Coming to Craft: Knitting, Spinning, Weaving, & Quilting 

Thank you for the lovely video, Lisa

oh, Lisa...I am the self proclaimed hoarder of my crafts. I have 6 sewing machine; 1 serger, 2 spinning wheels, and 3 looms...and I shouldn't forget the piles of scrapbooking paper, countless skeins of yarn and enough quilting fabric to wrap the entire world. Yes, it's completely ridiculous, but I am completely unapologetic to my ENTIRE stash of crafty items. It has brought me so much joy throughout my life... I love your sharing, your videos and your holding onto your crafty stuff. Keep on, keeping on. :🥰

I think even Marie Kondo has somewhat lightened her concepts of barebone living. I would have to agree with you on your philosophy of the joy of keeping lovely things, especially when precious memories are attached to them. Thank you for coming into my living room this Sunday evening, lovely Lisa. ❤🧶🐑

I got you beat Lisa! My first sock I made was taught to me from a VCR tape. I was so proud of that dang sock! That was probably 30 years ago. I only rediscovered knitting after retiring and man do I love it! I thank RU-vid and Ravelry and all the wonderful independent yarn makers and dyers out there for that. I’m a fiber addict. 🥳

Thank you, Lisa, for another lovely video. I was knitting on my sock while I watched and I really felt I had company! 😊🙏 It was lovely to hear you say about all your ‘stuff’ and how beneficial keeping things can be. I also keep things, in fact our home is a mass of ‘stuff’🙈 but when I rediscover things, I am so thrilled and it often sparks wonderful memories. My sewing machine was bought when I got married 37 years ago😂 and it was a joy when we reached it out and serviced it. I used it to zig zag my first woven cotton dishcloths a couple of years ago. Since then I’ve done a few repair or refashion jobs on it - I’m not a great sewist! Last weekend I sewed a piece onto the fabric of our old garden parasol, to fix it! As you know, I plan to start making garments from my weavings…hopefully. Your weaving is beautiful. I have a ridiculously tight sett on my loom atm… I’m making cotton dishcloths on my homemade loom and it is difficult, as the double (!) warp is too thick - so I was envious when I watched you weave so easily and freely! 😊

This was a lovely trip down my crafty memory lane Lisa. I too did a lot of quilting at about the same time you were. My grandmother was a beautiful quilter and it was something she taught me and we did together. She also vividly recall her knitting and crochet but I didn’t learn from her. I do think that influenced my later crafty adventures. I have a stash of fabrics, patterns, books ( I learned to knit from books and PBS) and every now and then I get something out for a project and think about where we were when I purchased them or some event we attended or project we made. I have her box of Work Basket magazines from the 50s and 60s. I also inherited a lot of quilts and tops, a couple of sewing machines and all her knitting needles, and crochet hooks and tools. I think of these items as a link to my heritage and history and the women that came before. 💕🧶Cher

Got to love a stash full of memories and emotions. I love how you can both so excited and so beautifully calm at the same time. Such a lovely presence you have . Thankyou!

Rediscovering forgotten things is wonderful. I am a pack rat, I have lots of yarn and fabric waiting for me to retire and have more time for my crafts. And you got me into spinning 😊 I can’t do it properly yet but already I ordered more drop spindles from Ian at IST Crafts. I love the spindles. Also got a Russian from Ian and he made a support bowl to go with it at my request. Love your tutorials/videos 😃

I agree about saving things you never know when you might pick up a craft again . Thank 6ou for your sharing and enjoy your time away up north

Thank you for making these videos and sharing your wool life with us. Sometimes I rewatch your past videos as I knit or spin and come back regularly to see if I've missed one. I hope all is well with you and yours as it's been a few weeks since your last video and you are missed!

My theory about teachers and crafting is that we crave seeing a finished product. That hardly ever happens in teaching. I used to go on craft binges during vacation and it brought an immense feeling of satisfaction to have that definitive closure. Loved seeing all your craft projects and mementos from your past. I've done a pretty good job of getting rid of yarn that I no longer love. But I still have a lot that I do and I don't have a problem with that. My fabric and fiber stash came in very handy during the pandemic! Thanks again for a fun episode. I appreciate the time you take to share your crafting journey with us.

