Drop Spindle for Beginners, with Amanda Hannaford
If you’ve ever fancied trying your hand at spinning up your own yarn then this is the class for you. Spinning extraordinaire, Amanda Hannaford, is here to show you how.
Using what is called either a drop or suspended spindle, you’ll learn how to add twist to turn loose fibres into thread. You will then discover how doubling the thread and turning the spindle in the opposite direction results in a balanced 2ply yarn, eventually working with much longer continuous lengths of yarn, discovering how to finish it beautifully. At the end of the class you will have a complete knowledge of spindle spinning and plying, allowing you to go away and create your own yarn for use in your favourite crafting technique, whether that be knitting, crochet or weaving!
Skill Level Information (what will be covered): The class is aimed at beginners. No prior knowledge or experience of spinning is necessary.
What is included? Grippy Tops will be provided as class materials, as these are the easiest to start with. You will also receive a voucher for a beverage of your choosing from the pop-up MOW café.
What do students need to bring? Nothing, just an open mind and a willingness to learn something new. Spindles and tops will be provided, you can take away a length of spun yarn at the end of the class. We will have beginner spindles on hand, if you would like to purchase one after the class.
If you click the link below then you will be taken to our booking system on Eventbrite to complete your booking. You’re also more then welcome to give us a bell (+44 (0)1769 579861) and book over the phone if you would prefer. Thanks!
Time: 2:00 pm to 3:30 pm – 1.5 hours. Please arrive 30 mins before event starts
Date: Saturday 17th June, 2023
Location: The Mayor’s Parlour, South Molton Town Hall, EX36 3AB
Price: £40.00 including materials
For more information about our Mill Open Weekend celebrations please visit our website.
We are so looking forward to throwing our doors open and inviting you inside for our MOW celebrations!
– The Mill Folk x
Tutor Bio: Amanda has been spinning for about forty years, and dyeing for nearly as long. She is a member of Liskeard Spinners, Somerset, Peter Tavy and the Online Guilds and has had work selected for several Association Exhibitions. As well as teaching workshops and masterclasses around the UK and Europe she has also taught at all but two of the Association Summer Schools since 2007. In 2015 she was invited to teach for two weeks in Kabul, Afghanistan, and the following year she spent five weeks teaching in a textile workshop in Tibet plus being invited back there in 2018 for a further three weeks.
She holds the National Association of Guilds’ Certificates of Achievement in spinning and dyeing, and has a City & Guilds Stage 1 teaching certificate.
Although her passion for dyeing started with natural dyes, which also formed the bulk of her certificate portfolio, over the years she has tried many differ