I have one little skein, only about 1/4 of what I’ll need for my socks but I am very proud of it and it was hugely satisfying to create. These socks will certainly qualify as “Slow Cloth“.

I am only just learning that there is a movement toward and a name for my own philosophy and passion in the my Fiber Art. I love the notion of slowing down in order to have quality rather than quantity in life. The idea that Fashion should be less dependent on rapidly changing trends and colors (fast money for the rich) and more about quality, sustainability, and thoughtfulness in design and materials. The things we create we should make with care and there should be an expectation that they will have meaning to us. Herein lies great Joy in the creative process.

Slow Cloth

From Elaine Marie Lipson Red Thread Studio

Joy

Slow Cloth has the possibility of joy in the process. In other words, the journey matters as much as the destination.
Contemplation

Slow Cloth offers the quality of meditation or contemplation in the process.
Skill

Slow Cloth involves skill and has the possibility of mastery.
Diversity

Slow Cloth acknowledges the rich diversity and multicultural history of textile art.
Teaching

Slow Cloth honors its teachers and lineage even in its most contemporary expressions.
Materials

Slow Cloth is thoughtful in its use of materials and respects their source.
Quality

Slow Cloth artists, designers, crafters and artisans want to make things that last and are well-made.
Beauty

It’s in the eye of the beholder, yes, but it’s in our nature to reach for beauty and create it where we can.
Community

Slow Cloth supports community by sharing knowledge and respecting relationships.
Expression

Slow Cloth is expressive of individuals and/or cultures. The human creative force is reflected and evident in the work.

My Sock Yarn

I prepared a wonderfully soft and bouncy Polwarth fleece from New Zealand by a method I learned from Judith MacKenzie. You can read more about how I washed the fleece to prepare it for worsted spinning here and here.

Each lovely clean lock was flicked open at both ends and hand spun with the tip end toward the wheel to a very fine strand of yarn wherein all of the fibers were not only presented tip end first but all lined up parallel with just a bit of tension on the fiber as it twisted so that it would always be trying to regain the crimp that is natural to it, thus producing a nice elastic thread. When I had 3 bobbin done I plyed them together which resulted in a yarn that is a 3 ply worsted. It is elastic, soft and very durable. It is a little finer than my commercially spun sock yarn @ an average of 16 – 18 WPI.I can’t wait to cast on for my socks!