The Sheepspot Podcast - podcast cover

The Sheepspot Podcast

Sasha Torressheepspot.podbean.com
The Sheepspot Podcast offers quick, actionable tips that you can use right away to make better yarn, use that yarn in ways that delight you, or otherwise enrich your practice as a fiber artist by deepening your knowledge of spinning techniques or materials.

Episodes

Episode 127: Reviewing the Clemes and Clemes Lock Pop

In this episode, Sasha reviews her brand new fiber-preparation tool, the Lock Pop from Clemes and Clemes. You can find the script for this episode HERE . You can comment on and discuss this episode here in The Flock , Sheepspot’s free online community for inquisitive spinners. Here's the link to the Podcast search page and playlists....

Oct 25, 202413 minEp. 168

Episode 126: Product Review: Louet Mini Combs

In this episode, Sasha reviews the Louet two-pitch mini-combs. Spoiler alert: she loves them! Mentioned in this episode: The Fibre Garden The Woolery You can find the script for this episode HERE . You can comment on and discuss this episode here in The Flock , Sheepspot’s free online community for inquisitive spinners. Here's the link to the Podcast search page and playlists....

Oct 18, 202416 minEp. 166

Episode 125: Four Things to Consider When Shopping for Hand Carders

In this episode, Sasha talks about what you should consider when you are choosing hand carders. Mentioned in this episode: Etsy Shop: Fellview Fibres Etsy Shop: Lea Wild Creative Video: Hand Carding with Beth Smith You can find the script for this episode HERE . You can comment on and discuss this episode here in The Flock , Sheepspot’s free online community for inquisitive spinners. Here's the link to the Podcast search page and playlists....

Oct 11, 202412 minEp. 164

Episode 124: Tools for Worsted Prep

In this episode, Sasha discusses a variety of ways to prepare fiber for worsted spinning. Mentioned in this episode: Sources for combing tools: woolcombs.com offers English, Russian paddle, and Viking combs valkyrietools.com offers a variety of viking-style comps. Caveat emptor: those teeth are sharp. Video Demos Combing Wool the Right Way tutorial with Susan McFarland Excellent short introduction to combing with mini-combs Combing Wool Good discussion of a variety of types of combs and demos of...

Oct 04, 202414 minEp. 162

Episode 123: Can Spinning Heal the World? A Post-Retreat Reverie

In this episode, Sasha indulges in a little post-retreat reflection on how spinning enables human connection. You can find the script for this episode HERE . You can comment on and discuss this episode here in The Flock , Sheepspot’s free online community for inquisitive spinners. Here's the link to the Podcast search page and playlists....

Sep 30, 202412 minEp. 160

Episode 122: 10 Pitfalls of Teaching Yourself to Spin

In this episode, Sasha talks about some of the downsides of going it alone when learning to spin. You can find the script for this episode HERE . You can comment on and discuss this episode here in The Flock , Sheepspot’s free online community for inquisitive spinners. Here's the link to the Podcast search page and playlists....

Sep 20, 202416 minEp. 158

Episode 121: Three Things I Wish I Had Known When I Started Spinning

In this episode, Sasha talks about the three things she wishes she had known at the start of her spinning journey. You can find the transcript for this episode HERE . You can comment on and discuss this episode here in The Flock , Sheepspot’s free online community for inquisitive spinners. Here's the link to the Podcast search page and playlists....

Sep 13, 202418 minEp. 156

Episode 120: I'm a Knitter/Crocheter/Weaver: Why Should I Learn to Spin?

In this episode, Sasha encourages knitters, crocheters, and weavers to give spinning a try, and discusses some of the ways learning to spin will enhance their life with yarn. You can find the transcript for this episode HERE . You can comment on and discuss this episode here in The Flock , Sheepspot’s free online community for inquisitive spinners. Here's the link to the Podcast search page and playlists....

Sep 09, 202410 minEp. 154

Episode 119: The Pillars of Skillful Spinning™

Spinning Fundamentals Encore Episode In this episode, Sasha talks about what she calls The Pillars of Skillful Spinning™, and how they can help you think about the field of spinning knowledge in a more holistic way. You can find the transcript for this episode HERE . You can comment on and discuss this episode here in The Flock , Sheepspot’s free online community for inquisitive spinners. Here's the link to the Podcast search page and playlists. Since these episodes are encores, you may occasion...

