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Greek and Albanian Spinning: A Closer Look at a Unique Method

I learned this method of Greek and Albanian Spinning with spindle and distaff from a woman who grew up in Greece. I have also found evidence of this spinning method in Romania...
puni rolag fauxlag psuedo rolag
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Puni, Rolag, Fauxlag, Psuedo Rolag

All fiber bundles for spinning - but with very unusual names! What's the difference? Besides sounding like a child's nonsense song ("...puni rolag fauxlag psuedo rolag..."), what do these funny words mean? Well, they are all bundles…
Lendrum Spinning Wheel on the Patio
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10 minute post exercise - I love to spin

I love to spin. Why?  I'm not sure. Is it the feel of the fiber in my hands?  The mystery of changing it from locks to roving to squooshy, loveable yarn?  Is it the myriad colors, whether shiny or matte or dull or sparkly? Is…
Turkish Spindle

Turkish Spindle Answer: From The Email Archives

Q: How does the Tromp and Treadle Turkish Spindle work? I am not familiar with it. Thanks. - Sharon A: It works the same as any turkish-style spindle. As you wind on your yarn, you go
Blog Round Up

Blog Round-Up

This list may seem random - the only thing unifying them is that I like to read them.  They are not listed in any particular order. Jenny the Potter Deb Robson - The Independent Stitch Habetrot (I know it has not been posted to…
Yarn Check

Yarn Check - Keeping Consistent While Spinning

When I am spinning for a specific project, I want to keep the yarn consistent from beginning to end. Here are a few things I do to help achieve that goal. First, I'll pinch off the yarn near the orifice, and pull a length out…
An early tangle from 2012. (c) Andrea Mielke Schroer

The Year of the Motif

For me, 2012 was The Year of the Motif.  It was a defining year. The last five years of my life have been vastly different for me from what I had previously known.  I met my husband, got married, had a baby, then another baby; my sister…
Baby doll in a red handknit dress.

Baby Doll

We were out rummage-saling last weekend.  Auto Correct says rummage-saling is not a word?  Really? Anyways, I happened to notice this little guy in a box of toys, with a 50-cent sticker on his head.  On a whim, I scooped him and up and…
Classic Brooks Bouquet
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Why is it called Brooks Bouquet?

    I've been playing with Brooks Bouquet again lately, in preparation for an upcoming weaving class in which we are going to be working with several hand-manipulated techniques. I get really hung up on nomenclature -…