I have evolved in my hobbies much like you... started something and then morphed into something else related. As an adult with a decent paying career, i tended to fall into a new hobby completely... i would get as many books to learn about it, then would need to get supplies and stash, only to find not all books and supplies are really needed or appropriate for the methods i am interested in. I swear that spinning is the last rabbit hole i will fall into! I am turning 70 this year and i know i will not be able to to do all the needlework, knitting and crochet, quilting, weaving, rug hooking, and spinning that i have patterns and stash for! Ahhh, i will ponder that while i watch all the critters in my garden, listen to my cats snoring, and read.
Hi Lisa, Love your fleeces and spinning ❤ The music is so soothing too. You are in good company when you say at times you can be all over the place with your crafting. I am grateful to have a large stash of fleeces, yarn, watercolor supplies, rug hooking wool, and love gardening that I need 5 lifetimes to make a dent in all of it too! 😂 Hope your day is filled with peace and fulfilled with joy of crafting of your choice! Thank you for doing these podcasts. I enjoy them a lot!!🎉
I'm loving this. In the intro, when you could faintly hear the whirl of the spinning wheel, I could feel my heart slow and my body relax. I haven’t been making time to spin lately but I'm definitely feeling the pull. I raise Angora goats, who produce a fine mohair. It's one of my favourite fibres to handle
Hi Lisa! Thank you so much for your podcast/vidéos. Your passion for the fiber arts and leading a soulful, creative life shines through in each and every one! I’m am a new spinner and have learned so much from you. I can’t thank you enough! It must take an incredible amount of time to research, create “objects”, create and edit videos etc. This time of year for us in northern hemisphere when the weather warms and the garden beckons, sometimes we just have to put the inside work aside and get out in the sunshine and dig in the dirt and grow things! I will look forward to each video whenever you get the chance.
Hi Lisa! It makes me feel like your neighbor when we have similar weather:) I am in Ohio. Isn't it lovely to go out without even a sweater!? I think retirement is more challenging because there are so many things I am interested in. There is much more planning involved in each day to manage it all. My husband always laments that when I pick up new hobbies, I don't drop the old ones! LOL. I loved it several episodes ago when you mentioned that you husband asked what you had planned for your day and then laughed and said oh right... projects. My husband and I have the same conversation but it's so much more complicated than just projects! Right? Have a great few weeks!
I guess having too many hobbies is a good problem to have. 😊 But I try not to get stressed out about it. Have fun and go with the flow. But yes, structuring my day can be a challenge. They all pass so quickly, too. I can actually say I am never bored. We enjoyed many days of beautiful weather. No more fleece drying outside in the sunshine for a while. Take care, Lisa!
Hi Lisa, thank you for showing us how you ply off the spindles. I have been so curious about that step. I love a vanilla sock. I love creating my own little designs when I get board. Keeping trying new stitch counts. I start with 64 and go down to 60 once I start the foot. Enjoy!🌸
I can't even pick out which part of your podcast I like the most, but I will mention that I find your book reviews very helpful. It took me a long time to figure out my sock recipe. Heels drove me crazy until I settled on Arne's short row heel. I found my perfect toe in the toe-up sock tutorial at NimbleNeedles, but I hate knitting toe-up so I did some calculations and figured out how to do the toe from the other direction. I don't want to have to think about a pattern with socks, but I do enjoy picking out different yarn colors to make my own stripes. A bonus when you do that is you can make the stripes as skinny or as fat as you want.
Forever inspiring. I have always been in love with Finn. You are inspiring me, again, to move out of my comfort zone. After I get these fleeces washed up, I am going to learn to knit. Our spinning guild is LOADED with knitters. I am a weaver by nature but who knows, maybe I am a knitter too. Still working on my breed studies. The flavor of the spindle is Hebridean...still. It's not one you'd enjoy sniffing though. Phew....barn scented. Almost have my 3 oz. I will definitely be putting this one in the yarn competition at the county fair this fall. Thank you for your sweet vlogs. I see that number is growing weekly. Keep up the good work. Give Peaches a big scritch for me. 💕
I love that leaf pattern on the hat! I might have to get that pattern ❤️. I love vanilla socks for the same reason, easy on the mind at night when my brain is tired. Gotta say, I Really enjoy your videos!!!
