around there were also pictures of Mary and her niece in Elvis jumpsuits.
We exchanged items in the gift swap.
Dues Notice
April is dues time for Spinning on the River, $10/year. Checks may be made
out to Spinning on the River. Mary is now the treasurer. You may pay her at
the meeting or mail dues to her at 8654 Rhonda Cir S., Cordova, TN 38018-4333.
Do not use the old PO Box.
Book Review- Hand Woolcombing and Spinning:
A Guide to Worsteds from the Spinning-Wheel
Author: Peter Teal
Publisher: Robin and Russ Handweavers, 1976, reprinted 2004. 184 pp.
B&W illustrations and photographs and color photographs
Wool combing was once a profession learned by long apprenticeship and practiced
by guild tradesmen to high standards. The manual trade died out very quickly
in the mid 1800’s with the appearance of combing machinery. Peter Teal
researched what little written record exists of the wool comber’s craft
and added his own experience to write Hand Woolcombing and Spinning.
He treats the topic with exactness - as he states, “near enough is not
good enough.”
The wool comber’s trade was just combing. Preparing fleece and spinning
yarn were not part of the job, but Teal covers all stages from raw fleece
to finished yarn. At each stage he distinguishes fiber selection and handling
for worsted yarns from that more suited to woolen products – giving
the impression that he views anything but true worsted yarn as lesser quality!
Discussions of equipment include detailed plans for 4-pitch wool combs in
several sizes. These are the combs used in his combing instructions. Spinning
wheel mechanics are described in detail for the “big wheel” or
wheel-driven spindle and the double-drive Saxony style wheel. Smaller hand-held
combs and Scotch tension wheels are not covered.
Teal provides precise instructions for sorting, scouring, dyeing, combing,
blending and spinning worsted yarns. He provides methods of measuring each
step so the resulting yarn will be both uniform and reproducible. Detailed
instructions of the motions used in combing and drafting are provided. Any
spinner should be able to follow them exactly – or Teal would have you
ashamed not to!
This book is written as though the reader needs no prior experience with
spinning. However, Teal’s demanding tone and technical style may put
off the novice. A spinner with some prior experience and a desire to refine
their skill will benefit most from this book. His writing is tempered by the
occasional off-the cuff comment that had this spinner howling with laughter
between bouts of concentration. I am glad the spinning literature includes
a reference for one extreme of the yarn production spectrum (worsted) and
one that challenges the reader to aspire to nothing short of the perfect product.
This book is available in the Spinning on the River library.
Angela
Demonstrators for the Zoo
The Memphis Zoo is looking for demonstrating artists and entertainers for
weekends at the Once Upon a Farm exhibit. Saturdays and Sundays are available
from June 23 to late July. Anybody interested in a spin-in at the Zoo? Contact
Angela or Kaaren.
Fiber Art Festival at Davies Plantation
Organizers of the annual quilt and folk art fair at Davies Plantation are
planning to expand the event to include other fiber arts. Spinning on the
River is invited to have a booth at the festival November 1, 2 & 3. The
booth is indoors along with weavers, quilters, and other groups. We are asked
to demonstrate during the fair and may also offer items for sale. contact
Angela or Mary.
Calendar
All meeting refreshments are Pot Luck.
Meeting - Sunday, May 20, 1:30-5pm
Program: Long Draw
Learn to spin woolen yarns! Bring carded fiber and a wheel or support spindle.
Deadline - Friday, June 1
Spin-Off Skeins due at Interweave Press - 5 yds of your preferred handspun
sock yarn.
Meeting - Sunday, June 24, 1:30-5pm - note meeting is
on 4th Sunday
Program: tba
Meeting - Sunday, July 15, 1:30-5pm
Program: tba
