Spinning Day 19th 0f April 2023

Before we even had seeds in the ground, back in Spring 2022, I remember Kitty saying

‘Wouldn’t it be great to see the chapel full of people spinning the hemp?’

On 19th of April that wish came true…

In what turned out to be a beautiful day of community effort the chapel space was filled with 30 hand spinners, with wheels and drop spindles, patiently and skilfully turning the raw fibre into yarn.

I am eternally grateful to the Diss Spinners and Weavers Guild who stepped up, brought both their own members and spinners from around the county. And beside our fabulous East Anglian talent there was Janine of Saori Freeweaver Studio, who drove all the way from Dorset, Kishore Shah of Khadi London who spun on his charka wheel, we had youngsters, oldsters, in betweeners, all united by the pleasure working with natural fibre. Icing on the cake was the presence of Allan Brown (of The Nettle Dress) and his gorgeous doggo Bonny. Allan’s skill with spinning natural fibre is extraordinary, as was his generosity with helping anyone less experienced with plant fibre.

The energy in the room was special. Everyone loved the day and we ended up with plenty of 100% Suffolk grown hemp yarn, all ready for Kitty to take to Cornwall, clean, dye and start to weave some magical fabric.

What a wonderful day.