Acquiring a New Trade

[Oola]

I've been thinking recently of maybe doing a course in a traditional trade- maybe something along the lines of a blacksmith or basic joinery/carpentery skills. I know that I could put said skills to use around the house and garden (I call it the Smallest Smallholding).

Rich, my other half swears that with carpentry, I should just get a book and teach myself, but I'm not sure that's the best way for me to learn. I much prefer a (patient and non-sarcastic know-it-all) person to show me as I learn, so that I don't get into bad habits.

If you could acquire any skill or craft, what would you choose and why?

[jazzactivist]

Hi! Oola, I have been thinking along the same lines. I quite fancy stone carving or brick making or drystone walling, or shoe making. I think that the appeal for me is to do something that is really useful and practical, and also being part of reviving a traditional skill. There are quite a lot of short courses all over the country, and some longer accredited ones at some colleges. It is possible to learn from a book, but I agree that at least some direct instruction can cut down on the time that it takes to learn and put you in touch with other like-minded people.

[eleanor2]

i think its great what courses the c.l magazine printed.especially the traditional carpenter. you can now pay as a gift for someone or even yourself.to have a day making a chair etc.you get a day with an expert and other novices.you also get the end product.i bet its expensive tho. i would love to make medieval type gold and silver jewellry.all that beautiful engraving and design.each piece individually made and telling a personal story. i have always wondered if i found a piece of jewellry as hidden treasure .would i bare to hand it in as treasure trove.all old crafts actually tell a story.

[jazzactivist]

Hi! eleanor2, I love old second-hand jewellery for that reason. I like what could be the story behind it, how it has changed hands and ended up in mine. I think that I treasure it more than new items. I think that any handmade crafts have a feeling of specialness about them.

[Redstart]

I agree that going on a course is the best option. Books can't contain everything. I've tried to learn to spin from books and it didn't go well. So on 7th November I'm booked on a day's spinning course, first with a drop spindle in the morning, then lunch, then with a spinning wheel in the afternoon. The whole day, including lunch, is only about £35, which I think is very reasonable.

And afterwards the textile craft centre has a spinning meet once a month, on a Saturday, where you can take your wheel and spin with other spinners and swap ideas, etc. I'm wondering if I can persuade my husband to go with me - he's always been interested in spinning and is a natural; he doesn't need a course but what he tells me to do on my spinning wheel doesn't work for me! I need to to start at the beginning with a drop spindle.

Something else I'd like to do (perhaps when I retire) is learn to renovate old wooden furniture and be able to sell it.

[sunflower]

I have always wanted to learn to spin. I like the idea of making a woolen garment from scratch. Unfortunately, the spinning classes are during the day when I am at work. So maybe when I retire!.......

[Redstart]

Most of the spinning courses here are on a Saturday but they were full so I'm taking a Wednesday off in order to go. We have three antique spinning wheels and I'm detemined to be able to use them. My daughter knits and is alread queuing up for the wool!

[eleanor2]

today at dagfields .a massive complex full of warehouses of antiques etc.individual people rent a section for there own stuff to sell. i saw some absolutely lovely old jewellry.every piece was so different. when i was in one of the shops. the lady serving was wearing a necklace.it was a thick silver woven chain.hanging down was a silver rounded piece with like celticy designe.then a silver casement with a big gem.then another silver rounded piece with a design on. every time i spoke to the woman i couldn't help looking at her necklace.it was so specially individual.

[Oola]

i'm rubbish at knitting really, I can only do 3 stitches and have only managed to make about 3 scarves so far. Not very adventurous!

So Nannie (grandmother) who is an excellent knitter (she did all the cable knitting for her family and I think she won a prize for something) has said that she'll teach me. So I said we'll make it into an evening thing and I can go round on a chosen night once a week and she'll help me along with a knitting pattern.

The only problem is I've looked through all the knitting pattern books in John Lewis and they're all a bit frumpy. I wanted to make something a bit more 'ethereal', using maybe kidsilk haze, but I haven't managed to find a decent pattern yet!

My domestic science schooling was pretty appalling really. I *really* wish we'd been given more opportunities to learn even the basics of some traditional trades. I did a tiny bit of pottery and ceramics, I think my sewing (never did Textiles GCSE, opted for Graphics instead) was tantamount to making a knapkin or some similar throwaway item, and my dressmaking/upholstery skills are just non existent. I've had to rely on the women in my family to teach me. I don't even know the basics really...I CAN'T EVEN RUN UP A PAIR OF CURTAINS OR TURN A HEM UP! How rubbish is that?!

