Cartmel Handspun Spinning School reviews

1 Apr 19'

Carol Jackson reviewed: Hand spinning for beginners at Cartmel Handspun

"I had a wonderful day with Elaine. Never thought I’d be able to spin with a wheel......but yes I can. I’m so thrilled I’ve booked the two day course. It’s amazing ?"

26 Mar 19'

Annette Schindler reviewed: Hand spinning for beginners at Cartmel Handspun

"I have just had a wonderful day with the wonderful Elaine, she explained the use of drop spindles and before I knew it I was attempting to use a spinning wheel. Elaine's calm and patient teaching manner was brilliant and her explanations of how to use the spinning wheel and comparisons of different styles and types was extremely helpful. She is genuinely interested in why you are attending her course and then offers tips and advice suited to your own personal needs. Very highly recommended! In fact I plan on booking myself on to the 2 day course where you prepare and then spin and fleece from start to finish!"

25 Feb 19'

Sharon Leeson reviewed: Hand spinning for beginners at Cartmel Handspun

"What a thoroughly enjoyable day - Elaine had so much patience and I would really recommend this course to anybody wanting to learn this lovely craft. Very inspiring, educational and fun! Thank you very much Elaine - I ordered my own drop spindle this morning and next stop, a spinning wheel."

25 Feb 19'

Caron Newman reviewed: Hand spinning for beginners at Cartmel Handspun

"Thoroughly enjoyed this course. As a complete beginner whose attempts at using a drop spindle had failed miserably in the past I wanted to see if expert tuition could bring out the Spinner in me and I wasn’t disappointed. Elaine was patient and excellent at explaining the basic principles of spinning right from the very beginning. All aspects were covered - the different properties of various fleeces, how fibre reacts as it does to the spinning process, what to look for in a fleece if you want to prepare it for spinning etc. The day flew by, made to feel very welcome by Elaine and her husband and only 3 participants on the course means you get individual attention whatever your skill level. It was a real treat to use the Haldane wheel and Elaine can give plenty of advice on different types of wheel if you are considering buying your own. I left at the end of the day with two more than passable skeins of wool and an urge to dive into the world of spinning equipped with the basics to practice and develop my skills. Would highly recommend this course for anyone who wants to try the craft, whether or not they think they will go on to purchase their own wheel in the future."

25 Feb 19'

Kerry Ballard reviewed: Hand spinning for beginners at Cartmel Handspun

"Hi Elaine, thank you soooo much for today, it was absolutely brilliant, I have learnt loads. You are a fantastic teacher and VERY patient with us. Also very generous with both your wool and your knowledge. Wow, what a skill you have to spin such beautifully even and fantastic yarns, I now know how incredibly hard that is, so it was a real treat to see your work. Thank you again, brilliant course, enjoyed every minute. Kerry P.s. I think you should charge more for what you give."

12 Feb 19'

Jules Farrer reviewed: From fleece to fibre 2-day spinning workshop

"Thoroughly enjoyed the two day course. Elaine offers a wonderful, warm welcome and a comprehensive basic course for the aspiring new spinner. From raw fleece, through all the stages of wool preparation, spinning on both a drop spindle and a wheel, to coming home with your own plied yarn, Elaine offers wonderful tuition, individual attention and an extensive spinners 'library' of reference books which can answer any questions no matter how obscure. What a great grounding in yarn basics! Highly recommended."

10 Dec 18'

Sue Williams reviewed: Hand spinning for beginners at Cartmel Handspun

"I had a fantastic day with Elaine , being a beginner Elaine was very patient and easy to understand her instruction , I would recommend these courses to anyone . I have now bought my own wheel and fleece to start at home after one days tuition . I have made a friend as well ."

21 Nov 18'

Nick reviewed: From fleece to fibre 2-day spinning workshop

"I had the pleasure of attending Elaine's 2 day course. What a joy! I didn't want it to end. Elaine is an inspirational teacher, very patient with total beginners (me) and extremely encouraging . The 2 days were great with plenty of time to start to develop the practical skills involved under Elaine's supportive care. I am hooked! Lovely hat knitted using the skeins of my own spun wool i took away and spinning wheel being delivered today! Thank you Elaine, you have set me on the road of a new skill and delightfully engaging new hobby."

