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yarnlover
Permanent Resident
1729 Posts |
 Posted - 08/18/2005 : 07:54:33 AM
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Reading the topic on the fiber swap reminded me that I participated in a spinning forum about 10 or so years ago. We held several swaps of our handspun yarn and it was a fun thing to do. So interesting to see the differences in yarn when spinners are working from the same basic swap guidelines.
The way it worked was each participant spun about 4-5 yards for each member of the group. You included information about the fiber, source, how you prepared, spun, dyed, plied, etc. Whatever was appropriate for your process. Then package each sample, with information card, and a pinch of fiber if you wanted, in a plastic baggie. The whole package was mailed to one destination (with a self-addressed, stamped envelope) and then sorted and everyone got their package of samples back in the mail. At that time, there wasn't an easy way to get photos posted, but now that would be easy enough to do.
Would anyone be interested in a swap like this?
I'd volunteer to be the first swap master (not to be confused with swamp monster[:00]). Possibly limit the number of spinners so we don't have to spin huge amounts of yarn. Swap master gets to pick the criteria. Some of the swaps were of certain breed of wool, some with pet hair, etc. Timing can be set to an agreeable amount of time - say everything is due in xx weeks or months.
What do you think of this idea? I know Spin-Off collects sample skeins based on particular guidelines and it's nice to look at the pictures, but much nicer to actually look at and handle the samples.
See My Stuff: Here
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celia
Permanent Resident
Australia
2454 Posts |
Posted - 08/18/2005 : 1:52:56 PM
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Actually I would be more interested in a swap with a useable amount of yarn like 25g or 50g. Also it may be easier if the members are assigned a recipient and just posts directly. What would you do with 4 or 5 yards f yarn? Just wondering
celia
My blog is here:
http://celiaknits.blogspot.com
I am destashing here:
http://celias-basket.blogspot.com/ |
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yarnlover
Permanent Resident
1729 Posts |
Posted - 08/18/2005 : 2:50:43 PM
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The idea was that we would all spin using the same criteria and then share our samples. You didn't really have to do anything with it - it was just a study of spinning samples and a way to see the yarn of other spinners. The reason for sending everything to one swap master was to make distribution easier. It was a treat to get the package and see a bit of everyone's yarn.
See My Stuff: Here
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Lanthir
Warming Up
USA
54 Posts |
Posted - 08/23/2005 : 08:52:16 AM
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That sounds like a really neat idea!
"And we shall call it 'This Land'"
Firefly |
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yarnlover
Permanent Resident
1729 Posts |
Posted - 08/23/2005 : 10:18:17 AM
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I'm glad to hear someone thinks so.
I'm a little surprised that no one seemed interested in this. When I was a new spinner my husband found something on the internet, (it was very new back then, and I really didn't know what it was). Anyway, that's where I joined a spinning group and participated in a few swaps.
I learned so much from the swaps because all samples were different and came with information on how the yarn was created. As much as you can learn from reading and videos, having the samples in hand to look at and examine is a great learning tool.
What if the first swap were something like this:
Fiber - wool
Color - hand dye it with kool-aid, food coloring, icing dye to keep it easy and use dyes that everyone can easily obtain.
Dye it autumn colors - think of maple trees and pumpkins.
Have a small sample for every participant - let's say about 2 yards or so.
Everything else is up to the spinner. Dye the wool, then spin, or spin then dye the yarn. 1-ply, 2-ply, navajo ply, whatever you want to do. Just jot down what you did so everyone can learn from you.
Any takers?
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Lissa
Permanent Resident
USA
4942 Posts |
Posted - 08/23/2005 : 10:37:50 AM
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An explanation from the "no thanks" camp: sounds like work. I have enough work.
Not dissing the idea, just one person's answer to "why didn't I get more takers?".
Lissa
"Expecting the world to treat you fairly because you are a good person is a little like expecting the bull not to attack you because you are a vegetarian." --Dennis Wholey
Oh, and I now have a blog:http://knittnlissa.typepad.com/knittnlissa/ |
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carvegirl
New Pal
35 Posts |
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Shelia
Permanent Resident
USA
2315 Posts |
Posted - 08/24/2005 : 05:08:41 AM
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This sounds like an interesting idea, and could be especially helpful for newer spinners. How many folks would be the minimum number for it to work?
Shelia |
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Lanthir
Warming Up
USA
54 Posts |
Posted - 08/24/2005 : 05:12:23 AM
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Yeah, that sounds great! And it gives me something to do with some of the new fiber I just bought. (^_^)V
"And we shall call it 'This Land'"
Firefly |
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yarnlover
Permanent Resident
1729 Posts |
Posted - 08/24/2005 : 06:57:35 AM
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I think it would work with as few as 7 or 8 people and as many as 20 or so. It seems to me that the swaps I joined had about 15-20 spinners. With 20 or so, the cost is reasonable. You can send samples for minimum priority mail and get samples returned for the same. It's easy to get priority envelopes at the post office, so shipping is easy and reasonable.
