I’m super excited to share the news… It’s finally time for the Big Reveal.

It’s All About the Crimp!

No, I didn’t get around to remodeling the house yet. But, you know how I geek out a bit when I’m studying ‘bout wool and fiber!

Maybe you’ve listened to me excitedly share some factual tidbit about the Bond or Corriedale. Or I’ve handed you a luscious crimpy lock or two in admiration over the past months.

What I’m trying to tell you is the Spring 2019 issue of PLY Magazine is out. It’s digitally arriving in email boxes or a mailbox near you right now. I got mine today!

And guess what?

I’m one of the contributors with my article, The Bold Crimp of Bond

I share my findings in a side-by-side comparison of the Bond & Corriedale breeds in an interesting, crimp behavior study.

Before I share a bit about my studio time, behind the scenes of this article …

I have a few questions for all you spinners. What are your thoughts about crimp? I mean, we all know wool has crimp, but what does this mean to us as hand spinners? How much thought have you really given to crimp when you sit down at your wheel or pick up your drop spindle?

I challenge you to give the article a read. I look forward to having a conversation with you about crimp and what it means to you? I’m curious.

 

Now here’s a bit of my journey… the backstory of The Bold Crimp of Bond.

My first order of business in preparing for the crimp study was to acquire the fleeces. I’d be starting with raw wool, washing to preserve the lock structure, and doing various types of hand processing.

I went in search of true-to-breed standards for both the Bond and the Corriedale. I’m thankful to Deborah Robson & Carol Ekarius for all the work they put into The Fleece & Fiber Sourcebook. This treasure is a ready reference in the studio.

Next, I searched the web. And this is where I first met Joanna Gleason of Gleason’s Fine Woolies. Through emails and phone calls, she shared her journey in Bringing Bonds to America. You can read her story for yourself, also in the spring 2019 issue of PLY Magazine.

After many conversations with Joanna, I chose a brown Moorit colored fleece, grown by the ram “Big Brother,” the main subject of my study. I did have an ulterior motive for choosing the Moorit Brown. It compliments Lady Cocoa Bean, “Cocoa,” my studio companion, a chocolate brown (Spoo) Standard Poodle.

With “Big Brother” the Bond on its way, I needed to get some raw Corriedale.

Through research, I happily found Gretchen at Whitefish Bay Farm. The timing was right for me to take part in their annual online fleece sale. It was difficult to decide between an “extra fine” and a “wonderful” fleece. So I did what any fiber enthusiast would do. I chose both. Dick and Gretchen were accommodating in the selection of fleeces.

The day finally arrived… the fleeces were delivered.

And they were truly gorgeous! Now the fun begins.

Oh, it may… have spoiled me. The fleeces for this project were a dream to work with.

What I stumbled upon in my quest was the coated fleece. If you haven’t yet treated yourself to a coated fleece, it’s a must experience for anyone who enjoys processing their own fiber.

I also highly recommend the coated fleece for the spinner who has given up processing a fleece because they truly are not fond of the “monkey picking” process of removing VM. This is the answer you’ve been looking for. There is very little VM in these fleeces.

Now for the washing process using my traditional colander method. Often I use mesh lingerie bags.

They have divided sections with zipper closure. Both of these methods worked well. Keeping the lock structure was of vital importance. So, I made tulle pouches to lay the locks in to keep them in order while washing. The pouches worked well.

To speed up the drying process, I used wire closet racks laid across folding chairs. Set up beneath the ceiling fan. This method works well as it’s easy to set up and store when I’m not processing fiber.

Once the fiber was dry, it was time to get on with processing the fiber to spin.

And now, for the rest of the story… check out the article, The Bold Crimp of Bond, featured in the Spring 2019 PLY Magazine.

It’s a jam-packed issue. These are definitely two breeds. I highly recommend every spinner give a whirl.

If you’re not already a subscriber to PLY Magazine, it’s not too late to get yours right here.

