Winter Breed Study No. 9 Targhee/Knitting & Spinning 

Love your breed study. I love Targhee. I need to spin the rest of my fleeces. One of our former customers used to raise Targhee. They would sell to the wool pool. I bought a really dirty ram fleece for $15 and it was fabulous. It turned out whiter than anything I've processed. I made her a beret out of the first spin. She then gave me a cleaner fleece to spin up to make her granddaughters a beret. I live to supoort spindle more than drop and it's my go to for lace/fingering. Thank you again.

Thank you again, Lisa, for yet another very interesting breed study! I discovered Targhee several years ago in a Door County yarn shop. They sold braids dyed by Mountain Colors and they were so beautiful! I just checked the Mountain Colors website and they have their business up for sale after thirty years. I've spun quite a bit of Finn and like you, it is one of my favorites! It really "blooms" after it's been washed and has that amazing elasticity you mentioned. And lastly, I discovered Sarah on Fiber Trek and couple of weeks ago! What a calming and inspiring channel! Thanks for all you do for those of us who follow you!

Lisa when you said your husband watches so he knows what you buy, oh my gosh, hilarious😂😂. Your spinning is always so beautiful.

I really enjoy watching your podcasts, Lisa. You have such a calming nature and share so much knowledge. Thank you for sharing all you do.

Hello again my favorite teacher…. It’s so cold 🥶 now in Quebec, Canada . You are like a sun 🌞 in my life . Merci!

I was happy to see you review the Yarnitecture book this week. I purchased it several years ago and it came in very handy during the pandemic. During lockdown I challenged myself to wash-card-spin- knit a sweater from a Jacob fleece I had hanging around way too long. Usually I spin and then choose a pattern based on the skein characteristics but this time I started with the Rigby pattern and spun my yarn to its specifications.And it worked! Woolen spun Jacob was dream to work with. I separated the colors and swatched to see what percentage of white-grey-dark to ply and ended up with a variety of shades. The most amazing thing to me was the weight of the cardigan. Since it was woolen spun, it was light as a feather. Maybe 2 oz? And very warm. Thanks again for a great episode. I enjoy knitting along while listening. As for your question, I find spindle spinning to be more mediative and wheel spinning more like work.

Thank you Lisa for all the hard work and effort you put in to produce your videos/pod casts. They're always informative and so enjoyable and your very generous with your knowledge. Take care.

Long-time knitter, first-time spinner here! Thanks for these videos! I'm learning lots and I enjoy your calm demeanor and the things you share!

Thank you Lisa for another great episode! Am loving the breed study, your spindle collection, watching you spin on your Lendrum and the music of David Bailey. I too am newly retired and don’t go many places besides the grocery store! I get it! 😃

LisaR: truly enjoyed your breed study ! I have an old school tool for measuring "grist" / yd per Lb.. It's called a McMorran yarn balance. I believe I purchased ( long ago) from an online spinning / weavers supply shop . inexpensive & easy to use ;)

I really like Targhee! It’s soft and bouncy and I like dyeing and spinning with it. It is my favorite white wool along with Columbia. CVM and 1927 are my other favorite breeds.

I've never worked with Targhee, but it is one on my list together with Ramboullet. The way you describe it fluffs up, reminds me of Polwarth and that's how I imagine it ....of course I could be completely wrong :) Just like you, I tend to spin natural shades but those braids are truly beautiful. Such pleasure watching you spin. Kisses. Ivana ❤

Great episode! I often spindle spin while watching your videos. It kind of feels like we are sitting together, discussing the things you are talking about. I especially liked the spinning at the end and the song. What a wonderful song. I'll check David Bailey's music. My cat of 18 years passed away Monday. Thank you for the peace that your show brings.

I am happy you are going to continue with the breed study. I didn't realize all the cross breeding that has been done to develop the wool that I enjoy knitting. And thank you for this place you have made for all of us who enjoy creating beautiful things with fiber.