19 Nov 18'

Hannah Rosebury-Lowe reviewed: From fleece to fibre 2-day spinning workshop

"Highly addictive! Elaine is a fantastic tutor, endlessly patient despite my apparent incompetence! I did eventually get the hang of it & left with a head full of information-being a 2 day course,most of it has sunk in too. Lunch was delicious, friendly atmosphere & a fun way to spend a weekend. I have a few sheep & hope to spin their wool and now feel confident in how to prepare the fleece & that it's only practice with a wheel standing in my way. Since return home I have successfully carded & spun fur saved from my Spitz dogs on a drop spindle,I am hooked."

15 Nov 18'

Ruth Simpson reviewed: From fleece to fibre 2-day spinning workshop

"Where to start...? I booked a two day course for my daughter and I, and together with another keen beginner (a man) , we set off with Elaine to learn all about fleece, and how to make yarn. Elaine was endlessly patient and very informative, and it was fascinating. I had my own wheel, which I took with me, and it was great to actually make it work! At the end of the course, we all had yarn to take home, and a burning desire to make some more. Three days later I was at World of Wool in Huddersfield, buying fluff, and my daughter had already taken delivery of a drop spindle and wool! Thanks Elaine, for helping us discover a new hobby. ? Oh, and she makes a lovely lunch too!"

26 Oct 18'

JackieHollands reviewed: From fleece to fibre 2-day spinning workshop

"I had a great weekend along with two other interesting ladies learning a new skill from Elaine. I consider myself a perpetual student and enjoy attempting new craft skills and this was by far the most challenging yet at the same time very rewarding. I came away from the weekend with a new interest which I will pursue and that will enrich my other crafty hobbies. Thanks to Elaine I feel ready to embark on a new learning journey. She is a very inspirational teacher and I’m looking forward to exploring the possibilities of this new skill. Thank you to Elaine for her patient explanations and to my two new friends for an enjoyable weekend and also Thanks to my Husband for my 60th Birthday treat."

18 Oct 18'

Pat Macfarlane reviewed: From fleece to fibre 2-day spinning workshop

"I was a complete novice before starting this course, however I was delighted with the two days I spent with Elaine. Elaine is an excellent teacher and has an abundance of patience especially when unraveling my first attempts. Having a small class is definitely an advantage and the other two ladies in the group were great company. For anyone contemplating enrolling in the course, do it! You will not be disappointed, I came away at the end of the second day feeling triumphant having achieved the end result albeit a rather rustic skein of wool. Elaine is a wealth of knowledge for all things about fleece and fibres, I am definitely going to develop this hobbie."

16 Oct 18'

Kim reviewed: From fleece to fibre 2-day spinning workshop

"Elaine was a fantastic instructor! I had never used a spinning wheel before this weekend and now I am completely addicted to this craft with the intention of purchasing my own spinning wheel so I can card and spin my own wool. The setting was beautiful (despite the rain), the lunch was delicious, and the company was excellent. I highly recommend this course to anyone who wants to learn more about wool, carding and spinning. Thank you Elaine!"

6 Oct 18'

Ruth reviewed: From fleece to fibre 2-day spinning workshop

"I really enjoyed the 2 day course. It was instructive, in pleasant surroundings and pleasant company. I learnt a great deal and it spurred me on to continuing with fleece and spinning. The first day was particularly intense and exhausting! Maybe we're no longer used to concentrating for long periods........a printed hand-out would be useful with basic details of each process."

2 Sep 18'

Kate Robertson reviewed: Hand spinning for beginners at Cartmel Handspun

"Had a fantastic day, learned so much. I feel ready and inspired to carry on by myself and transform the pile of fleeces into piles of yarn!"

