in the fiber weaving store on a field trip. Yes, we are still studying sheep and today’s journey led us to a spinning lady way across town. I figured the boys would be bored stiff, but I was looking forward to learning how this ancient craft is done. I’m prone to try any new fangled craft set before me, so now I’m itching to get my eBay fleece in the mail. The window to the wool spinning world was opened to me this afternoon…. and never shall I be the same again.
So here’s what I learned today from the weavers and spinners:
1. KoolAid can dye wool and it contains the same poisonous dye that is in RIT clothing dyes. Scary. (I did comment to the spinner at that point that it is similar to eating Saran Wrap… you have to eat twenty-four boxes to have traces of cancer.)
2. If everyone in the world would learn to spin and participated in spinning for ten minutes a day, there would be no wars. (Gandhi taught all his followers to spin….. on the flip side, Jesus said, “Feed my sheep.” hhhmmmmmm.)
3. Bright HOT pink bougainvillea when boiled, dyes white wool yellow. Go figure. Here is bougainvillea, for those unfamiliar with this gorgeous flowering desert vine. (And that’s my first published book too…. please go read excerpts and order one at www.LindaCrosby.com)
3. You do not eat with a Navajo fork. It is strictly used to bat down the hills of wool in the loom.
4. A Hip Spindle is not a dance, however my husband has a few un-named moves that this could apply to. Here is a hip spindle.
There were several other techniques and truths learned, but I’ll spare you just now. I will for surely blog about my fleece’s bath, dye, carding and spinning as the action unfolds.
Tags: bouganvilla, dye, field trip, Ghandi, homeschool, homeschooling, Jesus, KoolAid, mom, motherhood, RIT dye, sheep, spindle, spinning, spinning wool, weaving, wool
My Sister's Jar 
September 26, 2008 at 3:00 am |
If my grandmother was still alive, I’d take you to see her weave. I remember as kids looking for the plants to boil for her to dye them red, black, gray, etc.. I could sit there for hours watching her. It is a lost art. I’m happy ya’ll could go and experience weaving.
September 26, 2008 at 8:03 am |
I want to learn to spin, too! And weave. And felt. I’ve always wanted to since I witnessed the Sheep-to-Sweater contest in Tatla Lake one year. Apparently a lot of wools are itchy because of the way they are processed. If prepared naturally they are less irritating.
September 26, 2008 at 1:53 pm |
There you go Ladies, a Zaza bag with sheep’s wool that are weaved into a masterpiece!