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| Phoebe using her left hand to set the wheel in motion in the correct direction |
Last Thursday we were given a wonderful gift by a lady very generous with her time and knowledge - the gift of learning about fleece and making yarn or wool. We were both brave enough to tackle the wooden spinning wheel and pitch our feet, hands and eyes against this seemingly complicated task!
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| carefully feeding in the soft, delicate fleece sliver |
As the wheel is spinning (powered by the foot on the pedal), one hand is helping spread the fibres and the other is making sure it is feeding in not too fast, not too slow...not an easy job for the beginner!
With her back to the warmth of the Winter sun pouring in the window, Phoebe mastered the art of gently teasing diaphanous fibres into a neatly twisted and strong yarn. Foot up and down, up and down, both hands working together, eyes carefully overseeing.
And here is the result on the bobbin - some lovely natural wool - a single ply, which we could ply together with another strand and we would have our first yarn!
Thank you Wilma - it was such a special time for us to begin learning with you - much appreciated :)
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| me encouragingly looking on, on the table Wilma had displayed her wool and associated tools to show us |
Hi Wendy and Phoebe,
ReplyDeleteIt was a great opportunity for me to share my love for natural fibers and showing what is possible to such enthusiastic learners.
What a difference to 'teach' when the learners have a choice and can see the application in their daily life. Home schooling, what a joy.
Had to use John's google account to get this comment published, what a team effort :)
Love Wilma
exactly - team effort all round - thank you again so, so very much - what a precious gift you have been giving :)
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