Spinning at Casey Farm

As the guild membership knows a trip to the Farmers' Market is always a wonderful time. Several guild members arrived to spin, eat and talk.

Hope to see some of you there in September..............

The remainder of 2009 is a busy one for the guild. Check out our schedule in the sidebar. Here is a preview to help you plan.

August 15 Washington County Fair.

As for Washington County Fair this year due to the number of members we have we will be doing things a bit different this year. We will be scheduling people, there are people who would like to attend during the week and there are some who would like to attend during the weekend. You will need to let Sharon know in advance what days you can attend. Also you will need to be a member in standing with the Rhode Island Spinning Guild and a current member by July's meeting in order to receive a ticket. This year we will be inviting the CT Nutmeg Spinning Guild and the BayBerry Guild.


September will be at Casey Farm in the AM and Slater Mill in the afternoon.

October will be a extended metting it will be held from 12:00 to 5:00 and we will be doing another carding day since the last one was very successful.

November will be another extended meeting from 12:00 to 5:00 and we will be have members demonstrating different plying techniques. If you know of a plying technique please let me know, we would love for you to demonstrate it.

Marva, Sharon, Sandi

The Third Annual RI Sheep and Wool Festival

The RI Spinning Guild was out in full force for the 3rd Annual Sheep and Wool Festival. Many, many thanks to Linda R and her committee for all their hard work to put R I on the fiber map.

Here are some pictures of the day...........................

Carol, our weaver, and Beth works diligently to finish the shawl:



Here's a better shot of the weaving pattern:



David demonstrates the ins and outs of flax preparation:

RISG at Sachuest

If you get a chance take a ride up to Sachuest Wildlife Refuge. RISG members volunteered to spend the day spinning and demonstrating for the public. We also had the opportunity to take a nature walk as well as view an exhibit by nature photographer David Farmer. My personal favorite was his Blue Heron.

The nature walk along the ocean was beautiful.

Looks like there has been a bit of confusion as to where and when we are meeting in April.

Here's where will meet:
Coventry Historical Society
April 18th, 12 -4 pm

The Weekend That Keeps Giving

Joy is the best word to describe The Gathering. Every two years we gather with other fiber enthusiasts and indulge ourselves in pure fiber and workshops to our heart's desire.

The workshops are numerous and all of us wish we could take every one of them. I very much enjoyed my workshops with Myrna Stahman and Abby Franquemont. I learned something new from both. Visit Abby's blog and here's a link to Mryna Stahman's Seaman's Scarf pattern. Visit my blog for more details.

A Spinning Podcast

I have discovered a wonderful podcast about spinning. The name is Yarnspinners Tales and can be downloaded directly into a file on your computer for your listening pleasure whenever you wish. You can also download the pod cast to an iPod and take it with you. There is also an accompanying blog.The host has a very soft soothing voice well suited to this medium. I find her very relaxing to listen to.

In some episodes the host will talk about different techniques including how to comb, card, wash and prepare fleece. There are dyeing episodes and a couple on cotton preparation.

Every month, she tries to have a “spin in” episode. In these episodes, you will learn about different sheep breeds, including their history of origin, how they became available in the United States and what part of the country they are most common to. She goes on to give information on the micron count, staple length, how they respond to combing and carding, and several other things. If you enjoy the technical side of spinning I think you will like this part of her pod cast the most.

It’s not necessary to start with the first episode. Sometimes there are stories about her life and the farm, or readings from a literary works from the 1800s. You do hear the spinning wheel in the background as she talks, which makes you feel right at home as you spin on yours, or move your needles along.

I also especially enjoy the open song “Spinning Wheel” by Clare Dowling, and the “Baa Baa Black Sheep” song by Wren Ross. Usually there is some other music as well.

I hope you check this enjoyable recording out when you have a moment. Debbie R.