My Knitting Guru

Knitting, spinning, life...I have a guru for each one. Wednesday I had the chance to spend time with my knitting guru, Lucy Neatby. Lucy was teaching at Your Local Yarn Shop in Battle Creek for a couple days and Ellen (sister) and I cleared our calendars and made an afternoon of it. 

Lucy giving Ellen some one-on-one instruction.

Lucy demonstrating double knitting.

(L to R: Ellen, Lucy, and me)

Lucy teaching while watching a up-close video clip of the technique.

Lucy teaching more stuff about double (reversible) knitting.

Lucy's Venue sweater...a project Ellen and I are going to tackle together.

Venus sweater and a baby venus....so cute!

I met Lucy Neatby my first year that I started in the Master Spinner Program in Alberta, Canada. Lucy was the guest teacher for the week during Fibre Week. There are many fine knitting teachers out there, but Lucy Neatby is the best IMHO! It's like she's a knitting engineer or a knitting doctor; she can look at a piece of knitting and quickly figure out what's going on. And her color work is fabulous! She has helped my knitting improve over the last few years. Next August she is hosting a retreat in the Yukon, the Canadian North. Although I can't go, it will sure fill my dreams and I'll just pretend I'm there.

Speaking of gurus...I have a few more that give me great inspiration. When it comes to spinning, hands down it's Mabel Ross, an internationally noted master spinner from Scotland. Serious or not-so-serious spinners typically know of Mabel Ross and the contribution she made to spinning. Initially she worked in meteorological research and was a teacher of mathematics and music so when she wrote about spinning it was natural for her to reduce the techniques to simple calculations. Mabel Ross took a very technical, exacting approach to spinning. Some people don't like her approach but it's a great way to get repeatable results (if that's what you're aiming for).

My other guru is none other than Mohandas K. Gandhi. There's nothing that needs to be said about him, his teachings, his non violence, and his charka spinning.....he's the Mahatma!

Level 2 Homework Made it to Canada

After staying glued to the UPS website for the last 10 days, I see my box with my Level 2 homework made it to its destination in British Columbia today. Whew....I'm relieved. My fear was that it would get lost and I'd have to do a year's worth of homework again (OMG the thought).

The instructor will now review all my work, grade it, then send it back to me. Now on to Level 3 homework. I'm starting with my 50 hour project (I'll write more about that later). I have to stick to a pretty tight time frame in order to get this year's homework done BEFORE lambing/kidding starts! I got sidetracked last year with weaving and the purchase of a rigid heddle loom. This year I was ready to commit to a sweater project with my sister, but had to decline because it would take away time that I need to spend on my homework. 

Anyway, here are a few pics from my homework book:

Master Spinner Program - Level 2 Homework

Blending Exercise

Spinning Alpaca 

Spinning Mohair

Sweater Calculation Excercise

Two pages of calculations to determine how much raw wool is needed to make a sweater.

Color Blending Exercise (used three primary colors to produce nine other colors)

Braiding Exercise

Needlepoint Exercise (used BFL from my sheep)

25 Hour Project - Bag made with Lincoln Longwool

Spinning 76 Alpacas

When I owned alpacas, I marveled each time I buried my fingers and hands in their fleece while doing chores at night. I miss that! Fortunately this past summer I had the opportunity to run my fingers through 76 alpacas....well, sort of.


As the spin off jude for the 2009 Michigan International Alpaca Fest I spent two months carding, spinning, and judging all kinds of alpacas--baby, juvenile, yearling, adult, Huacaya, Suri, fine, medium, not-so-fine, and so on...


