Join instructor Rachel Smith in this extensive workshop exploring various sheep breeds available for spinning, including fine and medium wools, long and down, and double-coated and primitive wools. Within each class of wool, we will explore what classifies them within that category, some of the uniting characteristics and reflections about the yarns we can create with these different wools available to hand-spinners.
Spinning Sheep Breeds will provide an excellent ground for you to continue your own study of wool, spinning and yarn. Included in this workshop, we:
- learn the differences between wool classified as fine, medium, long, down and primitive wools.
- show how to spin the wool and the thoughts behind these choices.
- explore uses for the yarns we make from various wools.
- talk about project planning and inspire you to use your own handspun.
This workshop is not meant to be exhaustive but is meant to provide a good foundation of learning, particularly for those new to spinning different sheep breeds and recognizing that there are various types of wool.
Share your course progress and work with us! You can find the chat over at the SOS Community Forums and tag us on Instagram with #sosspinning and #schoolofsweetgeorgia.
Have you ever had trouble with a messy long-tail cast-on? One end seems to be getting all kinked up while the other end is separating before your very eyes! What is going on here? Well, every time we make a wrapping motion, we change our yarn. Some projects are fine, but others… well, they just seem to be so difficult! Let’s have a look under the hood to see how and why the twist direction of our yarns can make or break a project.
New at the School is Amanda Buckley`s @mandythephilomath article Twist And Shout: Why Twist Direction Matters In Your Making, arming you with the knowledge of how our techniques can change yarn as we work with it, and how we can choose to compensate for it or even amplify it for effect.
Read the full post at the SOS site (link in bio)!
#schoolofsweetgeorgia #sosspinning #sosknitting #soscrochet #spinningyarn #handspun #yarn #handspunyarn #handspunstagram
First, I do love everything about wool. With this spin I could see the elasticity. It was impressive how much the yarn coiled after removing it from the bobbin. It actually had movement like a rubber band (cat’s cradle style) with bounce and everything! Fiber: California Red dyeliciousyarn from tempeyarn
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
Finished my first skein with my E-Spinner and felt the need to try my hand at a drop spindle. Actually really enjoying it and working hard on my park and draft. I watched the schoolofsweetgeorgia course on drop spindles and several vids from jillianevefa, both super helpful.
Gorgeous spindle from Vermont Spindles on Etsy, spins like a dream.
Fiber is some 100% Corriedale that came with the spindle!
#handspunyarn #handspinning #sosspinning
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
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
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
The Spinning Sheep Breeds course is broken into separate modules:
- Module 1: Fine & Medium Wools
- Module 2: Long Wools
- Module 3: Down and Down-like Wools
- Module 4: Primitive & Double-Coated Wools
- Module 5: Conclusion
Buy a Spinning Sheep Breeds Kits at the SweetGeorgia shop »
Remember your 15% off discount as a SOS member available here!
Download the Spinning Sheep Breeds workbook »
Access the School of SweetGeorgia Sheep Breeds Chart »
Save a copy of it to your Google Drive for personal use.
Download the Fine and Medium Sheep Breeds full video transcript »
Download the Long Wools Sheep Breeds full video transcript »
Download the Down and Down Type Wools Sheep Breeds full video transcript »
Download the Double Coated & Primitive Wools Sheep Breeds & Module 5 full video transcript »
Download the FULL COURSE video transcript>>
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Course Content
About Instructor