 

 

I hope you’ll give spinning Bond for crimp a try.

Passionately spinning while enjoying the journey – Brenda.

Kudos to PLY Magazine – it’s been 5 years!

It is difficult to even think of life as a hand spinner without PLY Magazine.

It has become such a valuable resource in a relatively short period of time.

Thank you, @Jacey Boggs Faulkner, and ALL (your entire team) who bring us this awesome publication!

It is difficult for me to describe PLY Magazine to hand spinners and fiber artists.

“All I can say is you just need to experience it… to understand.”

I’m grateful for the opportunities I’ve had to contribute to PLY Magazine.

I’ve always enjoyed the Hot Button topics in PLY Magazine. It is great to get another spinner’s perspective. It is part of this amazing community of spinners sharing, learning, and growing with one another.

I’m honored to be chosen as one of the featured spinners to provide my perspective on this issue!

Which wheel do you choose to use to do production spinning? …Why?

I challenge you. Please give it some thought. One of the things I enjoy about each issue of PLY is the self-challenge, self questions, and discovery—all a part of becoming a better spinner.

You can get a copy of the Summer 2018 Flyer-led PLY Magazine issue at your local yarn store or online @PlyMagazine.

This is a jam-packed issue full of all things Flyer-led.

Reading Stephanie Gaustad’s article “Wheelspotting” had me checking my drive cord and brake band to make sure they hadn’t worn out.

Ever give any thought to the material of your drive band? “Band Practice with a Variety of Materials” by Kathy Sparks. Really gets me thinking.

There is so much more in this issue. I hope you’ll check it out.

There are some projects I’ve earmarked already.

In the office… glancing out the window.

Days like today are a challenge to stay focused. The gentle rustle of the willow branches mingles with birdsong, chimes, distant airplanes.

My teacup beckons me back to the garden swing for a bit more reading…

But it’s time to get my focus back on the ALL things studio. Fleeces to clean projects to be worked on, and the office awaits… with my grand cat, Scout.

She is staying with us while Amber, our daughter, is traveling abroad this summer.

Isn’t she cute… and spinnable?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Yes, Scout… I’ve started collecting your fiber. I believe you shed more than any other animal I’ve worked with. You remind me of the angora bunnies!

I’m blessed to be a part of the resurgence of twist as a hand spinner creating yarn.

Enjoying the journey… spinning with passion.

Mr. Grimsby is a Leicester Longwool ram fleece I acquired from David at The Berryhill Farm in Pine Island, MN. While a vendor at Shepherd’s Harvest, Lake Elmo, MN I met David and his ram Grimsby. Having the opportunity to see Grimsby before shorn is a huge plus in selecting a fleece. Once the fleece was shorn, it was time to make sure it would be a good choice for hand spinning. When checking for a stable fleece, I want it to fit the breed standard. Checking the lock structure, I refer back to the “Fleece & Fiber Sourcebook” by Deborah Robson and Carol Ekarius. Then choosing several locks from different fleece areas, I perform a strand test to make sure the fibers are sound. Taking a lock holding the cut end in one hand between pointer finger and thumb and the tip end in the other hand between pointer finger and thumb. Pulling my hands apart hard, the lock will make a pong sound. The lock should not be brittle. You should not hear a breaking sound. The fiber should be strong and healthy.

The first step in preparing the fleece to spin into yarn is skirting. I open the fleece up. Spreading it across a table. Mr. Grimsby is a large fleece. Working to remove all the waste fiber around the outside. You can see Grimsby is a relatively clean fleece. Shaking to remove second cuts. Then I begin to ‘monkey pick’ the vegetable material (VM). VM is a term we use in the industry to refer to straw, hay, burrs. When I think I have all the barn yarn residue removed. I shake some more, pick some more, and continue this until it has been removed. Skirting/picking/shaking is, to be, the most important step in processing a fleece (having chosen a sound fleece) from raw to finish. The more time I give to this stage, the more enjoyable the rest of the process will be. A gentle reminder VM does not come out when washing. If you do not pick it out now, you will be picking throughout the process, or you will end up with VM in your finished yarn. This is when I really begin to understand this fiber.

