Where does the time go?

It's hard to believe that in just over 2 weeks we will be on our way to Pennsic. I've been working hard to get my class ready. I will be presenting my research on spindle whorls, and hopefully people will be interested enough to give some of them a spin. When I am not working on my handout and outline, I've been making a banner to display by my tent:

These are my arms, which were approved since the last time we went to Pennsic. As an added bonus, I paneled the piece at Northern Region War Camp, and was given competency in applique. The next time I try that technique it will be a much smaller piece! (I received competency for the laidwork pillow as well.)

Also at War Camp, I took a class in spinning flax on the wheel. Happily for me, I was the only student. Henna was an excellent teacher. This was my first experience with a wheel, so I spent a long time just learning to treadle at an even pace. And to keep the wheel moving without thinking about it. It's harder than it looks. I learned how to properly dress the distaff and the correct technique for drafting the fibers.

Although I don't own a wheel, I think I will be able to translate these new skills to the drop spindle. I am anxious to get started.

spinning flax

I've decided it is time to start tackling one of my goals for 2013 - learning to spin flax. I've started with tow, which was given to me by someone who was giving up spinning. I have about a 200 gram ball of it. The fibers are fairly short - about 8 centimeters. I am using a modern 40 gram disk spindle. I decided I should start with something very easy to spin with, rather than a medieval style spindle, so that I wouldn't have to pay attention to too many things at once. Even so, I have dropped the spindle several times when I haven't noticed it back-spinning. But I am making progress - slowly. While it is not particularly difficult, I cannot take my eye off the "roving" if I want a consistent thread diameter. It is S-spun at 9-10 wraps per centimeter. That  might be a good gauge for weaving a basket cover.

It's a very different spinning experience from spinning wool or other animal fibers. It will take getting used to.