Silk, mohair, alpaca, and fine wool all have the power to transform cotton, the fibre of everyday life, into something very special. In this workshop we will spin samples of luxury fibres that add a softer hand, a gentle sheen, a slight halo, added warmth, reduced weight, or improved drape to the comfort of cotton. Participants will be guided through preparing and spinning samples of cotton/silk, cotton/mohair, cotton/alpaca and cotton/wool yarns. Finished skeins, samples, and garments will be on display and discussed to illustrate the importance of finishing to allow these yarns to show off their special properties.

Participants will spin samples of at least 4 different cotton-blend luxury yarns and design at least one of their own. After this workshop you will be able to create hand carded preparations that draft well and will be able to spin this into a fine yarn. Colour skills will have been used to create tints, tones, and shades blending fine natural coloured fibres with vibrantly dyed long staple cotton top.

Creating Luxurious Yarns from Cotton, Silk, Mohair, Wool, and Alpaca

Roslyn Darling

Morning

Bring With You

- moderately fast spinning wheel (12 :1 to 17:1) or spindles (11 g to 15 g)
- extra-fine wool or cotton carders
- tensioned lazy kate and extra bobbins (3 or 4)
- scissors
- ruler
- small digital scale (optional)

Creating Luxurious Yarns from Cotton, Silk, Mohair, Wool, and Alpaca

Roslyn Darling

Silk, mohair, alpaca, and fine wool all have the power to transform cotton, the fibre of everyday life, into something very special. In this workshop we will spin samples of luxury fibres that add a softer hand, a gentle sheen, a slight halo, added warmth, reduced weight, or improved drape to the comfort of cotton. Participants will be guided through preparing and spinning samples of cotton/silk, cotton/mohair, cotton/alpaca and cotton/wool yarns. Finished skeins, samples, and garments will be on display and discussed to illustrate the importance of finishing to allow these yarns to show off their special properties.

Participants will spin samples of at least 4 different cotton-blend luxury yarns and design at least one of their own. After this workshop you will be able to create hand carded preparations that draft well and will be able to spin this into a fine yarn. Colour skills will have been used to create tints, tones, and shades blending fine natural coloured fibres with vibrantly dyed long staple cotton top.

Items to Bring

- moderately fast spinning wheel (12 :1 to 17:1) or spindles (11 g to 15 g)
- extra-fine wool or cotton carders
- tensioned lazy kate and extra bobbins (3 or 4)
- scissors
- ruler
- small digital scale (optional)

Roslyn Darling

Roslyn Darling has taught spinning for many years. She is a graduate of the OHS Spinning Certificate Program and was awarded her Master Spinner Certificate in 2019. The full title of her In-Depth Study was Homogeneous Blends of Long Staple Cotton and Fine Protein FIbres for Spinning Three Ply Knitting Yarns. She really just likes to play with fibre and colour.

Morning

Roslyn Darling has taught spinning for many years. She is a graduate of the OHS Spinning Certificate Program and was awarded her Master Spinner Certificate in 2019. The full title of her In-Depth Study was Homogeneous Blends of Long Staple Cotton and Fine Protein FIbres for Spinning Three Ply Knitting Yarns. She really just likes to play with fibre and colour.