Pine Ledge Fiber Studio
Handspinning, Handweaving and Hand Dyeing in Vermont
 by Joanne Littler

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How do I place an order or make a purchase?
2. Why can't I buy things directly from your Website?
3. Do you raise your own sheep?
4. What part of the spinning wheel pricked Sleeping Beauty?
5. How long does it take to make a .....?
6. How much yarn will I need to make a .....?
7. Can I get Samples?
8. Do you spin Dog Fur?
9. Where do you show/sell your work?

1. How do I place an order or make a purchase?

Call or email me with your request.  I read my email between 6 and 7 a.m. most  weekday mornings and try to respond immediately.  My business phone will record a message if I'm unable to pick up.

I will get back to you as soon as I possibly can.  

Payment must be made in advance. Credit card information can be taken over the phone.   It is may be possible to pay for your purchase using PayPal.  Personal checks are accepted, but may take a few days to process.

 Returns and exchanges require approval and the request must be received within 15 days of purchase.  

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2. Why can't I buy things directly from your Website?

This is not a secure site. I currently do not accept credit card payments on line.  If you wish to purchase an item you see here, please call or email me to check on availability.  I am not a production worker and often only make one thing - of whatever it is.  

There are certain items that I enjoy making and will do some variation of, year after year, but find that I am not willing to make the same things over and over again in exactly the same way.  If I've sold out of towels, there might not be any more for awhile. 

Most of the time I'm happy to take orders, and try to reshuffle my schedule to fit things in, but if I happen to already have several custom orders booked, it might take weeks (or months). 

I expect to use my Word Press blog to let people know what things I'm currently working on, have recently finished, and have available for sale. If you see something there that interests you, please contact me for information about price, etc.

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3. Do you raise your own sheep?

The short answer is no.  I purchase all of the fibers I use.

The longer answer is that I'm  really more of a 'goat-person'.  If you've ever had the privilege of caring for goats, that statement will tell you a great deal about my personality.  If you don't know what I'm talking about it's probably just as well. 

To be perfectly honest, I am not in love with sheep.  I love goats.  But the more I spin, the more I realize that I enjoy  working with lots of different types of fiber, not just sheep's wool.

When I first started spinning I had a small herd of registered Oberhasli Dairy Goats.   We raised our daughter on goats milk, made cheese, - all those wonderful things.   The 9 years I spent with goats  helped me realize that I am not good at having to make the hard choices that come with animal husbandry and farming - dairy farming in particular.  And again, if you don't know what I'm talking about, it's probably just as well. 

Basically, it came down to how I most wanted to spend my time (and $).  Studio work gradually took up more time and caring for animals was gradually phased out. 

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4. What part of the spinning wheel pricked Sleeping Beauty?

A part that isn't (recognizable) on most modern wheels. 

I get asked this question a lot when I demonstrate.  If you really want to learn more about the workings and history of spinning wheels, email me and I will give you a list of references so you can begin your study.

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5. How long does it take to make a .....whatever?

A long time....  All of the work I do is by hand - by me- and often one piece at a time.  Depending on the thing, it probably also took a lot of time learning how to do it.  But that's a choice I make because I like doing (almost) all of the steps that go into each piece.   I hope to be able to post pictures on a weaving page to illustrate what goes into preparing a loom for weaving.  To some people it looks tedious and boring and repetitive.  To me it's an opportunity to handle yarn.  And I really, really like yarn handling.

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6. How much yarn do I need to make ... whatever?

Several factors need to be considered when planning any project and those factors play a role in determining the amount of yarn needed.  It's possible to estimate, but even a 'best guess' requires some knowledge of your own knitting (or weaving) style.  Sampling is highly recommended and really the only way to come up with a realistic figure for yardage requirements.  It's worth spending time deciding (and experimenting) with what you want/need the finished fabric to be like. Size does matter (for yarn and needles).  So does sett, and picks per inch.   Feel free to email me with your questions about yarn requirements. 

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7. Can I get samples?

Yes. Complete sets of yarn samples are usually available for the Super Bulky Handspun line. (When new fiber colors are introduced there may be some delay while I spin and make samples).  Individual fiber, yarn, and fabric samples can be made available.  Fees for these depend on type of sample required and the time needed to make/prepare the samples.  If you have any questions as to whether a particular color of hat or scarf (or any of the items I make) will 'match' something you own, I will be happy to send a small sample of the yarns used if you send me a self-addressed stamped envelope along with your request.

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8.  Do you spin dog fur?

Not anymore. 

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9.  Where do you show/sell your work?

I sell at the Farmer's Market in Burlington VT, and at my studio/shop by appointment.  I hope to have my Etsy storefront back in business, but found that it was inconvenient to keep removing items that I wanted to display in in my booth.  I'm working on it, though.

Please note that my personal commitments and/or inclement weather may prevent me from being at market.  If you want to know if I plan to attend on a specific date, please email or call. 

Burlington Farmer's Market - Saturday's, May 7- October 29, 2011  from 8:30am - 2:00pm

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Joanne Littler
Copyright © 2006  [Pine Ledge Fiber Studio]. All rights reserved.
Revised: 06/05/11.