Spinster is a problematic word. The first meaning to brings to mind today is old maid. Not a description any woman aspires to. So having knitted and crocheted for years perhaps it’s no wonder that it took so long to get involved in spinning. It is, after all, at the start of the process of producing yarn.…
Eeles Pottery is in the village of Mosterton, on the road between Beaminster and Crewkerne. Despite having driven past it countless times this was the first visit (they were open as part of Bridport Arts Week) – long overdue. It is a truly family affair. David and his wife Patricia set up their home and…
Bonfield BlockPrinters is a the sort of place that you either have to seek out or you stumble upon by accident when you least expect it. Cameron Short and Janet Tristram set up in the old stores in Thorncombe, a hidden away village tucked into the furthermost corner of West Dorset. Off the beaten track…
The Weald and Downland Living Museum is a bit of a trek from Dorset, a few miles north of Chichester in the South Downs National Park. But it made a great stopping off point on a trip to Kent. It’s an open air museum, where they have rescued old houses, cottages and other rural buildings…
Feed the Birds – it’s not tuppence a bag anymore. But it’s well worth it. There have been some feeders hanging in an apple tree in the garden for years. Mixed seed, fat balls and peanuts have attracted many birds. Lots and lots of sparrows, plus a few blue tits and great tits. There are…
Spinning and Weaving – it’s been a winter of learning new skills. These are such fundamental textiles crafts. It’s a wonder that it took so long to discover them round these parts. Part of this is learning a whole new vocabulary. And the words are so evocative. There are maidens and the mother-of-all, a footman and even…
Weaving looms! A pair of them. Well it was bound to happen. It just completes the trinity of weaving, dyeing and spinning (having tried and tested, if not yet mastered the first two). Such are the dangers of ebay browsing! The first is a small vintage loom that sits in it’s own wooden box with…
This will be the year of the spinning wheel. Here’s how it’s come about…. Just before Christmas there was a spinning wheel at the local auction. It appeared to be in good condition, if a little dusty. The fact that 2 bobbins were tied onto the frame with string (plus the one with a little…
