Part 2 of the three part series on dyeing discusses dyeing wool with acid dyes to a specific color.  I challenged myself to try and create the color wheels tertiary colors with dyes, and found some failures and successes along the way.  Listen in as I talk all about all of that experience.

Music for today's podcast continues with the theme of color and is from the podsafe music network.

The interlude music is by Psykosoul  and is called Coloring Outside the Lines.

The closing song is by Matthew Ebel  and is called Every Color.

Enjoy and happy dyeing!

Part one of a three part series on dyeing fiber.  Listen in as I explore the saran wrap method of putting color on just part of your fiber.  Shown here in the photo is a Cotswold roving, gray in color with russet and purple dyes applied with the method.

And since dyeing is of course all about color, today's music has the theme of color.  The music is from the Podsafe Music network and includes these musicians:

Eric Strom with Oh the Colors

Marie Crehan with the hauntingly lovely Orange & blue

A thank you to these musicians for sharing these songs for podcasters, if you loved the music, please check out their other songs and support them.

Sitting and spinning just seems to go along with sitting and chatting.  So today's podcast is three different sections, all on topics that I love to talk about.

First segment is a fiber review of carbonized bamboo. It's what I am spinning while recording the podcast.  The next section is about my plans for the Tour de Fleece spinning challenge.  If you are not familiar with this, more information can be found on Ravelry.   The idea is to challenge yourself as a spinner during the time that those bikers are spinning their wheels in the Tour de France. I took the challenge to spin some everyday.  Pictured here is the dyed polworth roving that is one of my major projects during this challenge.

The last topic was a request, and is a bit of history on my three spinning wheels, how I got them and why.

In between is some wonderful music from the podsafe music network.  The first song is Black Coffee.d by Stephanie J Hager.  Next is Limerick Rake by Celtic Reboot . And yes, your ears do not deceive you, I played this group last podcast too.

The podcast is closed with the wonderful voice of Alyssa Anjelica James  with Laughter in the Distance.

To those expecting a podcast on Dyeing, it will come next.  Meanwhile grab your favorite spinning tool, fiber and relax with me as we spin.

Throwing dye and wet fiber into a dye pot can be fun, and is certainly one way to color your fiber.  But if you are like me and end up with many different rovings, dyestuffs and techniques, a bit of planning before the dye day will help.  That's the topic of today's podcast, as I get ready for a big dye day of my own.

The music in this podcast is from the podsafe music network.

The interlude melody is Everything Begins by Dan O.

The closing song is by Sunburn in Cyprus and is called In the Sunshine, Lazy Hammock instrumental.

Also as a reminder, Yarnspinnerstales Spin In group on ravelry has a tour de fleece group.  Come join us and spin every day while the Tour de France is on.

Until later....happy spinning!

Book reviews!  Three books on dyeing with natural dyes are reviewed in this podcast.  And since it is a spin in, there a yarnspinnerstale as well.

As promised, here are the links, thanks for your patience!

Jenny Dean is the author of two of the books I review, The Craft of Natural Dyeing, and Colours from Nature, A Dyer's Handbook.  Her blog is full of her natural dyeing projects and her books and dyestuff are available at D & K Crafts.

The second book reviewed is Dyes from American Native Plants, A Practical Guide by Lynne Richards and Ronald J. Tyrl.  Here's a link for it on Amazon (if the link ever goes away just search for the book title).

The music used in today's podcast was found by searching the podsafe music network for the word 'everyday' the theme of the yarnspinnerstale. 

Interlude music was Same Lunch Everyday by this group.

The closing song Every Day gets Better is by the Smith Bros.

Until later, happy listening and happy spinning!

Spinning tools:  Do you have them?  Do you need them?  For this podcast I talk about the tools needed for three areas of the yarn creation process, tools for fiber prep, tools for spinning yarn, and tools to handle that yarn.

The wonderful music for today's podcast is from the podsafe music network.

Interlude music is by Celtic Reboot and is called Aufbruch/Am Feuer.

The closing song is by David Wilcox  and is Open Hand the title track to his album.

I used three books from my library as references in this podcast:

Alden Amos  Big Book of Spinning

Carol Kroll  The Whole Craft of Spinning

Paula Simmons  Turning Wool into a Cottage Industry

Thank you to these authors for their great books.

Coopworth and Polypay are two sheep breeds reviewed in this podcast.  And since spring is here in all it's glory, the spin in is held on the front porch.  Grab your MP3 player, fiber and favorite spinning tool and join me for some spinning without a purpose, spinning, just because.

