Kate Larson - Spinner & Shepherdess - Ep. 60 - Fruity Knitting 

Andrea, your demonstration and explanation of knit AND purl right and left decreases is so appreciated. Glad I found you, Fruity Team. Every podcast is an enjoyable educating coffee break. Thank you.

There is definitely a lot to know about spinning wool and how that affects the yarn. Thank you very much for this topic, Andrea, and many thanks also to Kate!!!

Beautiful signing! Thanks for your videos, I'm devouring them during UK lockdown and they are inspiring me to no end. Bravo!

I am so glad that you had Kate on the podcast, because as a fledgling drop-spindle spinner I just truly learned the difference of the fibres that create worsted spun and woolen spun. Blacker Yarns attempted to explain this but Kate really spelled it out AND I picked up valuable tips on distance and grip for my hand spinning. It would be fun to join your Gloves/Mittens KAL but time and life does not permit. I like making those half-finger-flapped things 😁 They keep my hands warm in New York winters. Over here we have to expose our fingers a lot, so they give more protection. Go ahead and make a pair for Andrew. He will thank you for it.

Loved the Australian - New Zealand sisterhood of knitters! Thanks for showcasing the fabulous Libby!

Wow! The Kate Larson interview was awesome. She taught me so much! I love how much I learn when I watch your podcast. Thank you.

Always get up from watching a Fruity Knitting episode knowing more than when I sat down to watch. Thank You Andrea, your voice is so clear and strong. Just beautiful. Vivaldi Four Seasons, favorite music for violin.

Another beautiful, entertaining and highly informative episode. Thank you! And what a divine voice you have, Andrea. It moved me to tears. Thank you.

Both of your knits are coming along beautifully! I love the colors and the patterns. All of your guests were so fun to listen to. Kate had so much knowledge to share, I loved it! I have been a fan of Libby / Truly Myrtle for many years. I always enjoy hearing her talk about her knits and sewing. I was sure it was you singing Andrea! I guessed right lol! You have the most amazing voice, I thoroughly enjoyed listening to you.

I loved the interview with Kate all about spinning. I learnt to spin about 8 months ago and I so wish this interview had been available then! She makes everything sound sensible and clear! Loved the whole episode, thanks.

I'm literally reeling from the beauty and artistry of this episode. And I'm also stunned by the level of technical and engineering expertise at the heart of this craft. I'm selling everything and becoming a shepherdess and spinner! Well, not, actually, because it's obviously a calling, and I'm called somewhere else as a healer, but I've a marvelously deeper insight and appreciation of this heart-craft of spinning that flows into my own heart-craft of knitting that I love so much and will think of Kate every time I knit. And, may I say? Andrea and Andrew...you are simply delightful! So glad I stumbled onto your show and into your living room. Thank you!

Thanks for a really great show! I was swatching for my Floozy cardigan during it and love all Libby's designs and her brilliant podcast and blog. We knitters are very lucky to have you all helping us get better and smarter with our knitting! Helen

Love your vocal Andrea! I've had several classes with Kate and she's awesome.

Andrea and Andrew, What a wonderful interview with Kate Larson. Even though I am not a spinner, I want her book! Your podcast is the highlight of the day! And like others, I really find your tutorials so good. I am a very experienced knitter, but learn something new with each one.

Kate Larson was great. I have no interest in spinning my own yarn, but the demonstration she gave was so informative and enjoyable. Yesterday I signed up for Ysolda Teague's Colourwork Club for 2021, I'm so excited to be involved in something like this for the first time, and I never would have heard of her if I hadn't seen your interview with her (I don't remember what episode it was, I've been binge-watching to catch up!). I have a feeling that people who are interested in spinning will feel the same way about having been introduced to Kate Larson here. Great stuff.

Loved this interview so much. I’m just astounded, amazed, gobsmacked, fascinated snd speechless at the knowledge Kate has in her field. She also imparts this knowledge excellently. Well done, Fruity Knitting podcast, for again finding extraordinary makers and creators. Xxxx

Always enjoying your knit shows very much, there's one thing you might have lost sight of in time. I (and I know many others like me) watch your show on a quiet moment, mostly it's a well chosen moment while I work on a doll or while I do some knitting. The reason why I choose not to watch TV or Netflix btw at such a moment, is because I do not want to be rushed in any way. Your quiet way of speaking, the in-depth interviews with your passionate guests, the nice drone views illustrating your excursions, the meetings with fellow knitters around the world, it's so wonderful to watch, and all because it has an atmosphere of easyness, of calm and good. So please, please, do not hurry your guests or yourself, by saying 'I'll now tell quite quickly something about...' or 'Can you tell us quickly something about...' because when I want to see people telling about things quite quickly, I can choose of programmes by the tousands. It's so much more interesting to NOT be quick, but keep the uniqueness of your high quality knitting show.

