#griffin dyeworks spinners

[griffindyeworks]

Spin Together is a social, friendly competition of a week of spinning from Feb 22-March 1. Griffin Dyeworks hosts a team, and we welcome spinners of all skill levels and tool preference! We have daily virtual check ins and hopefully some in-person as well (Los Angeles and wherever we have multiple team members). It’s a great opportunity to meet spinners, ask and give advice, and dedicate a little time to spinning each day.

It’s $15 to join, and Griffin Dyeworks can cover that for you if needed, just message me. Learn more and sign up until Feb 15 at http://spintogether.org with Griffin Dyeworks Spinners!

(Ignore the preview text, the website is up to date)

[griffindyeworks]

My grandma taught me to crochet. I also did some of those canvas needlepoint things. I started sewing pillows and blankets for my dollhouse beds, then clothes for my dolls, then clothes for me. I enjoyed bead weaving and beaded jewelry and friendship bracelets, which are usually a variation on knots and weaving.

I taught myself knitting and needle tatting from books as a teen.

I went to a Griffin Dyeworks Retreat in 2004-ish as a knitter and very new spinner on a drop spindle. I left knowing how to use a spinning wheel and a spindle and the basics of natural dyeing. It was mostly SCA people at that time.

I owned Griffin Dyeworks outright from 2015-2022, when we reincorporated as a nonprofit for teaching historic textile arts (which includes promoting indigenous arts and artists).

In the meantime, I’ve learned kumihimo, lucet, naalbinding, sprang, embroidery, cross stitch, warp-face “inkle”weaving, rigid heddle weaving, card weaving, tapestry weaving, and weaving on a back strap loom.

I think that’s everything.

do NOT get into fibre arts!!!! you try one and then all of a sudden you have 10 hobbies and wanna try 10 more

[straypotatoes]

I participated in Spin Together again this year, lots of fun as always. I wanted to run through some of my stash while highlighting small/regional suppliers of fiber (and, of course, rack up a decent yardage). Since I used spindles exclusively, I knew I’d never rack up the miles that wheel- and e-spinners get, but I didn’t do too badly The final pic shows 707 “real” yards of 2-play and chain-ply, which counts for 2393 yards of spinning credit, as per ST rules (that many yards of spinning went through my hands to make the final yarn, basically). Fiber sources under the cut, for anyone interested.

1. Copia Cove Icelandic roving, the only fiber I didn’t prep myself this year. (x)

2. Aspendale Farm grey Romney, combed. (x)(x)

3. Iron Water Ranch white/cream Romney cross, combed. (x)

4. Silverwolf Farms brown Shetland, combed. (x)

5. SpringSong Farm white Corriedale, carded with recycled sari silk. (x)(x)

Shoutout to Griffin Dyeworks for sponsoring a team this year!

[griffindyeworks]

Join us for Spin Together!

Spin Together is an international celebration (with a little competition) of hand spinning! For the week of Feb 17-24, you spin whatever you want - as much as you can. Your totals are tallied with your team, and prices (electronic gift cards) are distributed to winners in a variety of categories. You can read all the deals on the Spin Together website.

If you're looking for a team, Griffin Dyeworks Spinners has space for you!

Many of us are historical re-enactors - but not all of us.

Many of us spin on hand spindles for the week - but not all of us.

Many of us are in Southern California - but not all of us!

We have a FB group and Discord, daily (non required) check ins, and welcome spinners of all skill levels. We're not in it to win it - we all set our own personal goals. My goal is usually to spin a little every day - I usually get between 40-300 yards completed. Our most prolific hand spinner gets 2000 yards! One year my goal was to spin a different type of fiber every day. It was really fun and educational putting deliberate focus on my spinning, which I usually don't do.

I hope you'll consider joining us this year! There's a $15 reg fee, which I can cover for you if needed.

Sign up ends Feb 4! http://spintogether.org