24 Apr 18'

Cate Anderson reviewed: From fleece to fibre 2-day spinning workshop

"I really enjoyed this information and skills-packed weekend. I learnt such a lot. Spinning for the first time felt like reversing round a corner on your first driving lesson! But once I started to understand the component parts of the process, things fell into place more. Since getting home, I have tried out spinning three different fibre lengths, and am teaching myself hand-carding through YouTube. This is a lovely hobby and a great 60th birthday present from my family. Many thanks to Elaine for her wealth of knowledge and expertise."

24 Apr 18'

Pam Harrington reviewed: From fleece to fibre 2-day spinning workshop

"As a complete newcomer to spinning, this two-day course was a perfect opportunity to learn techniques and practice them. Elaine had lots of knowledge and advice to share, and also provided a delicious lunch. It was fascinating to learn how a raw fleece can be turned into beautiful yarns. I'd recommend it to anyone who wants to spend a weekend learning how to spin in a fantastic Lakeland setting."

15 Apr 18'

Beverley Chapman reviewed: Hand spinning for beginners at Cartmel Handspun

"Elaine is a patient and highly skilled teacher. I can't think of a better way to spend a Sunday."

11 Apr 18'

Ulrike Ranson reviewed: Hand spinning for beginners at Cartmel Handspun

"I had never spun before but was somehow inspired by the spinning wheel my parents have stored in their attic for years. I really enjoyed the different processes and experiences spinning offers, feeling the fleece, listening to the wheels, seeing the thread forming, and being thrilled by the end result. Elaine is a great teacher and mentor, very patient as well as knowledgeable and offers this course in her warm and cosy house. I can only recommend it."

26 Mar 18'

Jane Colman reviewed: From fleece to fibre 2-day spinning workshop

"I thoroughly enjoyed the 2 day fleece to fibre spinning course, it is exactly what I needed. I have my own wheel which Elaine suggested I bring along to work on, she even showed me how to look after it and set it up properly for me. Elaine is so knowledgeable and explains everything really well. I had been overspinning my yarn but by the end of the 2 days I had made 2 pretty good skeins of my very own, one was even stripey! The days were very relaxed with a lovely lunch. The only criticism is the days went far too quick!"

26 Mar 18'

Julie Wood reviewed: From fleece to fibre 2-day spinning workshop

"What a great way to spend a weekend! I learned a lot and thoroughly enjoyed myself. Elaine has a vast amount of knowledge and even more patience. Looking forward to practicing what I've learned."

14 Mar 18'

Jessica Skelton reviewed: Hand Spinning Essentials for Beginners Week-end Residential (half board)

"A great course, perfect for a complete beginner like me who's had no experience at all of fleece or spinning. It's hands-on right from the start, with each step explained, then shown - then you're thrown in the deep end to try it yourself. There are a variety of different wheels to try, and by the end of it you'll have your very own skein of yarn and be itching to do more."

28 Feb 18'

Patricia Scott reviewed: Hand Spinning Essentials for Beginners Week-end Residential (half board)

"Wonderful woolly weekend! Perfect environment for spinning - comfy home with all mod cons. Elaine's expertise and flexibility to cater for individual aspirations of participants much appreciated. And of course the amazing collections of resources made available facilitate diversity and development of ideas. Huge thank you."

27 Feb 18'

Mary Le Breuilly reviewed: Hand Spinning Essentials for Beginners Week-end Residential (half board)

"This four day course is designed to get you up and spinning, and I must say that in my case it achieved just that. I had never spun before but I came home with my own yarn, admittedly a bit wonky, but lovingly spun under the watchful eye of Elaine. As a tutor, Elaine is extremely knowledgeable, very patty and willing to adapt the course to suit the aims of the participants. The small number of students meant you had plenty of individual help and support. As a bonus, the cottage was lovely, beautifully furnished and well equipped. I have returned home feeling capable of spinning on my own and even of preparing my own fleece from scratch."

17 Nov 17'

Alex reviewed: From fleece to fibre 2-day spinning workshop

"What a great way to spend a weekend! Having never done any spinning or crafting before, with Elaines help I managed to produce something resembling "proper" wool by the end of the two day course. I learned so much and am planning to use my own fleeces once Santa delivers a spinning wheel. Elaine was lovely and I had a great time. Would definitely recommend especially for beginners like me. Thank you."