Shows
Yarnspinners Tales's PodcastYST Episode 178 Coopworth Sheep Breed reviewThe Coopworth Sheep breed is a relatively new breed, as sheep breeds go. The sample I worked with was from a lamb and contained long lovely locks. I cover in this podcast how to wash and spin locks, and the specifics of this sampling. Information on the Breed is from the Fleece and Fiber Source Book. Another book I mention is Merino by Margaret Stove. Previously I reviewed Coopworth in Episode 45. I have also done a live stream on washing locks. In the second part of this live stream, I...2020-08-2036 min
Yarnspinners Tales's PodcastYST Episode 177 Ryeland sheep breed reviewA new computer meant a whole new learning curve on new software to record and edit podcasts. I think I finally have a set up I am happy to release. In this short podcast, I review one of the 52 weeks of sheep breeds, called Ryeland. I talked about this breed in the first part of a previous podcast, you can access that with this link. The Ryeland fiber was purchased from Marie Redding fiber on Etsy.2020-08-1222 min
Yarnspinners Tales's PodcastYST is going live stream on Twitch TVSo much behind that title! I am not stopping the audio podcast. I am moving forward on the wave of technology and taking my concept for YST with it. I have set up a channel on TwitchTV You can find me under the same name as the podcast, yarnspinnerstales. I plan to live stream twice a week and during those videos you can join me, chat by typing, watch in the video what I am working on (and have been trying to explain with words for 12 years in the podcast!) ask me questions,tell me wha...2020-07-0812 min
Yarnspinners Tales's PodcastYST Episode 176The breed White Face Woodland was studied by the 52 weeks of sheep group on week 14. Unfortunately, I was unable to obtain a sample of this fiber yet. But this breed is not new to me, I reviewed it way back on Feb15 2014. It is Episode 104 and I encourage you to hit the link and listen to it again. The picture I show with this podcast are the tiny skeins I did during that first study. The fiber came from Hilltop Cloud. In the second part of this podcast I talk about doing a virtual shopping tour...2020-07-0220 min
Yarnspinners Tales's PodcastYST Episode 175 Shropshire Breed reviewThis breed review, second of the three I did at the same time, covers the Shropshire breed, another Down breed from the British Isles. I had two sources of the fiber. The first, a small sample, came from Wychwood Spinner. The second was from Marie Redding Fiber Arts Etsy store. The samples were completely different, so I combined them into one yarn, a tail spun yarn to display the lovely long locks in the Marie Redding sample. I mention the book The Spinners Book of Yarn Designs, as a source for one way to make tail...2020-07-0235 min
Yarnspinners Tales's PodcastYST Episode 174 Oxford Down Breed reviewFor this month, I am releasing three shorter podcasts, all reviewing sheep breeds. These do not ave to be listened to in any specific order, it was just how I recorded and edited these. The sample I used to review the fiber was part of a Down Breed study from Wychwood Spinner. I also refer to the book The Fleece and Fiber Source Book by Carol Ekarius and Deborah Robson. This breed was studied by the group 52 weeks of sheep on week 12.2020-07-0218 min
Yarnspinners Tales's PodcastYST Episode 173 Gulf Coast Native sheep breed reviewThe sheep breed for this podcast was new to me, after all my years of reviewing. The Gulf Coast Native was raised long ago for it's tolerance to the conditions of the deep US south regions. But it lost it's favored position, and is now on the critical list of sheep breeds. The group 52 weeks of sheep included it this year in it's list to study. I purchased my fiber sample from Herie7 in the Etsy store. I also spend some time talking about washing fleeces that are very dirty. Beside the dish detergent Dawn which is readil...2020-06-1941 min
Yarnspinners Tales's PodcastYST Episode 172 Black Welsh and Welsh Mountain sheepThis podcast is a review of spinning the fibers from two Welsh sheep breeds. The Black Welsh Mountain is commonly known in the US, but it considered a conservation breed, due to it's small number of animals. The Welsh mountain sheep is white, and not raised much in the US. I had reviewed the BWM breed in several previous podcasts, so I will provide links to those. Episode 62 is a review of the breed's fiber Episode 64 is an interview with a BWM breeder Oogie McGuire. Her ranch is call Desert Weyr and she is s...2020-05-1641 min
Yarnspinners Tales's PodcastYST Episode 171 East Fresian sheep fiber reviewThis is another short breed review podcast. The East Fresian fiber I spun was a lovely brown color and very easy to spin in roving. There is a short information portion included at the end for a breed of hair sheep called Barbados Blackbelly. Unfortunately I have not been able to get a fiber sample yet for this Shave 'Em to Save 'Em passport breed. But the group 52 weeks of sheep had it on the list for week 8, which is part of this podcast timing. If I ever have the chance to spin some of the fiber, I wi...2020-05-0121 min
Yarnspinners Tales's PodcastYST Episode 170 Cheviot Breed reviewThis is the first of a series of sheep breed fleece reviews. Today's episode is about the Cheviot sheep. I was able to spin sample from two different families of this sheep, the Classic Cheviot from the US farm Yucca Farm. I was not able to find a web link for them on Google. The Brecknock Hill Cheviot sample came from Wychwood Spinner. It was part of a Welsh Experience sampler pack. I previously reviewed this breed in Episode 8 of this podcast, if you would like to listen to that also. 2020-04-2526 min
Yarnspinners Tales's PodcastYST Episode 169Today's podcast includes an interview with Deborah Niemann, who has the wonderful job of working for the Livestock Conservancy organization. In our interview, she shares all the details of the next two year program to introduce spinners and fiber artists to the 22 rare and recovering breeds of sheep through the Shave 'Em to Save 'Em program. I recently got the passport that is used to record whenever you use a fiber from one of these breeds and will be talking about working with these fibers in future pod casts. Here are some of the links for this po...2020-03-2645 min
Yarnspinners Tales's PodcastYST Episode 168 BleuduMaine and Charollais sheep breed reviewOne of my year long projects is being a part of the FaceBook group called 52 Weeks of Sheep. Each week we study a different breed of fiber producing animals, mostly sheep. In this podcast I talk about the last month of those studies, and go into detail on two new to me breeds. Both are French in origin, the Bleu du Maine and the Charollais. One thing I failed to mention in the podcast was after spinning the Charollais fiber, I used for the first time a small sampler loom. It is a fun way to sample texture or color...2020-02-2958 min
