The Value of Wool (Knitting, Spinning & Romney Sheep) 

Three years later - such an enjoyable video and time with you. Your lovely videos are timeless and classic, just like you. Thank you for taking the time to share and chat. I am truly grateful to be hang out with you. ❤

Thanks for talking about wonderful Romney wool. We have been keeping Romneys since 2009 and I use it for felting and enjoy washing picking and carding it from the raw fleece. It is great for DIY-ers. The info about smuggling was new for me. It makes sense. Wool is amazing. One point I would like to offer is that Romney sheep are very low maintenance and easy to keep. They always make us look good. Such docile creatures too. Truly a gift in many ways❤️

I am processing my first Romney fleece and am in love with this breed. The fiber is long, strong and so lustrous! Even soft, which I was surprised by! Thanks for a beautiful video and in-depth look into the Romney breed. Enjoyed the story about the Owlers!

it is lovely to see and hear someone enthusing about spinning and wool. Much of my early working life a was spent overlooking Romney marsh. I bought my first house in Tenterden which includes much of the marsh in its Hundred ( district). My wife's family had lived in the town since the thirteenth century. The marsh is also where my Late wife and I learned to spin and weave. Our teacher ( like yourself, a school teacher, had an ancient cottage down on the marsh that was overflowing with her Looms and wheels. she was not much older than we were. but had an encyclopaedic knowledge of all things wool. she ran the course for the local education authority. Of course we were introduced to the drop spindle and romney wool during our very first lesson. un like your Spindles. the traditional British spindle has no hook, and is used with the long spindle uppermost. To use it you take the yarn under the disk and up the other side to the top of the spindle Where you latch it on with a finger hitch, half hitch. the long spindle is spun with the fingers to start the spin. Later when we went to shows to demonstrate with the "Lath of Scray spinners and websters" ( a group of our close friends) My wife usually took her large Scandinavian style wheel that I had built for her, from lovely golden Kentish Elm. While I would Use a Drop spindle so that I could talk, and draw in the children and let them have a go. We were also members of the Kent guild of spinners weavers and dyers, whose president at the time, was an ancient mine of information and skills, called Vic Edwards. He once repeated what you heard, at a meeting. "that it can a good Idea to cut Romney locks in halves". especially for a woollen yarn. Most members were outraged as hardly any of them did long draw, so the long staple was no disadvantage. Another thing that got them going was the then belief that you should always draft the staple from the Tip to the butt. There was little truth in this as the cut ends would tend to come out of the yarn. and the softer tip would be buried in it if you drafted tip first. In blind tests it made no difference. If you want to try something truly different, You must try a Cotswold fleece. they are long and extremely lustrous, almost silky, with a wide wavy crimp and a staple up to 8 inches long with a count in the 44-48 range. I used to card it in the normal way, and then pre draft each rolag into a long roving and spin from that. the difficulty was having your hands far enough apart so as not to be holding both ends of the same fibres when drafting. Strangely my last position before retirement was at "Bradford College" Of Bradford count fame. However the old weaving and spinning sheds were in the process of closing and most of the classes were long in the past, so I only got to see a shadow of their former glory. Though I did manage to speak to one of the old technicians who had worked in their summer school for hand spinners and weavers.

My favorite episode by far ... Just soooo lovely, every second was just so lovely!!!!! ... It's as if your "hands dance" in perfect elegant rhythm with each soft move ... Just so lovely!!!

I just got my first Romney fleece, thank you for this video. Blessings.

Your insights into this humble craft really moved me. When you said “there is history in this lock of wool....” and how very true. That something so simple, created by animals, sunlight and nourishment have shaped the course of humanity in so many ways. We are fortunate to be the ones to be the vanguards of this ancient craft, and to appreciate it as we do. Thank you.

Oh I'm so glad your video popped up in my feed. I just did Tour de Fleece to learn how to spin and it's opened up a whole new world of pleasure for me. I'm really looking forward to seeing more of your videos and absolutely love your accent!

