In this episode, Sasha explains how to find the best twist for your yarn without a magnifying glass and a protractor (!) and how to maintain consistent twist as you spin. Mentioned in the episode: Episode 22, on measuring your yarn The Sheepspot Community Group on Facebook The #1Fiber5Ways Spin-along Some Useful Resources: Judith MacKenzie, The Intentional Spinner Ply Magazine, the “twist” issue (Summer, 2014) Sarah Anderson, The Spinner’s Book of Yarn Design...
Nov 29, 2019•12 min•Ep. 67
In this episode, Sasha talks about twist, the miraculous force that turns fluff into yarn, and explains the factors spinners should think about when determining how much twist a particular yarn should have. Mentioned in the episode: Episode 59: Sampling for a Project Anne Field, Spinning Wool: Beyond the Basics (on spinning to the crimp) The #1Fiber5Ways Spin-along. Click here to sign up. The Sheepspot Community Facebook Group...
Nov 22, 2019•13 min•Ep. 66
Winter has come to Ontario—a month early—prompting this episode's meditation on literal seasons, the seasons of a creative life, and a resolution. Plus, what I've been up to during the hiatus, and a fun thing coming in December! Mentioned in this episode: The #1Fiber5Ways Spin-Along The WriteLife Podcast with Kim Klassen, episode 31 Kim Klassen on Instagram The Sheepspot Community Facebook Group...
Nov 15, 2019•18 min•Ep. 65
In this episode Sasha offers some tips on getting really comfortable with your spinning wheel. Mentioned in the episode: The Sheepspotters’ Society! Learn more here . Episode 63 , on The Spinner’s Journey. Episode 13 , on giving your wheel a spa day.
Sep 23, 2019•15 min•Ep. 64
This week’s episode of The Sheepspot Podcast, on The Spinner’s Journey, will help bring you clarity on where you are in your spinner’s journey, and what you might want to work on next to improve your spinning and make more yarns you love. Mentioned in the episode: A free video workshop from Sheepspot, The Spinner’s Journey . Episodes 56 and 57 , about Sasha’s spinning story....
Sep 13, 2019•14 min•Ep. 63
In this episode, Sasha talks about how we teach and learn spinning right now, the advantages and disadvantages of each method, and exactly how a continuing membership like The Sheepspotter’s Society (coming later this month!) can help you become a better spinner. Mentioned in the episode: The Sheepspotters’ Society waitlist. Sign up here .
Sep 06, 2019•24 min•Ep. 62
In this episode, Sasha shares her best tips for staying happy and healthy while spinning as consistently as possible for a big project. Mentioned in the episode: Abby Franquemont, Get More Spun, Part 1 Morro Fleece Works Ann Budd, Knitter’s Handy Book of Sweater Patterns Episode 12: Be Kind, Rewind Episode 36: Bobbin Winder Review Hand Exercises for Spinners Ply Magazine Carson Demers, Knitting Comfortably: The Ergonomics of Handknitting...
Aug 30, 2019•14 min•Ep. 61
In this episode, Sasha reviews Jillian Moreno’s 12 (Plus!) Ways to Spin a Batt, shares her favorite ways to spin a batt, and talks about how she’s spinning her Viajante batts. Mentioned in this episode: Jillian Moreno, 12 (Plus!) Ways to Spin a Batt...
Aug 23, 2019•11 min•Ep. 60
In this episode, Sasha talks about the two kinds of sampling spinners do and how they differ. The first kind is sampling to decide how to spin a fiber; Sasha talks about this in episode 15. Here she focuses on how to sample when you want to produce a particular fabric. Mentioned in the episode: Viajante , by Martina Behm The Sheepspot Podcast, episode 15 Sidekick Tyvek wristbands The Sheepspot Podcast, episode 22...
Aug 16, 2019•16 min•Ep. 59
In this episode, Sasha tells all about a batt-making misadventure. Mentioned in this episode: Episode 53: Choosing Fiber for a Project Jillian Moreno, 12 (Plus!) Ways to Spin a Batt...
Aug 09, 2019•16 min•Ep. 58
In this episode, Sasha picks up where last episode left off, and offers some advice to new spinners. Mentioned in the episode: Abby Franquemont, Drafting: The Long and Short of It Judith MacKenzie, The Gentle Art of Plying The SpinDoctor Podcast: Reviews for Handspinners...