So good to know that after breed study, you have plans for more videos. As I nearly ruined beautiful fleece, I wonder if other viewers would like to know what is a “bad” fleece, the “lock test” is one hint. As for the question, wheel-VS-Spindle: spindle spindle spindle. I use eSpinner a lot, when I need yarn fast. But hand spindle is my first choice

I learned to spin on a drop spindle in 1973 and have loved spindles ever since. I really got into support spindles when covid hit and work was closed. I bought a few too many and need to make time to use them all. I spin on a wheel, but I still am charmed by my portable spindles. Love your channel. Thanks!

I had to think about you question a bit.🤔 I love my wheel for the actual of treadling and speed but my spindles for portability, simplicity, and beauty in such a small package.

Targhee is one I'm hoping to own when we're able to build on our 20 acres. They're hard to come across here in BC, but hopefully I'll be able to source them somewhere. I'd say I generally prefer wheel spinning when I can, but if I have 4 oz or less it is fun to use my spindles. I use support spindles primarily, and I often spin during breaks at the daycare I work at. Sometimes the kids wake up and want to try as well. I brought my copy of Woolbur for them as well as a spindle and brushes for them to explore, which was fun for the 3-5 class, and the Schoolers and I spend a wonderful afternoon making support spindles out of air dry clay and double pointed needles. It's such a great hobby to pass on to kids!

Thank you Lisa ! Have a great week !

Good, happy, Sunday morning and yet again a huge Thank You for such a lovely episode. Like so many others, I'm sure, I look forward to these podcasts of yours so much - a lovely start to each Sunday 😊

I finished spinning up my Shetland I only had 4 bags 2oz in each of them and now I need to ply them. I am currently mainly spinning on my spindles and I do have a spinning wheel that I have yet to use but I plan to soon as I have 10 lbs of Leicester Longwool and 2 lbs of Gotland but I also need to make some combs as you can do that. I am also working on my first crochet project in months.

Hi Lisa, Thanks again for another awesome Visit with You! I learn so much from you!! I appreciate you always telling us what you are going to be sharing with us so I can be ready to take notes! I am always sipping my coffee or Tea along with you! Being isolated as I am, it is like a Special Time with a Friend! 💗👭💗 Thank you Dear Friend 💖

Hi Lisa , Targhee is one of my favorites to spin. The " sproing" factor is really enjoyable and it was great to see you appreciate it too! That hand dyed top you showed would also be nice if the two colours of pink and rainbow were plied together. The fushia plied throughout the final skein would make it consistent. :)

Joy, joy, joy…another video and I loved all the info on Targhee. It sounds like I need to get my hands on this fiber. I haven’t spun in over 4 years, but this just might get me back into spinning. Thank you!

The wrap that you are knitting for your sister is going to be beautiful. Spindle spinning is definitely my favourite, I am slower than when at my wheel but I don't spin for production so I love that spindles allow me to spend more time with the beautiful fibre I'm working on and I also love the portability too

The Targhee study was so interesting, I hadn't spun that roving, and now I am. It's a wonderful spin and I am planning what I will knit as I spin. Lovely! I have liked all of your breed studies! As you said, it is a nice spin with some bamboo and silk (80% Targhee, 10% bamboo, and 10% silk) which is my roving.

Lovely episode. Housework…sometime, spinning any time!

I'm truly enjoying the breed study and hope you expand it. I also am keeping our librarians busy with all the book recommendations

I spun my first ever handspun sweater out of Targhee from JulieSpins - it was a big combo spin of three different colorways. I absolutely LOVED that Targhee and the sweater is my favorite thing to wear. I will say that the Targhee PUFFED significantly on finishing - I thought I was going for a worsted weight 2 ply but that Targhee had other plans and ended up more Aran and Bulky. I ended up knitting up a smaller size so that I could get a sweater that fit. 😅

Dear Lisa, thank you for another great video. So much information again and I enjoy watching it with my Sunday morning coffee as every week. Greetings Gaby 🐑💚

Thank you so much, Lisa!

I am enjoying your breed study so much. I had received the same fleece as a gift so I have been studying with you. Thank you!

