Making a spindle case mark 1 continued
Last time I was telling you about a spindle case I was working on. It is here if you missed it making-a-spindle-case-mark-1
last time I had added all the wool so now it was time for some decorations. I grabbed some of my handspun and covered the case in a random pattern all over, remembering to go under the flap and to leave some sticking out to wrap around so it is continuous on the other side.
The other side. I didn’t do the ends because they would be folded. I did cover all the yarn with a very very thin layer of the background wool as I wanted it to adhere without too much effort.
I gave everything a good rubbing until it was starting to shrink and the yarn was well stuck and then rolled it. I got it back down to 12 inches in length but the other way didn’t want to shrink up.
I rolled it more and harder in that direction. I heated it and rolled it in my hand but it didn’t want to go where I wanted it. I thought I would try rinsing it, and throwing it in the sink and shocking it with hot and cold water. Fortunately, that did it. The next step would have been putting it aside for a few days and trying again. I do know from experience that letting something rest often works. But I didn’t want to wait.
Here it is finished. It looks ok. I am not sure I like the accordion folds on the ends. I have never been good at them, they never look sharp like I see others. The next one may get different ends. Overall the look is good but it is not stiff enough.
Here it is with 3 different size spindles in it. I am using the clip to keep it open. the small one is very loose in it. The medium one is a fairly good fit and the large one will not fit at all.
Different wool might be better. I used Merino because it is what I have the most of. Coriedale might be enough but maybe Finnish or Bergshef. I also think it needs to be thicker as well as stiffer. It doesn’t feel like it would be very protective against bumps and knocks. What are your thoughts on improvements?
11 thoughts on “Making a spindle case mark 1 continued”
Such a shame that the fit isn’t right. The colour and pattern are lovely.
Because of spindles being different sizes, perhaps the answer might be a rectangle of handmade, decorated felt. The spindle would be placed on the wrong-side of the felt, the long edges folded in, then the whole thing rolled up and secured with a tie?
Thanks. I like the pattern too. I love random swirls. I don’t mind that the large one didn’t fit. its the lack of stiffness the is my biggest problem. A rolled one would work too.
That one is looking good, but is probably best at just keeping the yarn and spindle clean inside your bag if it is too soft. (I love the pink rolag on the large spindle, it looks gorgeous and very “touchable”.) I see now why you had pointed ends on the case. I’ve not seen those sorts of folds before. They are a good idea as the shape should protect each end of the spindle.
I think that Bergschaf, would work very well. I managed quite easily to get a really strong, stiff piece of felt with 2 layers of Bergschaf fibre on each side of a piece of cheesecloth/muslin when I was making samples to choose the fibre to use for a bag. I wanted something with strength but not too much weight.
Looking forward to what you do next.
Ann
Thanks Ann, the rolag is pink merino with sari silk carded in. My other thought about the ends was that if I had to much fibre I could push out the ends for extra space. I have some bergschef, and cheesecloth, I may give it a try next.
I love the colour and pattern and it’s a nice idea to keep your spindles safe.
Lynannierosie2’s comments reminded me of a paintbrush case I’ve recently been given. There’s a large rectangle of fabric, one of the sides is folded in and stitched into pockets for the brush handles (is that the right word?!) and its opposite side is just folded in to cover the tops of the brushes to protect them &stop them falling out. The whole is then rolled to close it. It could be secured with ties, Velcro, a button and hoop, a button and button hole or press stud (aka snap fastener?)
If you wanted to stick more to your original design, I don’t think you necessarily need a different wool, but maybe more layers and / or to aim for 40-50% shrinkage and then lots of patient slow felting. If you wanted to fit 3 sizes of spindle snugly, could you add a couple of pockets inside as you would inside a bag?
I made a bag like the paint brush on e a few years ago. I keep a variety of felting and drawing things in it. I am not sure it would work as well for spindles because of one end being significantly bigger. Maybe a series of elastic and put them head and tail would work. more wool would probably help too. patient slow felting can be a problem for me. I am impatient.
It’s a shame it doesn’t fit exactly as you’d like!
Thoughts on improvements: I’d make thicker felt (double thickness than this one at least) and maybe instead of felting it all in one piece, sew it – this might make it easier to keep its shape?
More wool and maybe a courser thicker wool too. Sewing is another option but I am machineless at the moment. Well not quite I am machine spaceless really. I am slowly working on that. I am happy not to have it fit the largest one.
I agree with all the other comments and don’t have any other ideas at the moment. I think it turned out well so beefing up the felt thickness should do it.
Such a neat little purse though, and so useful for many things, even if does not accommodate the thing you made it for! But at least it will hold 2 of your 3 spindles. The case really is lovely.
Ann I like your creation, although I can understand your frustration re the size and stiffness. Everyone has made great valid comments for producing a second pouch.
Would you be happier if this piece was stiffer? Perhaps you could soak it in a diluted PVA (or similar) solution. Although this would change the handle of your felt, it might offer an easy solution to this one whilst you prep another.
Your wool squiggles look great. Xx