Yarnspinners Tales's PodcastYST Episode 167 A Year of Perfect VisionHappy New Year! 2020 oh my. I start out this podcast with a yarnspinnerstales, about seeing life with perfect vision. And speaking of new, Santa brought a brand new mic set up for the YST studio. It meant a new learning curve, and I think the sound will improve more as I work with it, but all in all I am happy with it. Over the next two years, I am going to revisit and redo my rare breed sample files. It has always been a passion of mine to find and spin as many breeds of...2020-01-2345 minYarnspinners Tales's PodcastYST Episode 166 A Book Review Spinning Wool Beyond the BasicsThe book Spinning Wool beyond the Basics is by Anne Field. This podcast is a review of the book. There are two editions of this book. The first, published in 2010 by Trafalgar Square Publishing is shown here on Ebay. Google book link is here. The second edition was published by A & C Black Publishers. It seems to be the same book and information, although I have not seen an actual copy of the book yet. It is shown in this link at Alibris. I talk about her differentiating between four ways to spin, woole...2019-11-1936 minYarnspinners Tales's PodcastYST Episode 165This podcast continues from episode 164, for Oct 2019. I talk about a few problems I had to solve during the Spin Together, with my wheel and spinning. The strange title of this podcast. is all about a major reorganization I did of my fiber. The 100 year shawl along I mention, can be found as a group on Facebook. That is also true of the other group I am in called 52 Weeks of Sheep. One of the breeds this group recently studied was Babydoll Southdown, and I talk some in the podcast about this breed's inf...2019-11-0351 minYarnspinners Tales's PodcastYST Episode 164So much happening on the spinning front for me this month, that I needed two podcasts to talk about it all. So this is the first one, and Episode 165 will continue with more spinning goodness. As promised, some links to people mentioned in the podcast: A lovely squishy package arrived at my house one day full of Baby Doll South down fiber. It was processed and mixed with lovely mohair and a tiny bit of nylon. The ewe's name is Lily and was white. The ram's name is Ray, and is a lovely silver gray. ...2019-10-2953 min
Yarnspinners Tales's PodcastYST Episode 163This podcast is very different and so you have a choice. There is a library based video website called Kanopy. I found a very interesting video on spinning throughout the world. I wanted other spinners to see it too, but they may not have access unless their library card (and their library system) grants access to Kanopy. The reason I do not include a link here, is because it is best to access it from your library's website. So first, if you have a current library card,go to their website and look for Kanopy, click...2019-09-1950 min
Yarnspinners Tales's PodcastYST Episode 162 TdF part 2I was able to do so much during this Tour de Fleece, it took two podcasts to tell you all about it. See the previous podcast for part one of this two part series. The first fiber I talk about spinning is called Fake Cashmere, due to it softness. It is however, 100% nylon. I bought my fiber from a dyer whose business is Jazz Turtle. It seems most people like to spin this fiber blended with other fibers, but I enjoyed spinning it on it's own. Another source for the fiber is Paradise Fibers The...2019-08-251h 20
Yarnspinners Tales's PodcastYST Episode 161 TdF part 1This is the first of a two part podcast, because I had so many projects to tell you about for the Tour de Fleece. In this podcast I talk about spinning cotton sliver on the Majacraft Aura, not a very traditional way to spin cotton. My challenge day project was finally achieving those beautiful tight rolags on my blending board. I also completed two skeins. The first was a dyed polworth from Yarn Hollow The second skein was a gray Horned Dorset fiber, which I got from Dyed in the Wool. I talk a l...2019-07-2959 min
Yarnspinners Tales's PodcastYST Episode 160 A book reviewHere is the first of the book review only podcasts I mentioned in a previous podcast. After years of podcasting, I realized that the book reviews will be easier to find if in their own individual podcast. This podcast reviews the book Spindle Spinning from Novice to Expert by Connie Delaney. Links to possible sources for this book can be found on Abe Books Also seen listed on Ebay here In both cases, the exact listings may no longer be available, but it serves for you to see the book and des...2019-07-0328 min
Yarnspinners Tales's PodcastYST Episode 159 Finally a fiber FairIt's that time of year, and the tents are up and the vendors hopeful as the cycle of yearly fiber fairs continue. I mention in the podcast my 'blue sky' dream of hitting them nationwide some year. A van full of fiber to sell, and be replaced by purchases, sounds just right! The photo for this podcast shows the Pegosa alpaca fiber I am currently spinning by the lock on my Roberta. There are lots of links for the podcast, for everyone that I mentioned, be sure to check out the webpages. The Wo...2019-06-1746 min
Yarnspinners Tales's PodcastYST Episode 158 May 2019I realize that is an unusual subtitle for a postcast. I recently had a total knee replacement surgery, and for the first 15 minutes or so of this podcast, I do talk about how the healing process delayed my spinning and fiber work for several weeks. But once the spinning wheels got going again, I had two WIP to talk about, the Pegosa alpaca project was continued and I finished spinning two fibers I had used for a project back in Sept. a babydoll Southdown and a Polworth. As promised I did one book review at t...2019-05-1554 min
Yarnspinners Tales's PodcastYST Episode 157It's official! I have joined the ranks of retirees. Now it is time to 'spend' my stash, or as I have decided to call it, my retirement 'fund'. We start this with a very large blanket of alpaca fiber from an alpaca named Pegosa. The first pound is washed, but not completely processed as I am using it to test various processing methods. This podcast talks about combing with handheld combs, and the yarn that I spun from that top. Needless to say there will be plenty more to podcast about Pegosa's fiber in the next...2019-03-1856 minYarnspinners Tales's PodcastYST Episode 156Happy New Year! It is always full of thoughts and plans for the spinning projects ahead. In today's podcast I talk about maintaining watch on the drafting zone to make your yarn more intentional. Watching the drafting zone will help you break out of making the same WPI yarn all the time to making art yarns that feature thick and thin singles. All of this is the topic of this podcast. I have done previous podcasts on drafting if you care to find those and listen to them. Just click on the links to go to them. Episo...2019-01-0851 min