I tip my hat to the breeders out there who are working on breeding alpacas for high quality fleece. Alpacas are truly awesome. Here are some pics I took while judging and then on display at the alpaca show (September 2009):

WSWF - Sheep, Spinning, Knitting

Wisconsin Sheep and Wool Festival was a good combination of sheep shows and spinning and knitting classes. Initially we planned to take sheep and participate in the BFLBA show, but then decided to just go and enjoy the show instead of hauling sheep. It was great to have the freedom to move about without sheep duties. There was a lot of nice looking BFLs at the show. Steve and I did help out at the show on Saturday morning. I introduced the UK judge, John Stott, and acted as announcer and Steve helped with recording class placements and ring steward duties. He also helped during the NAMSS show on Sunday. I didn't get to take a lot of pics during the show because I was so busy. But here are a couple of pics that I did take:

I figured if we weren't taking sheep I might as well take classes. The WSWF offers some of the best classes! On Friday I took an all day "Spinning Fine Wool Yarns" with Patsy Z. We spun a variety of fibers and Patsy was a wealth of knowledge:

Then after the BFLBA show on Saturday morning, I moved on to my "Thrums Knitting" class. A thrum is a little piece of unspun fleece or roving that is knit into your project. Thrums make the inside of your garmet soft and fuzzy, and extremely warm. After a while the soft wool inside (the thrum) starts to felt and takes the form of the garmet. Thrums are used in hats, mittens, socks, and jackets. I think thrum mittens originated in Canada's provinces of New Foundland and Labrador. Here's a pic of each side of my knit sample from class:

Outside (right side) of my sample piece.

The inside of my sample.
That would make for extremely warm socks!

Then on Sunday I took an all-day "Binge" knitting class. It's pronounced Binga. In Halland, Sweden the old word for knitting is "bindslöjd" (the dialectal form "binge" is used to identify the knit designs and knitting patterns of the area). Traditionally, the binge patterns are knit in the colors of blue, white and red:

Samples of the Binge patterns

Bjärbo pattern - wrist warmers - half done
This is what I started in class.

Not much is written about Binge designs and knitting. Carol Rhoades taught the class and presented a wealth of information about the Binge designs and history. She gave us a list of some good resources about Binge. Most of the Internet searches I've done have come up in Swedish. Google will translate some of the sites which helps. Here are some links to some pictures of binge garmets: jerseys and caps (double flower, Bjarbo, Crown Princess Margareta's hat).

Then as I strolled through the vendor barns, I discovered a vendor that sold kits for Bohus hats. Of course, I had to pick up a couple. The patterns for the hats are in the book "Poems of Color: Knitting in the Bohus Trandition (and the womens who drove this Swedish cottage industry)" by Wendy Keele. The kit is basically just the yarn.

The Swedish Bohus tradition and its 400+ designs allowed women to supplement their income during the depression in the 1930's and help their local economy. Here are a few pics of the hat kits I bought and the corresponding sweater in the same design in the book:

Design: Blue Shimmer

Design: Blue Shimmer

Design: Dean

Happy spinning, knitting, and/or shepherding!

Old String

The simple concept of twisting fibers changed the world. Here's a find that proves our spinning craft goes back at least 30,000 years: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/8249362.stm

Master Spinner Program (Level 2) - Day 5

I woke up this morning to September-like weather. Last night it rained and the wind blew for a while. I think I'm going to buy a heavier jacket today. I came prepared for hot and humid weather like last year, but it's much different this year. I've already bought another suitcase so what's one more jacket.

Day 5:
It's actually 8:00 a.m. and class starts at 9:00 but the library closes early tonight so I want to get my post up now. And when class gets out I have a ton of packing to do (especially now that I have two suitcase). Plus it has to be an early night because our airport shuttle van is picking us up at 5:00...yikes!

Today we are going to find out what we got on yesterday's test and review it. I had a dream that I didn't quite get a passing grade on the test and Gayle, the instructor, whispered in my ear that she's going to pass me anyways as long as I understood my incorrect answered. I know it's just a dream, but now I'm sort of anxious to see how I did on the test. Do dreams really come true? I hope not! I've always done quite well in school so this dream has thrown me for a loop....it's just a dream, though.

After the test review we are going to work on drop spindles and learn how to Navajo ply on the drop spindle while spinning. It's called the "Navajo ply on the fly" technique. I forgot to pack a drop spindle (did I really or was it intentional?....hmmm) so I had to buy one here. It's a beautiful Tom Forrester with a design of a spinning goddess etched on the top whorl. Simply dreamy. SO, I'll be able to use my new drop spindle in class today. Oh, I also bought a Forrester support spindle...it very neat (pics to follow). Anyway...

