riversedge wool & fiber: master spinning program vol one

March 23, 2007

master spinning program vol one

The quest for spinning excellence and the endless creative possibilities has been my passion for many years. As a member of the long island study spinners group I have immersed myself in this ancient craft, learning new techniques constanting. Spinning has also inspired the technical knowledge for fiber and yarn proprieties as they relate to all of my finished hand knit garments. This endless knowledge helps when considering commercial yarn for projects, knowing if a fiber warrants the price and also if the finished yarn will hold up when laundered. Having said all this, the next step was to research a master hand spinning certificate. The web became a logical place to start. I found programs in canada, and 2 here in the usa. Northeast Handspinners Rhode Island hand spinners and Handweavers Guild of America (HGA).

Last spring I contacted the Rhode Island Spinners Guild for their master spinners program. Living here on Long Island...it seemed the closest place to begin. Rhode Island has 3 levels (apprentice, journeyman and Master) to their program. The apprentice program has 5 sections. Each section has specific spinning techniques and fiber requirements. Knitted samples and a research paper relating to a hand spinning topic is also required. So I was off to the races... crash!!! as I really started to read and digest the general information for finished fiber, skeins and knitted samples...the final part of this process required design presentation for fiber/color/labeling/skein tags/fiber tags, etc. Having been a designer for some 30 years, I was able to read between the technical requirements and design a tagging system that meets the request of the RISG. This tagging system took many months of trial and error before I even could gather a visual picture to begin spinning. I hope helps all future master spinner applicants. GOOD LUCK!!!

Skein Tag and WPI Card