Was it all worth it?

An insight into why hand spinning is so important to me.

I like to think that I work really hard at everything I do in order to be able to do the very best that I can. And that means the best for my student spinners, guests, visitors and of course for myself. Yes, I forget things, yes, I get things wrong (technology usually), yes I get stressed, yes I lose sleep when I have things on my mind and get very grumpy. So why do I do this to myself?

The question of 'was it worth it' has arisen several times this week following my hand spinning retreat which I hosted here in Norfolk. As I only worked for two days at the retreat one could ask why I have been so exhausted this week. Maybe it's my age; no! It's simply that I spent time nearly every day since November planning each and every detail to ensure that the attendees received the best experience that they could have hoped for and deserved. I simply would never forgive myself if I had deliberately not bothered to offer the very best that I could.

I have been told in the past that I should manage my time more efficiently to reduce the stress levels but even with the best plan in place life also takes over and completely wipes those plans from the radar. I have addressed this recently by trying to remain calm in those situations that mean my plans have completely gone array by reminding myself how lucky I am that I work form home and I can in fact just change my working time so something that I couldn't do in the morning as planned can actually be done in the evening after dinner and that is actually ok. I am actually typing this blog post while sitting in the car waiting for the grandchildren to come out of school so as to use my time effectively. I could have sat at the office desk tonight to do it but then I wouldn't have been able to sort out my knitting. I am sure you know what it is like when you have left a project on the needles for way too long and can't quite remember what you were doing. It's going to take some more concentration!

So stress aside, why do I do what I do and is it actually worth it? If we consider that question from a business perspective, then possibly the answer would be 'No'. I don't make masses of money. As any crafter will know our time taken to create something simply does not equate to an appropriate financial reward so if I planned to teach spinning to earn a small fortune then I would be destined to be disappointed. I am happy with the fact that I earn enough to support my flock of sheep in feed costs and the dreaded veterinary fees when they arise. The reward for me is so very much more than financial gain. It probably started out that way when I had the idea of teaching others to spin but it quickly grew into so much more.

The rewards for me come from seeing the sheer joy on a new spinner's face when they finally get the idea of spinning and are able to produce yarn after longing to do so for years. The look on astonished faces fills me with joy and inspires me to encourage even more spinners to learn the intricacies and experience the joy of hand spinning. And I admit I have been reduced to tears of joy at the sight of completed projects from a relatively new spinner. The level of skills that are often displayed is phenomenal and so inspiring to others when they realise just what can be achieved.

However, as much as we love the relaxation, pleasure and creativity of our beloved crafts what is usually considered a treat to just sit alone and indulge in our crafts can also be quite isolating. I think it is fair to say that hand spinning is not quite as main stream as knitting or crochet for example so one may not have the company of others with whom to share and discuss skills and techniques. However, with the use of spindles or the amazing E spinners it isn't difficult to take one's spinning out and about as is done with knitting, it may even spark more conversation and interest.

In a time when our mental health is at the forefront of media conversations it is true that the rhythm of hand spinning and the tactile nature of the fibres we handle is indeed relaxing and meditative but when one spends so much time alone our mental health can suffer.

I created the Spinning Barn Social Spinning Group to give individual spinners the opportunity to share not only skills and knowledge but also time and mutual support. I am absolutely thrilled to say that the group has gone from strength to strength in terms of members and we now meet twice monthly. It has become very apparent to me that the majority of members really enjoy the time spent in the company of others who completely understand their love of hand spinning and it's quite normal to discuss all things woolly which one perhaps would not be able to do in other social circles. I also hope that everyone who attends finds the group to be a safe place to meet as I am very aware that joining a new group in a new location can be quite intimidating and always offer reassurance of a warm and inviting welcome.

I wonder therefore what I found so worthwhile about organising the hand spinning retreat again this year. It was for all of the reasons I have discussed already really. Sharing skills, expanding spinners' techniques (even if they were not that enamoured by Boucle yarn!) and spending time in a fun, creative and supportive group was a really inspiring way for participants to learn and also for me to teach. Spinning is a craft that can offer so many varied perspectives that everyone has a different way of approaching a technique or a different reason for even wanting to learn to spin and that variety, I believe, keeps the interest and motivation alive.

I felt very humbled by the fact that participants had made the time in their busy lives to attend my little retreat. Some participants were regular visitors to The Spinning Barn and I felt very gratified that they had chosen to attend to learn even more. Others travelled from much further afield including Bury St Edmunds, Stroud, North Lincolnshire, Cambridgeshire and even The Faroe Islands (with talks of an exchange visit next year!). The variety of locations also sparked conversations about sheep breeds associated with their geographical locations and breeds of choice broadening our knowledge of wool breeds as well.

My final answer to the question 'Was it worth it?' relates to the people that I meet from all around the UK and beyond. The relevance of spinning together cannot be underestimated. Apart from offering a safe place to meet, learn and support each other it creates valued friendships. I have watched and experienced friendships blossom and grow in my spinning circle and that fills me with joy and pride. So if you are part of my spinning circle please consider yourself to be a very special part of that circle as nothing in life can be more important than those we choose to have around us.

So my answer is a resounding 'YES' with huge thanks to everyone of you for being part of my little spinning world.

As always I would love to hear your thoughts so do please leave a comment, it would be very much appreciated.

Bye for now

Theresa

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