Cartmel Handspun Spinning School reviews

20 Oct 15'

Cathy reviewed: Hand spinning for beginners at Cartmel Handspun

"Elaine is patience personified - kind, helpful and fun with the most wonderful way of bringing the story of Rumpelstiltskin alive. As if by magic, beautiful skeins of wool appeared from nowhere. My efforts were somewhat more lumpy and erratic, but as a first timer I was pretty proud of the day's handiwork. And can't wait to try again."

7 Oct 15'

Lesley reviewed: Hand spinning for beginners at Cartmel Handspun

"Recently attended Elaine beginners spinning courses in her beautiful home. from the moment you arrive you are welcomed and the fun begins. Elaine's tuition is tailored to the individuals on the course, and her patience is remarkable while we fumble our way though hand eye foot and wool coordination but then the penny drops and you're away. We all left with handspun wool to show for our day. Thanks Elaine."

5 Oct 15'

Danielle reviewed: Hand spinning for beginners at Cartmel Handspun

"Excellent teacher. It was a very friendly atmosphere, I learned so much and had a wonderful time. Hopefully I'll get the chance to go on the more advanced course once I've got going with my own wheel."

4 Aug 15'

Carly reviewed: Hand spinning for beginners at Cartmel Handspun

"An excellent course with a very friendly and helpful teacher! As a complete new comer to the world of spinning I had no idea if I would be able to do it or not. First we were taught on a drop spindle and for some reason, I just wasn't getting it, but Elaine was very patient with me and watched me and helped me to improve until it clicked. I was even able to improve and create my very first skein by the end of the day! Wonderful and would definitely recommend!"

28 Jul 15'

Jo Brown reviewed: Hand spinning for beginners at Cartmel Handspun

"Elaine came to my home to teach myself and a friend since we both have health issues. Elaine was great, very patient and taught us fantastically. My friend had no previous experience of spinning and is now buying her own drop spindle as she got bitten by the spinning bug in a big way :) I already had a bit of experience with the spindle but was self taught, it was interesting to see how a professional does it. Elaine taught me to use my spinning wheel which I could not get set up correctly. Since then I have spun almost every night and even done some plying of my yarns. Elaine does a secondary/ intermediate course as well as beginners course. I am looking forward to going on her intermediate course in the future. If you live in the north of England or are holidaying there I cant recommend Elaine highly enough to teach you"

21 Jul 15'

Morag Curtis reviewed: Hand spinning for beginners at Cartmel Handspun

"I attended a bespoke spinning workshop with Elaine and thoroughly enjoyed the experience. Elaine is very generous with her time and experience and has inspired me to work hard at improving my spinning technique. She is a great teacher and is patient and thorough with her explanations. I cannot rate this workshop highly enough. Thanks Elaine"

9 Jul 15'

Laney Warwick reviewed: From fleece to fibre 2-day spinning workshop

"Finally I understand tensions! Feel I have moved forward in one enormous leap from spinning whatever comes out to actually creating something specific. Learned a lot one short day. Tranquil location, lovely friendly atmosphere, and great fun."

9 Jul 15'

Jilly M reviewed: Hand spinning for beginners at Cartmel Handspun

"Just loved this course. Never done anything like it before so thrilled to come home with my own skein - a bit bumpy - but ALL MINE!! Thanks to a very patient teacher."

4 Jul 15'

Jane Davies reviewed: Hand spinning for beginners at Cartmel Handspun

"Thanks Elaine for yet another inspiring day. I loved your special bespoke workshop as I really wanted to spend time just focusing on plying - getting it balanced and being creative. Now have lots of ideas for my new stash of fleeces!!"

4 Jul 15'

Wendy reviewed: Hand spinning for beginners at Cartmel Handspun

"Elaine put on a special bespoke course for me which covered everything I really needed to know and more. Had a really useful day and covered some unexpected ground which made the whole experience worthwhile. Thanks. Recommended? Certainly."

21 Jun 15'

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

"Took this course as a follow on having completed the Beginner's Course. Found it extremely useful in setting tension and drafting techniques to get the yarn I actually want to spin - not just what comes out. A fair amount of technical data to absorb but Elaine relates it to the end product making it more relevant. I feel fairly confident now about setting out to achieve my own ideals about yarn design."

21 Jun 15'

Louise reviewed: Hand spinning for beginners at Cartmel Handspun

"From a standing start knowing nothing this course ABSOLUTELY enthralled me. Learned so much in one day and had a super time in the process. Thank you so much for turning me into confident spinner."