Yarnspinners Tales's PodcastYST Episode 155 Stitches Midwest 2018Links to vendors mentioned in the podcast: Stitches events in general Atlanta Ga event May 30-June 2 2019 Stitches United is on that page too. Youghiogheny Yarns Keri Fosbrink dyer Fiberlady bamboo fiber Buffalo Wool Co Buffalo wool yarn and fiber Franklin Habit Shirsty Cat Designs Merino silk fiber 2 Guys Yarn Company Soak Flatter spray Lost City knits Denise Bell Applecross Highland shawl Ravelry pattern Knitted Knockers knitbahpurl Stevenbe Vintage Lace book by Gladys Amedro2018-10-0953 min
Yarnspinners Tales's PodcastYST Episode 154In this discussion of what I did during the 2018 Tour de Fleece, I talk about the wool breed Zwartbles, spinning buffalo fiber on a drop spindle and finally a very rare breed of wool, Dor Galen. The buffalo fiber was included in the Clouds of Luxury from the Etsy store Sericin The Dor Galen fiber was purchased at a fiber festival several years ago from Sandy Ferguson's Dyed in the Wool Dor Galen is no longer available, the horned dorset at the bottom of the above linked page is probably a good close su...2018-09-0432 min
Yarnspinners Tales's PodcastYST Episode 153My favorite time of the spinning year, the Tour de Fleece event. As promised, here is the review of what I spun this year. This is part one of the two part podcast. A few links. To see photos of all of the lovely fibers and yarns I talked about, go to my group in Ravelry, yarnspinners spin in and look at the TdF2018 thread in the discussions. You must be signed into Ravelry for the link to work. Links to the fiber artists whose fiber I spun and talked about are: A...2018-08-1840 min
Yarnspinners Tales's PodcastYST Episode 152 July 2018When I find that a podcast has no specific topic, but many different stories, I call them a spin-in. I also likened this to writing you a letter, dear listener! But mostly it feels like when we gather together with our spinning wheels and spin and talk. One never really knows what the conversations will be. I catch you up on my recent projects, spinning and otherwise, tell you about a few things I read online, rant a bit about books and bookcases, and end with the promise of lots of spinning to come as I participate in...2018-07-0541 min
Yarnspinners Tales's PodcastFiber Fair ThoughtsAhhh, tis the season of freshly shorn fleeces. But what if your cupboard is already full? If you have an answer, come to the Ravelry group and search for Yanrspinnerstales spin in. Join us there for the conversation. A nice solution to at least organizing your fleece project is The Spinners Journal, a daily spinning book I created to sell. Your purchase supports the archiving of my past podcasts. Thank-You! 2018-04-2039 min
Yarnspinners Tales's PodcastYST Episode 150 Ravellenics 2018Ravellenics, for those that haven't heard the term, is an event hosted on Ravelry during the Olympics. There are events you can enter projects, and win digital medals. The rules state you start at the opening ceremony and finish by the closing ceremony. I have done this many years now, every two years. Most years I do a spinning project, but the last two times I have done knitting projects with hand spun yarn. This podcast talks about three of this years projects for Ravellenics, two completed and one still in progress.2018-03-2252 minYarnspinners Tales's PodcastYST Episode 149 Ten Years of PodcastingIt's true, I have been podcasting for 10 years now! In the first part of today's podcast, I review the book The Weaving,Spinning and Dyeing book by Rachel Brown. In the second part I give a little bit of the download statistics for the podcast, some listener's comments about spinning in their lives over the last 10 years, and my favorite and least favorite parts of spinning. I was able to include music with this podcast, thanks for the website Free Music Archive. They have an archive on non traditional birthday music and I...2018-01-251h 09
Yarnspinners Tales's PodcastYST Lichen Dyeing part 3This podcast is the third on lichen dyeing and concludes the project for me. I talk about the ammonia extraction method and dyeing wool with the extract. I also tried a contact dyeing method on some silk and talk about that. The fiber is lovely and I am looking forward to spinning with it next year. The photo shows the corriedale roving dyed with the ammonia extraction method. Need a special holiday gift, for a friend or yourself? The Spinners Daily spinning journal found on Lulu is a special present and helps support my archiving of all the...2017-11-2139 min
Yarnspinners Tales's PodcastYarnspinnerstales podcastI had a wonderful week, focused on spinning as much yardage as I could. I talk about all those yards in this podcast, plus a few thoughts on spinning on the electric Roberta and also what to do about fiber with high vegetable matter in it. Looking for a way to keep track of your spinning projects? I have created the Spinners' Journal to help you with that. It was done at Lulu.com, and is a reasonable 12.50 plus shipping. Your purchases help me pay the cost of keeping yarnspinnerstales podcasts archived. Thank-you! If you...2017-11-0247 min
Yarnspinners Tales's PodcastSpinning on the spindle craneThis podcast has a review of my experience using Akerworks drop spindle tool called the Sprindle Crane. They were a prize sponsor in the Tour de Fleece 2017 on Ravelry, and I had the very good fortune to win this prize! Akerworks website for further information. I promised a few links, here's the easiest to find on Youtube. There is a difference between how the spinner in this video uses the spindle crane, and what I experienced. I did not get the twist to go past the plastic threader when I worked with it. I a...2017-10-0142 min
Yarnspinners Tales's PodcastYST Episode 145 Dyeing with Lichens Part 2This podcast talks about the boiling water method of lichen dyeing. I used the dye pot twice and dye fiber and fabric. 2017-08-1941 min
Yarnspinners Tales's PodcastYST Episode 144 Dyeing with Lichens part 1I have started the fun project of a lichen dye pot and in today's podcast I talk a little about the history of lichen dyeing, and how and where I collected my lichens. There's also a TdF2017 update at the end of the podcast. I had four books in my spinning library to use as references for this information. The main sources were from the same author, Karen Casselman. The books are: Craft of the Dyer Colour from Plants and Lichens and Lichen Dyes The New Source Book both published by Dover Press....2017-07-1442 min
