Wrestling with the horns of a dilemma – Art Yarn!
For a long time, I have been promising myself that I would take a workshop to get some sort of grip on how to use a spinning wheel. My friend Trish Kerr runs Irish Alpaca Yarns and she has for a long time been offering me a space on one of her spinning workshops – the stars never aligned as, invariably I was busy on the day. Then, in December, the offer was once again made and, I was actually free! The beautiful venue was not far away, Cornstown House (https://cornstownhouse.ie/) which was not far away from me. Happy days! Unfortunately there was a huge storm the night before but, despite fallen trees, we awoke to a clear bright day and I negotiated my way to the venue.
We were spinning using alpaca fibre. I hadn’t realised it until then but some people who have an allergy to wool fibre can wear alpaca. The irritant in wool apparently is the scales and alpaca does not have scales.
There were 5 students and some had previous experience. Luckily Trish is an amazing teacher. I had warned her that, given my hideous coordination when learning something new, that this could put a serious strain on our friendship. She laughed it off. Trish has great patience which she got to draw on in bucket loads when it came to teaching yours truly!
We were working off Louet wheels which she supplied. She is quite an expert on the older more traditional wheels too, and she was able to offer good advice on how to get an old wheel which a student had brought, back working again.
Trish got us all set up and was very attentive throughout the morning. The first skill we worked on was treadling, as a first timer it took a lot of effort but after a while I had the wheel moving in a clockwise direction. She set us up with alpaca fibre and soon we were all spinning. Some (by this I mean most) much better than yours truly here. But I was having fun.
The morning flew and we stopped for a delicious lunch and tour of the farm, both supplied by our most gracious hosts, Fionnuala and Dominic. The tour was great fun, featuring lots of Alpacas, some rare breed sheep (including one that loved to be patted, a cow and donkeys. The farm offers Alpaca Trekking and workshops along with other events. When I explained that I primarily was a feltmaker and showed an interest in the Teeswater, Dominic disappeared for a few minutes and arrived back with some raw fleece for me to play with when I got home.
When we returned from our tour, Trish gave us a presentation on alpaca fleeces which was very interesting.
We plied our yarn in the afternoon. Now that I had ‘mastered’ the clockwise, introducing the ‘counter-clockwise’ was, let’s say, interesting. This is what I produced. It is, I believe, kindly referred to as ‘Art Yarn’. Now, I am in the horns of a dilemma. I want to spin more but I don’t want to ever spin a nice even ply. The general consensus in the room was that once you perfect the spin you can’t return to the Art Yarn. Now, while I appreciate that at my learning speed, perfection is a long way down the road. I don’t want to get there but I would like to spin more art yard and, if I’m honest, I would love a new toy in a spinning wheel. Any ideas?
I played with the Teeswater when I got home. Here is the result:
Last year, I wrote up a number of posts about various dyeing workshops I had attended. In one I dyed a lot of fabric samples and wondered what I should do with them. I think it may have been Ruth who suggested that I could think about stitching into some. I have never embroidered by hand before but decided to give it a try over Christmas. Here is my first effort. I was inspired by a photo online. Once completed, I padded it with some cotton batting and backed it with linen. I might frame it at some stage but I will need to find a suitable frame.
I totally enjoyed my day spinning, even though I was pretty dreadful at it. But I love the result and for once, I really don’t want to improve greatly at this. Long live Art Yarn!
Do you agree? Any hints and tips on how I can retain my current standard? All suggestions will be very gratefully taken on board. I’m just looking for an excuse to buy a wheel.
22 thoughts on “Wrestling with the horns of a dilemma – Art Yarn!”
Very interesting about the alpaca wool being suitable for those who find other wools scratchy.
What a lovely farm! It just looks so cosy. Bet you’re glad you attended the course.
Yes – art yarn is king if you want to use it in textile crafts.
A few years back Annie and I bought a second-hand spinning wheel. We both went to learn how to use a hand spindle (well Annie learnt while I kept trying) then we tried the spinning wheel. I fell at the first hurdle and never, ever want to do it again but Annie produces pretty art yarn now and then.