Hi Lisa, I was excited to hear you talk about Finn my favourite fleece. I have spun a grey Finn from my local shepherd and I also found it to be a bit less soft than the white, it has a lovely lustre though and I’m procrastinating about what to knit with it. When I visited her farm the shepherd told me she gets the colours from crossing some Corriedale 1/8 Corriedale 7/8 Finn to get greys and blacks and that’s why they aren’t as soft. The lambs are friendly and came up to the fence for a pat. Cheers, Mandy
So interesting! My experience has been that while Finn wool is softer. I know too that finnsheep make great crosses. It is one of my favorites for sure. 💕
It's always good to have big dreams and plans. It keeps our soul moving in the detection of creation. I think the world is better with creative dreams like you in it. And look how you inspire so many. Good luck! 🍀
Hello Lisa 👋🏻🤗 I am Alexandra from Switzerland. Latly I stumbled across your RU-vid channel *soulful spinning* and I love it! 😍 I am a fairly new knitter, started one year ago, and I love how it helps me to relax and calm down after a long work day. When I start a new hobby usually I fall down a deep rabbit hole 🐰🕳️. The winter sheep breed study you did is super interesting and very addictive. Seeing you allways spin and the passion you have for the craft inspired me to buy my first drop spindle anf fleece at the last weeks Swiss Yarn Festival 😉🎉 Let's keep fingers crossed that I manage to spinne. Would love to knit with my one spinne yarn. Since I did not jet manage to watch all your past videos I was wondering if you looked at BFL in one of your studies? I could not find it in any title.. And I would love to know more bought it. BTW: I hope you keep doing such lovly content. 😊 Best Wishes from overseas 🙂
Greetings Alexandra! You message makes me so happy. Thank you for your many kind words. You’ll be spinning and making things from your handspun in no time. Regarding BFL: I have only spun it in commercially prepared fiber. I have a BFL cross fleece but not sure how much it is like purebred. It’s a bit hard to get in raw form but I’d love to try it someday. I hope you continue to find relaxation and satisfaction from your spinning. Take care and have a lovely day. 🤗 Enjoy the rabbit hole. 🐰
I knit a lot of vanilla socks for the same reason as you - they fill that role of something mindless for when I don’t want to pay attention. If I have more capacity then I am usually working on a bigger project! Another great episode ☺️
Thank you, Lisa, for another lovely video. I am home from hospital and am having a bumpy recovery, and your video has been a beautiful distraction for me😊🙏 Your spinning, as always, is wonderful and I find you inspiring. The thing is struggle with, is not rushing to buy every book you review!! Thank you for these beautiful videos.
Thank you for recommending the 2 sock knitting books - I’ll definitely give them a look. I found your channel from watching JillianEve and your love of spinning has now inspired me to try it myself. I have joined my local weaving, spinning and dyeing guild here in the UK and am loving both the use of drop spindles and spinning wheel.
As usual, a lovely episode Lisa👏👏💕. Always dream, dream big, as it always makes us happy and keep us energetic and inspired 😍😍. Enjoy making the quilt😎
Your comments on ADHD had me laughing. I was on meds for years for it. Denie from MyImperfectKnittingLife says her hubby calls her 'water beetle brain'. I can certainly identify.
Hi Lisa, I just started reading the book Gossamer Webs the History and Techniques of Orenburg Lace Shawls and loving it! It’s so interesting to read the evolution of the shawls and the stories of the women’s lives. It’s making me want to spin and knit one myself. Thanks for the tip!
Thank you so much for such an informative episode 😊. I discovered your podcast a couple of months ago and have been enjoying very much all of your content. I had recently bought some shetland fiber and was looking for information on how it spuns. Your series on the different sheep breeds has been and eye opening 🙌🏼. I just ordered the Sock Architecture book from my local book store, it will probably take a month to get here 🙃 can’t wait! A couple of weeks ago I finished knitting my pair number 50 🎉 so I’ve knit 100 socks 😅, but there is always room for new information 🤓
Lisa, it’s snowing!! So I’m very much enjoying your weather at the moment! Peaches! Did you get a cut?! I love knitting socks; mostly vanilla, but I have the 52 weeks of socks, so I can’t wait to knit some textured ones soon. Sending my best!
