This is definitely a step back in time to the ¨real deal,¨ as Stuckart always reminds us.
This is my typical work space.
My spinning wheel (I´ve adopted it)
That´s my work
Here I am
Spinning the yarn from the bamboo thing onto the spool
It´s hard to see, but this is my hand after spinning all day. It´s black and red from the dye. I looked a sight...
My spools (I did that!):) So proud...
Katie, Yes you are making me proud. Wish I was there with you ! The tools you are using are similar to what weavers use all over the world. LaLivana is called a swift, umbrella swift, or yarn winder in English. I have one similar to it that I use when taking yarn from a bobbin I've spun to turn it into a skein of yarn for washing or dyeing. When putting yarn onto a cone, a weaving bobbin, or a ball of yarn we put the yarn back onto the swift and then wind it off of that. That is what you are doing. You are putting the yarn onto the swift and then making cones out of it to be used in making a warp for weaving. We would probably call the bicycle wheel tool a cone winder. Do they also use it to wind weaving bobbins on it ? Can they actually spin yarn on it too? They would be spinning off a sharp spindle if they do. There is a tool to turn the wheel called a wheel finger. People used them in Colonial times when spinning on a great wheel / wool wheel. It is a wooden dowel with a knob on the end. They also used their fingers like you are doing but the tool made it a little easier. I assume they are buying the yarn - is it cotton ?? Are they dyeing it ? It looks like there is a large loom in the photo? Are they using that for weaving or are they also using backstrap weaving techniques where the warp is tied to their waist? How do they make the warp for weaving - are they staking it out on the ground or are they using a warping board like we do? When you were washing you were also "fulling" the fabric. Fulling makes it fluff out and makes the weaving smoother and softer. We usually wash something after it is woven but stomping it makes it full out even more. The Scottish people call it waulking and have big waulking festivals. Please take lots of photos as I am anxious to see them when you get home. Is anyone actually spinning fiber - possibly wool? Have you seen anyone using a handspindle? If anyone has one for sale please buy it for me as I collect them.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy the rest of your stay. We are all proud of you. Give my regards to your hosts and tell them there are weavers in your home town too and we are very impressed with the weavings that come from Ecuador.
Regina
Um, let me first establish that you are speaking a different language!
ReplyDeleteI´m not sure I know what weaving bobbins are - check the photos from 6-23: Matilda at the cone winder - that might answer your question about the bike wheel being used for weaving bobbins.
I don´t know if they can spin yarn on the bike wheel. I haven´t seen them make or dye their yarn, which is all wool.
I wish I had that wheel finger to save my poor hand...
Yes, they have 3 large looms. I have pictures and will gladly show you everything when I get home. As far as I know, they just use those looms, no backstrap loom, and they don´t have any mechanized looms (unlike Jason´s family).
I think they use a warping board, if I´m thinking of the right thing. It´s a really big wooden thing and they wrap sring all up and down it in a pattern? I wish I had a picture of that. It might be in the background of one of mine.
Thanks for letting me know about the fulling. I thought it was some sort of washing technique. Haha. Good to know there was a purpose.
What does a handspindle look like?
I will, thanks!