A big thank you to the Milk and Honey Farm for the use of their adorable picture of polypay lambs on this blog and the Itunes photo.

All music is from the podsafe music network.  A special thank you to Wren Ross for her wonderful It had to be Ewe.

The interlude is by Triple6fusion and is call First Day of Spring.

The closing song is by the Dust Rhinos and is called Breathe a Little Slower.

Fiber Fairs!  My true first sign that spring is here.  In this podcast I talk about both sides of those events, attending as a buyer, and also as a seller.

And if you don't have the chance to go to a local fiber fair, and have the urge to shop after listening, check out my Artfire store at Zavagant Studio.

Music today is from the podsafe music network and includes

Bonny Morgan's wonderful version of Scarborough Fair

Dorchester Fair by The Legendary Ten Seconds

Happy Spring and happy spinning!

An unplannned spinning sabatical while my day to day life gets rearranged.  During this time I will be taking care of a post surgery husband, looking for part time work in my old career and in general not finding the time to spin.  Since a podcast often takes 8-10 hours of my time, I have decided to take a three month break from podcasting.  But I will be thinking about the podcast, and evaluating if it will come back in the same format or use this time for creating a new format.

Meanwhile, a big thank you to all the listeners worldwide, for your time over these two years.  Your comments have been the incentive to not only keep podcasting, but find it fun. 

As a thank you to Clare Dowling for the use of her Spinning Wheel in bits and pieces over these years, I have ended the podcast with the song in its entirety.  Her music and all music I have used over these years can be found at the podcast music network.

Until later,  happy spinning!

Thawing the ice of spinner's block, or any block to the creative energy takes different things for different people.  What helps you get back to spinning, when it's been way too long?  I discuss a few of my ideas in the first part of this podcast.

The second segment is a review of a great spinning DVD by Insubordiknit called Sit and Spin.  Ah, but she teaches so much more than just spinning plain old yarn, as she covers various techniques for creating artyarns.  You can (and should) find her DVD here on her website for purchase.

Music in the podcast is from the podsafe music network and was picked with the theme creative energy. 

The interlude music was  by DJOC and is Sean Boyle's Creative Burst.

The closing song is by Charlie Bobus and is called Creative Energy

Two spinning wheels and the same experiment, spinning a specific diameter of yarn by changing only the tension on the wheel.  The first wheel used is the Roberta electric spinning wheel and I talk about that experience in the first part of this podcast.  In the second part I record the experiment as I am trying it on my Haldane spinning wheel.  In both cases I found that it really does work, and can change the way you look at your spinning wheels' capabilities.

Photos of the samples spun on both spinning wheels can be seen on my blog.  And if you want to try it yourself, the same fiber is for sale at my artfire store, Zavagantstudio as well as other wonderful fibers for spinners and handspun yarns for knitters.

And it's Christmas, well almost and I can not pass by the opportunity to share some of the music I found and loved for the season.  All music comes from the podsafe music network Music Alley and is full of the season's wonderful sounds.

Opening song is Carol of the Bells by Inner Splendor Celtic Christmas.

Interlude song is by a husband and wife harpist team, Two Harps who play Twelve Days of Christmas.

The closing song is We Wish you a Merry Christmas by Rusty Bladen.

And there's a bonus track, by the great music collective the FuMP called Santa's going to telecommute the Christmas.

Happy Holidays, and happy spinning!

Got grist?  If not, this podcast will help you understand just what this spinning term means, how it is figured and why it's an important part of spinning a specific yarn.

This episode continues the discussion of spinning a certain type of yarn, regardless of the fiber you choose.  This time we are not going to just copy a commercial yarn, but start from nothing but the idea of spinning yarn for socks.

A very important link on the web was mentioned in the podcast and it can be found here.  It is the work of Llyn Payne, and is a listing the the characteristics such as YPP and WPI of commercial yarns using the standard numeric system available on ball bands. From this information we can find the target range of these figures to use in our calculations for creating similiar yarns.

