Blending Boards: From Rolags to Roving

The blending board can be your go-to fiber prep tool above all others and a few inexpensive additions can take this simple tool to the next level.  Learn how-to with Debbie Held

Debbie Held · March 16, 2021

As more and more spinners delve into fiber preparation for intentional spinning, the blending board is more popular than ever before. It’s space efficient, lightweight, and far less costly than investing in expensive blending tools and machinery.

Best of all, with a little know-how and a few inexpensive gadgets from around the house, the blending board can help serve up far more than smooth and shiny rolags.

In this workshop you’ll learn:

  • How to choose or make a Blending Board
  • What tools to use
  • How to load the fibres in the Blending Board
  • How to make rolags and batts
  • How to roll or dizz them off the board.
  • How to go off board to make a carded cloud prep
  • How to create texture batty bumps
  • How to flick open and store locks

Come join us in tapping into the full potential of blending boards!


All of the chat and progress will be shared over at the forum, with social media posts shared using the tags: #sosspinning and #schoolofsweetgeorgia

 

For the longest time, I felt intimidated by the idea of learning to spin silk yarns. It felt like the epitome of luxury fibres for me. At a KnitCity festival, looking at the Sanjo silk studio booth, I became mesmerised by the shine and character of the silk yarns. As a then-beginner spinner, I got myself a few packs of silk and wool-silk spinning fibres which I promptly sampled going home. After looking at my plyback samples, I stashed those fibres for the longest time, for whenever I would be good enough to spin them.⁠
…⁠

Continue reading Greta`s @gretacornejomakes new Learning to Spin Silk Yarns article at the School where she encourages you to source some luxury fibres (@sweetgeorgia has lovely kits) and add them to your spinning stash. Or unearth that luxury fibre you got a few seasons ago and play. Even five grams can ignite a lot of fun and creativity to your craft.⁠



#sosspinning #spinningsilk #handspunsilk #silkfiber #spinningsilkyarn #spinnersofinstagram #schoolofsweetgeorgia

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In a few short years, the development of e-spinners for every budget and every level of experience has made the electric spinner go from purely aspirational to totally attainable. Have you ever wondered if spinning with e-spinners might expand your spinning practice? Have you considered getting an e-spinner, and if so, which model is right for you? ⁠

Over at the new Spinning with e-Spinners course, instructor Debbie Held @doodler01 will answer these questions and more as she teaches how to use this unique spinning tool! Learn just how versatile they are with loads of tips and tricks to help you improve your skills. And then at the SOS Community Forums, you can share your project pictures, ask questions, and join in the spinning chat.⁠

Find the Spinning with e-Spinners course page at our link in bio!⁠



#sosspinning #schoolofsweetgeorgia #espinners #electronicspinningwheels #spinningwheel #spinningyarn #handspun

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Following the release of Rachel Smith`s @woolnspinning Spinning Luxury Fibres: Silk where we began the exploration of spinning with a variety silk fibres, we`ll soon continue on the luxury fibre path with the upcoming Spinning Luxury Fibres: Camelids!⁠

With an introduction to Camelid fibres, including types, locational varieties, and considerations for spinning, and exploring Merino wool and silk blends with these luxurious fibres, Rachel will briefly introduce the camelid family of mammals and discuss how their genus breaks down. Then we get into specifics with alpacas, llamas, and camels.⁠

Now available, you can find the materials list for the course so you can begin preparing for the lesson launch on April 6th. There you can also find the link to the new Spinning Luxury Kit, shown here, at the @sweetgeorgia shop! ⁠



#sosspinning #schoolofsweetgeorgia #camelidfibre #camelidfibers #spinningcamelids #alpacafiber #llamafiber #camelfiber #spinningfiber

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As much as I want to have a really deep, profound reason for making things, it’s really simple: I just really love making things with my hands. I’ve always worked with paper, collaging and glueing, knitting, and playing with yarn and patterns. I find my podcast is an extension of that creative energy, to be able to create something digitally and share that with others.⁠

Rachel Smith @woolnspinning is a passionate learner, a kind and clear teacher, and a jewel in our community. At the new SOS article `Learn About Spinning Instructor Rachel Smith`, Greta Cornejo @gretacornejomakes speaks with Rachel and shares some insights into her work. If you haven`t yet watched Rachel’s online spinning courses at the School, we encourage you to do so.⁠

Read the full article at the School – link in bio »⁠


#sosspinning #schoolofsweetgeorgia #woolnspinning

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In a few short years, the development of e-spinners for every budget and every level of experience has made the electric spinner go from purely aspirational to totally attainable. Should you get an e-spinner and if so, which model is right for you? ⁠

Instructor Debbie Held @doodler01 will answer all of these questions and more as she teaches us how to use this unique spinning tool at the coming-soon Spinning with E-Spinners. Debbie will have loads of tips and tricks to help you improve your skills. ⁠

View the materials list to get your supplies ready before the course launch on March 16th »⁠



#sosspinning #schoolofsweetgeorgia #espinner #espinning #spinnersofig

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Course Content

Module 1: What Can You Do and How to Choose a Blending Board
Module 2: Tools and Basics
Module 3: Making the Most of your Blending Board
Module 4: Taking Off from your Blending Board
Module 5: Thinking Outside the Board

About Instructor

Debbie Held

Debbie Held is a freelance writer and international fiber arts educator who almost always has a spindle in hand. She’s a recurring contributor to Spin Off magazine, PLY, Schacht Spindle Company, and more, and she’s the writer behind the Interweave column, Her Handspun Habit. A truly contented spinster, Debbie lives on an urban farm in Atlanta, Georgia, with an enormous Persian cat named Stanley. Both enjoy watching the spinner’s flock of Shetland sheep living in the yard below their windows. Write to them (all) at www.debbieheld.com.

3 Courses

Not Enrolled
Available for All-Access Members

Course Includes

  • 12 Lessons
  • Course Certificate
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