Yarnspinners Tales's PodcastYST Episode 143 Counting Treadles for Even PlyingToday's podcast talks about how to achieve even, consistent 2 ply yarn by counting your treadle movements. Near the end I do talk about the start of the Tour De Fleece and what I hope to spin during it. If you want to join our discussions and sharing with the YST Team on Ravelry, the best way to find the group is to search under groups for Yarnspinnerstales Spin In. Hope to see you there! 2017-07-0328 min
Yarnspinners Tales's PodcastYST Episode 142 Life Changes, Why WorryWelcome to the newly redesigned web page. If you are looking for previous episodes, look in the upper right hand corner and click on episodes. The quickest way to the most recent and then later, is to click on 'category' and then podcasts. They will load with the new easier to use player. In the podcast,after a sabbatical from spinning, I am glad to be back. I update the spinning and knitting projects from the past few months, and then have a lovely recorded conversation with my daughter, about why we as humans experience various emotions. We bo...2017-06-161h 07Yarnspinners Tales's PodcastYST A Spinning SabbaticalThere is a saying in our family for many years: 'Life is too much with us now'. As it implies, I have to step aside from podcasting for a few months, while I deal with family life. During that time, I am researching dyeing with lichens, and I hope to get some dye baths started. That will be the topic of the podcast, when I return. Thanks for your patience and Happy Spinning!2017-03-1009 minYarnspinners Tales's PodcastYST Episode 141 Spinning New Year's ResolutionsHappy 2017! It's a new year and that always makes me think about my spinning goals. Along the way, I discovered some specifics about three ply yarn, and plying in general. I close the podcast with a review of the book, Yarn i tec ture by Jillian Moreno.2017-02-0247 minYarnspinners Tales's PodcastYST Episode 140 Spinzilla and Natural Dye MordantsThis podcast closes the 2016 year, with details on my Spinzilla 2016 spinning. Since one of the fibers I spun during that was dyed with natural dyes and the mordants tin and alum, I did a bit of research on those mordants. I end this podcast with that discussion. These are links to some of the things mentioned in the podcast. The original dye day for the columbia roving was Episode 52. The Jacob roving I spun was from the Ross Family Farm in Pa. One good blog post I referenced in the natural dye mordant dis...2016-12-0256 minYarnspinners Tales's PodcastYST Episode 139 Ravellenics 2016 and State FairIn the first part of this podcast I explain just what is this thing called ravellenics. Then I go into the details of what I did for the event. First is spinning, and after that, the next knit with hand spun yarn project, the Oslo Shawl. In the second part of the podcast, I talked about the seven items I took to my state's fair for the spinning category. A few links for sources of the fiber I used to spin the yarns: The Painted Tiger Yarn Hollow fibers...2016-09-271h 14Yarnspinners Tales's PodcastYST Episode 138 TdF16 podcast 3Final podcast about what I did during Tour de Fleece this year. I talk about some yarn spun, including two breed studies, Romeldale and Racka. I also dyed two different shetland fleeces, and an unknown breed ewe lamb fleece. The Romeldale fiber was purchased at DyedintheWool, The wash and dye product I used while dyeing is available at woolshampoo. The shop I purchased the drum carder cloth from is no longer in business. However, there are other sources available on Etsy. Just got to that website and search from drum carder cloth. To...2016-08-271h 00Yarnspinners Tales's PodcastYST Episode 137 TdF16 Podcast 2This is the 2nd TdF16 podcasts, there will be one more. I talk about washing alpaca fiber, dyeing shetland and lamb's wool fiber, and as my challenge day project, spinning banana fiber. All of the links below are information I found on the internet about banana fiber. Home processing (something so unavailable to most of us!) is shown in a youtube video by Rix Jennings. Commercial processing (and very poor audio, sorry) is shown here. A non verbal commercial processing video. It is long, but if you only have...2016-08-1651 minYarnspinners Tales's PodcastYST Episode 136 TdF16 podcast 1Let the spinning begin. I have the Tour de France on my DVR and fiber ready, it could only be the tour de fleece! I do much more than spinning, as usual. I have alpaca blanket washing, fiber dyeing, a challenge fiber and challenge processing planned all during these three weeks. This is the first of three podcasts relating to this year's Tdf. All information on the sheep breeds that I review are from the book Fleece and Fiber Sourcebook by Deborah Robson and Carol Ekarius. The Devon fiber was purchased a...2016-08-0149 minYarnspinners Tales's PodcastYST Episode 135 Pre TdF16 and a SwapIt's tour time again, no not the spinning rock band, but the Tour de France. And that means Tour de Fleece is rolling too. In this podcast I give a synopsis of what I hope to accomplish during the next three weeks. I also was in a wonderful fiber swap, and I talk all about the box I sent, and the box I got. A few links for things I mention in this podcast: My blog is here. I will try a link to my Ravelry group, please be logged into Ra...2016-07-0347 minYarnspinners Tales's PodcastYST Episode 134 June 2016In the first part of the podcast I fill you in on what Has happened in the last two months. I have spun some yarn, found some fiber that needs processing, and made some wonderful purchases (see links below) I also talk about my plans to enter items in the State Fair, and some preliminary plans for the Tour de Fleece. The last part of the podcast is about my recent knit with hand spun project the Kensington Steeked Pot by Gemma Pickford-Waugh. It is shown in the photo for this podcast. The di...2016-06-1543 minYarnspinners Tales's PodcastYST Episode 133This month's podcast has a review of Craftsy and also talks about my finished knitted with hand spun project and plans for the next project.
If you are looking to buy the Spinners Journal I made, it can be found here.
The fiber Three Feet of Sheep is from Frabjous Fibers. Google and buy it from your favorite vendor.
The shawl I plan to knit for Tour de Fleece this year is the Oslo Shawl.
The pattern for the fingerless mitts I knit is Te Ara. You may have to sign i...2016-03-3045 minYarnspinners Tales's PodcastYST Episode 132 A Hand spun hat and a mystery yarnMy first completed project for this year of knitting with my hand spun yarn was a garter stitch hat made from a cabled yarn from a Jacob fleece. This was a true start to finish project, I bought the fleece raw, processed it, spun it and then knit the hat,
The inspiration for the hat came from the book HomeSpun HandKnit by Linda Ligon. The pattern was the garter stitch cap.
