The Joseph Schneider Haus is a museum in downtown Kitchener. The staff dress up in their historically accurate clothing in a Georgian frame farmhouse built by one of our area's first pioneers, Joseph Schneider, back around 1816. This is one of my favourite childhood field trip destinations as a child, and is not to be missed if you live around here. It's a good tourism catch too, and very affordable with admission costing only $5 for a whole family! That's for a guided tour, and these historians really know their local history! Every week is a different theme which teaches about various aspects of what life would have been like back then.
Last week's theme was Wool Processing. I was lucky enough to hear about it on Ravelry, and was so thrilled! I went over with a friend on Saturday, and was determined to finally learn how to spin, as they were to be giving demonstrations. It was fantastic! For a special treat, they had live sheep there in the front yard who were visiting from a local farm.
The little blue guy in the front is the flat traveler our family is hosting for a few weeks. His name is Kyler, and he has traveled here from British Colombia. All the people in Kitchener who have met Kyler have been very friendly to him, and he seems to be enjoying himself quite a bit. We exchange these little characters and show them around our city, then send them home with souvenirs.
Here is me and my awesome friend, who was nice enough to put up with my yarn obsession, and didn't once during this trip threaten to send me to Knitters Anonymous. Of course, I don't think I was actually knitting during this trip (though I probably did have a little project in my bag).
After learning about how the Schneider Family would have sheared their sheep and washed their fleece, we were shown how they carded the fiber (forgive me if I forget what exactly the fiber is called at this stage). The staff were so nice! I actually got permission to participate with them, so here is a photo of me carding for the first time!
This spinning wheel is a replica of what the family of this house would have used. I was thrilled to be given a quick lesson, and even more thrilled that they allowed me to give it a try for myself!
I thought the foot pedal would be as easy as a sewing machine's foot, but I was wrong. It was not easy for me to get it in to a rhythm, and then when I would have to stop to get my yarn twisting right I'd have to start the pedal going again. But it was so much fun! She even had a drop spindle for me to try.
Look at me!
Spinning, all by myself!
It was so nice of my friend to come along and take photos - I'm sure they'll be making their way into my scrapbook!
And check this out! This is called a Walking Wheel, because they would stand and walk back and forth in front of the wheel while spinning. This was a No Touch item, but we did get permission to stand in front of it.
Now that I've given it a try, I have a much greater appreciation for hand spun yarns. I already adored them, but I'm glad to have a new understanding of just how much work goes into a lovely hand spun yarn.
I was so tempted to get myself a drop spindle when we left. What a great trip!
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