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I never intended to be a spinner.
In 1984, we got a couple of sheep just
to keep the weeds on the back half acre down. Since I was a knitter and a
weaver, I saw sweaters and maybe a coverlet on the hoof but didn't need
another hobby. Still, it seemed a shame to let that wool go to waste.
So I bought a spinning wheel fully
intending to spin up maybe 1 or 2 fleeces for a couple of sweaters, the
coverlet and maybe some socks. Never intending to spin any more than that
I got the cheapest wheel I could find and went off to take a beginning
spinning class. And another beginning class, followed by still another
beginning class. I simply could not get the hang of it. It finally came
together after two years, a second wheel, and sheer determination.
It was after that AHA! Hey, this is FUN! moment when the inevitable
happened. Yes, one thing started leading to another and another and
another. The first thing was a trip to England where we were exposed to
Jacob sheep. It was love at first sight. And that led to the second
thing: a sheep farm. We've had the farm since 1991 and yes, we have
Jacobs, plus a few Romneys, and some llamas.
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A felted tote bag knit of Jacob yarns holds
skeins for a sweater.We have a limited number of skeins of mill spun Jacob
yarn avaliable. The yarn is suitable for knitting, weaving, or crochet.
It takes dyes well and has a high degree of feltability.
1998 was also the first year I
attending the Aurora Colony Antique Spinning Wheel Showcase, held in
Aurora, OR every March, where I became infected with the antique spinning
wheel collection bug. Which led to a collection of 23 wheels.
A large bin of mylar fiber waits
to be spun while the completed skeins rest in a basket. I spin at least
40 lbs of mylar per year for use in the sports fishing industry. The
wheel, a Marg Electric, is dedicated
to producing 100% mylar yarns.
Spinning - I love it. Can't wait to see where it leads me next. And to
think that it all started with two sheep.
Llyn
Llyn with her newest wheel love:
"Fiona," a Lennox Irish Castle wheel.
To contact Llyn:
Shepherds Moon Farm
LLyn Payne & Carel van Velthuyzen
Camas Valley, OR 97416
e-mail: lpayne@wmni.net or
cvv73@hotmail.com
Phone: 541-445-2017
Jacob fleeces & yarns. Spinning Lessons. Custom spinning.
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Pheobe, a Jacob ewe, out standing in her
field.
Jacob fleece ready for processing.
The wheel in the background is a left handed Reeves Norwegian.
We have several nice Jacob fleeces avalible for immediate shipment or will
take orders for fleeces from next years clip.
Getting settled on the farm led to finding and
joining the local spinning guild.
Membership in the guild brought with it access to participating in judged
shows, workshops, hands on guild programs, and many good friendships with
other spinners. It also led to a scholarship to SOAR 1998 which was
an extraordinary spinning growth and learning experience
The star of my small
collection of antique spinning wheels: This Lyman Wight Pendulum Wheel
(patent 1856) was manufactured by Justin B. Wait in Waitsville, Wisconsin
sometime between 1862 and 1871. Missing several parts when found, it has
been lovingly restored to full operating condition by Ron Antoine.
Then a production spinning job came along. I now
produce custom yarns for the sports fishing industry.
I spin daily, probably about an hour a day on average when I'm not doing
the production work. A production run will have me at the wheel for 3 to
4 hours a day for two to 3 days and I do no other spinning during this
time to avoid any cross contamination of fibers.
A few of my handspun
projects:
An Aran sweater knit with fleece from Mary, a Romney ewe.
A lacy knit scarf of Merino. A crew neck sweater made from naturally
colored Suffolk wool from a whether named "Dwight". The woven scarf is
made from randomly spun, Navajo plied appaloosa llama fleece. The vest
(center) is made from carding room floor sweepings.
The socks are
(from l to r) Romney, a merino/tencel blend, naturally colored Suffolk,
and Floor Sweeping blend.
Spindles are: Back: one of Linda's Moutons Left: Lollipop Right:
Silver Goose
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