Aug 30, 202412 minEp. 152

Episode 118: The Spinner's Journey

Spinning Fundamentals Encore Episode 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 this episode: Episodes 56 and 57 , about Sasha’s spinning story. You can find the transcript for this episode HERE . You can comment on and discuss this episode here in The Flock , Sheepspot’s free online commun...

Aug 23, 202414 minEp. 151

Episode 117: Five Great Wools for New Spinners

Spinning Fundamentals Encore Episode In this episode, Sasha talks about five beginner-friendly wools that new spinners can use to build their spinning skills. Mentioned in this episode: The Sheepspot Podcast, Episodes 56 and 57 (My Spinning Story) The Sheepspot Podcast, Episode 44 (Meet the Down Breeds) You can find the transcript for this episode HERE . You can comment on and discuss this episode here in The Flock , Sheepspot’s free online community for inquisitive spinners. Here's the link to ...

Aug 16, 202417 minEp. 150

Episode 116: Plying for consistency

Spinning Fundamentals Encore Episode In this episode, Sasha talks about what you can do with your wheel, your lazy Kate, and your singles to ply your yarns for consistency. Mentioned in this episode: Sarah Anderson's DIY Lazy Kate Video - no longer available online The Sheepspot Podcast Episode 10 You can find the transcript for this episode HERE . You can comment on and discuss this episode here in The Flock , Sheepspot’s free online community for inquisitive spinners. Here's the link to the Po...

Aug 09, 202414 minEp. 149

Episode 115: Spinning More Consistent Singles

Spinning Fundamentals Encore Episode In this episode of the podcast, Sasha walks through the process of spinning even singles, from sampling to maintaining an even twist. Mentioned in this episode: Consistent Singles Cheat Sheet You can find the transcript for this episode HERE . You can comment on and discuss this episode here in The Flock , Sheepspot’s free online community for inquisitive spinners. Here's the link to the Podcast search page and playlists. Since these episodes are encores, you...

Aug 02, 202426 minEp. 148

Episode 114: Spinning Commercial Fiber Blends with Mixed Staple Lengths

In this episode, Sasha talks about the strategies she's developed when spinning commercial fiber blends with mixed staple lengths. Mentioned in this episode: Episode 15: All About Sampling Episode 66: Twist is a Choice You can find the transcript for this episode HERE . You can comment on and discuss this episode here in The Flock , Sheepspot’s free online community for inquisitive spinners. Here's the link to the Podcast search page and playlists....

Jul 26, 202411 minEp. 147

Episode 113: 4 Tips on Creating Wool/Silk Blends with a Drum Carder

In this episode, Sasha offers four crucial tips for creating wool/silk blends with a drum carder. You can find the transcript for this episode HERE . You can comment on and discuss this episode here in The Flock , Sheepspot’s free online community for inquisitive spinners. Here's the link to the Podcast search page and playlists....

Jul 19, 202412 minEp. 145

Episode 112: An Easy Fiber Blending Project: My Chemo Hat Recipe

In this episode, Sasha shares an easy fiber blending project; her chemo hat recipe. Mentioned in this episode: Episode 100: The Woolen Drafts You can find the transcript for this episode HERE . You can comment on and discuss this episode here in The Flock , Sheepspot’s free online community for inquisitive spinners. Also in The Flock, you'll find the freebie for this episode. And if you do try this, please share pictures in The Flock or on Instagram with the hashtags #sheepspotpodcast and #chemo...

Jul 12, 202411 minEp. 143

Episode 111: Get Started Blending Fiber

In this episode, Sasha offers some tips and resources on creating unique fiber blends. Mentioned in this episode: Sarah Anderson's Spinning Exotic Fiber Blends The Fiber Imp: Sheepless Fiber Sampler Hand Cards: Schacht link Clemes & Clemes link You can find the transcript for this episode HERE . You can comment on and discuss this episode here in The Flock , Sheepspot’s free online community for inquisitive spinners. Also in The Flock, you can download the freebie mentioned in this episode b...

