Spinning up a Level
In this series, we are going to be exploring how you can begin to go from a beginner spinner to a spinner that can plan the exact kind of yarn they want to spin for a specific project, be it socks, a sweater, or a shawl.
Welcome to Spinning up a Level with Katrina Stewart!
In this series, we are going to be exploring how you can begin to go from a beginner spinner to a spinner that can plan the exact kind of yarn they want to spin for a specific project, be it socks, a sweater, or a shawl. Throughout this series, we’ll be exploring various techniques of fibre choices, fibre preparation, drafting, plying, and finishing to achieve the hand-spun yarn of your dreams. This course also includes a comprehensive workbook and spinning exercises so you can try the demonstrated techniques for yourself and see which methods suit you and your spinning style.
We hope you’ll join us for Spinning up a Level!
All of the chat and progress will be shared over at the forum, with social media posts shared using the tags: #sosspinning and #schoolofsweetgeorgia.
We are excited to soon begin exploring the world of spinning silk in the upcoming course Spinning Luxury Fibres: Silk, taught by Rachel Smith @woolnspinning! Students will learn a working definition of what luxury fibres are, a repertoire of spinning preparations, spinning drafts, and finishing techniques to create luxury yarns for you to knit, weave or crochet!
Coming to the School on February 2nd, you can now find the materials list to begin preparing your supplies before the course lessons are released. At the materials page, SOS members can also find a coupon code to enjoy 30% off the new @sweetgeorgia Spinning Luxury Kit (shown here). Find all of the info needed at the course materials page—link in bio »
#sosspinning #schoolofsweetgeorgia #sweetgeorgiayarns #handspinning #spinningsilk #silkfibre #silkfiberkit #spinningfiber #spinnersofinstagram #handspinnersofinstagram
–> Swipe to watch this bundle of fibres transform into an art yarn! ^_^ I am back from my holiday break but haven't felt motivated to pick up my scrapbooking supplies yet. (I partially blame my lack of a consistent work schedule… All these evening shifts have resulted in some very lazy mornings! 😅) Instead, I've been taking it slow and playing with some fibre projects. I treated myself to the Spinning Fibres Advent Calendar from sweetgeorgia and decided to split the colorful fibres into two batches: a purply-pink batch (this one, which includes some Fibre Candy from craftyjaks), and a bluish-teal batch. For this batch, I added some Angelina from fibre.2.fabric and some white fibres from my stash and blended them together to make an art batt, spun the batt into a chunky single, and coiled it onto some cotton thread to make my art yarn! I haven't quite decided what I'll do with the art yarn yet, probably save it in my stash for a framed weaving. ^_^
#artyarn #artyarnspinning #dropspindle #dropspindlespinning #artbatt #sweetgeorgiayarns #sosspinning
My sweet tweed batt sample, spun, plied, and set! (Yes, to carding more of this blend.) #supportedspinning #supportspindles #spindler #igspinners #igspindlers #mirkwoodspindles #nealbrandspindles #sosspinning #spinnersofinstagram #canonphotography #herhandspunhabit #herhandspunhabitheadquarters
Over at our SOS Articles section, find Debbie Held's @doodler01 "The Dish on Grist: Understanding Yards per Pound in Handspinning" now available for reading…
Often, a handpsinner will say that they spin yarn for relaxation’s sake, preferring "not to get all technical" and ruin the Zen of the experience. However, more practised spinners know the truth: the ability to spin any yarn you may need or envision is just added bliss. Becoming a more intentional spinner isn’t hard, but it does require tackling a subject that intimidates many: grist and yards per pound (YPP).
Now, before you peace out and stop reading, I’m here to tell you that grist and yards per pound aren’t difficult, and that the concept of grist is well worth tackling. (I’m also here to say that if I can tally the YPP of a skein of handspun, you can too.)
A few years ago, I started forcing myself to record the YPP of every yarn I spun. This has changed the way I think about my yarn and my spinning, and calculating YPP is now second nature. Ultimately, knowledge of grist can make you not just a more thoughtful spinner, it can help broaden your skill set exponentially, in ways you won’t believe.
Continue reading Debbie's post at the School—direct link in our IG bio!