It’s a cold damp Monday morning here in Norwich. I’ve just replanted some snowdrops which migrated onto the garden waste pile. 😮 Hearing about the different fibres you process is very interesting because as far as I am aware we do not have Rambouillet or Targhee fleece readily available in England. I realise you have begun to spin your roving but a possible way would be to separate the solid colour from the multi coloured, spinning them individually then plying them together so you end up with a variety of colours on a solid ‘background’. Thankyou for your podcast. I for one am so pleased you came back😊

I like to use my hand dyed colorful roving/top as additions to drum carded batts mixed with my natural fibers. For example I'll break down a dyed braid into warm colors and cool colors, than drum card those colors into separate singles in say, an 80-20 mix (80 natural-20 dyed) then ply those together which gives a marled effect without the striping. For a 3-ply you can run one of the plys just a natural color ( brown or grey or black or white). of course it really tones down the colors- makes the colors seem more like tweedy colors in the natural background. As always thanks for another wonderful episode! xx

Haha! Had to chuckle at your husband’s comments about your purchases….my husband likes to joke that we have plenty of “insulation” in our attic (I keep all my fleeces, washed, and packed up in labeled tubs…)! They are patient with our obsession!

Thank you so much. I love my spindles.

I love your show!! I’m loving the breed studies as I’m trying to decide on what breed to raise here on my new farm. I had Suffolk, Rambouillet, a couple Romney crosses and one black welsh mountain. Targhee is one of my favorites to spin and knit with!! I laugh when you say you have a huge stash…. I have bought 100 lbs x2 from two growers. I purchased Paula’s Rover and the Picker from Brothers Carders. (He bought the designs from Pat Green) My goal is to sell my handspun and roving to augment my Disability.

Thank you for another great episode! I just received a new spindle from Vermont, a spalted tamarind just like yours! It does spin longer than my others, but still not as long as your spindles go. The fiber with it is longer staple, 4 in or so, so hopefully it will give me good practice. Are you familiar with PLY magazine? Wonderful articles, each issue delves deep into one theme. Jaycee Boggs Faulkner and Jillian Merino publish it, as well as host PLY-Away each spring here in Kansas City. Look into coming for a class or two.... great teachers!

I loved hearing about the characteristics of Targhee and its cool history. It really spins up into a neat yarn! I can hardly wait to see your finished blanket. I am loving your squares. Lovely spinning, as always. Feel better, friend! ❤🧶🎶

Love your channel, and the content is always interesting. I have spun recently a sweaters content of singles yarn with my spindle. I have done the prep myself. it is 2 thirds dark grey Jacob and 1 third black alpaca. The swatch I knitted is 21 stitches to the inch knitted with a 3.5 mm needle. My strategy for spinning a large amount of yarn with my spindle is, spinning a small portion, lets say half an ounze almost every day. That worked for me.

I like to use my drop spindle for small projects. For large spins I use my spinning wheel or e-spinner. I use a seashell that I drilled a hole in for a diz. I thought about putting different size holes in it but was afraid I would crack it. But I love it because of the memory attached to it.

Just discovered your videos when I searched for Targhee spinning. I used to like knitting with Brooklyn Tweed Loft, but have experienced breaks in thin spots after knitting with it. Love the breed though and wanted to try spinning it myself. Really enjoyed the content. I was surprised to see you using a Lendrum. I live in Eastern Ontario close to where they are made and they are very popular locally, but I did not know they were used by US spinners. Looking forward to more on your RU-vid channel.

I fell in love with spindles, first. I love picking them up when I just want to relax and be more chill. Also, if I really love a color and/or braid and wanna spend time with it and really get a look at the colors/textures I'll use my spindles. I'm finding that my spinning wheel is more of a production tool to me. Like if I really want to finish a project fast or I'm not too fond of the colors. You definitely asked a great question and got me thinking!

I'm loving the breed study content and pace. Thank you for another lovely mention, how thrilling! It's inspiring to watch your episodes and think about my own spinning history and future. I admit I wasn't spinning while watching but did finish binding the baby quilt. What a triumph! Looking forward to next Friday! Fond Wishes, Sarah

Trish on the Fiber Love Diary You Tube channel recently used a spaced dyed braid spun 8 different ways. And she made a small knit and crochet sample of each result. It was very informative and you could really see the difference.