I would like to take a moment to explain a calculation that I mention in the podcast that did not get enough explanation.  The discussion was covering how to determine the amount of fiber needed to spin a project (in our example we were saying socks)  The formula uses grist, weight length and the number 16 (oz to lbs conversion).  It looks like this:

G=(M/W)L

where G=grist  M=16 for US weight or 1000 for metric  W=weight and L=length

Normally this calculation is used to figure grist (because we have the weight and length already) If we want to find out how much fiber to buy to make a certain yards of yarn at a certain grist we can do some algebraic magic and solve for W.  I did this in the podcast without really explaining how I got the amount.  Here's the actual calculation:

If I want to spin 450 yards of 2 ply sock yarn and look up in the above chart to see that sock yarn has a range of 1675 to 2100 YPP (which is the grist and I will take an arbitrary middle of the range figure 1800) it would be solved like this:

1800=16/W(450)

16/W=1800/450

16/W=4

Multiply both sides by W

16=4W

4=W

This means W (your weight of fiber needed) is 4 oz  I very conveniently choose a number that worked out evenly, it will not always do that, and the spinner should always round up to be sure to have enough.

A big thank you to my daughter who was in college more recently than myself and so could remember how to solve algebra equations.

Music today is from Mevio a podsafe music network.  The interlude music was by Kumpania Algazarra and is called Skabicine.  The closing song is Hardly Enough by WAZ 

As always a big thank you to Clare Dowling for the spinning song.

It was suppose to be yarn for socks, but....  How often do we say that as spinners.  If you have found a specific project that you want to make from hand spun yarn, and you want some tips on how to spin the yarn the right size, listen to this podcast.

My blog can be found here.

I now have a website studio on Artfire which is called ZavagantStudio.  I have lovely fibers ready to spin, and even a sampler box of fibers, that allow you to spin a variety of fibers.  And for the knitters and weavers that listen in who haven't learn to spin yet, I have my handspun yarn for sale.  Please take a few minutes to check the studio and my products.

All music today is from Mevio's Music Alley  formerly the Podsafe Music Network.

The wonderful interlude music is by Alimagne and is called Solo.

The closing song, Let's Eat Home is by Linda Baker

This podcast continues the discussion of how to buy fibers for spinning and then store them.  I first talk about what to look for when purchasing the non wool fibers, like alpaca, mohair and angora.  The second part goes into how to store your fibers until you are ready to wash the fleece or spin them.

I have more photos of a recent fleece that I was prepping for storage on my blog.

I could not ignore the holiday though, and since it is Halloween, my yarnspinner tale is an original ghost story I tell just for this podcast.  It is called The Haunting of Sara Jane.

A big thank you to Clare Dowling for her Spinning song used in the podcast intro.  All music is from the podsafe music network now known as music alley.  Musicians in today's podcast include:

New Band demos  with Halloween

the delicate art of noise pollution  with Spooky Funk

If you are a spinner or knitter and would like to support this podcast please check out my Artfire studio.  I have fibers for spinners, and handspun yarn for knitters available for sale at that site.

Buying a fleece straight from the sheep is the true starting point for many spinners.  In this podcast I talk about thinking through the process before you actually go shopping, and then what to look for when you are finally ready to buy.

I would like to include references to two books that I mention in this podcast:

Turning Wool into a Cottage Industry  by Paula Simmons

In Sheep's Clothing by Nola and Jane Fournier

Music is from the podsafe music network  and was the instrumental Change of Autumn by Brian Turner.

As promised: a listing of sheep breed based on the softest possible micron count (the number listed after the name of the sheep):

Sheep breeds softest to roughest listing

Reference  In Sheep's Clothing  by Nola and Jane Fournier

Fine wools                                                                                                      
Merino 18  
Rambouillet 19              
CVM 21                                                                                    
Cormo 21                                                                                    
Polworth 21                                                                          
Romeldale 21                                                                  
Targhee 22                                                                          
Polypal 22                                                                        
Bond 23                                                                            
Columbia 24                                                                            
Corriedale 26                                

   Down Breeds              
  Shetland  23
  Southdown  23
  Clun Forest  25    
  Montadale  25            
  Tunis  25      
  Black Welsh Mountain 26 
  Ryeland  26
  Shropshire  26
  Suffolk  26
  Cheviot  28

     Longwools                                                                
 Blue faced Leicester 24                        
 Texel   26                                                  
 Gotland   28                                                  
 Perendale  28                                                      
 Teeswater  30                                               
 Wensleydale 30                                        
 Romney 33                                             
 Cotswold  34                                          
 Coopworth  35                                        
 Lincoln 36                                                
 Border Leicester  37

The wonderful fluffy sheep is one of the breeds I talk about in today's spin in podcast, the Polworth.  I also discuss the Southdown sheep breed.

