Your sweater is beautiful. Well done. Thank you for the demonstration on plying from spindles. I was one who posed the question and I appreciate the time you spent to answer my question. I am 71 and think learning new things keeps my brain functioning and healthy. Never too old is my motto. I just acquired a new book, In the Footsteps of Sheep: Tales of a Journey Through Scotland Walking, Spinning, and Knitting Socks by Debbie Zawinski. It's published by Schoolhouse Press. It's a beautiful book both in photography and writing. The author set out to collect wool from different sheep breeds, spin it, and then knit a pair of socks from each breed. It might be something you would enjoy. Thank you again for your podcast.
I've read "In the Footsteps of Sheep" and it was a wonderful book. I was transported! Your jumper is lovely and the color really suits you. All knitters understand that things don't always go to plan and often projects take longer than we'd like. There is no knitting police so please don't stress. Your content is so enjoyable and informative. Thank you!
Approaching that 10K mark. Wootwhoo! Yes that's my favorite too! Finn, Icelandic, Shetland, Gotland, BFL, Lincoln...oh you get the idea. Thank you for your dedication to the weekly Spin and square. They are really pretty. I will do that sampler pack some day. THAT SWEATER! Just WOW! I am so impressed. Spin on!
The orchids look so beautiful and healthy 😍Also, those African violets have brought so many nice memories... my grandmother was in love with them and had them close to her window seal. My favorite and naughty thing as a young girl was to press my nail in their thick leaves and see the mark that it leaves :) Pleasure as always dear Lisa. Ivana ❤
I’m responding to “old” video to let You know, that knowing a new video coming tonight makes me (and probably others) so excited. ❤ I also love the cups you’re drinking from :-) (I wonder why)
Thanks for another great episode. Congrats on the finished jumper; it is beautiful. I'm delighted to see I have many of the same books you do; makes me feel like a pro!
Re: storing wool: Cammy Wilson, a Scottish shepherd and shearer has a video on his channel 'The Sheep Game' where he does a tour of a British wool buyer. It shows how the fleeces are handled, what a large buyer is looking for and shows how they store wool. The skill of the experienced handlers is amazing. It's on RU-vid and it's called 27 MILLION KGS OF WOOL. It's just over 40 minutes long.
I saw that video. It was so educational. The wool sorter has honed his craft and all he has to do is look at and feel each bundle of fleece to know exactly what bin it go to. That was so cool.
I enjoy your podcast so much and I think you would like The Woolly Thistle podcast too. The podcaster is the shop owner of the yarn shop The Woolen Thistle who is originally from Scotland and only carries woolly wool from many different breeds of sheep.
Thank you so much for this episode! Finnsheep is my favorite. Or at least so far in my experience. It’s been the best (fleece from the PNW) and the worst (fleece from NM) I have acquired. I can’t wait for my next! Years ago I went down a rabbit hole of studying all the ways that peoples around the world essentially do the same thing (loop through another loop 😂) and it was fascinating! I’ve been knitting since I was 8yo, you never stop learning I swear!
Thank you so much for this series, Lisa! It’s been making me so happy and filling in my woolly gaps of knowledge. When I’m unloading my spindles I drop them into cardboard boxes so they are less tempting for my cat! Usually I only ply on my wheel but since you started your breed study my spindles have been getting a workout too. ❤
Thanks for the cardboard box suggestion. I didn’t even think of placing them in a container! Brilliant solution to protecting your precious spindles. 💕
As usual, great episode! I learn so much each time and it's a great way to start out my week. I'm 52, so if I can learn even a quarter of what you have accomplished in 10 years I'll be pretty happy. I'm so new to fiber arts but have a long-standing love of paper and wood, which I feel are close cousins to yarn and spinning. My daughter taught herself to crochet this last year. She is such a natural. I'm amazed at how quickly she has learned. She is resistant to knitting though, so I might have to tackle that aspect myself. Keep up the good work. Love it all, the book reviews, acquisitions, and especially the winter breed study.