It is a great learning tool for new spinners, as I learned a lot when I did this, but also for experienced spinners. Some of the swaps were using a specific breed of wool or type of fiber, and that gave everyone a chance to spin a sample and see other's samples and be introduced to fibers not tried before.
And I was thinking maybe the exchange would be somewhere around mid-October to give plenty of time to complete. Or is that too soon - too late?
We have 3 spinners so far.
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Martheme
Sustaining Member
USA
1565 Posts |
Posted - 08/24/2005 : 08:56:40 AM
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Hi,
I'd love to participate! I haven't had time to spin for months now (new baby) but this is something I could probably manage even on a spindle while he's napping!
Please count me in!
Martheme
visit my sites:
http://www.inspirationsyarn.com & http://martheme.blogspot.com/ |
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Lanthir
Warming Up
USA
54 Posts |
Posted - 08/24/2005 : 11:19:54 AM
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Yeah, mid October sounds great!
"And we shall call it 'This Land'"
Firefly |
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Noelle
New Pal
USA
36 Posts |
Posted - 08/26/2005 : 07:38:52 AM
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I'd like to participate in this as well. It'll give me an impetus to get back to my wheel, which has been sadly neglected this summer. What's the next step?
Graduate Student or Evil Genius.... You be the judge. |
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yarnlover
Permanent Resident
1729 Posts |
Posted - 08/26/2005 : 08:33:14 AM
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So far, we have five spinners interested in doing a swap. It would be nice to have a few more participants, but if not, as long as everyone agrees to a small group, we can go ahead.
So far:
carvegirl
lanthir
martheme
noelle
yarnlover
How about waiting til the day after Labor Day to see if we have more interest. Have the samples due by October 14.
The number of spinners will determine how much yarn you'll need to spin, but personally, I will probably spin at least a few ounces, so will have enough to share. In early October, I'll pm my mailing address to everyone. When I get the packages, I'll sort the samples for everyone and get the envelopes right back in the mail as soon all samples are in.
So we will spin wool (doesn't have to be white)
We will dye it in autumn colors using kool-aid, food coloring, icing dyes.
Everything else is spinner's choice.
How does this sound? Any other ideas?
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Andy
Seriously Hooked
USA
774 Posts |
Posted - 08/26/2005 : 08:53:35 AM
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Sounds great to me,too! Could I suggest that the fibers be on 3x5 cards that include information on whether it was commercially carded/handcard/drum or combed, etc; and what type of wool, if these things are known; processing tips such as whether it was spun in the grease, long-draw, short-draw, worsted/woolen...
would others want this information? I would find it very instructive to see samples that show the specifics of construction like that. I'd be glad to do the same with mine.  |
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yarnlover
Permanent Resident
1729 Posts |
Posted - 08/26/2005 : 11:12:32 AM
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Andy,
Yes, I agree, the more information we provide as to the type of wool, how it was processed, the better. I'm also interested in the dyeing process everyone chooses - whether the fiber was dyed, then spun or vice versa. Painted, sprayed, dunked, or any other type of dyeing process.
It's also nice to get a pinch of the starting fiber if spinners want to do that.
Now we are six......
See My Stuff: Here
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Suziehomemaker
Warming Up
USA
92 Posts |
Posted - 08/29/2005 : 4:08:53 PM
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| I'm in! I just started and would love to get samples! I have some wool spun up already to use. I'll just need to google instructions on dying wool. Great idea! |
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yarnlover
Permanent Resident
1729 Posts |
Posted - 08/29/2005 : 6:38:36 PM
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We are up to 7 spinners!
Add Andy and Suziehomemaker to the previous list.
Suzie, you can search KR for threads on kool-aid dyeing and probably food coloring and wilton icing colors too. It's easy, you can set the color in your microwave, and fun because there are lots of ways to apply the color. I know you'll enjoy it.
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Suziehomemaker
Warming Up
USA
92 Posts |
Posted - 08/30/2005 : 06:15:07 AM
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| Thanks! I bookmarked a page with detailed instructions so with the help of my hubby I should be ready to go! |
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sheepish
New Pal
49 Posts |
Posted - 09/05/2005 : 12:05:30 AM
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Are you full up, or have you got room for one more? I just found this forum tonight, and am a pretty new spinner, but would love some help as well as seeing what others are doing!
I milk sheep, do ewe? |
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yarnlover
Permanent Resident
1729 Posts |
Posted - 09/05/2005 : 07:20:31 AM
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Nope, not filled up. Plenty of room for more spinners. Thanks for joining and sharing your spinning.
So far there are eight spinners for the swap.
See My Stuff: Here
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