MANITOULIN—Linda Noble of Providence Bay has been spinning for almost three decades, ever since she attended a heritage day presentation while living in the US, but over the last nine years she has really thrown herself into the heritage skill an effort which recently culminated in attaining the title of Master Spinner, an accredited degree pedigree under the auspices of the Ontario Handweavers and Spinners (OHS) through the Haliburton School of the Arts. Ms. Noble now officially holds bragging rights to being Manitoulin Island’s only resident master spinner. Not that she is much of one for bragging, unless it is on behalf of the program itself.
“It is a really great program, the premier course of study of its kind in the world,” said Ms. Noble. “People come from all over the globe to attend the course.”
The course is designed as a six-year course of study, with courses taking place each year and ‘homework’ assignments each summer, finishing up with an independent studies dissertation.
“Linda is the only Master Spinner from the Island and the only recipient this year,” said Tehkummah’s Jane Little of the Manitoulin Weavers and Spinners. That organization is affiliated with parent organization, the OHS.
“The Ontario Handweavers and Spinners organized in 1956 to promote high standards in the fibre arts and arouse public interest in our craft,” said Ms. Little. “Today, the organization has members from all parts of Ontario, in other parts of Canada and beyond our borders. We welcome all those interested in spinning, weaving, dyeing, basketry and other related fibre arts.”
Ms. Little explained that the OHS connects its members by providing networking opportunities through conferences, seminars, workshops, its magazine Fibre Focus and a website.
“The OHS educates through its certificate and masters programs and by encouraging learning in the fibre arts,” noted Ms. Little, adding that the organization “advocates and shares the passion for weaving and spinning by raising the profile of handweaving, spinning and related fibre arts throughout Ontario and beyond.”
Ms. Noble attained her designation as a master spinner by completing the OHS Spinning Certificate program, which consists of six consecutive semesters (Levels I – VI). The program is offered, one semester each year, during the summer months. Completion of each level of study involves eight days of instruction at an educational institution, followed by independent homework assignments that are completed and evaluated throughout the year.
For graduates of the certificate program, the OHS masters program offers those taking the program an opportunity to research a topic in weaving or spinning in depth. Ms. Noble’s topic for her Master Spinner certification was entitled “Polwarth, Elegance and versatility.” She completed the paper in 2013.
Polwarth is a breed of sheep that was developed in Victoria (Australia) during the 1880s. They were of one-quarter Lincoln and three-quarters Merino bloodlines. They are large, predominantly polled (no horns) sheep with long, soft, quite fine wool.
Ms. Noble was awarded her certificate at a recent regional meeting of OHS WASOON (Weavers and Spinners of Northern Ontario) held in Sault Ste. Marie in May.
Ms. Noble said that the trickiest part of spinning comes from learning how to handle the various types of wool fibre. She doesn’t hesitate when asked which fibre presents the most challenge. “Wool,” she said, naming one of the most common types of fibre. “Yes, it is very common, but it is also a very short fibre.”
She explains that the familiar iconic spinning wheel employed by spinners is used to twist the fibre into yarn and the role of the spinner revolves around controlling the amount of fibre and the rate at which it goes onto the wheel to be spun into yarn.
Ms. Noble also knits and weaves the material she spins, creating articles that are very popular with friends and family. A commercial application of the skill is not terribly practical, however, as the labour-intensive nature of the products puts them out of the budget range of most people. “It’s really a labour of love,” she said. “Whatever I do sell goes into buying more fibre.”
Ms. Noble said that she highly recommends learning the craft and arts of spinning, knitting and weaving. Those interested in learning more about those skills are invited to contact the Manitoulin Weavers and Spinners’ Jane Little at 705-859-3592.