My question on woollen and worsted answered So well. Love this podcast So much. Am a spinner and knitter of stranded and Aran for decades Love your podcasts!! Thank you

This was an awesome episode. Besides Kate Larson, my favorite part was how Andrew kept saying how he "let" Andrea do the short rows and various other parts of the sweater he's working on. Made me smile :-) You guys are too cute.

Andrew is such a lovely soul. Every time my husband and I watch Fruity Knitting, it's so clear to see his love for his family. Thinking of you and Madeline, Andrea.

Spinning does look wonderful but oh how I’d love some sheep. Kate’s flock look so beautiful and well cared for. They behave like domestic pets. She is so knowledgeable and passionate about her craft. A truly wonderful and interesting podcast. Thank you. Angela South Wales

What a beautiful voice to go with a beautiful shepherdess and her artistry! Thank you!

Happy 60th! Thank you very much Andrea and Andrew for enriching the life of a very amateur knitter like myself. I have been a huge fan since I discovered your podcast by chance on its fourth episode, I binge watched the first three and then started counting the weeks ever since. Your productivity has been awe inspiring since the beginning. I don't understand people who say that Andrew is a slow knitter. There are people out there who are much slower and they do not even finish their projects! So thank you for sharing your knowledge and your love of knitting...

Thank you so much. Kate Larson is amazing!

Andrea, I can’t thank you enough for your tutorial on decreases. When I was doing left leaning decrease, I always inserted my right needle directly in the back of stitches in the left needle. I did not realize that I was twisting my stitches. I find it fascinating that even though I’ve been knitting for many decades, I am still learning. I tried watching other knitting video podcast when I am done watching fruityknitting, but find that you and Andrew have set the bar so high, I turn it off after few minutes. Thank you for all the hard work you and Andrew do.

Wonderful podcast all around. The obvious love that Kate showers on her sheep is so sweet, and they obviously adore her in return!

Loved the episode. Andrea your voice is so very beautiful and that is one of my favourite songs. Thank you.

Bravo as usual Andrea and Andrew! Now I have another podcast to check out as I really enjoyed meeting Libby of Truly Myrtle. I am so glad I became a patron as you are worth every penny.

Thoroughly enjoyed this episode. I am a self taught spinner, and I found Kate Larson's interview amazing .Thank you for having her on , love you guys.

Another great, information-filled episode. I like lots of knitting podcasts, but yours is the one I really look forward to and watch as soon as I can when it comes out. And then I watch it again, because there was so much great material in it 🙂

I would love to take a class with Kate Larson, she seems very knowledgeable and I can just see how much love she puts into her work. Thank you for sharing all of this information xxoo

Kate Larson was wonderful ...all the adjectives Andrea used to describe her! Libby is effervescent presenting her beautiful designs. Love hearing Andrea's singing. So many interesting segments in your podcasts. thank you again!

Loved everything. Especially getting to hear you sing! Beautiful! ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

Another sterling episode. Oh, Andrea, your voice! I get chills.

I am a recent viewer/supporter of Fruity Knitting, so I'm behind in the various kals. However, I just finished knitting my man a simple vest and he love it. Thank you for the inspiration.

There are many interesting things in this episode. I love the song Scarborough Fair, and I was wondering whose beautiful voice that was before Andrew told us. Andrea, your voice is truly beautiful.

Kate Larson taught a class that I took on yarn finishing a couple of years ago. Her class was excellent as was this interview! Thanks again for another wonderful episode!

Awesome interview with Kate and one that I will be recommending to newbie spinners, I'm more of a spinner than a knitter and really enjoyed this episode and found it interesting especially as I'm more of a production spinner and don't usually experiment so much as I did when I first learnt about 10 years ago. I'm tempted by the mitten Kal to use up some oddments that are lying around. ( I spin different breeds so I can use the natural shades in fair isle knitting)

#ExtremelyBeautifulFilmMaking. Glorious uplifting introduction.... Fruity Knitters you brighten my World 🌎

How wonderful to finally hear your beautiful voice! Scarborough Fair is one of my favorite folk songs.

Total loved the 2 different interviews. As a spinner it amazing what information was picked up from such a vibrant person and the Kiwi lady, loved her designs, pity I don't knit.

Andrea,I love your rendition. Thank you! Another excellent podcast.

Hello!!! The most amazing show ever!!!!!! I JUST love you guys!!!! This interview with Kate is amazing. I have read her material but never heard her talk. She is so so nice and a walking encyclopedia about wool and related topics!!!!!!! Thanks for your showwww!