Thank you! Yes, paper, wood, and wool are all so close. Spindles, looms, fiber tools all made of wood. Interesting that the best watercolor paper is 100% cotton,too. I started this adventure when I was your age. It’s all very natural, I think. Nice that your daughter has picked up a fiber craft, with a lot of ease it seems! I have not devoted enough time to learn that crochet, but it fits in so well with everything else. Again thanks always for your kind comments. Take care!
I just watched a podcast of a young woman named Tashi from Brooklyn who just loves you and your podcasts on sheep breeds. When she mentioned you, I knew who she was talking about because I also watch your episodes. You are in my neck of the woods-right outside of Chicago near O’Hare. I really enjoy your podcasts.
I bought a knitting belt years ago from Elizabeth Zimmerman/Meg Swanson, got frustrated and put it away. Time find where I stashed it and think about trying again. Love your podcast!
Really loving this series, thanks so much. Not only the breed study (including you showing the variation from your stash), but also your book reviews and "technical" videos (e.g., plying, etc.). I envy your "moth-less" state...I'm just about 30 mi south of you, but it's a constant battle for me. I think that's mainly because I have cats that shed and I'm a horrible housekeeper :-p. Fortunately, the critters go for the cat fur and leave my yarn alone, but just to be safe, I use light and regular movement of skeins to dissuade them (and bake the bejeezes out of any fiber goods I am giving to others!).
When I see you hold up the short fluff. I thought you could use it in a small quilt block batt. When you held up all those colors, skins, I thought, what a nice sweater. Watch this want me order these types of wool to try.
LisaR: Hi Lisa , I took a class at Vogue Knitting Live about 5 years ago from June Hemmons Hiatt on knitting with a belt . You may recognize June's name -authored "The principles of Knitting ".. Hazel Tindel sat in on the class and was knitting of course . Here's the bottom line - as to the question Hazel knit with barely a flick of one finger ( right pointer) and the left served just to shuttle yarn forward . This is what June was teaching . she was also selling very beautifully made ( by her son ) belts for $150 . worth the cost for its workmanship and beauty if you were truly committed . Most attendees left with a belt .. I did not like that another belt maker who makes a lovely product at the time for $40 was given thumbs down by June for using a mesh netting for stuffing - which saves a ton of $$. works just fine and The Etsy shop is still around and thriving . Junes book is a classic - a wonderful reference and she took years to write it . Don't look for more than a blurb about the belt knitting unfortunately in it though . There were tutorial videos that came with the belt.. The technique I think is a great one for reducing muscle strain , speed on heavy items isn't an issue bc the left needles holding the weight .. English style knitters will probably find it a much easier switch over - since the yarns still in Right hand .. What I noticed was a definite increase in my tension - along with very evenly produced stitches . I think this could be a big help to those with " purl " woes. The time spent learning it could make a big difference later if fingers aren't as nimble ( Im 60 now as well ;) Lisa , I laughed when you questioned your curiosity to learn a new knitting technique :) I always recall my nearly 100 yr old Mom in law ( who did all the things..) saying " I like to learn something new every day - or I'll get old !" "Mel makes stuff just recently did a vlog on her learning to use this method - but with needle under her arm .. She did it without any practice before hand - which I think was a nice way to show how real time progress worked .. I hope this gives anyone especially you, Lisa something helpful in the way of belt knitting( you inspire me to wash my sealed up fleeces , spin on spindles, and use my hand spun ❤ - With practice maybe we can all catch a bit of sweet Hazels magic ;) Watching her was the best part ❤!
Thanks for reminder about that book. I am reviewing it in this week’s episode. Still working out the belt, having it stationary was putting strain in my right shoulder so clearly I was not doing it “right”. I gleamed some good tips from the book, though. Thanks again for watching!
Hello, Nice to meet you soon! Dear Lisa Baker! I thought that your spindles and spinnings were most beautiful in the video. And your many thread works are always most beautiful and better! And You shown me best variety best videos. Thus I always thank you for your videos and spindles! You are a best spindler and spinner! To Dear Lisa!🌼!🧡!❤! Happy new year!❤!🧡!
