Canadian, handspun wool

[Saki]

I realize that this may be a shot in the dark, but does anyone know where I could buy some nice handspun wool around BC???? I live in a very rural town, and when I buy from the internet, shipping is a killer.
Thanks

[Throkmorton]

I got some from the local farmer's market last summer, so you might want to try somewhere like that. Handspun is a bit of a challenge, though, and it can be very spendy.
Birkeland Brothers in Vancouver sells some handspun, but you're going to pay. http://www.shared-visions.com/wool/C...ry=Wool%20Yarn
It's about $15/lb for the handspun, and it only comes in one weight, which is too thick for my tastes.
If you really want, you could also just learn to spin on a drop spindle, that's what I did.

[chinacat]

Throkmorton, how did you learn? I would LOVE to learn to do that but i don't know anyone who knows. ist here a book or a site you could recommend?

thanks alot, Julia

[Throkmorton]

I learned completely online, with some old fiber that my aunt had and a homemade spindle.
http://www.icanspin.com/toc.htm has videos showing all of the various techniques

[Ellp]

Handspun yarn?

I've PM you about some handspun yarn...

Ellaine

[Ellp]

Learning to spin

Hi there,
I've been spinning (on an Asford Joy wheel) for the last 6 years, and its fun and relaxing.

I learned to spin just by watching other people. I really refined what I learned though by practice and by joining up with a spinning/weaving guild. The one in Vancouver here has monthly meetings that gather spinners together for a spinning night and you can learn a lot. I know that there are some guilds around Ontario and throughout Canada too.

If anyone wants more info on their local spinning guild, go to Yahoo groups and look for "Canspin". Its a Canadian spinners message board that is very friendly and full of info. You can post your questions there.

Hth

[chinacat]

Ellp, i found that yahoo group but it won't let me apply to join. I just get a board saying for members only.

[Saki]

I have been meaning to check the Spinner and Weaving guild in the Slocan valley. Have you heard anything about them?
I want to get started spinning, since I found some lacals that have Alpacas, but for now I must settle with knitting.
Oh so many things, so little time!

[Ellp]

Julia (Chinacat), you have to sign (register with) into Yahoo groups in order to access Canspin.

Here is the description from the main page of Canspin...
"Canspin is an email discussion group formed in 1998. It is for Canadian hand spinners. Although spinning is the thread that binds this group together, we welcome all forms of fiber artists. We talk about knitting, weaving, felting, dyeing as well as spinning and other forms of the fiber arts.

The group gives Canadian fiber artists a forum to keep in touch with what is happening around the country, and to share our knowledge and friendship with one another. We strive to maintain a friendly list with a minimum amount of moderating. We do not require members to stay on topic, and often times off-topic chatting occurs."