Jul 08, 202411 minEp. 141

Episode 110: Spinning and mental health II: a conversation

In this episode, Sasha talks about some of the resources linking handwork to happiness and healthy brains. She is joined by two members of The Guild by Sheepspot - Suzanne R. and Susan C. Mentioned in this episode: Episode 102: Spinning and Mental Health You can find the transcript for this episode HERE . You can comment on and discuss this episode here in The Flock , Sheepspot’s free online community for inquisitive spinners. Here's the link to the Podcast search page and playlists....

Jun 28, 20241 hr 1 minEp. 139

Episode 109: Community as a Source of Inspiration, or The "Scenius"

In this episode, Sasha talks about the inspiring effects of community. Mentioned in this episode: Scenius: why creatives are stronger together Wired.com, Scenius, or Communal Genius You can find the transcript for this episode HERE . You can comment on and discuss this episode here in The Flock , Sheepspot’s free online community for inquisitive spinners. Here's the link to the Podcast search page and playlists....

Jun 21, 202412 minEp. 137

Episode 108: What to look for in a healthy spinning community

In this episode, Sasha talks about what to look for in a healthy spinning community. You can find the transcript for this episode HERE . You can comment on and discuss this episode here in The Flock , Sheepspot’s free online community for inquisitive spinners. Here's the link to the Podcast search page and playlists....

Jun 20, 202413 minEp. 135

Episode 107: Spinning Communities as Learning Communities

In this episode, Sasha talks about a particular kind of learning community: the community of inquiry. She describes the essential components of communities of inquiry, using The Guild by Sheepspot as an example of such a community. And she proposes some specific questions you should ask when you're considering joining an online spinning community. You can find the transcript for this episode HERE . You can comment on and discuss this episode here in The Flock , Sheepspot’s free online community ...

Jun 07, 202419 minEp. 134

Episode 106: What I learned about plying from my e-spinners

In this episode, Sasha talks about how plying on an e-spinner challenged her thinking about twist and plying. You can find the transcript for this episode HERE . You can comment on and discuss this episode here in The Flock , Sheepspot’s free online community for inquisitive spinners. Here's the link to the Podcast search page and playlists....

May 31, 202414 minEp. 133

Episode 105: How to be sure your yarn has even ply twist throughout the skein

In this episode, Sasha talks about how to ensure that your yarn has even ply twist throughout the skein when working with a treadle wheel. E-spinning aficionado? We'll talk about ply twist and your e-spinner next week. You can find the transcript for this episode HERE . You can comment on and discuss this episode here in The Flock , Sheepspot’s free online community for inquisitive spinners. If you're interested in Sheepspot's Spinning for the Soul Retreat, you can find all the details here . An...

May 24, 202413 minEp. 132

Episode 104: How Much Ply Twist? The Plyback of the Ply and the Question of Balance

In this episode, Sasha talks about how to figure out how much ply twist to use in your yarn and whether spinners should obsess over whether or not their yarns are balanced. You can find the transcript for this episode HERE . You can comment on and discuss this episode here in The Flock , Sheepspot’s free online community for inquisitive spinners....

May 17, 202415 minEp. 131

Episode 103: To rest or not to rest (your singles)

In this episode, Sasha talks about why and when to let your singles rest before you ply them. Mentioned in this episode: Sheepspot Podcast Episode 12: Be Kind, Rewind Jillian Moreno, "Why Plying with a Center Pull Ball Doesn't Work For Me" You can find the transcript for this episode HERE . You can comment on and discuss this episode here in The Flock , Sheepspot’s free online community for inquisitive spinners....

May 10, 202414 minEp. 129

Episode 102: Spinning and Mental Health

In this episode, Sasha talks about what science has to say about the mental health benefits of activities like knitting and spinning. Mentioned in this episode: The Journal of Positive Psychology: Everyday Creative Activity as a Path to Flourishing Kelly Lambert: Lifting Depression Betsan Corkhill: Knit for Health and Wellness: How to Knit a Flexible Mind and More Lisa Mitchell’s Article: Spin Off Summer 2023 You can find the transcript for this episode HERE . You can comment on and discuss this...

May 03, 202422 minEp. 127

Episode 101: Combination Drafting vs. Combination Spinning

Confused about the difference between "combination drafting" and "combination spinning"? You're not alone! In this episode, Sasha defines and explains each technique, and talks about how she's using both techniques for a current project.

Apr 26, 202425 minEp. 125
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