tools of the trade
Hackles – Another Funny Named Fiber Processing tool
In late January I ordered another cool fiber processing tool but it arrived around the time my baby cat passed away, so it took me…
Making Balled Headpins
Since the New Year I started making balled headpins again. I really like the look of them versus the more common flat head (although…
Spinning Accessories: Ashford Niddy Noddy Jumbo
I love that spinning accessories are relatively inexpensive – and are often times handcrafted. You can easily purchase a drop spindle and get started spinning…
Jumbo Knitting Needles: (Not Quite) The Biggest I Have Seen
I was browsing Michael’s the other day and I was happy to see these jumbo knitting needles size 50(!). Since I had a coupon I…
Tabletop Fleece Picker
I have been combing and carding a lot of fleece this month. I’m actually squirreling away my pulled top. It’s the “premium” stuff so I…
Combing Fiber with St. Blaise Carding Combs
I’ve been combing fiber like mad while we’ve been here in Nova Scotia. After watching Robin Russo’s DVD Combing Fiber I was convinced to give it…
Cool Tool: Bond America’s USM (Ultimate Sweater Machine)
My husband & children got me the USM (Ultimate Sweater Machine) by Bond America for my birthday this year. I have been researching and going…
The Fleece & Fiber Sourcebook: Invaluable
The Fleece & Fiber Sourcebook has been absolutely invaluable in my studio. It is my fleece “bible”. I go to it every time I buy a…
Creativity On-the-Go
Proving that I do indeed create everywhere whenever possible here is my workspace from the passenger seat of our Jeep Commander… From our recent road…
Drum carding with the Brother Drum Carder
Back in January, I started a thorough search for a drum carder…I had massed a decent amount of fleece and really was not looking forward…
Fantastic Handcrafted Yarn Swift
That’s a horrible picture of a fantastic product. I have wanted a yarn swift for quite some time, even before I was spinning my own…
Leclerc Bobbin Winder & Storage Bobbins
Spinning so many singles means my handful of bobbins for my wheel just isn’t cutting it anymore for storage. Upon doing some research, I was…
Making Handspun Yarn – the Tools Involved
I have been having a fabulous time learning all about spinning since purchasing my first spinning wheel in February. I’ve been spinning wool roving mostly from my…
Cool Tool: Tube Wringer
I can’t resist a new gadget, especially if it is an affordable one. So with my Contenti order last week for polishing buffs, I found…
Tool & Supplies: Nu Gold Sheet
I needed some fine polishing buffs, so I decided to order a product called “nu gold” along with them to try. I bought sheet in…
Cool Tools: What I Got for My Birthday…
I am incredibly lucky to have an extremely supportive spouse. Perhaps maybe too much so: he loves cool tools as much as I do so…