Your current standard could be maintained by not spinning too often, and when you do perhaps being three sheets to the wind might help 🙂
I definitely approve of your suggested method of spinning Art Yarn. The trouble is that these days, instead of “one drink and I’m anybody’s”, now it’s one drink and I’m asleep!
Ann
Brilliant Lyn. I am glad that I am not the only one who is at sixes and sevens behind the (spinning) wheel. Having seen Annie’s beautiful work I can well imagine that her art yarn is very very pretty.
I’m liking more the idea of being three sheets to the wind while working that yoke. I suspect I would be a lot more relaxed and not overthinking it. Mind you, arriving to a session hammered might put a dent in my credibility (or perhaps I could just be perceived as that creative eccentric – as long as I just nod wisely and don’t start singing (Patricia the Stripper is my party piece you see).
The farm is lovely and the hosts were so welcoming and gracious. I do want to go back!
Sorry for the delay in replying. My old laptop died last week (like the heroine in many an opera, it was a slow slow passing and got to the stage where I was pleading with it just to open). Anyway have this new flangled machine now. But we are still courting – at the getting to know you phase of our relationship – it could go either way. Fingers crossed we will soon become ‘an item’.
Helene x
Ann,
That would be great fun. We could all sit inebriated at the back of the spinning class. You snoring, me singing my lungs out and Lyn, what would be your party piece.
Helene x
My party piece would probably be a recitation of ‘Oh I wish I’d looked after me teeth’ by Pam Ayres 🙂
I need you to point me in the direction of that beauty Lyn. Just broke one of mine at the weekend and I now need an implant. I wish I hadn’t bitten into that ice cream with the BIG nut in it!
You sing it and I’ll provide the harmony
Your art yarn is very interesting, I love it, and I definitely approve of Lyn’s idea for making it in the future.
As soon as I saw that cria in your featured image I thought “Ahhhh; I want one!” It’s gorgeous. And that Farm is too; given the chance I’d spend all my free time there.
I hadn’t realised that alpaca fibre has no scales, that’s obviously why it is not so easy to felt with, since it’s the scales that do the job with sheep’s fleece.
I’m glad you picked up spinning and plying in just a day, it took me quite some time even though I could always manage the “pat your head with one hand while rubbing your tummy with the other” ok. The main thing I remember about learning to spin was that I had to fit my wheel with rubber feet to stop it running away from me when I pushed on the treadle. At least it kept other people entertained.
Your Teeswater lamp is wonderful. How about a post to show us how you did it? I love that embroidery too. What a talented being you are.
Ann
Thanks Ann,
Ooooo the cria(s) were just so cute. I recall when Trish first introduced me to them at an Agri show, I went up to hug and kiss one. The poor woman had to roar ‘cos it was getting ready to spit at me! Certainly would have put manners on me.
Yes, scales are absent – I believe sheep are the only animal with scales. Trish mentioned that sometimes she is asked to spin with sheep fibre at shows and she breaks out when she touches it. But she has no problem with the alpaca fibre. She gave me some to experiment with – 2nd cuts – a few years ago. I understand 2nd cuts are not much use to spinners so we were trying to find an alternative use for it. I felted it, no problem, just kept the water very cool. I really put it through its paces as it does not have memory like sheep fibre. It behaved very well, even to the point of felting up as a bowl. Around 50% shrinkage on a 10 gram sample over 20cm square.
I will get my thinking cap on about the lamp. First I will weigh it and then work out the size resist I used. If you don’t see it here will you remind me as I have a head like a sieve these days.
Helene x
I know exactly how you feel. I was gifted a spinning wheel and since I raise sheep for fiber I feel like there is no excuse for me not to learn how to spin. I have made lots and lots of art yarn. The dilemma for me is taking the time to practice. My passion is felting the locks of my adorable Wensleydales.
How lucky are you! To have sheep (including those gorgeous Wensleydales) and a spinning wheel. What do you felt with your Wensleydales? It is just a beautiful fibre and the owners are just so handsome. Great for dyeing too.