Dear Lisa, your lopi jumper looks great and I'm sure it will suit you very well. Thank you for another wonderful video. Best wishes from Gaby from South Germany
Hi Lisa, such a wonderful, peaceful thoughtful podcast...thank you. You have inspired me to possible add spinning to my crafting collection :) Regarding your hat that you want to make to match your sweater...why don't you use the diamond pattern in your sweater yoke with some of the elements that are above the diamond pattern? You could almost wrap your yoke around your head to get an idea of how it will look. The yoke already has much of the decreasing built in. Can't wait to see what you decide.
Another thing you could do to play from a spindle is if you have a detachable whorl is to remove the it and makeshift a lazy kate that the shaft will fit into. Removable whorls are amazing because you can change the weight as you spin by subing a lighter one or removing it completely. It's so nice to have customizable options, and to be able to use the same spindle each time if you have enough shafts :)
Dearest Lisa! You have been bringing me so much joy. Ludovico is my favourite composer. He's been in my playlists for 18 years and has traveled with me all over the world through life's growing pains and greatest achievements. I enjoyed your episode while I was support spindling. I typically do plying balls or plying bracelets 🥰
Thank you for another wonderful episode. I couldn’t sleep in the wee hours of the morning so I turned you on as I lay here listening to the cold rain waiting to get up to get ready for church. I have worked through many different ways of plying from spindles as well. I fashioned a couple spindle kates - from a mini plastic laundry basket to a milk crate with fishing spinners to suspend them - to ply directly from the spindles, but it’s not the easiest! More recently I have been plying from two balls and have started to make plying balls. I have a really big Shetland ball that’s ready to go 🧶 I usually ply using my maxi Turkish spindle, but I am considering the wheel… Blessings to you. Love all of your music 🎶🥰🎹
Hello dear Leslie. I hope you sleep well tonight. I’ve tried a makeshift lazy Kate for spindles with no success. The plying ball seems to give he best result. I think because we are rewinding the singles and plying for the beginning of each spindle full. It’s meditative as well winding the ball. It’s always so good to hear from you. Many blessings to you 🥰
Lovely video, and enjoyed all the content. Chuckled when I heard the whistling in the background! :) I always enjoy watching you spin, and am hoping that with practice my spindle work might approach the quality of yours!
I am catching up. Quickly scanned comments, and I thought I would suggest a shoe box or small Amazon box to hold your spindles when plying. I poke holes on opposite sides and slide hook end in one hole and the stick end in the other. They simply unwind from the spindles. This works for 3 spindles for a 3 ply as well. It keeps your spindles in place, the singles don't tangle, and there is no reduction or increase in twist which may happen the way the singles were coming off the end of your spindle. I can ply on a spindle or a wheel without worrying about jumbled spindles.
Lisa, so much fun and so many rabbit holes you are creating for me....seems like many books in your library have been recently added to my library! SO MUCH FUN! Now I'm going to check out the knitting belt! So much to learn!🥰
Finn is the first breed of wool I spun. They have multiple lambs and are pretty independent sheep. Back in day I had researched this would be the kind of sheep I would have if I ever had my own sheep. Great episode!
A while back, Mel of the excellent "Mel Makes Stuff" podcast talked about knitting belts and her experience trying to learn to use one. Might be helpful. PS Got my Lendrum 😊😊Spun one bobbin of very wonky yarn-like material - second bobbin looking better! Gorgeous orchids, BTW.
If I ply onto a drop spindle I will use the plying bracelet technique. This only works for me when plying mini skeins, max up to @ 30g. I have an espinner and small lazy Kate by Dreaming robots, love it! I will transfer a spindle onto bobbins and ply using the nano2 espinner.
Thank you, Lisa. I chuckled at the thought of your wool helping to insulate your home! One wall of my craft room definitely helps to insulate our house. I very much enjoyed learning a bit more about fleeces, spinning and plying - and of course your piano playing, too (especially that little snippet at the end!)
