Sunday, December 14, 2025

Navaho Spinning

 Following my trip to weave with Navaho teachers in Canyon de Chelly,  I decided that a good followup might be a class at John  C. Campbell Folkschool to  try my hand at Navaho style spinning. I am not great with a drop spindle although I have enjoyed using a floor supported spindle. Our teacher was TahNibaa Naataanii, assisted by her Mother, who I recognized from a favorite movie,  "Frybread Face and Me."

Tahnii had brought washed Navaho churro sheep fleece for us to use in 5 different colors!




We first took a good couple of ounces /handful of the fleece and opened it up so it looked liike a veil, then the cardiing started. We were encouraged to respect our materials and keep them neat. Then the carding started; my carding improved immensely! 


The spindles are long and rest on the ground in supported spindle fashion.

Here are our results!












Here is a video of TahNi from youtube





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