I've put in a small segment for beginner spinners on just how I fiddle with my spinning wheel when starting to spin a new to me fiber.

And if it is a spin-in then there must be a story, and today's yarnspinnertale is about sense of humor.

Here's the promised links!

Here's a good link for more information about the Polworth sheep.

I have a group on Ravelry, listed as yarnspinnerstales spin-in.  Search in the groups box and come join the group.

I have a fiber sampler box of 10 different fibers for sale in my Artfire store, ZavagantStudio.  Check it out now and then, I will continue to add items for sale there over the next two months.

All music is from Mevio's Music Alley (formerly the Podsafe Music Network). Today's theme:  Humor!

The first song is by Marc Gunn, a podcaster of Celtic Music (The Celtic Music Podcast Show) and writer of very funny songs, often about cats.  Today I chose What Do You Do With a Catnipped Kitty.

The very unique 'singing' of the Miranda Rights is called the Miranda Lullabye, and is sung by Paul and Storm.

The show closes with The Recycle Song by Bill Bates.

As always, a big thank you to Wren Ross for Baa Baa Black Sheep and Clare Dowling for Spinning Wheel.

Happy Spinning!

It's like a spinning studio, in a book size box.  That's how the charkha spinning wheel is described in the podcast.  Along with many fun stories involving spinning on this unique spinning tool, we also try to give you specifics on just how to spin on one yourself.

Every now and then it seems that the pictures really will speak louder than the words, so to help you understand just what we are talking about we have posted a video on Youtube.  Here's a direct link for it.  You have to pick which to do first, listen to the podcast, or watch the video...just don't do them both at the same time!

I have lots of links about charkhas. You can find lots more through Google I am sure.  If you want to join the discussion, come on over to Ravelry and join the Yarnspinnerstales group there.  We'd love to hear from you.

Thank you to Elaine Benfatto for her DVD Charkha Spinning: Tips and Techniques, which I review in the podcast.

Thank you to Jonathon Bosworth, for making not only the charkha we talk about, but many other lovely spinning tools.

Thank you to Gokul Salvadi for all the music in today's podcast.  The interlude was Plucked Sitar and the closing song was Traibal Dance.  His music can be found at Music Alley, formerly the Podsafe music network.

Here's lots more links

http://www.markshep.com/nonviolence/Charkha.html

http://www.journeywheel.com/content/section/6/107/

http://www.charkhafiberbook.com/

 http://ssbjecharka.blogspot.com/2009/03/spin-sing-and-power-e-charkha-way.html

http://www.mielkesfarm.com/charkha_vid.htm

http://www.charkha.biz/Charkha/tools.htm  advertises tuned indian charkha

http://www.woolery.com/pages/charkhafr.html  has video I reviewed

http://www.paradisefibers.net/CHARKHA-SPINNING-TIPS-DVD-p/999131.htm  also has video

http://halcyonyarn.com/spinning.php  has video

http://www.yarnbarn-ks.com/CHARKHA-SPINNING-TIPS-DVD/productinfo/VS-DX417/  has video

http://www.dyegarden.com/2009/05/cigar-box-charkha-building-and-dye.html  building a cigar box charkha

http://www.woolworks.com/Shop/Videos/Spinning  has video

http://fiberdrunk.blogs.se/2007/09/16/charkha_plying_solution~2990381/  cool upright kate

It's July and the spinning is easy.  Grab your fiber and favorite spinning tool and listen in as I talk about washing alpaca fiber, keeping angora bunnies cool in the heat.

Music used in today's podcast in from Music Alley, formerly the podsafe music network.  A big thank you to all the musicians that put there music out there for us to hear, we love you for it!

Summerfeeling is the name of the interlude music and it's by Dreamweaver.

Triple6fusion played Night of the Dancing Guitars.

The wonderful closing song for the podcast is by John Voorhees.

Don't forget to check out my new Artfire store Zavagantstudio. Fibers with lots of luxury for spinning are currently available.

There are not really any photos for this podcast, but feel free to check out my blog anyway.

Happy spinning!

This podcast talks about carding with handcarders, or a drumcarder.  Not only is it a wonderful way to get your fiber ready to spin, it is also a very useful tool for blending fibers or colors.

Carding with handcards is shown on this video. We made this video when we were podcasting about cotton, but the concept of carding is the same, and I thought it would be good to include the link again.

