It’s a pleasure to see your video in my feed again Lisa, I save it for when life’s chaos slows down for me to thoroughly enjoying time with you. The clickety clack of a saxony is so relaxing, I’ll be getting mine out soon too. Nothing better than fibre prep and spinning to focus the mind in a calm way
Hi Lisa and Peaches, so glad you made an appearance, Peaches. This podcast was so relaxing. I had just finished knitting a merino blend sock. They were commercial yarn. Love the colorway of the new sock yarn you bought.
Hi Lisa, you truly are such an amazing teacher. Thank you for sharing your talent with us. I have learned so much. You are a joy to listen to. I can’t wait for my Sunday morning class. See you next week
I always enjoy your programs. I'm sorry tho see the end of the breed study.. Maybe a spring or summer study? Thank you for showing your spinning. It is a pleasure to watch. As an immature(as in I've not done many spins), I really appreciate it.
Isn't it wonderful how your husband knows you ❤ Mario one time got me a drill and a nail gun for my birthday and everyone thought he was crazy.... he wasn't, it was exactly what I was missing from my tools. So true about variations in Merino... I found that the brown one I have is not even close as soft as my white or grey. Pleasure as always beautiful friend. Ivana ❤❤❤
Yes, are we not super lucky to have great hubbies? I like what you do with merino, blending it with alpaca or 🦙. After a trip through the drum carder it’s always easier to spin. Your handspun is always a work of art! Take care , Beautiful. 😘
That’s the same wax n feed I got to use for my kromski interlude! Glad you use it too, makes me feel like I made a good choice lol. I First started watching when I was just searching Turkish spindle videos back in 2021 and that started my journey down the rabbit hole and love for wool and spinning!! Thanks for another great video! My parents are looking into getting some Rambouillet on their farm and I was hoping to process some of their wool at home, so I appreciate the advice when it comes to fine wools and lanolin!!
Hey, Lisa! I learned on merino, but as I’ve gotten into different fibers, it’s become a bit annoying to spin lol. Right now, I’m finishing up one half of a baby alpaca spin. Drafts like butter! Also, I have the third book of that little series; the one on all (or most) of the different types of handspindles! It’s completely fascinating! It even tells how to spin on a rock!
Pure merino is not always easy to spin esp in commercial top, those fine fibers always wanting to clump together. I think s merino alpaca blend would be lovely. Alpaca is so fun to spin. Those silky fibers just glide past each other and the yarn is so soft.
I just gave away a braid of Merino. I was spinning rubber bands from it. Something odd about that braid because I spin CVM with joy and super wash merino is my fine spinning go to.
Hi Lisa! I like these breed studies. 😢I'm a little sad this is your last one. I'm glad your husband got the old shears. My olderest brother was doing digging at my grandparents' homestead and found my great grandma's old shears. He gave it to my 1st cousin. I have storage wool in the raw, and it's not coming out as white when I got to it. I can't wait to see the goat studies you're going to do. Keep going on your scapbook 😊.
Thanks for the inspiration, Timothy.! Yes “white” isn’t always very white is it? Perhaps you could dye it? Those old shears are really cool. I hold them in my hands and imagine the previous owners and what kind of sheep they sheared and what back breaking lab out it was. So funny that objects can capture your imagination!
@Soulful Spinning I think 🤔 the shears were used many uses. Great grandpa might use the rim work horses 🐎 mane and tail. The cousin that got them does have 500 sheep 🐑. Also, they just got done ✔️ with this year shearing. I'm thinking 🤔 of asking him a fresh fleece. Great grandma 👵 uses wool as quilts.
Oh my gosh..I'm in the process of weighting my Romney singles ;) Not a good idea huh? YIKES! My favorite vintage reference is the Joy of Spinning by Marilyn Kluger..(sp?) I think she talks about weighted blocking of yarn. As always lovely to spend some time with you. Shrek is amazing isn't he?
You know, Sarah, I am going to have to look at my resources about the weighting of handspun in the finishing. I found this article from Spin Off that discuses blocking yarn. For warping a loom I think it can be helpful, but in general for knitting yarns it is not advisable. Of course opinions will vary. Here is an article that explains it better. Than I. spinoffmagazine.com/but-weight-its-your-handspun-how-to-block-yarn/ I bet that Romney is making a beautiful yarn!