But I'm on the case! I have inherited a sewing machine that was going to be chucked out of my local lower school and put in the skip (aunt works there). It only does straight lines and zigzags but I reckon that's all I need for now. I just can't find a bobbin to fit it yet. But I'm hoping over the winter I'll get working on all these new skills I want to learn. I'd love to be able to make my own clothes and accessories!

I also did consider knitting a massive woolly bed throw for the winter, as I insist on having the window open no matter what the weather....just need to go and ransack the bargain bin for some cheap wool....

[Redstart]

I'd also like to learn to knit properly so let me know how you get on!

[sheddie]

Oola I thought you was good at writing and such like - will you start a magazine of your own too? Maybe start with something basic and keep it cheaper than CL it is getting so expensive and nearly all adverts. Have you come across a little paper booklet in our area called The Fuddler, it can be found in most pubs I think.

[Oola]

Yes I have seen the fuddler! It's funny you say about the magazine because Rich (other half) said to me a couple of days ago is it something that I had ever considered! I've always wanted to work at a magazine, but never been prepared to move closer to or into London to do the commuting. But it's something I'll definitely keep in mind...

I was thinking eventually I might try and produce a special 'Rural Muse' calendar...people enter their photographs and the winning 12 will be used to produce a small calendar that can be bought for a fair price. It's just an idea at the moment, along the lines of the Countryfile calendar, but it's not something I can do straight away.

[sheddie]

I would suggest you knitters get some quite large needles and medium thick wool and just do a square by casting on say 20 stitches and doing garter stitch only(plain)by doing this you will master the art of tension of the wool and your knitting will be even. Don't try taking on knitting patterns until you can master this.You could even just knit yourself a scarf just in plain knitting and it's so faishonable too.

[sunflower]

Hi Oola, look around for the 'Rowan' pattern books. The stuff in these are fantastic. Really up to date and young. Also the patterns are easy, and most of the time are for chunky knit patterns so it does not take too long to knit something. The Rowan wools are rather expensive, so providing it is the same...chunky etc you could use any wool that is more affordable. John Lewis should stock Rowan books. Happy knitting with your Nanny.

[Oola]

Hi sunflower, I did look at the books in John Lewis and couldn't find anything that I wanted to knit and wear. Some of the stuff would be ok with some moderations, and some of the accessories (hats and gloves) look good, but I'm nowhere near that good! I've already knitted myself a couple of scarves that I wear, but now that I have 5 scarves in total, I really need to learn to do something else!

[Pippa]

Eleanor2. Is that Dagfields in Cheshire, a huge place full of antiques and collectables. I think I have been there when visiting friends.

[lily]

I'm hoping to learn rag rugging this winter- have posted off for a 1 day course in Exeter in November. We went to the Autumn show at Malvern last weekend and saw some really lovely examples. Also hoping to get in a quick refresher course in crochet- would love one of those bedspreads made up of big crochet squares. On a more practical note I had a neighbour who learnt plumbing so she could outwit the builders- she said it was very straightforward and logical (well that's me out then).

[Pippa]

Would love to hear about the rag rugs, always wanted to have a go at this, preferable to plumbing any time.

[sheddie]

Oola I have a feeling the Fuddler has finished - maybe an opening there. I think the calender sounds good though, a young lady with your talents will go far I'm sure!

[eleanor2]

yes dagfields is just in cheshire over our staffordshire border.me and hubby went out visiting a church where the wedgwood family lived.then for dinner.then afternoon at dagfields we had a lovely day.

[sheddie]

All you knitters what about making a square bag and just sewing a long handle on. It would be so easy. I have one made of rainbow coloured wool and lots of people ask me where I got it from.

[Crocus]

Hi, I took sister to a local restaurant/pottery/guest house for a coffee. I know the owner of this pottery as her kids were in school with mine. She took us through the pottery and also to the fabric painting department. Was I amazed at what these people achieved here! It inspired me so much that I just want start fabric painting again! I did some in the past, but for some reason didn't get to it the last year or 2! But I'm all fired up to start again (not sure when!!!).

Your bag sounds quite arty and interesting Sheds.