Monday 26 July 2010

Jacob Fleece Part Four

PLY


Well it's about time I brought you up to date on my spinning work.

Previous posts (Jacob Fleece 1,2,3) showed how I prepared the fleece,carded and then spun it on my Ashford Traditional Spinning Wheel.
The next stage is to Ply the yarn, so as it is suitable for use as a knitting yarn.



Using two bobbins on the "lazy kate" and turning my wheel in the opposite direction I twist the two single yarns together. Plying the yarn gives it strength and produces a lovely balanced knitting wool.



SKEIN




The yarn is then wound into a skein and is ready for finishing.
If you remember I spun the fleece "in the grease".
It is now time to wash the skeins.


It is washed by soaking in very hot water with a mild detergent (good old Fairy Original washing up liquid is ideal for this). The skeins are submerged with enough water for them to move freely, but I take care not to stir or agitate as I don't want tangled skeins or felted yarn at this point! Rinsing and repeating until the water is clear.




JACOB KNITTING YARN



Finishing the yarn softens, develops it's loft and brings out the real character of the wool.

I store my handspun yarn in skeins until I'm ready to use it, so as it keeps it's bounce. As well as it looking simply gorgeous.

My Jacob Fleece has given me 800grms of knitting yarn of which 450grms is black/browns and 350 grms of cream/white/grey yarn.

I have various projects in mind to use my lovely new stash. I will be knitting,weaving and even natural dyeing with it in the coming weeks.

Thursday 22 July 2010

Open Studio Update



We thoroughly enjoyed our Open Studio.
We were really busy with just under 600 people attending our event in Freshwater. It was great to meet with so many lovely folk.



It was a brilliant event to showcase our work as Osmosis and it was very pleasing to hear some people had come especially to buy a mug and warmer set! Needless to say my sister and I have a busy time ahead to restock.
Gaining new contacts and customers was wonderful and as usual my sister and I had a good time together and were very quickly thinking up new designs and ideas for the future.
Our Next Venue
We will be at the Isle of Wight Garlic Festival 14th 15th August 2010.
hope to see you there!

Thursday 15 July 2010

The Isle of Wight Artists' Open Studio 2010




Our Open Studio event is happening right now. (16th-19th July 2010).

We are halfway through our four day event at Freshwater Parish Hall, where we are having an amazing busy and enjoyable time.

Please see link at the bottom of the page for more details and how to find us.
You will find us listed as Osmosis.
Textiles and Pottery designed and handmade by Osmosis

My sister and I have been working closely to design and make unique homeware gifts and accessories.




The beginnings;
Osmosis just happened, a natural process.

We started doing craft fairs together as it was more economical as well as a lot more fun to share a pitch!
Displaying our work for sale in sets or groups showed the use and beauty of the natural elements of clay and wool.
Soon we were making items for "gift sets" to include both our crafts such as the hand-thrown mugs with their little knitted warmers.

We will be adding more creations as soon as we can, so do check out our Folksy shop from time to time when you are looking for a special gift or treat, just click on the Mugs and Warmers photo. You can also link to our individual shops at Folksy on the profile page.

Thursday 1 July 2010

Buttons And Brooches Onboard



It is always good to enjoy a day on board our little yacht in the sunshine.


I'm now preparing for my summer shows here on the Island, so things are pretty busy!


I make little Knitted Brooches and Dorset Wheel buttons to sell at craft fairs, my customers buy little treats for themselves or family and friends; brooches for the keen knitters and traditionally handmade buttons always make an outfit or accessory very special.


The great thing about my craft is that it is so portable. On a lovely sunny day I can pack up my yarn and needles and literally
Cast On and Cast Off.






Sitting on my boat watching the ebb and flow of the river is soothing and relaxing. The buzzards circle skyward, the little Egrets, Curlews and other waders feed along the exposing Saltings and mudflats as the tide goes out.


Boats of all shapes and sizes pass up and down from Cowes to Newport.
Skipper sails our little dinghy back and forth on the small breeze he can always seem to find over to the SE of our mooring.

Using the colours and textures of the yarn it's great to just create!