The second knitting project started in Jan 2016 was the Painted Sky Cowl provided free by KnittingFever. I am using a worsted spun 2 ply yarn I a...2016-02-1754 minYarnspinners Tales's PodcastYST Episode 131 New Year New ProjectsIn this podcast there is news about what I have done with spinning, carding and my spinning wheels over the last six weeks.
I also talk about another big sorting of my hand spun.
And finally the first project for the year of knitting with hand spun has been chosen.
A thank you to Jon Caspi for his music that I use in the opening theme song.
The Unraveling podcast can be found here.
Find my group on Ravelry by searching under groups for Yarnspinnerstales Spin In. Join us t...2016-01-0754 minYarnspinners Tales's PodcastYST Episode 130 This, That and DaydreamsA chatty podcast to close up the spinning year. I review a fiber fair, talk about drum carding and what's on my spinning wheels. Then after a bit of daydreaming, I have a plan for some of next year's projects.
There are no links to mention for this podcast.
I want to say thank you to all my listeners for being there over these last eight years of podcasting. I am truly thankful for every one! Looking forward to many more years of spinning together.
Happy Holidays to one and all, see you on Ro...2015-11-2647 minYarnspinners Tales's PodcastYST Episode 129 Spinzilla 2015The Spinzilla report is actually the second part of the podcast. In the first part, I continue the review of using the Ashford quill spindle, using mohair, angora, hemp, bamboo and cotton.
A few links for things mentioned in the podcast:
Needle Junkies podcast has a link on their website
Spinzilla total yards this years was 5,246,497. See more details here.
Get your free pattern and yarn recommendations and help knit for Knitted Knockers at this website.
Fibers spun on the quill were from the following:
WC Mercantile...2015-10-2241 minYarnspinners Tales's PodcastYST Episode 128 The Big Wash upIt seems I really have made many skeins of yarns over the last three years. Since I had the habit of not washing yarns until I was ready to use them, I discovered I had many skeins that really should be washed. In this podcast I talk about the sorting, and washing of these skeins, enjoying the memories of their making.2015-09-1442 minYarnspinners Tales's PodcastYST Episode 127 TdF15 Final UpdateBesides going over the spinning during the final days of the Tour de Fleece, I discuss several topics in detail.
First is my experience with spinning on a quill set up on my Ashford Traditional. A photo of the quill can be seen here. I also recommend searching Youtube for good videos if you plan to try this too. Here is one that shows a quick method for wrapping the single onto the cop.
Second I talk about spinning Suri alpaca, both on a drop spindle and a spinning wheel.
Last is a disc...2015-08-041h 04Yarnspinners Tales's PodcastYST Episode 126 TdF update 2I continue talking about my TdF spinning projects in the first part of this podcast. In the second part, I go over some tips and troubleshooting for an old Ashford Tradition spinning wheel.
The snippet of music today is Wild Mountain Thyme by Big Sea.
The fiber I started spinning on my Ashford wheel is from Chamomile Connection. Check out the website, she still has merino/seasilk listed. And Sheep Street fibers has a fun website to check out too. That is where I got the dyed Shetland fiber I am spinning.
I use...2015-07-2355 minYarnspinners Tales's PodcastYST Episode 125 TdF15 update 1It's that time again, Tour de Fleece errr France.
First update discusses what I have been doing during the first ten days of the tour. Although the main focus is alpaca, there is one raw fleece processing part too.
The spindle I am using to spin alpaca top came from Linda Dyak, formerly Grafton Fibers, now DyakCrafts.
The three feet of sheep fiber came from Frabjous Fibers.
The wool shampoo I used to wash the fleece came from Namaste Farm's product, found here.2015-07-1558 minYarnspinners Tales's PodcastYST Episode 124 June 2015 podcastThere's a few odds and ends of old business at the beginning of this podcast, and then I talk about my trip to the Kentucky sheep and fiber festival in May.
The fiber I have been spinning is CVM batts from Wild Hare Fibers.
I could not find the April fool's joke emailed by the Woolery. Instead, take a look at their blog, it's really interesting.
The new designed drum carder by Majacraft can be seen here.
I must correct something in the podcast, the black merino fiber I got from Oh...2015-07-0156 minYarnspinners Tales's PodcastYST Episode 123I tackle yet more of my never ending stash of alpaca fiber and talk about using the wool shampoo to wash suri, and the wash and dye product for a white huacaya alpaca. These are products available from Namaste Farms and can be purchased here.
Music for the show is by Project Grand Slam and is called Spring Dance. Sadly the source for podsafe music. Musicalley, seems to have gone away. It just does not do anything when I go to the site, nor can I find any information about it. I will not link the group toda...2015-05-1646 minYarnspinners Tales's PodcastYST Episode 122 Remembering the Old WaysThis podcast has a review of the DVD titled From Wool to Waulking, with Norman Kennedy. Fulll of knowledge of the old ways of handling, spinning or weaving wool, this DVD is also good for new spinners just learning the craft.
The second part of the podcast is a chatty update of my life and spinning projects.
Music is from Musicalley. The haunting interlude music is by Keldarin and is called Gaelic Shores. The closing song is by John Torres and is titled Here in History.
If anyone is interesting in the video of the s...2015-03-2651 minYarnspinners Tales's PodcastYST Episode 121 Wool Shampoo ReviewThere are two new products out for those of us that process raw fiber, DRB wool shampoo and the Wash and Dye. I had the opportunity to try both and loved them so much I contacted Natalie Redding of Namaste Farms, the source of these products for an interview. In this podcast, I talk to Natalie, via Skype. In the second part of the podcast I talk about my experiences using both products.
Here's a direct link to the wool shampoo website, where you can buy the products.
Other links for this podcast include: Namaste Far...2015-02-041h 07Yarnspinners Tales's PodcastYST Episode 120 Roc DayRock day or Saint Distaff Day, Jan 7 is the spinner's New Year. I talk about that and my year's plans in this podcast.
Music is from Musicalley and has a new year theme.
