Assumptions

 

A selection of cotton yarns

Assumptions.  We all have them.  They are based on what we have been told is 'fact', or on our (possibly limited) experience.

One of the things I am 'testing' for the next article is an assumption.  Given I've done quite a lot of weaving, I knew there were things to be tested that were going to knock an assumption out of the water, but what I am discovering is that *even though I knew the assumption was incorrect, I didn't quite realize how badly wrong it was*.

Even though I had made adjustments to factor in the assumption, it turns out I didn't make enough allowance, and I am going to have to drag my microscope out and look more closely at the threads I will be using.  

This is all very exciting and I am delighted to be faced with this challenge.  Even better, to be able to share it with others.  

While some weavers are also spinners, not all of them know very much about the creation of their 'raw' materials.

I've shared many times over that I got sucked into the weaving room through the orifice of a spinning wheel, so I know the 'basics'.  But I have not done all the deep dives that I should do if I want to truly understand my materials.

I took a spinning workshop with a rather well known spinning teacher.  As we walked into the workshop room she did a double take when she saw me and said that when she found out I was registered for the class she was very intimidated.   I laughed and said I haven't spun in years.  I'm here to become a better weaver.  And advised her that I would sit at the back of the room and for her to ignore me.

I learned quite a few things during that class.  Like knowing how to spin long draw when the majority of the others in the class could not.  I gained a greater understanding of the affect of fibre preparation on the spun yarn, which helped me understand yarn behaviour.  

Now I have Michelle Boyd's book Twist.  I have not had the time or brain power to actually read it - yet.  I have a couple other books I need to deal with first.  But I think I am going to enjoy her deep dive into the dynamics of twist and other things, and why they matter to weavers.

We don't always know when we are working based on an assumption that isn't accurate - especially when the grist of the yarn changes, or the fibre preparation.  I suspect the next while is going to be very 'interesting' indeed.