WOW, I had no clue how much technique goes into spinning. Amazing!!!! Great interview. And, as always, I love the projects you are working on. Your ability to modify a pattern is mind boggling.

Your not all alone, because you have won me back over, and I am going to use back stiches again :-)

Oh my another awesome program and Andrea I got the chills listening to you sing as that is one of my favorite songs. I really appreciate all the work you 2 do to bring such a awesome program..

Loved this episode. As a spinner I found it particularly interesting. You would love it Andrea it is so relaxing and satisfying.

Another great episode with so much information. Lovely projects you both are working on.

Fantastic information filled episode! I didn't realize there was so much to learn about sheep wool and the sheep themselves! Wow! What is the difference in a sweater, a cardigan and a jumper? I always thought they were the same. Both of your projects are coming along just beautifully. Andrea, your voice is very beautiful!!! Also, your daughter's voice in the first song is so, so lovely!!! You are a truly talented family. God bless you one and all.

Excellent show! I always look forward to viewing, always so informative and a joy to watch!

What a wonderful episode! Now I want to learn spinning, too ♥

I learned so much. will have to watch this episode several times. Many thanks.

Wow, two bomb stories in one episode! (That railroad bridge was scary yet beautiful.) I live in the U.S., so we don't have UXBs here either. (Of course, I work two blocks from the old World Trade Center, but that's another story.) Anyway, back in the 80s we liked the BBC series (shown on Masterpiece Theater in the US) Danger UXB. It was about a bomb squad that went around deactivated bombs in London. Maybe one can still watch it.

Dear Andrea and Andrew, thank you so much for this Podcast. It was again very intersting , especially for Spinners. 😃😃😃👍🏻. Liebe Grüße Annette

So nice to see Kate and Libby from Truly Myrtle. Great episode. Good advice on knitting for your man!

I always learn so much from watching your podcast. Very professional!!

thanks for the interview of Kate, she is awesome.

Scarbourough Fair!!! I love that song, when I realized what it was I was hearing I want to scream in excitement!

Love the Floozy cardy. Libby has some lovely designs.

Andrea, Thank you for choosing this beautiful traditional song to conclude the interview with Libby. I've always liked it and your voice really makes it come to live. Can we have more of this? I discovered Libby's podcast two weeks ago and it was great to listen to her talk about her designs. Thanks for another great episode, and I'm already looking forward to the next one.

Great episode, once again and as usual. I love the sheperdess segment you've been doing, getting information about fiber before it's wool is incredibly useful

For all viewers knitting in "combination knitting" style, the tutorial is somewhat confusing, because k2tog and ssk2tog is different for us. There is a great comparison here on YT of combination / continental and english knitting, which helped me get my understanding of the differences straight.

Love it when you sing! Thanks, Andrea.......

Another very interesting podcast. Thank you. Andrea you have a lovely singing voice too.

Great interview! I love everything spinning related! 😀 Thank you

Soooo LOOOOVE your voice!!!! WIll listen to you for hours... thank you

Andrea, your “under construction “ project is simply beautiful!

What an awesome interview with Kate Larson editor of Spin Off Magazine. Kate was very informative and easy to understand. It feels cool to see an interview and know who edits the magazine. I also like that you bring spinning yarn into a knitting podcast! I would love to be able to design my own knitting yarn that is project specific. I'm definitely going to check her book out! I hadn't thought of knitting with Yak. I am looking forward to trying that.

Oh I was all excited about joining a Fruity Knitting KAL , but oh dear I simply don't have a man or male anything in my life😢 what a relief, Gloves or Mittens has saved the day😃 and I've just remembered my male cousins 🤔 I also need to commend you on your superb contributors... fascinating and inspirational. And Andrea your beautiful voice is the icing on the Fruity Knitting cake 🎂💐

Amazing episode like always and your voice is soooo beautiful, thank you very much 🌼

Thank you, as always, great episode! And I just love the song 😘 Hugs & sunshine 🌞 N

Some extreme knitting, Andrew, while bombs are diffused. Then the contentious issue of knitting for your favourite man, heavy stuff all round. I think it’s the cost of the yarn that pulls the whole thing up. Good machine made jumpers cost just as much guys! Those Border Leicester sheep were gorgeous and adorable, they are so smart. Great spinning demo, clever girl.

Thank for a great podcast! Andrea you sing so beautiful, wow!!

Thank you!