I purchased Yarnitecture on my kindle for $2.99 in January. I had been looking to buy it and couldn't believe the price one day I checked. Your braid by Juliespins is lush, I would love to see you discover what fun you can have with it, by spinning and knitting. X

Nope, no good for insomnia! Thanks for another interesting segment. I knew next to nothing about targhee, but it sounds fun to spin.

This is the first breed I’ve started to spin with. I bought them before I knew anything about the differences in breeds. So I’m excited to dive into your videos. I’ve just purchased a sampler pack of different breeds and super excited to see how different they feel

Hello! Lisa! Thank you for sharing the video!❤!

Thank you for a lovely episode. I’m not a spinner but when I knit I like to know where the wool came from.

Hello from Ohio. I’m so happy to find your podcast. Yes, Sara is watching and that’s how I was guided here. She recommended you in her latest podcast. I am a spinner and knitter and this podcast is right up my alley. I purchased a knitting belt while attending the Shetland Wool Adventure Week in 2019. I haven’t given it a lot of effort, but would love to learn how to use it. There is very little information out there on technique. I’m hoping you figure it out and pass on your skill and knowledge. I’m very excited about your podcast and will be tuning in. All the best, Andrea

I spin on a Babe Fiber wheel and various spindles. I feel like there is more control with spindles, maybe because the fiber is closer to my nose. I love them both. I prefer bottom whorls.

Hi Lisa, you could also put your dyed fiber in the drum carder and blend the colors. Just a thought.:)

Hi Lisa, I like to spindle spin my singles and ply on my electric spinner.I hope to acquire Targhee to spin someday

Thankyou for these podcasts Lisa, so interesting. I love Finn fleece it’s also my favourite and lovely to knit with.I’m currently spinning some Polworth for the first time and it shares a lot of characteristics with Targhee. It’s also soft, elastic and puffs up when washed. .It was bread from Lincoln merino cross and I very much look forward to your breed study on it, cheers from Australia.

If you have time, check out the Craftsy class on spinning for intentional color by Felicia Lo from Sweet Georgia. It is really a wealth of great information. It goes into color theory, how to prevent muddy results, how to avoid color pooling, etc. Very detailed but fun to watch. Love your channel so much 😊

Hi Lisa, since i got my spinning wheel, i've found that I tend to be more wanting to spin on the wheel. its not because of anything but obsession though. when i do get drawn to my spindles, its often to play around with a new fiber for the first time, or when i just want to have something to take with me to spin. also I find i can spin a lot thinner on my spindles, so i'm drawn to them if I am wanting to do a lace weight.

Dear Lisa, So glad learn about Targhee, as I've got some on the way. I too wonder what to do with those wildly dyed braids, since I prefer heathered colors to variegated or barberpole. Will we have to learn how to dye and blend our own? Thanks for another enjoyable episode, El🧶

Thank you again Lisa. I ordered the book, “Wooly West”. I wonder about a book club discussing the excellent books you recommend. Perhaps future?❤

Peaches ❤️

I use the mini's for starting cuffs but my hands are happier with a larger needle.

I love the comment your husband made about watching your podcast to see what you'd bought 😆 Is your Finn and Angora blend for your sock spin?

The other of my request: by now “we” know a lot about sheep, when you use other species it’s only in fiber blends (gots alpacas angoras etc) how about a goat study?

When you held up the "spin off." I had to find it and got looking through it. Then I looked at the one on," India's Vanishing Traditions," spinning camel fiber. 🐫 you should read 📚 that one.

Enjoy your show. But we don’t need to sit and wait for you to shut off heater or swallow coffee. Lol. Otherwise I love your teaching all about sheep differences and spinning and knitting etc. my favorite hobbies. Also just get into content. It’s not necessary to tell us what you’ll be showing today. Just get to it. We are waiting impatiently to learn from you! Stay warm.