Wind ‘er Up! + Cherry and Abby Going, Going . . .

We have been a little shuttle crazy around here.  We love talking with you about your favorites and sharing ours. (We aren’t supposed to pick favorites though.) Now that you have a beautiful boat shuttle, it is time to wind that bobbin. What is the best way to do that?

The key to winding a bobbin is to bring the yarn on as tightly and evenly as possible.  Loosely-wound bobbins can cause the yarn to catch on itself causing the shuttle to jerk. This can wreck havoc on your selvages. Next to a loom and shuttle, the weaver’s third best friend is her or his bobbin winder.  There are three basic types, single-end manual, double-end manual, and electric.

Single-end bobbin winders can accommodate most popular bobbins, pirns, and spools. There are also thinner shaft styles available that can handle smaller paper quills.  They are the most affordable style of bobbin winder ergo the most popular.

A similar style winder is the double-end manual bobbin winder.  It puts tension on both ends of bobbin, pirn, or spool.  This gives you more control and keeps the bobbin (or pirn or spool) from slipping, which is very annoying when you are trying to wind a nice, even, tightly-wound bobbin.

 

Now we get to the mother of all bobbin winders—the electric. Electric winders are available in single or double end.  It is going to give you the fastest results and  also frees up a hand so you don’t feel like you are patting your head and rubbing your tummy.

Having the right tool for the job makes our crafting life, oh, so much better!

A Few Left

What better to go with a shuttle and bobbin winder than a new loom!  We have a few limited edition Cherry Baby Wolf and Pup LT left.  Get them before they are gone. Free shipping included in the price.

Likewise, Abby Franquemont’s classes in February are filling up.  Half-day class in spinning silk singles or self-striping yarns only $45 plus materials fee.

We Look forward to seeing you online or in the store!

Chris, Nancy, and the entire Woolery team

Shuttling In A New Year + Loom Specials, Classes with Abby and Drum Carding Day!

It’s happened again.  We are starting a brand new fresh year.  Our resolve is to play more and worry less!  One way to take the worry out of our weaving is the humble shuttle.  Picking the right one makes our weaving breeze by.

There are three basic types of shuttles.  The boat shuttle uses a bobbin and pin system that allows the weaver to store a lot of yarn and wind it off quickly.

End-delivery shuttles tension the yarn—great for fine yarns and wide warps. Instead of a bobbin this shuttle uses a pirn that that allows the yarn to wind off the end of the storage system.  The yarn is then thread through a tensioning devise so that you have perfect control of your yarn and your selvedges.

The stick shuttle is both inexpensive and easy to use with small looms such as inkle and rigid heddle.  The larger stick shuttles such as ski and rag shuttles are great for bulky yarns.

You simply can not have too many shuttles! Check out our full line of shuttles on our website. To help ease into the new year and get your weaving off to a great start we are offering 5 FREE Schacht shuttle bobbins with the purchace of any boat shuttle.  Just put “Free Bobbins” in the comment section of your order. (Small print: Limit 1 per customer.)

Schacht Cherry Looms: Limited Time Only!

They are back for a short time only!  The cherrylicious Wolf Pup LT and Baby Wolf. Save $50 off the Pup LT and $125 off the Baby Wolf.   We will ship either loom to you for free!  Package includes trap and stroller.  Other cherry accessories are available. Looms start shipping in February.  Only a few looms are left. Call today, to reserve yours!  800-441-9665

Drum Carding Day Febuary 25!

We are excited to host one of the best spinners in the business, Abby Franquemont, to The Woolery.  She is teaching two half-day spinning classes on Saturday, February 25–Silk Singles and Self Striping Yarn.  There is still room left in her classes, but not for long so sign up today!

Otto and Joanne Strauch were so excited that Abby was coming that they decided to pay a visit, too.  From 10-3 on Saturday, they will demo their line of drum carders giving you helpful tips on blending techniques and more.

Whether you are a local, traveling in the area, or make The Woolery a destination, join us for this jam-packed day.  We’d love to see you!

Chris, Nancy, and the entire Woolery team!