Help The Slow Yarn Spinner Go Digital

The Slow Yarn Spinner

I have been yarn-obsessed for nearly a decade now and chose January this year to turn my passion in to a business, The Slow Yarn Spinner.

My aim has always been to share the craft of spinning with new people and especially those living in cities, so I started running workshops and selling hand-spun yarn in Norwich. The Coronavirus crisis has created challenges for my new business and also offered me opportunities to create ideas for the Future  that I would have never thought of three months ago. 

Taking The Slow Yarn Spinner digital is a way to realise these ideas and reach more people than ever before. By creating online courses for beginner spindle spinners and spinning challenges for those that want to experiment and expand their knowledge of the craft, The Slow Yarn Spinner has the potential not just to weather this virus, but to come out the other side stronger than before.

The money raised though this crowdfunding will go towards the set up costs for both the courses and challenges. These will include: video hosting, Zoom licence, branding, equipment, materials and marketing costs.

The Next Steps... Courses 

Over the past three months I have been designing courses that bring the best of my workshops online with even more packed in. The Beginners’ Spindle Spinning online course will walk through all the basics of spinning yarn by hand on a drop spindle. Over the course of 5 weeks, participants will be able to create their first three yarns, with the aid of weekly online video tutorials and interactive video calls. All materials and a drop spindle will be provided.  Numbers will be kept deliberately low to nurture a sense of community and sharing while learning this new skill. With a closed Facebook group, participants will be able to interact with each other and me and share their spinning progress.

Bigger and Better... Spinning Challenges

There is so much variety in the craft of spinning, but not every spinner gets to experience it, due to lack of time, space or access to materials. This is where The Slow Yarn Spinner’s Challenges come in. Spinning is not just about creating yarns; it is about exploring techniques and fibres to create something totally unique. These challenges are about helping spinners to experiment with the craft, build their skills and have fun while spinning.

30 Day Time Challenge

This will be a free digital challenge with the aim of building spinning habits. 10, 15 or 20 minutes a day is all it takes to fly through fibre. Subscribers will receive access to a video every day helping them to choose their projects and stick with them over a month. There will be weekly interactive video spinning sessions with the opportunity to share progress and spin together. A private Facebook group will provide a community base to share thoughts and spinning photos throughout the challenge.

Fleece Tales subscription box

I am passionate about the idea of creating a traceable yarn from farm to fabric. With so many sheep breeds in Britain, there is the potential to spin breed specific yarns with characteristics for every project. The Fleece Tales box is an opportunity for spinners to get the feel of different fibres and to discover this wealth of variety. 

Based on the idea of a subscription box, this challenge is so much more. Subscribers will receive a box of washed and prepared fibre from a different breed of sheep each month for their 3 or 6 month subscription. Each box will be accompanied by access to videos and printed materials with suggestions for spinning techniques or finished garments enabling spinners to start exploring the fibre to the fullest. With monthly digital meet-ups subscribers will be able to share their discoveries and spin with others too.

Your Part In The Story

To make these big ideas possible, I'm reaching out to the crowd. Your support is invaluable. No matter how much you donate every penny will go towards helping The Slow Yarn Spinner go digital.

Rewards

The rewards for your support I am offering are limited in number and completely unique: you will not find them anywhere else. The courses and challenges are offered at least £20 less than the price offered after the Crowdfund. 

Sharing this page, liking and following @theslowyarnspinner on Facebook and Instagram is also a way to help the Slow Yarn Spinner go digital and greatly appreciated. If you would like to hear more about this project or other aspects of The Slow Yarn Spinner, then please join the mailing list at https://www.theslowyarnspinner.co.uk

Thank you for your support

Best wishes

Ruth

The Slow Yarn Spinner

Photo credit Hannah Brooks Photography @_hannahbrooksphotography_