#sosspinning #debbieheld #handspinning #handspinningyarn #spinningyarn #yardsperpound #handspun #handspinnersofig #handspinnersofinstagram #schoolofsweetgeorgia
Started spinning a braid of Targhee wool on the Nano 2. This time I'm trying to be more consistent and intentional with my drafting. I'm thinking I'd like this skein to eventually become part of a shawl.
(Fiber is from sweetgeorgia in colorway "Tapestry")
#spinnersofinstagram #espinner #dreamingrobots #targhee #handspunyarn #espinnersofinstagram #sosspinning #handspinning
We talk about balance in our lives or balanced yarn in our spinning, as if it’s the ultimate destination. There is a special allure in the word "balanced," as if attaining this stasis is somehow an accomplishment. But what if we considered twist balance in handspinning as more of a moving target than an end point, much in the way we think about the woollen and worsted continuum? In so doing, we can learn to manipulate twist amounts to our best advantage. …
'Spinning a Balanced Yarn: Marker or Milestone?' written by Debbie Held @doodler01 is another one of the fabulous new articles recently added to the School. Continue reading more at the SOS site–direct link in bio »
#sosspinning #spinning #handspinning #handspun #handspinnersofig #spinnersofinstagram #schoolofsweetgeorgia
Reminder to join us today for our final Zoom meetup as part of the Spinning Study Group: Working from Fleece with Kim McKenna @claddaghfibrearts! Starting today, November 10th at 11:00 AM PT (2:00 PM ET), bring along the fleece you've scoured, prepped, and spun over the past six weeks and share it with us as we wrap up this fabulous and fun group study.
Find the Zoom link at the SOS Events Calendar (link in IG bio). We'll see you soon!
#sosspinning #sosspinningstudygroup #schoolofsweetgeorgia #fleeceprep #fibreprep #handspun #claddaghfibrearts
As daily life can become busy, taking back a bit of every day for crafting is my happy place. Learning new skills by myself can feel challenging and being the only fiber-obsessed human in my household, lonely too. There is a reason make-alongs are so popular with so many crafters: even if we love our “me time,” sharing the process and the takeaways make it more meaningful as it didn’t stay only with us, but may have helped someone else too.
At Greta Cornejo's @gretacornejomakes new article: Level Up Your Fibre Arts Skills with Study Groups, Greta shares more about how these study guides have helped her along her own journey of exploring the different SOS course content. Helping her to level up her own learning. Find the article at the SOS site (direct link in bio)!
Note: We recommended you print your Spinning Exercise worksheets on card stock since you'll be hanging your handspun samples on it.
Module 1: Fibre Prep & Drafting
- Download the Fibre Preparation Notes (1 out of 7 files)
- Download the Drafting Notes & Semis Chart (2 out of 7 files)
- Download the Spinning Exercise Worksheets for Module 1
- Download the Tools Resources List
Module 2: Fibre & Finishing
- Download the Module 2: Fibre & Finishing Notes (3 out of 7 files) here >>
- Purchase a Spinning Sampler Kit here!
Module 3: Twist & Ply
- Download the Module 3 Twist & Ply Notes (4 out of 7 files) here >>
- Download the Module 3 spinning worksheet here!
- If you want a wooden adapter to turn your wheel into a bobbin winder, visit Katrina's shop here!
Module 4: Spin Control
- Download the Module 4: Spin Control notes here (5 out of 7 files)!
- Download the Module 4 spinning worksheet here!
Module 5: Colour in Spinning Fibre
Module 6: Project Planning
Spinning Tools & Fibre Resource List
These are the tools that Katrina used in her course:
- Akerworks bobbins
- Akerworks Lazy Kate
- Control card (diameter control)
- Wraps per Inch (WPI) tool
- Eric’s tool for rewinding bobbins
- Leclerc bobbin winder
- Schacht Bobbin winder
- Schacht Sidekick Spinning Wheel
- Schacht Matchless Spinning Wheel
- Ashford Drum Carder
- Majacraft Hackle
- Majacraft Mini wool Combs
- SweetGeorgia Yarns spinning fibre braids
- Katrina’s batts
- Katrina’s rolags
- Katrina’s rovings
Remember your 15% off discount as a SOS member available here: https://www.schoolofsweetgeorgia.com/sweetgeorgia-discount/
Course Content
About Instructor
Course Includes
- 37 Lessons
- Course Certificate