Thank you Lisa, once again for sharing your creative journey. I hope you all (including peaches of course) have a lovely time when you head away 🩷

I TOTALLY agree about keeping hold of craft materials and books. I always go back to things and love that I have my own personal library - and some are now out of print so they’d be difficult to re-buy. The few times I have recycled a book, I have always regretted it 5 or 10 years later and sought it out. Love that your crafts are varied yet linked. Thank you for the inspiration ❤

Thank you Lisa for another vlog, it’s so versatile and has many threads (pun intended). It’s quite normal you go overboard,it’s passion ❤. I always say “.. if something is worth doing, it’s worth doing in excess..”

I tried to clean my garage last week and it quickly turned into an archeology dig where I unearthed boxes of old art books and paint supplies (so I quickly became sidetracked). Garage is still a mess! LOL If I go into another closet there are basketweaving supplies, sewing, fiber or more yarn. Yesterday on the way back from Hobby Lobby I drove by a local pottery school and that could be next on my craft list. Let's embrace our creativity!! Your podcasts inspire me to branch out and keep being a maker/crafts person.

Another lovely pod cast Lisa. I agree with you,it is so lovely to have things in your stash just waiting for the time when you want them. Stash is treasure. I hope you have a lovely holiday . Enjoyed your piano playing, you are such a inspiration with everything you do. Thank you ❤

Another lovely podcast! Love all the fiber arts and really enjoyed the piano piece at the end. Thank you for sharing! 🌟

Yes, I agree. I think it's great to keep the books, the yarn, etc. I love the shawl you're making. Now I want one too. Your weaving and spinning are beautiful. I do hope you show your breed study blanket at some point. Have a wonderful time away. ❤

Thank you for pointing out your knitting education had early roots in DVD. So many people say they were “self taught” but in fact learned from a video, a book or magazine. I’m sure it takes a lot of work to put educational content out (especially pre RU-vid) and I like when we give credit where it is due. Cheers

I missed you these past weeks!! So happy to hear your voice and calm houseful face ❤

I agree lets not just part with everything. Ordered a nice used copy of the quilting book. I enjoy dabbling with sewing and EPP more during the winter I am knitting a lot at the moment. Have a wonderful break with family and Peaches. The piano was just so relaxing and wonderful thank you x

So happy to see your Botanic shawl come back, it's so beautiful. Thank you as always for sharing your creativity with us all 🧡

Jana, Congratulations on 3 years of podcasting! So glad I found your channel, have enjoyed your visits so much! Your Midsummer dress is so you! And your Professor Caterpillar Cardigan is lovely! You should name your new color Jana...the colors are so you! Happy Anniversary too!🎉❤🦋🐶💐

Have a great vacation!! I agree about having a stash and I do not apologize for it! It makes "my heart jump" like Sarah would say!!! Take care.

I agree with you about hanging on to things if you think you’ll ever go back to them. My fabric stash is patiently waiting in the basement for me. I’ve been on a knitting and spinning kick for about 10 years, but someday I’ll feel like sewing again! As long as I have the space, I’ll keep those things I might use later!

I hope your friend is watching your podcast, I'm sure she will be thrilled to see you have saved the vase. Also, I could see your emotion when you was speaking of your mother, that never goes away does it.

Your shawl and weaving are both looking beautiful. I, like you, suppose I could be considered a pack rat. I always think, 'What if I may need it someday or want to use it someday'. I have regretted getting rid of things, but have never regretted keeping things. I also, do not like to waste my money, which for me, would include having to buy something that I got rid of. That vase is beautiful and for you, brings back fond memories of your friend. That can't be bought. A time and a place for everything. Thank you for your lovely videos.

Glad to see you again😊 I agree with you concerning hanging on to things in my stash. I'm also 60 and during this time I tried many things in handcrafting and I would never regret it. Thanks for this video and wish you a nice holiday. Gaby 💚

Lovely music at the piano.

My husband (a carpenter) says - you never get rid of tools, it doesn't matter how many you have... and for us textile people, these are our tools - sewing machines, looms, spinning wheels! :)

Hi Lisa, you are so right about holding on to stuff as some would say. Every time that I have parted with stash, it wasn't long afterward that regret came along.