Aug 02, 2019•14 min•Ep. 57
In this episode, Sasha tells the story of how she learned to spin. Mentioned in this episode: Abby Franquemont, Choosing Your First Spinning Wheel (blog post) Check out the show notes for pics of Sasha’s early yarns: sheepspot.com/podcast/episode56 .
Jul 26, 2019•24 min•Ep. 56
Jun 29, 2019•27 min•Ep. 55
In this episode of the podcast, Sasha talks about creating a color palette for a particular project. Mentioned in this episode: Viajante by Martina Behm Deb Menz, Color in Spinning Deb Menz, Colorworks: The Crafter’s Guide to Color Deb Menz, Color and Yarn Design for Spinners Deb Menz, Color Magic: Color Families Deb Menz, Color Magic: Value & Harmony Deb Menz, Color Works for Spinners Full disclosure: Some of the links above are affiliate links, which means that I will earn a small commissi...
May 31, 2019•19 min•Ep. 54
In this episode of the podcast, Sasha talks about choosing fiber with a particular project in mind. Mentioned in this episode: Viajante by Martina Behm
May 24, 2019•13 min•Ep. 53
In this episode of the podcast, Sasha talks about designing yarn with a particular project in mind. And she accidentally swears once. Mentioned in this episode: Viajante by Martina Behm
May 21, 2019•12 min•Ep. 52
In this episode of the podcast, Sasha talks about her trip to PlyAway, her recent time off, and what’s next on the podcast and for Sheepspot.
May 10, 2019•29 min•Ep. 51
In this episode of the podcast, Sasha talks about how fiber choice impacts color. Also: a couple of announcements: "A Dyer's Guide to Spinning Multicolored Braids" is now closed. Thank you so much to everyone who bought a ticket! I can’t wait to see you in the workshop! The podcast will go on hiatus for the month of April. We’ll have one more episode next week, and then we’ll start up again May 4.
Mar 25, 2019•13 min•Ep. 50
In this episode of the podcast, Sasha talks about using a color wheel in spinning multicolored braids. Mentioned in this episode: A good basic color wheel , if you can get past the fonts (affiliate link) A good basic color wheel app A wonderful game that helps you get better at color blending A blog post about adding a touch of a complementary color to a colorway...
Mar 16, 2019•14 min•Ep. 49
In this episode of the podcast, Sasha talks about how color theory can be useful to spinners Mentioned in this episode: Upcoming live workshop! “The Dyer’s Guide to Spinning Multicolored Braids,” Saturday, April 6 at 1 pm Eastern. Learn more and sign up to be notified when tickets become available here .
Mar 13, 2019•19 min•Ep. 48
In this episode of the podcast, Sasha talks about putting your spinning on autopilot by making it a habit. Mentioned in this episode: James Clear, Atomic Habits (affiliate link)
Feb 22, 2019•16 min•Ep. 47
In this episode of the podcast, Sasha talks about how to find more time to spin. Mentioned in this episode: Laura Vanderkam’s time tracker
Feb 18, 2019•18 min•Ep. 46
In this episode, Sasha talks about Southdown sheep and their wool.
Feb 09, 2019•10 min•Ep. 45
Mentioned in this episode: In Sheep's Clothing: A Handspinner's Guide to Wool by Nola Fournier The Spinner's Book of Fleece by Beth Smith Southdown , Montadale and Whitefaced Woodland available at Sheepspot...
Feb 02, 2019•21 min•Ep. 43
Mentioned in this episode: Sheepspot Podcast, Spinning for Socks episodes 1 , 2 & 3 Beth Smith’s video, Spin Thin Judith Mackenzie, The Gentle Art of Plying Jillian Moreno’s Craftsy class, Ply to Knit: Spin the Yarn You Really Want...
Jan 26, 2019•20 min•Ep. 43
Mentioned in this episode: Spin Thin: How to Spin Fine Yarns Video Episodes 40 & 41 of the Sheepspot Podcast (Parts 1 and 2 of Spinning for Socks), and Episode 22, “Get to Know Your Default Yarn” The Sheepspot Newsletter...
Jan 18, 2019•7 min•Ep. 42
In this episode, Sasha talks about a structure for sock yarns that you may not have thought about.
Jan 12, 2019•9 min•Ep. 41
In this episode, Sasha talks about how to get started planning a sock yarn. This is the first episode of a series on spinning for socks.
Jan 04, 2019•19 min•Ep. 40
Nov 11, 2018•4 min
Mentioned in this episode: - Sasha on Ravelry (thecraftyrabbit) - Last week’s episode on knitting with your handspun
Oct 12, 2018•27 min•Ep. 39
