Spinning With Maggie

I have had a most awesome two day workshop. I will try to hold in my gushing about it.  But it was SO!AWESOME!!

Maggie is a fantastic teacher.  I learned so very much, with many facts finally sinking in, and worked on finessing and/or honing many other techniques.

So worth the time, effort, and money spent on the whole experience.

We had about 15 in the class, ranging in experience from someone who had spun 2 pounds of wools on a drop spindle (!), to those who knew not which end of a wheel to spin from. We came from the western slope, the front range, Nebraska, and Texas. And other places, but those are what I remember.

Personally, what really sunk in were 'fleece facts', stuff like crimp and strength and such.  (I had read, but now I have seen and done.  My learning cycle is complete.) Also, the difference in woolen and worsted yarn and how to spin for both.  (I am pausing just now to review in my mind the exact difference...woolen=lofty fuzzy, carded...worsted=silkier, smoother, combed...by george, I think she has it!)

Personally, technique-wise, I have moved past short forward draw/inch worm style of drafting.  Friday afternoon, I finally had the long draw method 'sink in'.  I was afraid to say anything for a while, for fear that Maggie would walk over to see, and the spell would be broken!  But there I was-spinning and smiling...and long-drawing...

I learned a better, and by better, I mean way easier, way to card, and a smoother way to ply.

And regarding the worsted/woolen thing, we spent some time learning to spin worsted yarn in a couple of way, including spinning from the fold.

Yes, my head is full.

Also my heart, because if I didn't love Maggie before (she sold Betsy to me, and educated me on drum carders) I do now!

(and I might buy a drum carder today...who knows) (I mean, it's raining and what else is there to do?)