Thanks for the wonderful tutorial

I'm not a spinner and have no desire to try my hand at it. But boy oh boy, what a great interview! So informative and it cleared up my very confused understanding of woollen and worsted. Thank you :-)

Awesome podcast. Thank you

OMG! Thank you Andrea and Andrew for this podcast. I am not a spinner, but I found this episode so interesting that I had to watch it in sections so that I could write notes and soak up all of her information. Kate is so knowledgeable. Does she teach spinning and does she come to the Central Valley in California to teach. It would be so lovely to spin your own yarn. I have so many questions regarding this subject. Thank you once again. Beautiful voice Andrea and very soothing❤️🇨🇴

I was wondering, with convertible mittens, if instead of a button you were able to do a magnet somehow sewed in.

I’m enjoying watching my first Fruity Knitting podcast - discovered via the Truly Myrtle podcast! Loving the orange colour for your Carbeth cardi. I’ve recently finished this pattern and wish I’d thought of 3 needle bind off for the underarm. Just a wee heads up (I’m sure you’ll find a way around it) the button band is knit after the collar in the pattern because it comes up the side of the collar too. Happy finishing 👍🏻

My Andrea you do have a lovely voice!! 😍😍😍

Wow! Your singing!! Amazing

Yes !!! me tooo I love James Herriot !!

I did a 3 needle bind off on my daughter's Carbeth cardi. It is so much easier and it looks good.

Those were some exceptionally clean sheep, didn't see any VM in the locks.

The mYak project is a glorious color. Where is the Norah Gaughan pattern published? Looked all over rav for "moor" w no success. I'm happy to know Norah is now independent! She has a lifetime of admirable work. TY for closeups and explanations. (TY) for the link you replied your WIP is Mohr not Moor

Would knitting during an evacuation be considered "extreme knitting"? :)

Yay! Fruity tuesday!

Beautiful in all the ways!

I can't participate, because my Christmas sweater for my husband is finished. Since it's a surprise, I measured a pullover that he regularly wears to make sure the pullover I knit was the same size.

Seems we have so much in common living in the same city 😊! We could have made a knit night as I had holidays during your evacuation. Luckily you had one of the best man for the bomb disposal. The poor man is in the Rhein-Main Area a lot these days. 3 years ago (also holiday time for me and after a run I didn’t left the house anymore) they reported on tv that they had found a bomb and named a different area. After they had to do a controlled bombing of it (which I heard loudly) and helicopters flying near our house I knew there was something wrong. Then I realized police , all the neigbours coming back with stressed faces and as it turned out it was about 500meters away on the A3 and they simply forgot to inform us to leave the house while we watched about it on tv the whole evening.Of course we and all of the neighbours went looking. The next day I saw my neighbourhood on tv and informed my parents which went away on holiday that the house was still standing. 😂

Andrea, would you talk in a podcast about winding yarn from a skein into a ball? Does it matter from which end you start? Is it important to wind each skein the same direction? This question came up for me while listening to this podcast while knitting, and my yarn was coming off the ball with much more twist than the previous ball. Was this because of the direction I wound it off, or is it simply a factor of the yarn production? Thank you!

Really enjoyed this episode and the interview and learning there are so many types of sheep! But what was with the camera moving forward and back all during the interview?!

I love all your episodes 😍❤️🧶 watching you from Egypt 🇪🇬 ☺️🧺🧺🧺 Please what's the name of music in the beginning ?

My husband didn't trust my knittings at first. He even had a love is picture that's said love is wearing the sweater that she knitted for you. The picture showed a man whit a sweater that was way to big. My husband died last year but I still have that picture.

Hi Andrea. I LOVE your channel. Question..... Did you design the pumpkin color cardigan that you were wearing in episode 59? Is the pattern available? It is gorgeous. Something that I would like to knit for myself.

I love the Myak wool and would like to purchase the colour you are using. Can you tell me the name of the colour. I have looked on my supplier’s website (Loop of London) but can’t reconcile any of those colours with yours. Thank you.

I have a question and I don't know if other people have the same... and... just wonder if you could guide me on this... I love making cables but I want my cables to pop out... like with your dark green sweater which is absolutelyu gorgeous)... I want my fantasy stitches to have a real good definition... up to now, I have yarns where you barely see the cable/design... almost as if the type of yard render an only 2D knitting... and it discourages me. Would you have a trick in how to choose the yarn so it has a very good definition of the stitches? Please :)

I would love to join in the one of the Kal's.. But can i still join in if I'm already have started the project? I'm knitting a sweater for the very first time for my wonderful hubby ❤️. He helped me pick the pattern and the yarn. He loves Burgundy color so that what he's getting😁 and he did find it bit funny when I start measuring him😂🤣

Andrea, I always have difficulty getting my sleeve / shoulder seam to look neat, I have always sewn the sleeve into the shoulder seam before sewing up the sleeve seam so I will be interested to try your method of sewing the sleeve seam up first and then inserting it into the shoulder seam, my question is do you sew with the yarn that you are using or do you use a thread ? Many thanks Penny