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Sunday 30 December 2012

More christmassy-ness

Merry (belated) Christmas everyone! Tanti auguri a tutti  per il natale (sono in ritardo)!

I hope you noticed Rudolf's red nose?  Hai visto il naso rosso di Rudolf?

After making about 20 I fancied a change from red and white - Dopo ho lavorato circa 20 palle bianco e rosso, ho voluto qualcosa un po' diverse...

(Designed by Arne and Carlos (55 Christmas balls to knit), yarn from Jamieson and Smith, www.shetlandwoolbrokers.co.uk )

Finally, now that the christmas knitting is over I'm back to spinning, what better way to spend a wet and sleety December afternoon?

Saturday 8 December 2012

Knitting Snowflakes

we have had two falls of snow in the past week, and all my December projects seem to have snowflakes:
Christmas baubles for the tree
Designs from Arne and Carlos' 55 knitted Christmas balls

hats for my girls
Design: Snawheid by Kate Davies available on Ravelry 
The blue seems to make the natural undyed white look whiter than when it is contrasted with the natural black - surprising!!
All knitted in Jamieson and Smith's Shetland Supreme (undyed white and black) and 2-ply Jumper weight (red and blues)

And finally some more balls, including a snowman (we havent had enough snow yet for a real one!).

Saturday 1 December 2012

Provisional UK workshop dates for 2013

Spinning, felting. dyeing and knitting - something for everyone!

So far next year's dates are provisional but this is what I have in mind- unless otherwise stated, all will be held in Perthshire, either Blackford, Auchterarder or Muthill.

To reserve a place please e-mail me at deborah.gray7@btinternet.com. A deposit of 30% will secure your place, refundable if I cancel or change the date to one that doesn't suit you, or transferable to another of my workshops, but not refundable if you cancel for any other reason.

I have still to confirm dates for my teaching programme in Italy for 2013 so some of the UK dates may have to be shifted to accommodate trips abroad (its a hard life!!!)

I am happy to deliver any of the workshops described below at other locations - if you can find 6 - 10 people, and a suitable venue, we could organise a weekend of workshops near you. E-mail me at the address above if you want to discuss this.

Fleece and Fibre Preparation £40 (morning, 3 hours) March 2nd, June 21st, plus in Shetland one morning during Shetland Wool Week and one morning during Strathearn Wool Week (both October)

Drop spindle spinning for beginners £40 (afternoon, 3 hours) March 2nd, June 21st, plus in Shetland one afternoon during Shetland Wool Week and one afternoon during Strathearn Wool Week (both October) - this workshop is also an exccellent foundation for those who wish to learn to use a spinning wheel
N.B. £10 discount if you book Fleece and Fibre Prep and Drop-spindle spinning on the same day

Spinning Wheel Basics for beginners or improvers £70 (5 hours tuition with a break for lunch) March 3rd, June 23rd plus in Shetland one day during Shetland Wool Week and one day during Strathearn Wool Week (both October)
N.B £10 discount if you bring your own spinning wheel
Solar dyeing - an eco-friendly and fibre-friendly method for dying natural fibres with natural dyes. Morning,3 hours £40 including sufficient materials to create two solar dye jars to take home and watch the colour develop. March 30th, June 9th, and one morning during Strathearn Wool week (october).

Gossamer felt scarf - create a wool scarf so fine and supple it is hard to believe it is really felt. Scarves can be decorated with wool, silk or other fibres during felting. Afternoon, 3 hours £25 including materials for one scarf. March 30th, June 9th, and one afternoon during Strathearn Wool week (October).

3-D seamless wet felt project create a hat, bag or bowl without seams and with the decoration felted on. 5 hours plus break for lunch £60 includes materials April 30th plus one day during Strathearn Wool Week (October)

Spinning in control and creating fancy plied yarns - this workshop is for those who have already mastered the basics of spinning using a spinning wheel. The moring will cover how to create precisely the yarn you need for any given project (including how do you know what you need, choice of fibre, preparation and spinning methods, getting the right thickness and amount of twist) In the afternoon we will look at how to create several styles of fancy plied yarns . 5 hours tuition plus break for lunch £70. April 20th, Sept 8th
N.B £10 discount if you bring your own spinning wheel

Playing with colour - for spinners or feltmakers; this workshop uses images from nature as inspiration and explores three different methods of mixing and blending fibres : creating new shades from primary colours; creating a gradient from one colour to its opposite; and mixing colour and texture to create art yarns. You will take away your blended fibres to spin or flet at home A very popular workshop. 6 hours tuition plus lunch break £80 April 21st, Sept 7th and one day during Strathearn Wool Week (October)

Advent calendar knit-along details to be confirmed November

Felt Advent calendar details to be confirmed November

Christmas decorations: knitted fair-isle or scandinavian style baubles - knit one, and take home instructions and materials for three more £25 afternoon 3 hours November 24th, 30th

Christmas decorations: felted stockings - make one large stocking or several small ones £35 afternoon 4 hours November 23rd, December 1st