Crafts are learned by doing, by demonstration and practice, it takes time and every day’s a school day. Humble respect and thanks to the people who share their time, knowledge and skill to keep the crafts alive…
Kay Anderson – Hand-spinner and Rush-weaver
‘My spinning friend in Arbroath’, Kay taught me the basics of ‘wooly-worsted’ spinning, and helped find my first (Ashford-traditional) wheel. Here’s a nice memory of Kay Anderson recorded in the summer of 2009 by Nick Hand, Department of Slow Works...
And a film by Richard Goodwin from about the same time…
“I’ve had very good teachers in all these things [spinning, willow and rush weaving]. I like to have a very good teacher when I start, and then I don’t have to unlearn mistakes”
Kay Anderson, Arbroath
Mabel Ross – Hand-spinner
A videotape from 1988, rescued by NerdyGirlFilms, shows Kay’s own spinning teacher…
This ‘very good teacher‘ passed in 1995, before my time, but my first loom provides a connection… I’m told that the 4-shaft Lillstina originally belonged to Mabel Ross. She is commemorated at the annual Royal Highland Show handcrafts competition by the Mabel Ross Memorial Prize for Best Exhibit of a ‘fancy’ hand-spun yarn. (Presented by Mrs Rosemary Wilkes, East Lothian.)
Mabel Ross’ books are long out of print but still occasionally appear on the second-hand market at quite eye-watering prices. Her papers are archived at the National Library of Scotland.