I think you have mentioned, but I can’t remember! With what will you be knitting the Arboreal jumper? I love the complicated and often sordid history of the ‘royal’ Merino. I know it challenges ME!! Thanks, as always, Lisa. Your podcast is a balm for the soul 🧶🐑❤️ And yeah!! We need all the containers for the things contained 😌
I too have not always enjoyed spinning merino top. Once I had a braid of Malabrigo Nube that didn’t want to draft at all. I guess all those fine fibers want to stick together! I am going to knit the Arboreal with handspun CVM from fleece I processed a while back. I’ll show the locks that I saved when I talk about it. Thanks for spending time with me. Take care lovely lady. 🥰
hi Lisa! I always love your deep dives into breeds and information around them. i don't blame you for not wanting to go into information about mulesing. it is kind of a scary procedure for an animal to undergo, though the reason for doing it is to avoid flystrike, which can be common in merino sheep because of the folded skin. its a common practice here in Australia for the reason of the common flystrike infections.
Fascinating! I love learning about the historical significance of wool and the textile industry. Carbonization - news to me and ugh. Another factor to guide purchase decisions. Your Lendrum saxony is beautiful! (and your orchids)
I liked see the shearing scissors I use to use one to make my 4 H lamb for showing . You could do the blocking on their backs it is very fun to use them. Love your videos thank-you
Hello, I love watching your channel, i have learned so mutch from you, i just wonder where you have bougt the beanbag for your supported spindel, love too have one. Susanne from Sweden.
My dear Lady, you are a spider. (As in Native American Stories). Just beautiful. I love your spinning section at the end. I can't believe your "project" is almost over! I have learned a great deal and was inspired to do my own breed study with guidance from the Livestock Conservancy. I am also about to join the Hudson Valley Textile Project. Another adventure.
Hi Lisa, thanks for lovely content, my father used those shears and I still have two pairs. We used them as garden trimmers as kids. Aren't they a wonderful tool. The muelsing used down here is for fly strike. A debatable topic. But necessary for some farmers. The traditional wheel just finishes the podcast beautifully. I still spin on my Ashford Wee Peggy brought in the 80's, lee.
I think I read about fly strike. (I think I was a bit squeamish to investigate)I suppose all those folds can cause problems but I think some strains don’t have as many. So interesting and lots more to learn! Isn’t it nice to have your Dad’s shears? Good memories. 💕
Good morning my friend! Just did a little spinning wheel care myself on Saturday ❤ I've been on the Angora bunny train lately with my sock blends. Been thinking up some new projects, too, for the fibers. Always a good day when I get to see what you've been up to!
Good morning! Your videos always imbue me with a sense of calm and comfort. It felt really good to get the old wheel all spiffy and ready for spinning! Take care and I hope you didn’t get too much snow in your neck of the woods. 🥰
I was waiting for someone to mention that! That rigid heddle you see in the background has been gathering some dust I’m afraid, but I’ve been wanting to get back to it especially with handspun. Thanks for the nudge 😉.
It's nice reaching a goal and even nicer seeing the final product. I'm excited to see what you include from your stash and how it will complete the blanket, blanket right? Shrek's journey was interesting, did you know it's suggested that the 90+ lbs of wool Shrek carried around might have saved him/her from wolves? Thanks for sharing your wool journey, I am looking forward to seeing more. 😊
No, I didn’t hear that! That makes a lot of sense. There are other stories of wayward sheep like him but I think he may hold the record. I am planning on making many more squares and try many more wools. Thanks for watching 🤗
I was so excited when you showed the Kravelli spindle. I'd recently ordered one off Etsy after stumbling onto your videos and becoming a bit obsessed with the idea of spinning something. So I will start this journey with a support spindle and some BFL. I love the history both you and Jillian Eve bring to your channels. I have no idea why YT recommend them but I'm sure glad it did.
Thank you so much for another lovely episode. I'm enjoying your winter breed study and learning from your reflections on spinning the different wools. Your podcast bring such a feeling of peace.
Just discovered your channel and must say you’ve convinced me to start spinning!! Just ordered my first spindle and can’t wait to start my spinning practice! :) Although I’ve ordered a Turkish spindle, the supported spindles are very intriguing! Where did you find the “bean bag” spinning bowl! Looks like it would be perfect to rest in one’s lap!
I’m so excited I’m getting a raw fleece today and I’m gonna process it for the first time I’m so excited do you have any scouring soap you suggest to use?
Hi Lisa, lovely podcast! I enjoy British TV too, and some of my favourites are Call the Midwife, The Darling Buds of May ( the original with Pam Ferris and David Jason), and Rosemary and Thyme.
