this unassuming entrance leads to an absolutely amazing shop/museum, run by the very friendly and knowledgeable ronnie.
as well as selling harris tweed garments, and beautiful bags and cushions, there's also so much information about the history of harris tweed, with the most amazing sample books throughout the decades. the colours and patterns from the 20's and 30's are astounding!
but, my favourite part of the shop is the 'scraps' table. as you can see from the pics below, i blew my budget on lovely pieces of tweed that will soon be making their way into new felt pieces.
the two pics above might appear to be quite plain compared to the usual patterns and colours but the reason i really loved these pieces is that, if you look closer, so many other colours are revealed ...
i also made a quick stop at the hebridean woolshed, if you're on south uist you really can't drive past! i wasn't on the island long enough to take part in one of denise's spinning workshops, so i bought the next best thing to teach myself to spin ...
... i had visions of relaxing evenings round the campfire, spinning away ... but it wasn't to be. i can't get it to work!
the instructions are really clear, i have watched videos online ... i know that, in theory, it's a simple process ... but i can't do it!!! think i'll need to get someone to show me because i am determined to learn :)
4 comments:
:) it is a simple process Tracy.. but like everything its only simple once you have learned it! The trick is co-ordination, remember once you have spun the spindle and you are drafting the fibre with your handls, check the spindle frequently & as soon as it stops (or going really slow) drop it back against your leg to stop it unsining. Now keep drafting for a while, dont spin again until the twist stops traveling up the fibre you are drafting. Also pay attention to how high you hold your arms! My arms kept going up and up when I was learning & you end up with stif shoulders if you are not careful. Give me a shout if you need help we can always skype :)
Practice is the main ingredient to learning to spin (along with patience :) Remember its called a drop spindle for a reason - it drops a lot to begin with lol. Keep at it cos its all about practice, and once you have learned its really theraputic and relaxing, and you get lots of lovely homespun for you creations (your early nobbly yarns will be fab!)
Deborahx
I know these places in a round about way. My DH always brings me back tweed scraps from there when he goes over on business.Nice to see pictures of it! I have been making cushion covers, bags and accessories with them. They are gorgeous soft colours aren't they.
If you're here in S Uist again, just drop by at the Hebridean Woolshed and I'll show you how. In the meantime a wee tip: a glass of wine helps. Jonathan
thanks so much deborah, i don't feel quite so disheartened now. will get my skype up and running and would love to take you up on your kind offer :)
fibrefrolics lucky you! truly irresistible :)
jonathan thanks so much for the offer, i will drop in the next time we're on the island. but i'll be trying the wine in the meantime :)
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