We are also going to have a timed spin to determine how much time it will take us to spin a specific type of yarn. We'll use this info to help with our sweater calculation homework. THEN we're going to recreate the yarn that was used in the Lord of the Rings shawl (the one that makes you invisible). A woman whose name I forgot analyzed the yarn in the shawl to determine the twist per inch and grist (wraps per inch). We're going to spin to those specifications and hopeful absorb some magical energy along the way!

I think the afternoon is going to spent going over our workbook assignments. Our workbook(s) is the year's worth of assignment we have to do at home, assemble in binders, and ship to the instructor for marking. When we leave class today, we have to be very clear on what is expected.

Our Level 2 class was large enough to divide into two classes. So today both Level 2 classes are going to see if we can take our instructors out to lunch. They are wonderful people and truly passionate about spinning, weaving, wool, fiber, and everything else that goes into this wonderful artistic medium; and we, the students, want to recognize how incredible they've been all week. I hope there's time to take them to lunch. Even though it's the last day we still have specific topics that we have to cover, so lunch may not happen.

I'm signing off until I get home. I'll post pictures to my photo gallery, then post the link.

Spin On!

Master Spinner Program (Level 2) - Day 4

After a day packed with fiber info, I'm ready to unwind. The weather in Olds today is very pleasant. The Albertians tell me that it's usually warmer this time of year. Last year when I came it was unseasonably hot and humid. I'm just enjoying the cool evening and pleasant days.

Day 4:
Today we were introduced to a lot of fiber info. It will be great to go home and let it all soak it. We worked with mohair today (fiber from the Angora goat). What a great fiber! Gayle, our instructor, gave us some beautiful hand dyed mohair locks to use in our homework assignments (she gave us a ton of other fibers too...pic too follow). We also looked at braids and how different braids and cords are made from strong handspun yarn. There are myraid uses for cords and braids ranging from garments to animal halters to handles. I bought a couple of plate to make kumihimo braids (Japanese braids). Pics will follow when I get home.

We also did color blending on the hand carders and drum carder and talked about the color wheel we have to create from blending primary colors (a homework assignment). Then we went through the "gruelling" calculations of determining how much raw wool is needed to make a sweater. Not as simple as it sounds, but well worth it in order to have enough yarn to make a complete sweater instead of ending up a half of sleeve short (that happened to one of the students in our class).

Oh, we also took a test that covered everything we've learned so far this week. It wasn't too bad. We ended the day with a presentation from one of the students on the history of the drop spindle. Did you know that on Columbus' ship all the textiles (the sails, the clothing, the nets, the whatever) was made from a drop spindle? Just think about that for a minute...amazing!

O.k. now it's time to unwind. There's a pot luck gathering at one of the townshouses and I'm going to stop in, have something to eat, and unwind for the evening.

Master Spinner Program (Level 2) - Day 3

The weather in Olds today is beautiful. Light jacket in the morning, then just lovely the rest of the day (well so far). Today is Canada Day so the library is closed and I found another computer to post the day's events.

Day 3:
It's 1:00 p.m. so class isn't over yet, but so far we learned a lot about wool grading systems in Britian, Canada, and the U.S. This afternoon we are going to start on New World Camalids: alpacas and llamas. We're also going to spin and analyze mohair. Then at some point we move on to silk. Still so much to do and the week is half over.

Tonight is another run to the grocery store to get enough food for the rest of the week. We're running low and will probably run out if we don't go. I'll write more tomorrow when I have time at the library.

Master Spinner Program (Level 2) - Day 2

After a few cool, breezy days it finally started raining here in Olds, Alberta. A wind blew in last night that got the tree branches dancin'...like a wild, crazy dance! It was some wind. It's much cooler this year than last, but it's nice all the same.

Day 2:
Today in class we looked at about five fleeces from different breeds: Corriedale, Merino, Romney, Lincoln, and Gotland. We talked about the different characteristics of each fleece. I did a presentation on Bluefaced Leicesters and got ahold of a handful of washed locks to give to my fellow students. The locks were from a Canadian breeder whose fleeces won many of this year's top awards in the fleece show. There are some gorgeous fleeces here.