Opening song is Happy New Year by Colie Brice
Closing song is It's a New Year's Day with Denise Moser.
Here is a nice website with information about Rock Day.
St Distaff Day, or the Morrow after Twelfth Day is a poem by Robert Herrick. It has been recorded on LibriVox here. I also read the poem i...2015-01-0730 minYarnspinners Tales's PodcastYST Episode 119 Fortuitous FleecesMy daughter joins me, via Skype, to tell about her lucky find in fleeces and what she did with them. Then the story morphs into her experience dyeing silk with henna.
Music is from Musicalley and revolves around the theme 'lucky'.
AJ & The Frozen Tundra Band tells us It's Your Lucky Day Now.
Great Big Sea sings Lucky Me
Stavia closes the podcast with Lucky Day2014-11-2752 minYarnspinners Tales's PodcastYST Episode 118 SpinzillaFirst in the podcast, some thoughts on the wide variety of niche markets we have in this fiber world. Then I tell about my three Spinzilla projects and how I figured my yardage for submission to their total amounts.
There is more music in today's podcast, and it is from Musicalley
First interlude is from Space Agency and is called Godzilla.
Middle break music is from the FuMP, always a fun romp, and is also called Godzilla (yes just pretend it is really Spinzilla). Since this group has lots and lots of songs, find...2014-11-0749 minYarnspinners Tales's PodcastYST Just the Facts Nov 2014This is a 10 minute podcast that I will release on the first of every month (more or less). It has all the information about how to find specific episodes, where to contact me and how to get your very own spinner's journal.
I listen to many podcasts and get tired of hearing the podcaster's information over and over before we get to the podcast. I have decided that to avoid that in this podcast, I would put all this information here and release it once a month. If you need the information, just listen in. If you d...2014-11-0209 minYarnspinners Tales's PodcastYST Episode 117 A Wool Gathering reviewA Wool Gathering fiber event is at Young's Jersey Dairy in Yellow Springs Ohio every year on the third weekend in Sept. I had the fun of attending this year, and give a review of my trip.
Lots of links for things I mention in the podcast:
A Wool Gathering website
TNNA website
Spinzilla website
Spinzilla FAQ
Spinzilla rules for measuring yarn
Woven Thoughts blog
Fiber Optic Yarns
Noah's Landing Yarns
National Custom Spinworks
Ed the Wheel H...2014-10-0440 minYarnspinners Tales's PodcastYST Just the Facts Oct 2014This is a 10 minute podcast that I will release on the first of every month. It has all the information about how to find specific episodes, where to contact me and how to get your very own Spinners' Journal.
I listen to many podcasts and get tired of hearing the podcaster's information over and over before we get to the podcast. I have decided that to avoid that in this podcast, I would put all this information here and release it once a month. If you need the information, just listen in. If you don't, you can wa...2014-10-0109 minYarnspinners Tales's PodcastYST Just the Facts Sept 2014This is a 10 minute podcast that I will release on the first of every month. It has all the information about how to find specific episodes, where to contact me and how to get your very own Spinners' Journal.
I listen to many podcasts and get tired of hearing the podcaster's information over and over before we get to the podcast. I have decided that to avoid that in this podcast, I would put all this information here and release it once a month. If you need the information, just listen in. If you don't, you can j...2014-09-0109 minYarnspinners Tales's PodcastYST Episode 116 TdF14 Final RecapIf you are interested in joining the YST Ravelry group, you can find it by getting on Ravelry, and going to the groups search box. Search under Yarnspinnerstales spin in and it should give you the link you need to find us.
Music today is from MusicAlley. The opening song is Things Will be Better Next Year by Wil Maring. The closing song is One More Year by Brett Mikels2014-08-1032 minYarnspinners Tales's PodcastYST Just the Facts Aug 2014This is a 10 minute podcast that I will release on the first of every month. It has all the information about how to find specific episodes, where to contact me and how to get your very own spinner's journal.
I listen to many podcasts and get tired of hearing the podcaster's information over and over before we get to the podcast. I have decided that to avoid that in my podcast, I would put all this information here and release it once a month. If you need the information, just listen in. If you don't, you can just...2014-08-0109 minYarnspinners Tales's PodcastYST Episode 115 TdF14 Update 5 Team Support SpindlersTeF14 is over but the updates continue. This last one is for Team Support Spindlers.
Fibers used are from the following sources:
Moonwood Farms Dyed milk
Wonders Mohair dyed adult mohair
WeloveThor dyed merino
Spindles used are from these sources
Sistermaide
Royale Hair
Today's music is Mountains End by Phillip Woo. It can be found on MusicAlley
2014-07-3131 minYarnspinners Tales's PodcastYST Episode 114 TdF14 Update 4 Team Farm Fiber MarketplaceThe Tour de Fleece continues, and I review another of the Ravelry Teams that I have spun with during the Tour de France.
Music is from MusicAlley. The beginning interlude is from djoc and is called Blink and you will miss them. The end song is Twinkle Black Sheep by Johnny Only
You can find me on Ravelry as Yarnspinnerstales, and the group for this podcast is called Yarnspinnerstales spin in group. See you there!2014-07-2634 minYarnspinners Tales's PodcastYST Episode 113 TdF14 update 3 Team MajacraftA short podcast today about the fiber I am spinning on the Majacraft Aura for the Tour de Fleece in Ravelry.
Music is from Musicalley and the song Celtic Mystery is by Tigertail.
My Blog is here.
The Spinners Journal is a great way to keep track of your TdF spinning and other projects. Check it out!2014-07-2125 minYarnspinners Tales's PodcastYST Episode 112 TdF14 update 2 Team Painted TigerToday's podcast is an update of my Tour de Fleece spinning for the team Painted Tiger. The website for this dyer of fiber and yarn is here.
The fiber I am spinning is a Portuguese wool top explained by Ashland Bay blog.
Therefore, tigers are the theme of the music, found on MusicAlley. The interlude music is by Sinfonoa Electronique and is Tiger on the Loose II. The end music is by Briareus and is called Tigers.
