OCTOBER MEETING - FACE TO FACE 'STRATSPIN' CHALLENGES

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 OCTOBER MEETING 

- 1st FACE TO FACE ! 

'STRATSPIN' CHALLENGES

   
This is so exciting!  Our first face to face Guild meeting in 18 months. Although we have kept in touch and active with monthly meetings on Zoom it will be great to see each other in the flesh so to speak. For those unable to attend we are planning to hold it on Zoom too.
 
As, sadly, the nationwide challenge 'BritSpin' is not happening this year we decided to hold our own little version.  This is not a competition but an opportunity to challenge yourself with techniques, tools, fibres and skills.

Basically this is a chance to spend several hours exploring new aspects of spinning (and a few other fibre-related skills)– some serious, some simply fun – testing our skills and maybe learning new ones.

Of course all this will take a little longer than a four hour meeting (especially if you allow time for catching up with news of friends you haven't seen for so long ) so there will be two further Zoom meetings, on Sunday (our October At Home meeting) and Monday, and of course you are free to spend as much time as you wish apart from the “meetings”.

We don't propose to add up points and announce winners, but please keep a list of your achievements and you will receive a virtual certificate as a memento. The idea is not to complete them all, nor to complete them over the weekend, but to choose what you would like to challenge yourself with, start during the three days and complete afterwards. We look forward to admiring the results at our next meeting Show and Tell session.

Those of you who are not spinners will find a few of the following challenges which you can take up – or do your own work while enjoying the social chat and seeing what others are doing.

List of Challenges
 
  • Spin/Weave/Knit/Create with a new fibre
  • 1 hour length challenge - spin and ply a length of yarn in 1 hour – how long can you make it ?
  • How long a thread can you make with 5 gms of fibre.
  • Make a length of cord/ribbon to wrap a Christmas present, using any technique.
  • Spin with a vegetable
  • ** Use a new tool – Drumcarder/Picker/Wheels/Drop Spindle etc.
  • Andean Ply
  • Navajo (chain) ply
  • Spin/Weave/Knit Crochet with a fine fibre
  • Spin/Weave/Knit/Crochet with a thick fibre
  • Use a new stitch or technique
  • Use a Non-wool fibre (this could relate to your AGM challenge).
** There will be a drumcarder, a blending board, a picker, and drop spindles at the meeting for you to try. There will be fibre available . 
 
If you want to borrow a rigid heddle loom, tapestry loom, marudai, fringe twister or other item from our equipment list (in the Members pages of the guild website http://wsdstratford.blogspot.com, if you do not yet have access please ask Sara via the guild email) please let us know in advance.

Time of the meeting is as follows:

Saturday 16th October, at the Methodist Hall, doors open 10.30 am.  Screens will open for Zoom participants at 11.00 am.  The meeting will close at 2.30 pm.
 
Zooom invites will be sent our shortly to all members.
 
Due to COVID restrictions, masks will be required when entering and moving around but can be removed when sitting.  Also the Kitchenette facilities won't be available so please bring along your own food, drink and utensils.  Windows and doors will be open to ensure good circulation of air, so do dress accordingly.