Sandra Davis with a spinning wheel. Photos: Supplied.
BY JAN NARY
Spinning wheels have their own special magic; as the subject of softly rhythmic folk songs, in the Japanese folk story of the bird/woman who spun silk from her own feathers and the spinning wheel that fulfilled the fate of the Sleeping Beauty. A more down-to-earth magic is enjoyed by the Redlands Spinners and Weavers; archivist Sandra Davis says that there’s a real joy in creating yarn and garments using age-old techniques and tools.
“It’s very satisfying to be involved in the whole process – if you have time for it,” she says. “Some members not only spin the wool from rolags – sausage-like rolls of fibre – but also dye the wool before knitting or crocheting the yarn into garments. Many of us heckle and card the wool before spinning, and some of our past members even did their own shearing.”
Sandra points out that there’s an alternative to the wheel for spinning.
“The drop spindle is much slower, and while it’s a simple process, it requires quite a deal of skill. It’s essentially a circular disc on a spindle dropped from a cord, and the rotation twists the fibres of the yarn.”
Sandra, enjoying free time afforded by retirement from teaching, was drawn into the group by a friend. It was love at first treadle. The group currently has 30 members, all women at present, though there have been male members in the past, and there’s always a cohort of helpful husbands on call. As well as being a welcome visitor to schools and retirement villages, members support heritage events at Redlands Coast Museum and produce an annual Beanie Tree, which ‘fruits’ from June to August.
So, what does one need to successfully operate a spinning wheel?
“You need to be able to coordinate three things,” Sandra says, “your feet, your hands and your mind. That can be quite a big ask for a beginner – but once you’ve got it, you don’t lose it!”
For more information, call 0421 048 963.
