Report by Cath Snape.

A group of us had a fascinating workshop looking at designing a yarn.  We started with an image. Each of us brought a picture of something that inspired us; our images ranged from city skylines to country scenes to a fir cone collection.  We considered colours, shapes and texture.

Alison explained that fancy yarns can have irregularities in preparation, spinning and/or plying. We started by looking at preparation. Using hand carders we carded for texture, using wool neps, silk noils and different wools. All of us had a go, even if (like me) we wouldn’t have thought of it by looking at our picture.  I was pleasantly surprised with outcome, it gives a new dimension to the yarn that I hadn’t anticipated.

We then looked at irregularities in spinning – being shown have to spin thick and thin singles.  Next came irregularities in plying, using our thick and thin (slub) singles we created  spirals and beehives.

We also played at adding beads by threading beads on sewing cotton or adding them to wisps of fibre. Our encasement yarn had pieces of fabric trapped between the plies.

All in all a successful day. Thanks Alison.