Hi Lisa, I agree with you. Something’s are meant to stay with you. When it comes to cloths. It’s easier to get rid of. However I a had a leather belt. With a cool embroidered design. I bought it at Lucky Jeans in my 40’s. (I am 62) I gave it to the Goodwill in 2020. Thinking belts will never come back and this is a trendy belt. 😂 I should know better! Thanks for sharing your memories 😁

Peaches is a dear. Hope you all enjoy your vacation. Glad she can go with you. I used to quilt, but not now. I spin and knit. That’s enough for me. Love how you found the yarn you bought when your mom was alive. She would want you to finish it when you wear it, she is giving you a hug❤

I’m with you on keeping materials,etc, comforting to bring them out now and then and remember happy times using them. Beautifull piano piece too. thank you and happy holiday. ❤

This was a beautifully sentimental and nostalgic episode dear Lisa, and it perfectly matched my mood lately. Thank you for sharing it with us and thank you for the beautiful music at the end. Ivana ❤

Hello, Lisa. Thank you for your video.

Another lovely episode! I love the weaving, can’t wait to see it finished. It does remind me of the portrait of Adele Bloch Bauer!

Have to let you know you have greatly influenced me, now processing fleeces, different kinds. Loved the nests you made with combs and hackle, and am emulating. Thank you

Preaches is a dear, always happy to see her. The weaving is very pretty.

Loved your thoughts about keeping stash. Yarn is the only thing I’ve ever “collected”. I have some skeins that are so beautiful I don’t know if I’ll ever be able to use them. Just looking through my stash gives so much pleasure, just daydreaming and admiring it lol. So glad someone else understands….❤

Hi Lisa, thanks for all the interesting things you do and share. Your video always brings memories (some of them I had already shared before). I have a feeling kids nowadays do not have so much crafting at school, I fondly remember our sewing, knitting, crocheting and cross-stitching classes (I still have a sample of different stitches somewhere). Thanks for the Schumann as well. I have just finished my three year piano course (what is in my country called Academy of the Third Age, meaning people over 55+ can take a course for free if they are citizens of that particular district) and I am going to miss the classes. Have a nice summer!

Hi Lisa, really enjoyed the piano music !! Also the rest of the podcast !! Have a great week !!

I got to watch your podcast today. I’m glad you kept those items. I have saved the craft things that I had to put away while our boys grew up. I’m looking forward to the opportunity to get reacquainted with them. Happily, spinning and some knitting, got me through. Have a super holiday, it’s good Peaches is joining you. Happy Summer! Terry, from near Kamloops BC

Music was lovely.

All three of my sewing machines were my grandma’s, and two of them are hand cranked! I recently got the little chain stitcher working again and began to make some small items like Christmas stockings for gifts and lavender sachets. It’s called an Essex Mini and is basically the same as an old Singer chain stitcher. Gran bought it just after the war in 1946 and was still making my dresses on it in the seventies.

Another lovely, varied and very enjoyable episode -there can never be enough Thank You's for all you share and the time you spend making these podcasts 🙏🏻😊 I too love watching the Last Homely House and have been thinking I could make a simple quilt backing for the Linka Blanket I've been knitting. I've never made a quilt and look forward to seeing how you make your one 😃 And beautiful piano music too, such a lovely end to a lovely podcast 😊

Thanks so much Lisa. I would say I caught the spinning bug from you.😄 Our library has that quilting book. I haven't quilted in years. I'm still working on an embroidery piece that I started over a year ago. For many years I had a Kenmore 1979 sewing machine. It finally quit on me about 10 years ago, and after my husband bought me a new one it took me a long time to get used to it. Weaving sure looks like fun. I'm still curious about that. I might catch another bug. 😄🌷☺️ Have a pleasant day.

Oh! I echo all that you’ve said. I too am glad I have the tools and materials for a myriad of crafts - so if and when the mood strikes I can revisit those old friends. (Even if I do have to excavate to get to them!) I’m glad I didn’t waste money by getting rid of things I’d just have to buy again - or drop the idea because I my lack of forethought and/or funds. - signed, A Fellow Packrat.

Totally agree with your feelings about stash and craft supplies. I just finished moving yarn out to the guest room before our visitors arrived and found some treasures. Some of it will be used for a different purpose than originally intended but that is fine. I like to describe it as my ‘inventory’.

Sure enjoy your crafting and sharing.

Your so talented! Your piano playing is such a lovely touch!

It's so nice to see all the things you like to do. I hope you're going to finish the knitted square lap blanket? You started it this spring with the breed studies. I thought you're going to do another breed studies video with goat 🐐 fibers and add them in your scrapbook. You gotten this spring. Enjoy your trip next month and 👀 see your family.

I have a verrrry old sewing machine that my grandma gave me-it’s very heavy, like an anvil! I tried making some cloth napkins with it about 15 years ago, but that’s as far as I made it with sewing.