Fascinating history on the wool and the smuggling! I get to talk about wool and promote it a little bit as I go to the farmers market with my potter husband and help out. It's an underappreciated renewable resource that needs to be more popular! People come over and talk about spinning with me and tell me stories of their family and their memories. It's the best! Thanks for your work bringing all this look-see into your world and sharing.

I totally enjoy your podcasts! I learn so much! Thank you

Love your videos, I have 3 Romney cross sheep yearlings waiting for the shearer. Can't wait to get started on their fleeces. Thank you

Your Jacob spin is coming along beautifully. Your jumper is going to be stunning. I think I need to stop watching your episodes as they just make me want to run out and buy more fleece to try......only kidding I'm off to watch your next intstallment right now :d Hope you are able to have a wonderful relaxing spinning filled weekend

Lovely episode Lisa! I have worked with a Romney fleece that I bought at a fiber show in 2004, beautiful gray fleece with brown tips. I washed it and worked with a bit of it. The rest sat in a plastic garbage bag for about a decade. It was surprisingly everybit as useable as it had originally been. It's now a knitted blanket for my older son. Thanks for sharing about the history of Romney. It is hard to imagine today getting the death penalty for smuggling wool! I have enjoyed your show. I'm glad I stumbled upon it. I look forward to it every week.

As I watched this spinning away on my new project. I am thinking 🤔 I need to get some Romney at the fiber fest next month. I came to the tag 🏷 and it was Romney blend. I had it in my stash for some time. Anyway I enjoyed spinning Romney with you. I’ll have to get jacubs

Love spinning Jacob.

I am processing my own Romney sheep fleece....2 girls that l bought last year. I combed a little and drop spindles all this my first time. I'm really enjoying the experience. Thank you for all your invaluable information and advice

Hi Lisa, I’m starting to watch all of your podcasts . I just love how they make me feel so relaxed. The music you’ve chosen is just perfect to go along with your spinning. I just got some Jacob and exited to try to spin it long draw. I’ve not tried Romney but will soon. I am on the hunt for Finn now. Just love experimenting with the different breeds! Really am enjoying your podcasts! Linda

I enjoyed your podcasts and the history of wool is fascinating!

Breathtaking! Thank you, Lisa, for the lovely diversion I enjoyed this Sunday morning. I too have a collection of Romney fleeces and am mesmerized by the wool. I would love to have a spinning session with you!

Thank you for the i formation on Romney; I really enjoy your videos!!💟 very relaxing!

Thank you Lisa, what a beautiful show! I’m going to knit the Autumn Sweater with my hand spun yarn too!! I’ve been looking for a pattern just like this, it’s perfect. Love your show. Laurie

Hi , Lisa , I'm loving your podcasts so much. I have the "Fleece to Fibre" Book it is a lovely book., I haven't read it for a while though, you're making me feel like I should be digging it out, lol. The music at the beginning is so calming. I love your Wheel , its first time I've seen one in action. Love the colours that you've picked for your sweater.. Love the fleece you're holding it looks scrumptious . I'm actually stuck for words. Keep spinning, keep smiling, keep safe and well. Love to you and Peaches. Jen xxxx

Lovely to see you again my friend! You are so generous to share all of this with us. It is fascinating. Your love of the wool and process is inspirational. I have spun 8 skeins of grey Romney and have half a fleece to go. I would like to make my son a vest from some of it. I love your idea of spinning on your steps. I must try that!

I love your videos and how well put together they are. Your editing and research skills are under appreciated because your lovely personality and amazing skills outshine them. I’m waiting on my very first spindle to arrive this week, I’m excited to start!