Helene
I spin art yarn, much to the disgust of a lot of the purists at the guild I go too. I only want to spin art yarn. They recently had a lesson on thick and thin yarn. I had no problem at all but the ladies that can spin beautiful fine yarn couldn’t do it. So I am not going to perfect my spinning as it seems you cannot go back as you say. I have however bought a little electric spinner to try and learn fine yarn on in the hopes I can include the fine yarn to pay with my art yarn.
I may be wrong but I think there’s a wheel available from Ashford that only suits Art Yarn. They say that once you have perfected fine yarn you can’t go back so that would fit in with what you are saying here. I hope you enjoy the little spinner, sounds like a lovely piece of equipment. I have spoken to some feltmakers who pay a lot of money for art yarn – there must be some market there to feed your habit.
Great to hear from you.
Helene Dooley
Oh Helene I love your art yarn….it is a happy creative smorgasbord ideal for your further creations, and I love Lynn’s take on how you should pursue perfecting your skills 🤪
Wow what a great way to highlight those beautiful Teeswater locks. Your lamp looks beautiful….have you stiffened it?
Finally – thanks for giving my new fact to learn today….alpaca wool has no scales!
Xx
Aw Antje, we aim to please. So can I take it you will join Ann, Lyn and myself at the back of the spin class. You can, only if you bring a party trick – I’ll supply the vino for that pleasure. Poor teacher!
Yes, it is absolutely stiffened. I used 50/50 wood glue to water. It’s hard as a rock now but I won’t use it as a football.
hugs
Helene
Going back to the inebriated spinning class, I actually like Tracey Wilkinson’s updated version of that song, as it definitely fits me now – Oh I wish I’d looked after me tits! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JxC9J_snqY4. We’d bring the house down.
A.
I’m laughing so much ere I can hardly write Ann. That is so funny. Definitelty a party piece.
Hx
Your spinning turned out great and even if you aren’t the best, art yarn is a good result. As many have already said, I think the not practicing too much should do the trick 😉
Your lamp is gorgeous, I love the addition of the locks.
Good on you for doing some embroidery on your dyed fabric. That looks great!
Thanks Ruth,
I’m beginning to think I might invest. Then again, I can possibly get a good result on the spindle.
The lamp was a fun make and the embroidery kept me going over the Christmas. A bit of fun.
Helene x
Hello, Hélène!
Here’s my (maybe unpopular) two cents:
– Not being able to “go back” once you’ve mastered thin spinning is a myth. The reason it’s so hard is, you simply grow unaccustomed to it because you’ve been forcing yourself to spin thin and told yourself that’s “the right way” to do it. Spinners worth their salt can do thick, thin, and thick *and* thin art yarns, no problem!
(Case in point: I’m not a master spinner and, although my default singles yarn is a fingering weight, I can do other weights if I pay attention).
– Spindle spinning and wheel spinning are two different things and not necessarily interchangeable, so I highly recommend you get a wheel 🙂 Preferably double treadle for hip comfort.
I’m very happy you’ve dove into spinning and I’m happy to talk your ears out on the subject if you ever like.
Also, I found it very interesting that alpaca can be an alternative to those who find wool uncomfortable, I can’t wear alpaca as a sole fibre because it prickles me 😀 Funny how our bodies can be so different.
PS – Look up Jacey Boggs online video spinning lessons, she’s one of the “mothers” of art yarns and also teaches how to do more traditional spinning and goes into worsted and woollen spinning techniques, too. She’s a marvel 🙂
Hi Leonor,
this is really great to know and thanks for the advice on the double treadle. I may have to postpone for the present as I broke my tooth last Sunday (what’s the connection, I hear you ask?) mmmmm I need an implant and they are, as I have just discovered, mind blowingly expensive! That should put an end to my gallop for a while.
Helene x
Oh no, I’m so sorry to hear about your tooth! I hope you heal quickly. My mother has been replacing a few teeth so I’ve heard about how ludicrously expensive they are… Just count ourselves lucky we can enjoy ceramic teeth instead of wood like in the “old days” 😉