My blog can be found here.2014-07-1631 minYarnspinners Tales's PodcastYST Episode 111 Preparing for TourdeFleece 2014Music is from Music Alley and includes:
Snowball fight by Tv's Kyle
Preparations for takeoff by Matthew Hall2014-07-0923 minYarnspinners Tales's PodcastYST Just the Fact podcast July 2014This is a 10 minute podcast that I will release on the first of every month. It has all the information about how to find specific episodes, where to contact me and how to get your very own Spinners' Journal.
I listen to many podcasts and get tired of hearing the podcaster's information over and over before we get to the podcast. I have decided that to avoid that in this podcast, I would put all this informnation here and release it once a month. If you need the information,just listen in. If you don't,you can j...2014-07-0209 minYarnspinners Tales's PodcastYST Episode 110 sheep and fiber fest reviewI went to the Lexington Ky Sheep and Fiber festival in May, and this podcast is a review of that great trip. Here is a link to the vendor list.
A few specific links for vendors I mention in the podcast:
The Ross Farm Fibers Dyed in the Wool
A Yarn Well Spun Rock and String Creations
I mentioned the video for Dirty Jobs, where Mike goes to Ohio Valley woolen mill.
The Ravelry pattern is the Ten Stitch Blanket by Frankie Brown. The link may or may not take you t...2014-06-2548 minYarnspinners Tales's PodcastYST Just the Facts June 2014I forgot to hit publish! Sorry about that. So here it is on June 2nd. The promised podcast is below this one on the webpage.
This is a short podcast that I will release on the first of every month. It has all the information about how to find specific episdoes, where to contact me and how to get your very own Spinners' Journal.
I listen to many podcasts and get tired of hearing the podcaster's information over and over before we get to the podcast. I have decided I would put all this i...2014-06-0211 minYarnspinners Tales's PodcastYST Episode 109 Fiber event reviewThe Greencastle Fiber Event is held every April, second weekend. I went this year and this podcast talks about what I saw.
I promised many links, here they are:
General vendor listing
Ohio Valley Fibers
Little Barn fiber (website seems unattended right now)
Sistermaide
Susan's Fiber shop
A description of the Ashford blending board
Super Glide picker
Sheep Street Fibers
The Woolery
The Fiber Closet
Fiber Optics
Cascade Farms
Lace Maker The...2014-06-0251 minYarnspinners Tales's PodcastYST Just the Facts May 2014This is a 10 minute podcast that I will release on the first of every month. It has all the information about how to find specific episodes, where to contact me and how to get your very own Spinners' Journal.
I listen to many podcasts and get tired of hearing the podcaster's information over and over before we get to the podcast. I have decided that to avoid that in this podcast, I would put all this information here and release it once a month. If you need the information, just listen in. If you don't, you can...2014-05-0209 min
Yarnspinners Tales's PodcastYST Episode 108 Dyeing AlpacaAlpaca comes in many lovely natural colors, but also does very well in the dye pot. I talk about two ways that I dyed some alpaca fiber with acid dyes in this podcast.
If you would like a good source for dyeing alpaca with natural dyes, check out www.jennydean.co.uk
I will have pictures of the dyed alpaca on my blog
Music in today's podcast is from Musicalley with spring color theme. The interlude music was TPIA Spring Colors and the ending song was Hint of Dawn by Kendra Springer.2014-04-2546 minYarnspinners Tales's PodcastYST Just the fact April 2014All the information about the podcast, where to find episodes and what they are about as well as other facts you would like to know from the podcasts.2014-04-0109 min
Yarnspinners Tales's PodcastYST Episode 107 Final British Rare breeed reviewsI review the last two breeds from the sampler purchased from Hilltopcloud etsy store. The breeds are Manx Loaghtan and Hill Radnor. To see more pictures of this fiber and yarn go to my blog.
Music for the show continues the snow theme used during this series, in honor of the Winter Ravellenic event. Today's song is from Music Alley and is by Emile Menasche. It is call Watercolor Winter.
2014-03-1640 minYarnspinners Tales's PodcastYST Just the facts March 2014This is a ten minute podcast that I will release on the first of each month. It has all the information about how to find specific episodes, where to contact me and how to get your very own spinners' journal.
I listen to many podcasts and get tired of hearing the podcaster's information over and over before we get to the podcast. I have decided that to avoid that in the YST podcast, I would put all this information here and release it once a month. If you need the information, just listen in. If you don't, you...2014-03-0209 min
Yarnspinners Tales's PodcastYST Episode 106 A Day off and SpinningStill spinning as part of the Ravellenic2014 event but I took a break and did a few different yarns. I also talk about putting a new drive band on your spinning wheel.
Music is from Music Alley and today's song Winter Empire is by Dan-O
A mention of a previous podcast in this one is referring to Episode 73, when I interviewed some fiber folk.
Photos can be found on my blog2014-02-2331 min
Yarnspinners Tales's PodcastYST Episode 105 Portland wool reviewThe review of British rare breeds continues with one of the current rarest beeds, the Portland. I focus some on worsted and woolen spinning with this sample.
To understand better just how your spinning wheel works, try listening to episode 19 How does that wheel work.
Music is from Music Alley and today's song, Winter is by Sara Spade.
Photos for this fiber can be seen on my blog2014-02-1836 min
Yarnspinners Tales's PodcastYST Episode 104 Whitefaced Woodland wool reviewThe reviews of the British Rare breed sheep continues in this episode. The fiber came from Hilltopcloud.uk.com Music is from Musicalley and todays song called Winter is by Jakki Jelene Photos of the yarn can be found on my blog2014-02-1527 min
Yarnspinners Tales's PodcastYST Episode 103 Norfolk Horn fleece reviewThis is the first of several episodes that will be reviewing British rare breed fleeces. I am doing this project during the Ravellenics. This episode covers the Norfolk Horn breed.
Music is from Music Alley and in by Jon Schmidt, a powerful paino piece called Winter Wind.
The website I mentioned for sheep breed info is sheep101.info2014-02-1125 minYarnspinners Tales's PodcastYST Just the facts podcast Feb 2014This is a 10 minute podcast that I will release on the first of every month. It has all the information about how to find specific episodes, where to contact me, and how to get your very own spinner' journal.
