Spinning Cotton Fiber
Description: Workshop goal: To give students good basic techniques of carding cotton and making yarn from the cotton boll to the dyed sliver. This class is a basic introduction to cotton spinning and is designed to give the spinner an understanding of cotton, and how and why to adjust their wheel for this fine, short staple fiber. Students will learn how to card and make punis from ginned cotton. We will blend some dyed lint with the natural cotton to give us heathered yarn. Students will not only learn to spin from a puni but also proper techniques for spinning other cotton preparations. At the end of the day cotton singles will be plied so students can go home with a skein of designer cotton yarn.
- Introduction to cotton; kinds and properties.
- Carding cotton and making punis.
- Blending dyed colored cotton for heathered yarns
- Discuss how to dye/paint on cotton fiber
- Adjusting and understanding your wheel
- Techniques of spinning cotton from a puni, off the seed and sliver
- Plying cotton singles
Required Skills: Beginning/Intermediate spinners: Students must be familiar with their wheel and have some spinning experience
Instructor: Joan Ruane
Supplies Student Should Bring to Class: Spinning wheel in good working condition (no bulk spinners & bobbin driven wheels are not recommended unless fitted with lace attachment.) Should have at least a 12/1 ratio on their wheels (no wooly winders please), lazy kate, wheel maintenance items such as oil, extra belt, tools, et., hand carders (cotton preferred but wool acceptable, at least 3 empty bobbins, niddy noddy, dark lap cloth, scissors
Supplies Provided by Instructor: Instruction book, cotton fibers, puni sticks.
Day/Time: Saturday, Oct 19, 9:00 - 4:00 with a 1 hour lunch break
Sale Price: $115 (includes $20 materials fee) - for registration received no later than August 31.
Regular Price: $125 (includes $20 materials fee) - for registration received Sept 1 or later.