I love your videos so much. I have learnt such alot from you. Both your book recommendations interest me: the simple quilting and the sock book. I am trying to master sock knitting myself at the moment: I've made several tubes and still need to try the afterthought heels on them. I am gradually practicing my spindle spinning: I have a new supported spindle and a few drop spindles. Peaches always makes me smile. I have a black cockapoo called Molly: Peaches reminds me of her, despite the obvious differences x
put some 2 1/2 inch strips aside as you are cutting those 1940s fabrics and your next quilt can be a nine patch. I do have a few featherwts, love them and berninas.those old machines usually just need lots of oiling and a bit of cleaning. thanks for your content, seasoned knitter and quilter here but new to spinning. socks, I always have a generic sock, ( usually regia) on the dpns, rarely do patterned ones.
I'm an avid vanilla sock knitter, because they're so easy, mindless, and fast to knit. Vanilla socks also work well to show off the colors of handspun. That being said they can be boring so sometimes I'll make up a random design and throw it in. Also, if I like the pattern enough I'll knit a more complicated sock. I'm knitting the MirrorSmoke socks right now and following a chart is taking forever to get through, but it'll be worth it in the end. It's definitely okay to dream. I have so many things I want to work on, but not enough time. Life of a crafter.
I too knit a lot of plain vanilla socks. They’re my potato chip knitting. Or at least having my hands occupied with knitting them means I’m not reaching for the chips. I also have an obscene amount of sock yarn, much of which is not suitable for patterned socks.
LisaR: Hi Lisa , Your spindling looks so relaxed & "second nature " to you ! I'm motivated to get the pretty spindles out and practice a bit each day .I want to use the support spindles and they elegantly served me a large piece of humble pie 😅 Thanks for sharing what you create .I always learn something and truly appreciate your time .
Ha ha! Fred Flintstone feet! I have those too! My husband says they look like they’ve been sawn off 😂 I also jump about from project to project, and don’t hold my concentration for too long and, yes, you’re right that if we were starting our education now this would be spotted right away. In fact it was only after my son started school and was noted for showing borderline Asperger traits that my own school experience and struggles there made sense. Love the socks btw.
I just found your lovely videos yesterday. You mentioned about dreaming and trying to stay on task. I would say you are or were an Anne of Green Gables, of which is a wonderful way to be, as long as you are tethered to something. Haha. I, too, have a constant mental list, and sometimes a written one of all the many, many things I want to do and need to do. We will never be bored, right? Thank you for your videos.
If you do make the teddy 🧸 bear a quilt, maybe you might cut ✂️ up your husband's one old shirt 👕 to add to it. I like how you ply your drop spindles, and I'll have to try it myself.
I keep saying I am going to knit vanilla socks then do some pattern or other,mum used to say to find wider shoes look where the “gay”men shop for 👞 she was actually told this in a shoe shop while trying to find shoes,I often buy mens sneakers as they are much more comfortable,and not too different to womens. Enjoy your quilt I have a problem deciding wether to sew 🪡 quilt or work with wool I know what you mean but mine is all still in rotation I also have a featherweight and really Like it.I am using the morning at the moment to do what has to be done then the afternoon is for me and 4pm or 5pm is for reading for an hour or so.your hat is beautiful and the jumper should be fantastic .first of you videos I have seen,now to go back and see some of your other ones as I work on the inkle looms,and wind some wool off the bobbins that I played yesterday
It looks like spring has arrived for you dear Lisa. I'm actually also spinning turquoise fiber very similar to yours... mine is merino alpaca blend and it is beautiful. The footage in the end with the kids was so nice and you could feel their joy with the arrival of warmer weather. Kisses. Ivana ❤
Merino alpaca turquoise sounds dreamy. I’m looking forward to seeing it on your next pod. The warm weather has left us today. We have to bring in our pots as we may get frost. So typical of Chicago weather. But it was lovely while it lasted. I just love those little girls at the park. They are at such a fun age. (10) I hope you’re feeling well my friend. 🌷
I discovered you on xmas day and spent the whole day with you. What a lovely day. You reminded me of myself 40 years ago. I bought the Louet S95 Victoria for myself for Xmas and am on my 5th small skein of color. I will let you in on a secret, wool never spoils, it will wait for you. I am 89 yrs old.
