Connie St. Jean
"My grandmothers taught me to knit and crochet when I was a young girl. Over the years, I continued the craft. On again, off again- more "off again" as life became busy and cluttered. It was during a hectic, stressful period of my life (circa 1990) when I was having my car's oil changed, that I met a charming woman in the same waiting area who was wearing a beautiful, colorful "fair isle" sweater and knitting contently. We began a conversation about knitting and the artful pleasure of making something from scratch. She explained to me that she had actually "spun" the yarn that she was using to knit the sweater. That was amazing... I had never met someone who spun fiber into yarn! Thoughts of my former love for knitting and crocheting began to stir inside. I became fascinated and eager to learn more..
I wanted to learn how to spin. It seemed such a tranquil craft. Sitting, spinning and watching the wheel quietly revolve, making fiber into yarn. Treadling, breathing, relaxing and enjoying spinning fiber into yarn of my creation. Yes,, going back to basics. Immersing oneself into the art (and satisfaction) of making something from scratch-and an added bonus of an earthy sense of accomplishment!
I bought my first single treadle spinning wheel and learned the basics. I joined spinning groups and met spinners who were spinning something somewhere everyday and just about anywhere you can imagine. While at a "spin in", I met a woman from Norway who was spinning on a spindle. I had never seen a spindle, I learned that spindles are the precursor of spinning wheels and that not only are they portable, they are inexpensive and collectible. I quickly learned how to spin using a spindle and my addiction began...One spindle, 2 spindles, 75 spindles.
In 2003, the Cascade Spindle Company was born. My husband taught me how to use the lathe and we work together creating spindles out of beautiful woods. All of our spindles are named after mountain peaks in the Cascade range. Rainier, St. Helens, Baker, Pilchuck, Si....
As with any passion, spindles are addictive. They are efficient, portable, beautiful and collectible. No spinner can have just one!"
Connie St. Jean