Thursday, July 03, 2008

HHHH questionnaire

1. How long have you been spinning? What skill level do you consider yourself?
I'm probably only intermediate, as I rarely have time to spin. I have had a wheel since the mid '80's.

2. What kinds of yarn do you create (singles/2-ply/3-ply/art yarn)?
It all depends on the fibre, and wished-for end product. I usually ply my yarns to 2 or 3 ply.

3. What do you spin with (spindle/wheel/both)?
I have an Ashford double drive, and a couple of spindles, but use the wheel more often.

4. What are your favourite fibres to spin with? Anything you don't like?
I love Gotland fleece, particularly the greyer the colour.
I also like blends of wool with silk, and plant fibres.
I don't like artificial fibres, but have been know to use a tiny amount of sparkly stuff at times.

5. Who are your favourite crack dealers fibre sources (etsy or otherwise)?
Here in the UK there are so many (Wingham Wools, Scottish Fibres, Crafty Notions - for the Falklands wool etc.)
I love the fibres on Susan's Spinning Bunny on eBay, and like the look of the merino/tencel mixes especially in a bright colour like Poppy.
I haven't begun to explore etsy properly yet.

6. What kind of fibre do you want to try?
Some of the fleeces not available in the UK, also any merino/silk/tencel mix.

7. Is there any techniques you would like to learn?
I need to get happy using a spindle

8. Do you dye fibre? If not, would you like to learn?
I often dye fibres, or I dye yarn that I have spun.

9. Do you have fibre prep tools (and like to use them) or would you prefer ready to spin fibre?
I have carders, and am happy to prepare fibres.

10. What do you do with your handspun? What projects have you completed?
I knit, or ocasionally crochet with the resultant yarn.
It usually ends up as clothing for myself or friends.

11. Are you in need of any spinning gadgets (WPI Gauge, threading hook, etc)?
I have both of those, but would love a very lightweight spindle.

12. What colours "fall into your shopping basket"? Any colours you just can't stand?
I love purples and bright jewel colours (everything tends to lighten up and dull down when spun), and avoid pastels and pale colours.

13. What is on your wheel/spindle right now?
A wool/silk mix in rusts that I am spinning up for a friend.

14. What other crafts/hobbies do you have?
I knit, garden, make ceramics using porcelain clay ....

15. Other than crafts, what are you passionate about?
Gardening

16. Do you have an online wishlist?
No

17. Is there anything that you collect?
Fine silk yarn and fabric, seed beads, other fine threads in natural fibres that might be knitted or used in embroidery

18. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on? What magazine subscriptions do you have?
I would love to get my hands on a Japanese Hamanaka 2.00/3.00 mm double ended crochet hook.
I subscribe to Selvedge

19. When is your birthday?
June 12th, so just missed it!

20. What book or movie character do you most resemble in personality?
No idea, I've never thought about it

21. What is the climate like where you live around this time (need to know for careful shipments of anything meltable)?
Summer, which means warm, sometimes hot, but no need for restrictions.

22. Tell us one weird fact about yourself!
I remembered this sign-up just in time, on June 30th. I usually miss out on signing up for exchanges.
I'm probably late filling this in!

FavouritesFavourite painting/picture(link):
One that influenced me years back is Paolo Ucello's "Rout of San Romano", with its rocking horse like figures.
We learnt about it in art lessons at school, and could see it at the National Gallery.

Candy:
Dark chocolate with at least 70% + cocoa content

Food:
Blackcurrants, spinach, Stilton ( but not all together)

Drink:
Water, green tea, red wine

Movie(s):
Nowadays, anything with subtitles so that I can make sense of it.

TV Show(s):
Dr Who, Grand Designs, coverage of Glastonbury, Six Feet Under ...

Book(s):
Usually detective stories, but it must break down into short parts as I rarely get to read until I'm in bed and drifting off to sleep.

Guilty Pleasure(s): Laceweight wool/silk knitting yarn in purples

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