nettle and hemp

This is a sample made from hemp and nettle fibre that I've had for nearly two years. I originally bought the stuff when I was thinking of writing my dissertation on alternative fibres (but didn't) and it has been at the back a cupboard, and also my mind, since.

The spur to finally weave it up came from reading an entry on http://davidtaylardaniels.com/blog a couple of months ago. I was delighted when David posted about weaving a scarf from hemp yarn; he explained in detail how problematic the process was but the resulting scarf was beautiful. So that was the incentive I needed; I bought a nice little Ashford table-top from Sheila Dixon at shiela@handspinner.co.uk

I haven't woven for two years and it soon became clear that I'd pretty much forgotten everything I'd learnt at college. However, once on the loom again I found that I knew just enough to realise that things were going horribly horribly wrong, also this stuff is really awkward to work with, it feel strong but abrades quite badly being so slubby. I suspect that the stuff David Daniels used might have been of better quality.

So anyway, I've been working with it for the last three or four days and then last night I just took me sheares and just cut off the warp and I'm now threading up for the third time.

However, I really am learning by these mistakes and I feel quite optimistic today and won't give up.

This bit looks like an old tattie sack doesn't it? Will let you see the rest by the weekend with luck.

Hall teas last sunday in aid of the local Cattle Compensation Society so us crofty wives baked fancies and some made quiches and bannocks and all that good stuff.

I've been involved with 'hall teas', on and off, for maybe 25 years; it is a good way of fundraising for the hall say or the Christmas treat or the cattle comp. and once for Tamil Nadu.

In the early days the requirement was 6 dozen fancies but I suspect that, these days, many bake far more. I'm not the worlds most enthusiastic baker, bread excepted, but I enjoy making butterfly cakes, It's what I made as a child in my Grannies kitchen, creating a huge mess and getting grumbled at. I still make a hug mess. but butterfly cakes are utterly delicious.

We did well considering it is the middle of 'Hamefaring' and there was much competition from other halls and events around Shetland. We made over £900.

The midges and the pine pollen have driven me in, that'll teach me to start cutting the grass at 9p.m.
I spent the afternoon clearing old fencing away in the north hill park. We have a smart new fence up there erected by contractors; its a bit like having the kitchen painted by a real decorator, they do a great job fast and don't make a mess-but on a huge scale. Drew will be home tomorrow so we'll scoop up the piles of stuff with the tractor and I've recovered lots of lovely wire pulleys, you can see some of them here.
Lizzie, has just phoned to say she's gotten a 2.1 well done you!

Tea time

Hmmm, well, not the most attractive loaf but that's sour dough for you. To be honest I think I would much rather use the old packet yeast and get something that look and smells 'right' cos you don't get that lovely home baked smell with this either.

Still, it will probably taste just fine, especially with lots of butter and jam and lots and lots of coffee; a breakfast fit for Kipling? we'll see.

Mr Kipling's bread

This morning I'm starting a loaf with Bateman's flour. This is the mill in the grounds of Rudyard Kipling's house in East Sussex.

I'm using a sourdough 'mother' so it will take all day to prove and it will go into the oven at around teatime.

I was worried that the little mother wouldn't survive being in the fridge for two weeks but, being fed and warmed last night, she has woken her up nicely.

This is stone ground 100% wholemeal so will add a some strong white to give a little lift. I'll show you the result tonight.

In the mean time am off to put up some barbed wire.

Back in Shetland

...safe and sound after our trip through England, 1600 mile if you count the two ferry journeys, and it was just brilliant.

The first day we drove from Aberdeen down through Scotland to Carlyle, for lunch, then on down to Derbyshire.

Being a true Londoner I seem to know very little of my native land and, to be honest, at heart I kinda thought that maybe it really was - well, you know... 'grim up north' but it isn't! is absolutely stunning!

just look at this picture, it was taken a couple of miles outside Matlock where we stayed for a few days with old friends.

I'm used to Scotland being grand and glorious- which it is- but seeing England from top to bottom like this was a revelation. I guess it has a lot to do with the really long winter we have had this year here in the islands, but all that lush green and all those wonderful trees just fed my soul.

On the other hand Bisi gave me an absolute stinker of a cold, doubtless a thoroughly northern strain, from which I am only just recovering.