There was a big announcement quietly made in this podcast: My new online shop! This shop will be a place for selling fibers and other creative pursuits that catch my fancy.  You can find it at  ZavagantStudios at the Artfire website.

If you want to see other carding that I have been doing, check out my blog. 

The music used in today's podcast is from a podsafe music network, mevio (formally the podsafe music network site).

The interlude music is Summer by General Fuzz. 

The closing song is Midsummer Night by Robert Walker.

And as always a big thank you to Clare Dowling for the spinning song that I use as my podcast theme song.

Happy blending!

It's Spin in time, grab your fiber and listen in as the podcast reviews two spinning books and later a yarnspinnerstale about best friends.

The books in the review this podcast are Spinning Designer Yarns by Diane Varney, and the newly released book by Judith Mackenzie McCuin.

I have a group on Ravelry now, come join us!  Here's a direct link, or you can go to Ravelry, click the groups tab and search for yarnspinnerstales, you should get a link to connect to the group.

It seems that the Podsafe Music Network now has a new name (and probably new owner).  Although it will be hard not to call it that, because that's been it's name forever.  However when you go to the home page you will see it is now called Mevio.  Whatever it's called, the music is still available to podcaster's and therefore for your listening pleasure also.

Summer is officially here, and so the music has summer as it's theme. 

Peaches in the Summertime is by Iona Leigh a repeat artist for the podcast.

Summer with a New Piano is the lovely instrumental by Allan Metts

A brief reprise was Summer Thing by Mathechew Studios

And the closing song, My Best Friend is by Spaghetti Cake

Spinning non wool fibers, part two.  The protein non wool fibers are the topic of today's podcast which includes silkworm silk, soysilk, and milk fiber.  The photo shown here is dyed soysilk.

Some more photos of the fibers we talk about are on the blog here.

Music today is from the Podsafe Music Network and includes the following musicians:

Opening song:  If Everybody Loved the Blues by Mean Gene Kelton and the Die Hards.

The interlude music was a portion of Chris Harper's Deep Blue Sky.

Closing song was What More Do You Want? by Maria Daines

Bonus track is Cowboys and Aliens by Jeff Ronay

Bamboo and Tencel, those shiny, slippery, shiny, ecofriendly, shiny, nonwool, shiny fibers (did I tell you that they are shiny?) are the topic of today's podcast.  Another spinner joins me today to talk about why these and other non wool fibers are all she spins.  If you have wanted to try these fibers (did I tell you that they are shiny?)  this is the podcast to help get you started.

We refer to lots of things on the internet, so here's a listing of what I hope is all the links:

The youtube video of spinning tencel can be found here.

Digitaldurga has a non wool fiber group on Ravelry called Garden Spinning.  Join her there if you want to discuss anything about today's podcast, or anything relating to these fibers.

Cotton was not included in today's podcast even though it is a cellulose fiber because there are three podcasts that cover cotton.  You can find those podcasts under the names:  Cotton Dye Day (episode 12), Dyeing Cotton Naturally (episode 13), and Spinning Cotton (episode 15).

The Bamboo, Tencel and Targhee/bamboo blend fibers discussed today were provided as sample by Natural Obsessions.

The non wool July sample box mentioned is from www.phatfiber.com.  Phatfiber provides a monthly box of samples of fibers and yarns from vendors.  Each box is based on a theme and for July 2009, the theme is non wool.

A very non inclusive listing of links that I found for sources for this fibers:

www.woolery.com
www.twistoffateyarns.com
www.paradisefibers.net
www.yarnandfiber.com
www.woolworks.com
www.grittyknits.com
www.mandacrafts.etsy.com
www.thepaintedsheep.etsy.com
www.fiberoptic.etsy.com
www.windrose.etsy.com
www.dyeingforcolour.etsy.com

Music on today's podcast was provided through the Podsafe music network.  Get ready for the funk!

The opening song was by Polarity and is called Jammin Inya Jammies.

The interlude music was by Electric Submarine and is called Goats Seldom Shave.

The podcast closes with a wonderful version of Ain't No Sunshine When She's Gone by Busterman.

There's a misconception in the spinning community that if you know how to spin a yarn, you know how to ply.  In this episode I talk all about the whys and ways of putting single strands of handspun yarn into complex yarns.