Mr. Grimsby had some lanolin. The photo was the first of three washes using Power Scour by Unicorn Fibre. *Note typically, I place the fleece in a colander to strain the water out without agitation.
For this batch, I did not properly set up my fleece cleaning station. Having neglected to retrieve the colander in haste. I ended up with some felting.

I did my first rinse between the second and third wash. Having decided there was still a bit too much dirt, I opted for a third wash. Then two more rinses the final with Fibre Rinse from Unicorn Fibre.

Then squeezing the fleece (should have used the colander) using a towel to roll the fleece in. It took a couple of bath size towels. Placing the fleece on a clean, dry towel, I began to pick it open to dry. Saving the lock structure was my goal to be able to spin from the lock. Quickly I became aware of my error by not using the colander to drain the fiber instead of squeezing.

The fiber opened up a bit and left overnight to dry. I was a bit surprised the fiber was still damp in the morning. I turned to the pet dryer to dry the fiber the rest of the way. Having a standard poodle to groom regularly provides some nice tools to double as fiber prep too.

I’m very pleased with the locks. The color is wonderful with excellent shine. What I learned by prepping this batch was how easily it was to felt this fiber. It isn’t horrible by any means. The fiber is totally spin-able. In the next batch, I will add the extra step back to my normal washing/rinsing using the straining bowl method. Lesson learned!

But… look at the happy accident a felted collar. The beginning of possibilities. A truly added feature for a wearable art piece.

I wrote for the PLY Magazine, Issue 17, Summer 2017, Spinning A Variety of Fibers on a bobbin-led (single drive) spinning wheel. I referenced ‘fiber blenders’; they are like miniature hand cards. I’ve attached a couple of photos of these dynamic little tools. In my spinning bag, they have a permanent spot. I use them often to blend small amounts of luxury-type fibers. One example would be angora and silk. Or even to blend colors in delicate fibers. They are an excellent choice for spinning fly-away fibers right from the blender (mini card), which I explain in the article. Since the article has released, I’ve received inquires about what fiber blenders are. I wanted to make sure there was a visual available to help me understand what they look like and how I use them. They can be found online by searching for ‘fiber blenders.’ Most places with felting supplies carry them too. Please reach out to me if you have additional questions.

Spinners can purchase this issue straight from our website: plymagazine.com/product/bobbin-led-summer-2017/

In case you didn’t know, I had an article published in PLY Magazine! The article is about spinning a variety of fibers on a bobbin-led (single drive) spinning wheel. In the article, you can read about using my hand to control the tension by rolling the drafting zone open and closed. In the article, I explain how I utilize fiber blenders to prepare fiber and hold fiber while drafting.

The foundation of Brenda’s handcrafted art is fiber. Often acquired from small growers supporting good causes like the preservation of rare breeds. Many of the mixed-media pieces feature upcycled fabrics, repurposed yarns, and objects of nature. Pet fiber can be utilized, as keepsake items, memory fabrics, photos, and even fiber from a favorite pet can be utilized in a handspun yarn or finished work. Contact Us if you have a special project in mind.

I hope you will feel as warm and fuzzy as an angora rabbit reading my Journal of Existence.

We spin, therefore we are!

A peek into the fiber studio of Brenda Dunse reveals a complex woman with the curiosity and faith of a child. While in pursuit of her life purpose and meaning, Brenda took a journey “down the rabbit hole.” Much like Alice in Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland was her experience of being introduced to an alpaca and its luster fiber. A passion for the ancient textile art of hand spinning and all things fiber art was revealed.

This is the beginning of Brenda’s blog, Journal of Existence.

Through Serenity Textile Designs, LLC, Brenda can share her passion for fiber arts with others. Coming soon: you’ll have the opportunity to experience Serenity Textile Designs as an online boutique.