In one of her posts, Cyndy asked who kept a project notebook. Not me, anymore. Between blogging and Ravelry, there isn’t as much need. A book can hold samples, something that no matter how convenient, a virtual record can not do. I started to think about this the other day. I’ve taken classes with the sole purpose of trying out a variety of fibers. Samples were spun and recorded. They’re around here somewhere. Not filed, not kept. I walked around my office and studio looking behind stacks of paper and current projects, rummaging through knitting bags and baskets, collecting the samples that I had cast aside. They are unmarked, no information as to the fiber or spindle. They are useless for future reference. Many of the samples I do are to test a spindle, a fiber, a blend I’ve been carding. They’ve done their job when I finish them. But, they are here. Before I throw these few away, I thought to review them and to again ask the question, do you keep a notebook for your spinning projects?
I’d love to hear your thoughts.
12 responses to “samples”
I’ve tried but often I forget and just make a pile of samples without info. It’s a good idea, however.
No. I think it is a fabulous idea, but I am not organized enough to do it consistently. I spin to knit specific projects, so I know that a certain handspun will be for a lace pattern or a sock pattern, not much need to catalog it. I move on to the next project fairly quickly in the same vein. But I love seeing all your little bits of handspun.
I’m in the same boat as the others. I’d like to and think I should but I don’t get around to it. I wonder if someone has “invented” a good way to keep them. Some kind of pocket notebook thing.
I’ve always *intended* to keep a notebook but just haven’t gotten there. I think I quite like that my spinning is much more organic. I can be all organized and scientific elsewhere. That’s not to say that it won’t ever change but I haven’t any immediate plans to begin keeping better notes.
No, I don’t. I think it’s a great idea but, well, I just never think to actually do it.
No, but I probably should. But then, consistency isn’t the why of my spinning.
I have zero samples. But I do have a card file: fiber, where I got it, how many oz, which wheel, how I plyed it, when I spun it, what drive. I haven’t gotten to keeping track of whorls yet. Do measure yardage after plying. I think of my skeins as big samples.
Yes. I do keep a notebook. I don’t keep a photo albums, or scrap books…but I do keep a spinning notebook. Mostly for when I work with a rare breed, or when I spin from a fleece. Small amounts of purchased roving, not so much.
I have had the honour of viewing a spinners notebook that is older than mine. You would be surprised how much information can come from a lock of wool from one fleece. Each page is only a small representation of one sheep within a breed, but it contains a story of micron count, crimp and other characteristics that are invaluable to me as a handspinner. It is more than a portfolio.
I have a notebook to keep spinning notes in but I seem to never get around to actually writing in the notebook…
I do keep records, but not of every single sample. When I start out with a new fleece/fiber I sample extensively and record type of fiber prep, drafting style, wheel settings, etc. From those samples I pick the yarn I want for the intended project.
Don’t throw those snippets away…figure out a way to put them into a small sampler project. You could use modular knitting or weaving, or even needlepoint.
Nothing online can replace a notebook that you can carry around and write in whenever you want and the chance to actually add yarn samples or swatches is too important. I haven’t started a notebook yet, but I’m definitely planning to.
Like you there are bits of spun samples scattered in three different locations in my house. (perhaps more!) I love the idea of a sample notebook, or file system, but shoot, I can’t even manage to get pictures in a scrapbook.