I would like to thank the following authors for writing their books and thus helping me pass along what I learned from them in my podcast:

Alden Amos:  Big Book of Handspinning

Margaret Stove:  Handspinning Dyeing & Working with Merino and Superfine Wools

Diane Varney  Spinning Designer Yarns

Music in the podcast is from the Podsafe Music Network

The interlude music is by Kelvin Bear and is called The Mist

The ending song is by Iona Leigh and is called Blackbird

As always a big thank you to Claire Dowling for the spinning song I use as the intro to the podcast.

Road 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 here.

Pictures of the yarns I spun, and of the friction wheel I saw at the Woolery can be found on my blog.

All music today was provided by Marc Gunn and found on the podsafe music network.  As a podcast listener, I also enjoy Marc's podcast, The Irish and Celtic Music podcast.  You can find that on ITunes.

Thanks for listening!

Dipping in the dyepots, because I am in the mood for color.  But there's a second reason and I talk all about what to do if you have a yellow and discolored fleece.  Dye it of course!

I have posted a number of photos on my blog that show the original fleece, the dyed fiber and even a few batts carded from the fiber.  Be sure to take a look.

The music comes again from the podsafe music network.  If you like what you heard, click on the links for the musicians and support them.  Thank you also to Claire Dowling for her Spinning Song used as my opening theme music.

The Sugar People  with In the Color Blue was the snippet opening music for the dyeing discussion.

Sandro G Masoni provided the interlude music during the show with Soft Spring Rain

Ax did a lovely short instrumental piece called Pure Romantic Spring Feelings

And the podcast closes with a song from the group bobby blue call Sunshine Ode to Spring.

And so we have safely sung spring into my part of the world again.  Soon it will be time for podcasting from the front porch.

Spring is fickle and comes and goes, but the spinning goes on anyway. 

Today's podcast has discussions on two rare breeds of sheep, the Tunis and the Karakul.  And later, as I spin on some cashgora, I talk about the unnamed spinners and her influence in my fiber life.

All music today has a spring theme and is from the podsafe music network.

Sounding for all the world like a 1940's tune, Tom Waits sings You Can Never Hold Back Spring.

The interlude music between the yarnspinner tale today is Steps to Spring by Ishmail Abatay.

The podcast closes with the song Winterspring by the Ampersands.

Of course, I must thank Wren Ross for Baa Baa Black Sheep, and Clare Dowling for the Spinning Song.

Woolen spun or worsted spun, as spinners we hear the terms all the time.  But do you really know the difference?  If someone put fiber in your hand and asked you to spin it into a worsted yarn, could you?  Listen in on this podcast as I explain the difference, and actual techniques.

Edit to add list of books:

I realized I mention several books in the podcast as sources of my information and that I should probably give the names of the books here for your reference.

Merino  Handspinning Dyeing and Working with Merino and Superfine Wools  by Margaret Stove.

The Alden Amos Big book of Handspinning

The Whole Craft of Spinning  by Carol Kroll

And of course there is music, bouncy enough to make you toes tap.  All music is from the Podsafe Music network, and I want to send a specific thank you to the following musicians for sharing there songs on that site.

Opening music is by Cubaxd  and is called A Folk Song without a Name.

Kurveball gives us lovely musical advice to let go and Leave It Behind.

And to close, for all of you that suffer as I do right now, with a winter cold, Eddy Delbridge sings a soothing going to sleep song, called The Prone Zone.

Enjoy!

It's a good day for snuggling up with some warm fiber and spinning.  In today's podcast I talk about an unusual fiber cashgora.  And later, while spinning this fiber, I have my yarnspinner tale about balance.

All music in the podcast today has the theme of snow, and I would like to give a big thank you to the following musicians for sharing their songs with us on the Podsafe Music Network.

Snow  by The Standalone

Snowman by the Egerton Boys

Snow by Comfortable

Snow Angel by Laura Hughes

And a final thank you to Clare Dowling for the Spinning Song and Wren Ross for BaaBaa Black Sheep.

Slick and shiny top, or interesting and challenging hankies, whatever form of silk fiber you have can be spun and dyed into wonderful yarn.  Today's podcast talk's all about my experiences with spinning and dyeing silk.

I refer to a number of links online during the podcast, so here they are, all conveniently gathered for you in one post.