OMGosh Lisa...Laughing out loud!!! I have that very same daisy fabric in my stash for who knows how many years 🤣 I still love it 💕

LisaR : Yes ;) ! to both the Betty Crocker red& white cookbook & just found the quilt book in Joanne's on sale.I used to sew a lot , along with knitting, weaving & spinning (how??) Recently , felt the desire to sew again and I know my hard earned skills , little tricks to make things look beautiful are going to need A LOT WD-40 . The quilting seems a kindly place to begin ( I'm not expected to wear the outcome ;) Love your Botanic shawl!

Hi Lisa, am reading a book you may enjoy, The Fabric of Civilization by Virginia Postrel - makes a case for weaving a pattern for the development of math, the notation of music being the source for notation of weaving, when a notation developed. Or how dyes developed “without man knowing the chemistry of it”, then it’s pretty clear our ancestors were way smarter than we thought, and we just have math and science to account and name all these activities surrounding cloth and weaving and spinning thread (because no cloth without it), anyway, being a renaissance woman such as yourself, I’m happy to hang on to my stash for now as well, and hope you have a wonderful vacation. Peaches looked absolutely thrilled. 😂

This was just a beautiful podcast, Lisa. It looks like from the comments there are many of us who cherish and keep all the parts that belong to our crafting lives. I, too, tend to go whole hog whenever starting a new craft or find a new author I like. I love how you have taken on learning new creative outlets. You are so inspiring. Have a lovely trip with your beautiful dog and family. And, thank you for the tender music. Just a perfect ending.❤

So good to see you again. I loved seeing you weave. The yarn you’re using is beautiful. I think I saw you post that you wished you had bought a wider loom than you did. Why is that since your other loom is wider? I’m a multi-crafter, including quilting, like you and am glad I have held onto stash and the various tools. They are such an investment and rarely can they be re-sold for anything close to what you paid and I usually come back to using them at some point. 😊

You're right with the times, Lisa, "vintage" fabrics 😂 I love Lucy Neatby, have some of her DVDS, also have several Elizabeth Zimmermann and Meg Swansen. I'm always so happy to see you my friend!

Thank you for sharing your crafting journey and also your thoughts on having a stash that has been around for a few years! It was amazing that so many memories came from the pink yarn that you showed us! I love rediscovering things that I had forgotten all about - I would miss that if I became a minimalist with my possessions. It was a treat to listen to you playing the piano at the end, too! xx

I love your podcasts. Thank you so much for taking the time to make them x

Thank you Lisa, I look forward to each of your podcasts. I’m a pack rat too! I would love it if you could show me how to spin from the cloud. I’m a new spinner and have 4 bags of beautiful fiber in the cloud prep. Please HELP! Thanks

Love your piano playing

Another wonderful episode. Thanks Lisa! I hope you're finding the boat shuttle makes it quicker for weaving. I always love to see what you're working on.

I love Lucy Neatby! I have her DVDs as well. I guess I am in the same pack rat boat as you 😊 my mom and both grandmothers had sewing machines and did mending throughout their lives, so I have always had a sewing machine. Just a necessary tool like having a hammer in the house. Love your spinning and weaving. Not a weaver and haven’t spun since 2021. You do inspire me to pick it back up. I have a wheel and many spindles and of course a fiber stash.

What a beautiful episode, Lisa. I really wish I'd kept my sewing books from the 80s - esp the Singer ones (upholstery, tailoring, basics - they were excellent). But I still have the Singer machine I got as a high school grad present in 1969 (it was used at the time) and its successor, a Bernina 930 I bought new in the 80s. Rekindling my sewing skills is on the list!

Thank you for your playing at the end. The love for the music you express in your playing outshines any not-quite-in-tune keys. harpingjanet

That’s why I don’t bother to get rid of my craft supplies. I’m happy to share but I don’t get rid of them because I am multi craft jewel and I will go from one thing to another and I’ll circle around back to that thing and then I’ll be mad at myself because I have to go rebuy stuff.. or because I’ve let go of things that I really really liked and can’t get again

Can I ask the name of the piano piece you played at the end of the video? So peaceful!

I honestly think that the whole "if you haven't touched it in a year" thing is rooted in capitalism... I think a lot of us will at least go to our least touched things every couple of years. Personally, if I haven't touched something in at least 5 years, I take a long hard look at it and then decide.