How lovely to hear from you. 😊 Im excited for your new wheel. I’m sure she will be an amazing companion to you. I’ve been looking at my wool “collection” and it’s still as lovely as it was when I purchased. I hope I have many years to work with it. Take care and the happiest of New Year’s to you. 🤗
Hello Lisa, thank you for podcasting. I always enjoy everything. I really like knitting socks. My favourite patterns have a bit of texture. I’m currently knitting Lunette Socks by Pip & Pin. See you next time! Terry, from Knutsford BC Canada
I am surprised and happy to see you've bought fleece from my friend and neighbor Marti, "Walking Cloud Farm"! I've spun from her fleece and I am making socks right now from her roving. Her sheep are beautifully cared for and I wish you much happiness with this spin.
This video made me finally write you. I watch your lovely episodes for years, while knitting away, mainly fingering socks. Yesterday I had my first drop spindle workshop at a yarn festival in Blaufelden, Germany. I loved it and bought my first spindle. Your first fingering socks are lovely! Guess where the festival was? The county Hohenlohe in southern germany. Your Zauberball came from there. It is made by Schoppel in Wallhausen next to Blaufelden. Looking foreward to your next episode. Ela
I am so happy you said hello, Ella. I hope you love drop spinning as much as I do. It’s so meditative and makes the nicest yarn. So many wonderful sock yarns come from Germany. The Zauberball colors kept my interest throughout. Take care and happy spinning and knitting! 🌷
Lovely episode Lisa. I used to quilt. I used to piece by machine and hand quilt. I let go of my quilting frames years ago when I had to downsize. Big mistake! Who knows what the future holds. Happy to see you weaving too. Your hat and pair of socks look great!
I am so hesitant to give any of my crafting supplies and tools away. I never know that I might get interested again. I love the look of a hand quilted piece. Quilting frames do take up a lot of space for sure. Have a great week, Jessica and thanks for writing. 🥰
Hi Lisa, love your podcast as usual. Thank you. I recently picked up a beautiful darn brown Finn fleece…soft and silky locks but very fuzzy after spinning. Do the fleeces you've spun do that as well? I too have very wide and short square feet…I find it very hard to find shoes that fit….other than a local Jays Wide Shoes (which, for me is even hit and miss). ….where have you found nice shoes that fit? Thanks! Marilyn from Oregon
My Finnsheep yarn is just a bit fuzzy, but not as much as a long wool though. The more worsted style I spin the less fuzzy it appears. Also combing created a more slick yarn as well. Re shoes: I sometimes buy men’s size sneakers. I noticed that more European shoes tend to be more square toed as well. I have better luck with summer sandals. Dress shoes are the hardest to find. So glad I don’t have to dress up too much anymore now that I’m retired! I go mostly barefoot around the house! I am so glad you found me! Take care. 💕
I bought washed Finn locks from the walking cloud farm recently at the mass sheep an fiber fair an I bought “faces” wool. It’s so soft that I was surprised an I bought more!! I can’t get over finn now!
Dear Lisa, Thank you for another lovely video! I love your hat! Thank you for the spindle plying video-- you demystified the process for me. I have two Finn sheep- one white and one grey. They are such delightful sheep. I have washed up Bonnie's white fleece. It is so lustrous, and an adventure to comb because of so much static! Have you ever considered hosting a Tour de Fleece group? Thanks again for the video!
How delightful that you have 2 Finnsheep! I use a little spritz bottle to tame the static. I read that you can use a little hair conditioner or fabric softener with the water for combing. Thanks for the group suggestion. I’ve been thinking about ways I can connect with the community other than RU-vid. Bonnie’s fleece sounds lovely. 💕
Bought a whole pound of dark brown Finn combed top just to see what that was like. And if I'm going to buy wool, it should be enough for a sweater, am I right? It spins like butter. And last week I broke down and purchased a Tunis raw fleece because I had never processed that one before either. It's spinning up a dark cream color with beige overtones; just lovely. Keep showing us your spinning and knitting. It's inspiring and helps spark my creativity!
I am with you in buying enough fur a sweater! Your Finn wool sounds so lovely. I’ve not spun Tunis before but it’s on my list. Thank you for sharing and for your encouragement 💕.