8 Jun 15'

Angela Dixon reviewed: Hand spinning for beginners at Cartmel Handspun

"Had a wonderful time with Elaine. So much packed in to the course I learnt a lot about wool and how to spin using a spindle and spinning wheel. Elaine is patient and very encouraging making me feel proud of my achievement. Thanks Elaine you are very talented and I am eager to learn more."

19 May 15'

Di Herriot reviewed: Hand spinning for beginners at Cartmel Handspun

"A wonderful day with a fabulous teacher. Elaine is so knowledgeable and took a complete beginner to a relatively competent spinner in just 6 hours. Learnt so much and have a skein of my own spun wool which is just so satisfying! Thank you Elaine for your patience and expertise. Di x"

29 Apr 15'

Sue Sutherland reviewed: Hand spinning for beginners at Cartmel Handspun

"I arrived a complete beginner full of questions, and left later feeling confident and motivated to continue what I had learnt. Elaine is a wonderful teacher, full of knowledge that she communicated so well that I felt really encouraged. Beautiful surroundings and a lovely friendly welcome. Highly recommended!"

15 Apr 15'

Melanie Clarkson reviewed: Hand spinning for beginners at Cartmel Handspun

"I have really enjoyed my day with Elaine, she filled the day with so much knowledge, practical advice and know how, I would recommend to anyone wanting to learn to spin. Very worth while."

12 Apr 15'

Sarah reviewed: Hand spinning for beginners at Cartmel Handspun

"Would definatley recomend this course to anyone who is thinking about having a go but not sure. Elaine is an excellent teacher, her knowledge is amazing and her patience outstanding. I'm hooked too and going to look at getting my own wheel to practice on. Lovely one to one tuition in a lovely relaxed atmosphere. Happy spinning."

30 Mar 15'

Chris reviewed: Hand spinning for beginners at Cartmel Handspun

"Wow I'm totally hooked! Can't wait to get my hands on my own wheel and start spinning. Learned SO much the day absolutely flew by. Started with absolutely no idea what I was doing and finished up with my own skein - OK a bit lumpy and bumpy but all my own work. Brilliant."

8 Mar 15'

Jacqui Wright reviewed: Hand spinning for beginners at Cartmel Handspun

"A huge thank you to Elaine for sharing her knowledge with me. Today I completed my beginners spinning course and am absolutely hooked! I'm now looking to buy my own wheel and looking foward to making lots of new friends."

25 Feb 15'

Melanie Clarkson reviewed: From fleece to fibre 2-day spinning workshop

"I have really enjoyed my day with Elaine, she filled the day with so much knowledge, practical advice and know how, I would recommend to anyone wanting to learn to spin. Very worth while."

19 Feb 15'

Sally Brace reviewed: Hand spinning for beginners at Cartmel Handspun

"Spent a lovely day learning how to spin and lots more besides, Elaine is a great teacher, full of encouragement, which was especially nice for a complete novice like me! I would definitely recommend her courses, very friendly, informative and interesting."

11 Feb 15'

Abby reviewed: Hand spinning for beginners at Cartmel Handspun

"Thoroughly enjoyable and very interesting day. It was so lovely to be taught by someone so knowledgable and passionate. The spinning was challenging but very rewarding, and I am seriously considering buying a wheel. I've also enjoyed using my drop spindle at home since the course. I'd recommend this course."

25 Jan 15'

Marlis reviewed: Hand spinning for beginners at Cartmel Handspun

"An excellent day course, relaxed but informative and certainly got me spinning. Great fun to spin using a drop spindle initially and then finally manageing to use my own spinning wheel - aim achieved. Elaine is patient and provides excellent guidance and I have learned some useful 'spinning' language, sources of wool etc. and informative course notes to take away."

17 Dec 14'

Jane Coward reviewed: Hand spinning for beginners at Cartmel Handspun

"With no previous experience of spinning under Elaine's tutelage I was soon spinning. I enjoyed the whole day, made better with only 1 other pupil on the course which meant that if I needed help or guidance Elaine was there to assist me. I would heartily recommend this course & Elaine whether you are inexperienced or wish to progress with spinning. I'm sure there is lots more to learn."

23 Sep 14'

Lynn Young reviewed: Hand spinning for beginners at Cartmel Handspun

"Absolutely loved my one to one beginners spinning day, I was amazed to find myself spinning on drop spindle within half an hour of meeting Elaine! She is truly inspirational, patient, friendly and funny. The time passed so quickly and I covered scouring the raw fleece, carding, spinning, plying, all terms I now understand! I brought home my own skein of wool! Brilliant day, really enjoyed it and cannot recommend it enough."