Wonderful video again, thank you. The Finn looks wonderful. I always find it interesting that, even when I have problems with a spin, like drafting etc, the yarn always surprises me by being just as lovely! Your lopapeysa is beautiful - I am still knitting my husbands. The hat will be a wonderful accessory. I love your knitting belt. I could T believe it when you said it was from Lyme Regis (which you did say right!) - it is a special place for our family! We used to go frequently and had a favourite restaurant there. I admire you for trying this new technique - it is not always easy to do things differently😊
Dear Lisa. Thanks for your great videos. I really enjoy them. A few years ago we have been on holidays in Lyme Regis. A very beautiful town on the jurassic coast where lots of fossils have been found. As you love reading you might like Tracy Chevaliers book "Remarkable Creatures" about this coast and fossil findings. Kind regards from Berlin, Almut
Thank you for the book recommendation. Sounds so good. I enjoyed her novel “The Girl either the Pearl Earring”. When I hear about Lyme Regis I think if Jane Austen’s “Persuasion” where Anne Elliot blossoms and Louisa hits her head. Thank you so much Almut. 🥰
So interesting that you wind both singles together on a ball for plying. I'll have to try that. I wind separate balls (onto 1" felted balls) and ply from those, each in their own wide mouth mason jar to keep things neat. I often add to the plying ball by spinning up another spindle and then spinning the end of the singles on the ball to the drafting end on the full spindle, then wind that one onto the same ball. That way, when I ply on my wheel I end up with nice big skeins for knitting. Even though I divide and weigh my fiber before spinning, I always end up with extra on one of the balls, but they look cute gathered in a bowl until I figure out what to do with them. I've tried again and again to ply from a center pull ball but always end up with a frustrating tangle (hence the plying balls...and the several yards of leftover singles!) My only other tip is I make an ad hoc lazy kate by poking holes on opposite sides of a box that can hold the spindle horizontally and let it spin freely while I wind my ball. Oh, and I store fleece in brown paper bags, folded down several times and stapled or else clipped with binder clips. Yay for your lopapeysa! She's a beauty!
My friend Marti has a flock of Finn sheep and her fleeces are beautiful. She's local to me in Western Mass. "Walking Cloud Farm". You might want to check it out. Also, "Fiber Love Diary" does a tutorial on what she calls a "turkey hand". That should be enough for a search. It's a simplified wrist bearing double pull ball. It's easy to do and super handy for sampling. As always thank you for all the work you are putting into this breed study. I look forward to it every week.
Thanks for the recommendation. I’d love to pick up a white Finn fleece. They are such a beautiful breed , just the right amount of softness and easy to spin!
Thank you for your videos. I was looking at Hearthside fibers but cannot find the sampler. Which one did you get or are they gone? I use a small dog tennis ball to make my plying balls, also I use a little bucket/ice cream. Or I use shoe boxes so it doesn't roll around. Your fleeces are gorgeous!!
Hi Lisa. Love your gentle, informative episodes every time 😊 As a fellow “returning-to-piano-later-in-life” student, I’d love to know some of the pieces and composers you are playing in your videos. This music is just my cup of tea. I think I tend to push myself towards music that is too complicated and then I get frustrated and quit for a long while. Any recommendations would be appreciated. Thanks!
I do the same thing…trying to play advanced pieces. So now I’m working on “easier” pieces along with my Debussy, Chopin, Beethoven, and Brahms. I always mention the music in the description, too. I love Ludovico Einaudi’s neoclassical music. Many of his pieces are right at the intermediate level and so satisfying to play. If you search for him in the RU-vid tab you can listen. I think many of us who learned as a child return later in life. It is such a gift to ourselves. Take care. 💕
I have actually started plying with a spindle and find it a bit tricky to chain ply. So I've decided to do a 3 ply ball. Do you ever do a 3 ply? Maybe I should do more 2 ply.
Thank you for this. I'm spinning the Finn from the pack now, my first. All of your fleeces are beautiful as well as your skeins. So if you buy a fleece, do they typically come unwashed? Once I was given an alpaca fleece and it was soo dirty that I gave it back. I've heard they are typically dirtier.
Oh, unwashed alpaca is so dusty! I’d rather scour a greasy fleece anyway if the week. I usually buy unwashed fleeces. It is a lot of work but very rewarding.