We combed wool to spin a truly worsted yarn while still working on our twists per inch, wraps per inch, and twist angle. We also did a lot of hand carding and learned to make nice rolags (still can't get them to look like Gayle's, our instructor). Using the rolags we attempted to make a true woollen yarn. We're getting there. We also practiced more of the spinning techniques: the long draw, point of contact, etc.

The Level 4 group was reeling silk so we took a break and went down to their room to watch. Very awesome. I took pics and will post when I get home.

Tonight is a get together and a "fashion show" where anyone who hand made something within the last year can model it (or have it modeled). There is some truly beautiful work. I marvel at the talent that people have. To celebrate the 2009 Year of the Natural Fiber, entries were submitted of items hand made with natural fibers. The winner will be announced tonight as well as the winners of the silent auction items and fleeces from the wool show, alpaca show, llama show, and mohair show.

I have to wash some wool tonight so tomorrow I can continue with the exercise of calculating the wool needed for a sweater. I chose Corriedale for my exercise. I plan to comb it with hand combs (love the combing).

So I have to run because the events will start soon and I have to grab something to eat first.

Alberta Bound…Almost!

Well, not me, yet. I’ll be flying to Alberta for Fibre Week and the Master Spinner Program (Olds College) in just 24 short days. But today three large binders of my Level 1 assignments are being shipped up to Alberta for marking. Finally (I’m doin’ the dance)! I profusely apologized to the instructor for sending my stuff at this late date. My plan was to have it done and shipped in February so that I’d be free and clear once lambing started. HA….fat chance! But being the detail-oriented person that I am, I couldn’t just haphazardly just throw my work in the binders and call it good. I had to fuss and fret and finagle. Next year will be different, though. Start sooner, progress faster, and complete earlier. Just wait, you’ll see.

I think my favorite part of this year’s work was the breed study and natural dye section. Although I loved all the other sections, the different breeds and the array of color from the natural dyes really punctuates the fact that there’s a use all kinds of wool (no wool is too coarse or too short), and that no color is too pale or putrid. There’s a time and place for everything.



Now I go forth and take Level 2. I’m also taking a two-day wool judging workshop geared toward teaching participants how to judge sheep’s fleeces. Very excited!

Books! Books! Books!

Just wanted to share a few good books that I recently picked up and some that have been around for a while.

A great section on types of fiber (cellulose, protein, manufactured) and the science of fibers followed by a myriad of spinning techniques. Judith MacKenzie is great!

The author presents an impressive amount of info on the knitters of the Oomingmak Musk Ox Producers' Co-operative in Alaska along with their beautiful lace patterns. The book also gives a history of native Alaskians and how the Oomingmak knitters helped the economy of their small towns. The book also talks about the musk oxen of Alaska and its exquisite rare fiber, qiviut. (My dear brother brought me two ounces of qiviut yarn along with a pattern for a lace hat from the Oomingmak Co-op in Anchorage...that will be a special knit project :-)

This comprehensive encyclopedia has a great section on dye plants and the dye process. It also has a nice listing of herbs for dyeing. A wealth of information.

Socks, socks, socks along with good descriptions of various cast-ons, increases, decreases, and other basic sock instruction. I want to knit just about every pair in this book.

Like the Oomingmak knitters in the Arctic Lace book shown above, the Swedish Bohus tradition and its 400+ designs allowed women to supplement their income during the depression in the 1930's and help their local economy. The designs presented here are incredible. Along with the beautiful patterns and color work outlined in the book, Wendy Keele explains how the women from southwestern Sweden produced a variety of knitted garments in fine multicolored angora-blend yarns.

Color in Spinning is loaded with info, techniques, and instruction on blending colored fibers with various blending tools, painting roving, and spinning and plying multicolored fibers. Lots of colorful pictures.

More socks! From whimsical to practical. I want to knit all of these too!

This 60-page booklet is a great 'how to' reference. Lot of good information about mordants, various natural dye materials, and dye recipes.

"When I get a little money I buy books; and if any is left I buy food and clothes."
Desiderius Erasmus (a Dutch humanist and theologian: 1466 - 1536)