I've done the same Lisa and had to rewash the ones I hadn't washed properly, I do believe it was a polwarth fleece, but I saved it with a re wash, thank you so much for this study and beautiful yarns all of them I'm gutted this is the last study I really should do one myself but I struggle with sticking to a time limit m, but I will do it one day. Much love and hugs x
Thank you Sadie! Yes, the scouring can be even trickier the 2nd time around. I think I broke out he Dawn dish detergent and boiled water for the job. Fine wools are definitely more challenging but I do want to try the “by the lock “ method if I can find the patience. 😂 I’m actually thinking of placing an order for some more breed specific fleece and rovings from your side of the pond. The UK breeds are the so diverse and there are several on my list I want to try. Take care and I hope you and your family are well 🤗
Ply magazine is wonderful! It’s everything I could possibly want in a spinning mag. What hard work it must be to put out such a great resource! I got hooked on wool, wool processing, and spinning in the 70s when I borrowed from my public library a craft book that I believe was part of a Time/Life series. The photos of luscious mounds of fluff ignited a flame that will never go out! Recently I saw a copy at a library sale and when I opened it and gazed on the same photos I was transported back to that magical time. Such a weird feeling, and sooo long ago. I’m so done with super wash wool. For me it bags and I find that the ends don’t want to stay weaved in. 😖 Wondering if you’ve gone back to try to re-wash the old lanolin stiffened fleeces. I have some and I need to experiment to see if they can be saved. 🤞🏼 Great podcast! Thank you!
I agree with everything you say here. Superwash does have a plastic feel to me sometimes, though I do succumb to a beautiful skein of hand dyed every now and then as you saw in this episode. Thanks for watching. I am honored that a long time spinner finds what I have to offer interesting. I will talk about reviving a sticky fleece in a future episode. (It involved lots of water from my kettle and Dawn dish soap.)Take care and have a good week spinning. 💕
Mulesing helps to protect merino sheep from flystrike (a fatal attack from blowfly maggots) by removing the folds of their skin around their anal area. We run Texel and Cheviot sheep in a cool, wet area of Australia. As soon as spring begins and the weather becomes warmer with some humidity, we are always on the lookout for sheep behaving oddly eg walking …lying down…repetitively, or lying alone along a fenceline. Even an odd wet-looking patch of wool anywhere on their bodies can be a telltale sign of flystrike. We have to manage the maggots and provide relief immediately or else the animals will lose their lives. I won’t go into the details of the situation but I can assure you that it ranges from awful to stomach-churning. Much is being done to tackle this issue. From vaccines, selection of resistant genetics, breeding of sheep with less wrinkles etc.. Most of the funding for these programs comes from the wool growers themselves. We are actually raising an orphaned merino ewe lamb at present. She is three weeks old now and was brought home at less than 12 hours after birth. She is imprinted on humans and trots along beside her human ‘flock’. She wears a little woollen pullover in cool weather as merino lambs are born with very little fat cover to keep them warm. As you mentioned, she looks very different from our dual purpose sheep. Avery is very tall and long-bodied and you can see the wrinkles in her skin. In contrast, the dual purpose lambs are short and chunky little fellows. They are all super cute though no matter what breed they are.
Thank you for taking the time to explain to us a bit on the reality of shepherding. It sounds like you are taking the best possible care of all your animals and I have great respect for the work you do. The wee lamb sounds adorable but lots of lost sleep I’m sure for the feedings!
Dear Lisa, the history of merino, very interesting. And besides of all I love watching your fine and elegant spinning 💚 thanks a lot and stay safe. Gaby from South Germany
I don't believe mulesing is about producing more wool. It is to significantly reduce the prevalence of fly strike or myiasis. I will spare you the details of that, but if you knew how utterly horrific that condition is, you might rethink how bad mulesing is. It's possibly the lesser of two evils. Apologies that my first comment is on such a dark topic. I have been too busy spinning to think of anything to say, but have been binge watching your very wonderful videos and am so grateful that you make them for us!
Hi Lisa. In your next episode (after the breed study summary, of course), will you tell your viewers what products you used to clean and wax your spinning wheel. Thank you and I am looking forward to seeing all of your future episodes.
Not increase fibre production. To stop flyblown sheep, where flies lay eggs, which develop into maggots and eat the flesh. If you’d ever seen it, mule sing is a kinder option
