About Woolwinding

Hiya, and welcome to my knitting and spinning blog… other things often intrude, mind. Generally sheep, but not always. Archaeology. Wales. Even, on one occasion, lipstick (the quest for the perfect red). Oh, and the perils of acquiring, somewhere along the way, a ‘friend’ who wants to know everything you’re doing even though you last met over ten years ago, and who stalks you to that end. Sheep are so much easier, but then they find using Twitter difficult.

Ahem.

I’m a freelance writer and editor in my more formal working life, specializing in non-fiction and especially food. I’m addicted to a) almost any yarn-based craft known to man, woman or sheep and b) gardening, often in the face of repeated disasters not unconnected to being on a windy Welsh hillside not far from the sea.

Me, a few years ago:

Eely

(The far north of Scotland in the background; a pet lamb who was far too big to still bottle feed in the foreground. Soft touch, moi?)

NB: text and images are both subject to copyright – thanks!

19 thoughts on “About Woolwinding”

  1. Shadow

    Greetings Kate,

    Good luck with your new woolly blog! You’re off to a great start! I will check in often.
    🙂 Shadow x

    Reply ↓
  2. Heike

    Dearest Kate,
    how lovely to find ‘Kate’ left a comment on my blog..thats how I found you and your lovely blog.
    I will add to my blog-roll and check back often
    Hope all is well
    Hugs from Heike x

    PS: Come to Fibre and Clay and do my Moebius course!!

    Reply ↓
    1. kate Post author

      Hello Heike! Yes, I’ve joined the blogiverse – at last, and I’m very much still learning (but very enthusuastic). The moebius course sounds great – I’ve had a go and got tangled up…

      Reply ↓
  3. forgetmeknotsgarden

    Kate: I found your blog through the blog group on ravelry. I really enjoyed reading the last post on blocking. I struggle with blocking. I have always soaked the item with water (and a small amount of dish detergent) and pinned. I have never tried to iron. The difference in your sweater made me think I should give steaming with a iron a try. Thanks for the info and the very interesting blog.

    Reply ↓
    1. kate Post author

      Thanks – and why not have a go? Just be careful and don’t burn yourself (like I did once – if you can, use a wet cloth and the iron set to no steam) or try it on acrylic (as I’ve done more than once, not good)….

      Reply ↓
  4. denise newey

    Hi Kate, the exotic fibres I sell range from Camel, Alpaca, bamboo, yak, silk, seacell, soybean, merino & silk mixes, milk protein and several fleece rovings.
    Denise

    Reply ↓
    1. kate Post author

      Thank you very much!!

      (I’ve got – had, I hope – a bit of a problem with a cyber stalker so I tend not to join in with things like this as I don’t want to transmit the problem to anyone else, but it’s much appreciated!)

      Reply ↓
  6. judytysmans

    We have Romneys, too! I know what you mean about the smell of the lanolin, and the yearning to get your fingers into that lovely, greasy fleece. Thanks for all your thoughts and pictures. I’m in the US, but sounds like knitting and spinning groups are pretty similar across the ocean–wish I could join you someday.
    Judy in NC

    Reply ↓
    1. kate Post author

      Hi Judy – Romney fleeces on tap, you lucky woman, you! I can always tell when I’ve not been doing enough fleece spinning – my hands dry up. Hopefully a new joy will be arriving in my office aka fleece store very soon, yum. Mind you, there’s fleece and fleece. Some are definitely not for approaching in the raw…

      I’m sure the groups are all good – I’ve a friend who spends part of the year in the States and who takes her portable wheel and joins in when she travels. United by wool!

      Reply ↓
  7. oklahomeredwrites

    I found your blog while searching for knitting circle ideas/images (I used one of your images, it seems to be public domain as there isn’t a photo credit. Please let me know if it isn’t) . My little Knitting Circle in Oklahoma, USA, made international news when we launched a social movement here. I’m going to share your article on feminism and knitting on our new facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Worldwide-Feminist-Knitting-Circle/880268452007476?ref=hl

    Here’s an article from the BBC “Did a Feminist Knitting Circle and a Hashtag Take Down An Alleged Serial Rapist?” http://www.bbc.com/news/blogs-trending-30317799

    Reply ↓
    1. kate Post author

      The first thing is yes, as far as I know it’s in the public domain – I always try and credit if I can track down an owner… and thanks so much for the share… At the moment the only thing our knitting group could launch would be a big ship entirely made of yarn as out collective stashes have got rather out of control – I salute you for being a lot more worthy and congratulate you on the results – very impressive.

      (But we have brought knitting into the pub – and the public domain, ho ho – and shown that it’s not just the preserve of lazy clichés. Even if I’m still trying to persuade a male knitting friend to join us. Him: ‘People will think I’m gay.’ Me: You are gay. And anyway, you’re wearing a sarong, the needles won’t be the clinching factor.’)

      Reply ↓
  8. Michelle Willis

    Hi Kate,

    I just stumbled across your blog via Pinterest. I’ve bookmarked you to come back (fibro fog permitting!) to read more! I’m currently researching a book on the history of knitting and the fibre arts in Wales. Would you mind if I found something useful on your blog if I used it and credited you in the book?

    Thanks a lot.
    Michelle

    Reply ↓

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