I get so tempted to buy even more fleece when I see all the spectacular locks and your spindle sample spinning! Thank you for the compliments and sending people over to my spot on Instagram 🙏🏻 that was very kind 🥰 I didn’t know too much about Romney until I bought a fleece last year at the Blacksheep festival in Oregon. I went first thing in the morning when they setup a few fleeces and I just walked by every bag, putting my hand in the fiber to see if it made my hands happy. If it did, I’d look at the label. I stopped at a 4 pound Romney (lamb) fleece that was buttery soft and irresistible to my fingers. Every stage of the process I was in love with the fiber. The variation in color, the metallic luster / sheen when the batts started growing on the carder, and just how easy it was (and quick) to spin. I feel gratitude that I found such an amazing fleece. Also, I feel a sense of connection with the animal whenever I pick the skeins up. I know it sounds weird, but it’s the first hand spun that feels ‘alive’ to me. Thank you for another amazing show Lisa 🙏🏻💜💜💜🙏🏻

My fleeces Merino and Suffolk, go straight from the wool shed into my Resource bag and away I go

An enjoyable watch yet again. I have spun Romney too and it also takes dyes very well being semi lustre wool. Best wishes and happy spinning.

You are so inspirational Lisa, I love that you spin so much for us on your cast and show all your experiments and samples. I am spinning some Perendale right now and as you know they are a cross between a Romney and Cheviot. Having been inspired by watching you I am now going to try to emulate your long draw and see if I can become as proficient as you are. Thank you again for a lovely cast. Jenny(NZ)

I need to try Romney again, we have quite a few here in the PNW from what I’ve been told. The only time I had Romney it was a chunk of a poorly sheared fleece and it wasn’t pleasant in the hand. I need to give it another shot.

I have a Romney ewe coming at the end of June...she joins others (Wensleydale, Corriedale, Cormo) to make a Spinners’ Flock. I can’t wait to feel all the fleeces! ...and then to spin & knit! You are quite an inspiration, I’m sure I’ll be watching many episodes more than once!

Catching up on you vlogs as I spin for the TdF 😊 I must say your good company ❤️ Romney is my all time favorite fleece to spin. I’ve knit a couple of sweaters for my oldest son from Romney, beautiful and super warm. I’m currently spinning Falkland, it makes a lot of sense that it might just be Romney. It sure spins like Romney.

Thank you for another enjoyable and informative video... I loved seeing your fleeces and skeins - so inspiring. I was watching just after I had plied and washed my first ever woolen spin...I must admit I was despondent as I had hoped to have a yarn that I could potentially use but alas I don’t think it will be good enough - again!! I have done worsted spins before but always get rope - and rather inconsistent rope at that!! I need to just keep practicing! I am aiming for something as squishy and divine as your beautiful skeins. I dream of spinning something I am happy with😊!!

Loved hearing about the history of wool. Imagine the death penalty! Your spinning is fantastic. Can’t wait for your next video. Hi Peaches 🐾🐾

The Lord Speaker in the House of Lords sits on what was a wool sack as a reminder of the source of England's wealth. So sad that it's not valued as it should be. Great episode as usual and very inspiring

I have used that pattern many times. I do a lot of beading and I usually end with some kind of lace. I did several last winter combining lace with mohair and they turned out great. I have also done it in linen too. Anything goes, I just knit until all the yarn is used up then bead the cast off edge. A little bling never hurts in my world. The tassels will look great.

Nice seeing you again. Look forward seeing your shawl when it's finished. Pretty colors with different pattern stitches. So facinating the wool process from the beginning to the end of a beautiful knitted garment. Beautiful skeins you have spun.♥️

Fabulous! I just bought my first Romney fleece to process myself. I am separating the locks to wash them individually. Any remaining wool I am washing in a bulk method. You seem to only do the bulk/batch method? Are you combing the fleece not in locks?

Hello! I bought some Romney - my first fleece. It is fair to say it doesn't need to be plyed?

Your spinning technique is similar to mine in that you "polish" the thread by running your fingers along the length before allowing it to wind onto the bobbin. Do you ever spin Shetland? I have been looking around the inter webs for some information about spinning technique for Shetland but haven't seen any really good guidance. Thank you for the podcast.

What spindle were you spending on at the end of this?

Hi Lisa,have you attempted spinning Suffolk wool Are all your fleeces been washed etc Cheers 🍻, Martin

Lisa. Your washed locks are so beautiful. I would live to watch your method of washing a fleece. Have you highlighted washing in a program? From Western Massachusetts, Susan

Have you ever used Veles Blacknose wool❓ 💜💙💚💛🧡❤

I really loved last weeks vlog but you didn't talk about your e spinner.