Keep dreaming Lisa. Enjoying whatever you are working on is good for the soul. For many years, I was an avid quilter - mostly by hand. Then I went back to knitting. I swore I'd never spin and then I taught myself to spindle spin during the early months of Covid. So at 70, I took up spinning. As far as sock knitting, I like to knit a ribbed sock as it fits my narrow foot. The other kind of sock I like to knit is a vanilla sock with a little strip of design down the side of the leg. I have used a mock cable, a cable, or a textured pattern in that strip. I find that all over lace socks don't hold their shape but many knitters love them.
I like your idea if adding just a bit of detail to an otherwise vanilla sock. I think it’s wonderful you took up spinning. I am going to take your advice to keep dreaming and working on whatever is inspiring me at the moment. Thanks for your message and do take care. 💕
Hi Lisa, i never tried plying off my spindles. Have to give that a go! Growing up my daughter leased a Finn sheep. She was a wonderful sheep who enjoyed an ice cream stop after a sheep show. I never did anything with her fleeces. At that time, fleeces weren’t worth much. Presently, i am knitting a vanilla sock, working on a simple cardigan sweater and spindle spinning some fiber. Great to be retired😂
Hi, I usually knit stocking stitch socks as like you I knit them while relaxing watching tv so I cant be doing with fancy patterns ha ha. I have a book called the knitters handy book of patterns that I use to plan my socks. Maybe I should do something more creative with socks, I love the colours in your bee themed socks :) happy knitting x
I am enjoying my vanilla socks. Might try a pattern just on the cuff for my next pair. I can see the appeal of always having a sock on the go. Take care and happy knitting to you as well. 🥰
I am going to try to fashion a poncho with the fabric in the loom. Otherwise it’ll be a beautiful warm wrap. The weft is a lovely alpaca. I’ll show the yarns next time. I hope you have a good week! 💕
I am a relatively new knitter. I love doing vanilla socks as a mindless knit. Does that sock book include any guidance on increases for kmee high socks?
That particularly lazy Kate is not being made at the moment. Nancy’s Knick Knacks is no longer having been acquired by Strauch which subsequently closed.
If it’s not sticky with lanolin it should be fine. Maybe shake it out and lay in the sun a bit before processing. You can always wash it again. I’ve done that with old fleeces on my stash.
Our craft evolution is similar! My first spinning book was Spinning and Weaving with Wool by Paula Simmons. It has my first wheel pictured in it. It was soooo hard finding tools, books, and suitable wool in the 70s. I had to hunt down shepherds before they brought fleeces to the wool pool in spring and the wool was always meat breed varieties and usually quite coarse. If I contacted them too late I had to wait until the next spring! I also have feet that The Yarn Harlot (I believe it was she who also has toes like ours) calls “troll feet” 😂
My hubby say I have hobbit feet ( without the hair 😂). We are so fortunate to have so much fiber and tools to work with nowadays. I’m a bit envious that you’ve had so many years enjoying the craft but I’m making the most of my time now. Thank you and have beautiful day 💕
I truly understand what you mean about having too many things that you want to do! I think you’re very productive so … if that means anything! And regarding your question about socks - if I’m using a solid colored yarn, I often knit a lace or eyelet pattern for the sock top. (I do the same for glove fronts.) it’s easy to calculate a certain number of stitch repeat for the number of stitches you have cast on so I do that a lot. If the yarn is variegated, I stick to a plain top because you generally can’t see a design anyway except for ribbing. For self-striping yarn, I use a very easy to memorize zig-zag pattern. I rarely continue with any kind of pattern into the foot because I like a very smooth sock in my shoe. Anyway! since you asked.
I like the idea of putting a pattern only on the sock top as the foot is in my shoes. A zig zag pattern sounds perfect for self striping, too. Thanks for the suggestion and for your kindness, Leslie 🥰.
😂 Love the statement...archeological dig!! That's me too! Thanks for the laugh and all of your good content. You have given me the inspiration to finish spinning my Romney fleece. 😊
Love this episode! I too was a quilter before I went back to the knitting I learned as a child. I have a collection of vintage feed sacks too and am envious of your Featherlight. I have been inspired by your videos to try drop spindle spinning.