I listen to many podcasts and get tired of hearing the podcaster's information over and over before we get to the podcast. I have decided that to avoid that in this podcast, I would put all this information here and release it once a month. If you need the information, just listen in. If you don't, you...2014-02-0109 min
Yarnspinners Tales's PodcastYST Episode 102 Spinning alpacaAdventures with alpaca continue in this podcast as I talk about combing and carding alpaca and then spinning it.
Music is from Music Alley with today's song by Tim Oneal, called January.2014-01-3126 min
Yarnspinners Tales's PodcastThe Spinner's Journal promoA Spinner's Journal, your own place to record all of the processes of the projects that turn fiber into yarn.
I am a note taker, list maker by nature, and for all the years I've been spinning, those notes are on many different pieces of paper. I found I still like to refer back to them, and decided I needed a better system for taking my notes. And if I needed it, I bet other spinners do too. So I created the Spinner's Journal and it's now finally available for sale.
I've given some details abo...2011-11-0509 min
Yarnspinners Tales's PodcastHappy fourth year of podcastingThis month celebrates the fact that I have been doing this podcast for four years. If you've listened since the beginning, THANK YOU! If you just found me today, WELCOME!
The best thing about podcasts is their longevity. Oh some podcasts are very linked to current events and may outdate, but information about spinning is always fresh. Someone is always just learning to spin, or dye fiber, or wash a fleece. And if they look at my archives and the titles, they will probably find a podcast to help them with that process.
If you are on...2011-10-1521 min
Yarnspinners Tales's PodcastBlending the Tertiary colorsIn this last podcast on working with color in your spinning, I take the fiber I dyed in the six tertiary colors and discuss how to blend and spin them for a shawl. There are many options, and I must admit I have not made my final decision. But I certainly had a good time exploring the possible comibinations and found some lovely multicolored yarns along the way.
I did take some photos along the way, and will have those posted on my blog Yarnspinners. The photo here is just one of those, showing the fiber blended fro...2011-01-101h 02Yarnspinners Tales's PodcastSpin In Wheels at the WooleryRoad Trip! In the yarnspinners tale today I talk all about a trip to visit the wonderful spinning and weaving store The Woolery.
Speaking of traveling, one of today's sheep breeds is all the way from Norway. Spaelsau is an old Norweigen breed with a double coated fleece and I have the opportunity to work with some of the fiber. Close in nature to that breed and more readily obtainable, I also talk about the Icelandic breed in today's review of sheep breed fleeces.
If you want to visit the Woolery's website, you can find it...2009-04-231h 17Yarnspinners Tales's PodcastSpin In CVM and Maine Island SheepSummer is slipping away, and so this month's Yarnspinners Tale is about summer memories. But there's lots more in the podcast, as I review two rare breeds of sheep, the CVM and Maine Island Sheep.
All music is from the podsafe music network. I used five different musicians this podcast, all with music around the theme of summer.
The opening song, that said goodbye to summer is by Danny Fong.
The interlude music for the sheep breed discussion is a song called Sweet Summer Memories by Steven Cravis.
A wonderfully summer so...2008-09-0159 minYarnspinners Tales's PodcastCotton Dyeing part 2 Natural DyesPart 2 of the cotton dyeing discusses how I dyed the roving using a natural dyestuff. And a very unusual dyestuff too.
There are photos, and a detailed description of the process on my blog.
I've included two songs in today's podcast, both from the podsafe music network. Be sure and check out the musicians webpages if you like the songs.
Copper Box played Need a Little Squeezin It's a great tune, and is featured on their website too.
Clare Dowling of Moot Music opens every podcast for me with her spinning song, a...2008-06-0138 minYarnspinners Tales's PodcastCotton Dyeing part 1 Chemical DyesDyeing Cotton Part one.
In today's podcast I am joined by my local spinners/knitters for a day of dyepots, fiber and fun. Cotton fiber, specifically and the project was all for a fiber swap starting in the Ravelry group, Garden Spinning.
Please be sure to check out the blogs for each of the dyers, for lots of pictures.
Anita, Andrea, and Viki. Yarnspinners blog is here.
Here's a few key points about what we learned:
Cotton needs to be soaked very thoroughly in soda ash water, to take up...2008-05-3039 minYarnspinners Tales's PodcastSpin In Cheviot and CorriedaleIt's the month of hearts and pink. It's still wintery here, but spring is in my heart. Join me as I sit by the fireplace and spin and talk about my history with the internet. After all, without this vital interactive web, you would never be able to hear this month's Yarnspinners Tale.
There are other pictures on my blog Yarnspinners.
All music in the podcast came from the podsafe music network. Be sure to go to this and the musicians websites and support them for their generous sharing of music for th...2008-03-0246 minYarnspinners Tales's PodcastChristmas music traditionalChristmas...it's all about traditions, at least in this podcast. Oh were you looking for somthing about spinning? Well the only thing spun, are two yarnspinners tales, the first about playing with someone else's toys and the second about her Christmas traditions. To keep with the theme, there is lots of music in, of course, a traditional style.
All music is from the podsafe music network
And because I want to send a big thank you to all the musicians that kindly shared some holiday music for us, here are their website links. Go and buy...2007-12-1641 minYarnspinners Tales's PodcastSpin In
Grab your favorite spinning tool and fiber and join me as I spin some yarn, and tell you a few yarnspinners tales. And of course, play music, lots of wonderful autumnal type music all to be found at the Podsafe Music Network.
Check out the following artists and their music: their spouses will thank you!
Spinning My Wheels by Dan Montgomery
Cheetham Hill by Junction Pool
Autumn Colors by Ritchie Hernandez
Autumn by Quinn
Autumn Leaves by Egerton Boyz
With special thanks to C...2007-11-1346 minYarnspinners Tales's PodcastBeta episodeWelcome to the first podcast for Yarnspinners Tales. This is a beta test of everything involved to put together a podcast, and I go into some of the details, plus talk a little about the format for future podcasts. And in between all that, there is some music that I have enjoyed and hope you will too. Just try and make it through the day without rehumming the Refrigerator Blues!
The next and official first episode of Yarnspinners Tales will be about combing fiber with large pitch combs. So grab your combs and fiber and join me.
2007-10-0934 min