Sources of fiber and dyes:

Tweenway Silks

Cheryl Kolander with peace silks (Aurora silk)

Silk Things for the instant silk 'teacup' dyes

Paradise Fibers for country classic dyes (or google country classic dyes)

YouTube videos:

Preparing a silk hanky to spin  demonstrated by me

An interesting video of cocoons being reeled

A page of the well known WormSpit silk blog, showing how silk hankies are made

Last but not at all the least, the music in today's podcast.  All music is from the Podsafe music network. Songs in order of appearance are:

Silk Route by Satya

Coffee by Liveloop

Changka by Don't be a Stranger

Happy Holidays listeners!  The main part of this podcast is all about drop spindles.  I talk through the basics of how to spin with one, and then talk about the different spindles I have, and what fibers they spin well.

There's a yarnspinner tale too, although it's an indulgent list crossing off session of holiday happenings. 

As always, there's music to bebop along with as you work or drive, with a holiday theme.  I hope you find the music as enjoyable as I did.

All music is from the Podsafe Music Network.  Today's podcast opens with, What Child Is This? - Greensleeves - classical guitar Christmas instrumental by Derek K Miller.

Next Winzenried a.k.a. Hollywood Drunks gives us an upbeat version of Carol of the Bells.

Pink Christmas by The Moneyshot Cosmonauts is between the segments and the podcast is closed by Hipcola with Winter Wonderland.

OK so it's a cliche...but talk to you next year!  Thanks for listening.

My first year anniversary podcast!  For this spin in, the fiber animal is, for once, not a sheep.  Instead alpaca fiber is discussed.

Also, a bit of audio indexing, as the year of podcasting here is reviewed.  Finally, spinning really did happen, and all day.  Hear all about a day at a fiber fair.

Music for this podcast is from the podsafe music network.  There is lots of wonderful music in this podcast.  Check out these websites and give them your support, for sharing their music with the world.

Interlude music is Talking by rob

Great vocal song by Sarah Donner  called Suffragette

Lovely background music called Autumn Stream by Adam Zampino

Closing female vocalist Caren Kennedy with Just Talking

Closing male vocalist Dropkick with Listen to You.

Thanks for listening!  Today, all last year, and the year to come.

           Felting fleece is something we spinners fear right?  Not always.  What if you think outside of the box, and felt fleece to your advantage?

The photo shows one time Yarnspinner thought outside of that fear of felting a fleece.  Listen to the podcast to learn all about how a non spinnable fleece was felted into a lovely wool pelt.

On the more practical side, fleece batts can be shape felted into anything, as long as you have a form to serve for shaping.  The next example talked about in the podcast is a felted hat.

There are many more photos on this blog, be sure to take a look at those photos of the process explained in the podcast.

All the music in the podcast is from the podsafe music network.  Since it is so close to Halloween, the tunes are intentional a bit spooky.  A big thank you to all the musicians that shared their music.  Be sure to check out links for the websites of those that you like.

Vampire Organ by  Jeff Rosiana was the spooky intro.

Spooky Fractal Magic by Embertime  and Spooky by Podcast Troubadour Jeff Shields both provided the interlude music.

Windy October Day  by Roland Blum is the podcast's closing song.

Thanks for listening!

The September Spin In podcast continues with two more rare breeds of sheep, the Navajo Churro and the Jacob breeds.

And Yarnspinner talks about just why there is so much stash!

Pictures of the sheep breed samples can be found on the blog.

And be sure to check out the new way to contact Yarnspinner, at the new site drop.io.

Music is from the Podsafe music network.  This podcast has an autumnal theme, with A Taste of Autumn by Ensemble Variable, and Autumn Colors by Ritchie Hernandez.

Thanks for listening!

Do you really know how your spinning wheel works?  Knowing how it works will help you spin the yarn you want, instead of just spinning whatever happens type of yarn.

It's September, and that means back to school.  So we hit the books and learn about three different types of flyer bobbin systems used in spinning wheels.  Once you figure out what type of wheel you are using, you can then understand how to make your wheel work for you.

There's lots of information on this podcast, so to give us a bit of a break, I am using music from the group CatzintheHatz.  Here's a link to their music:

http://music.podshow.com/music/listeners/artistdetails.php?BandHash=b588c2cc09c7fe6855202a2901643905

And to close the podcast, there's a wonderful parody song, Wake Me up When this Math Class is Done, by the group fump:

http://www.thefump.com/

As always all music is from the podsafe music network.

Thanks for listening!

Summer 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 song, Fireflies, is sung by JJ Grey and Mofro.

The wonderful guitar strumming behind my recap is by Tripple6fusioN (who I have played before)  with Picking Memories.

And last, and best of all for the wonderful female vocals, is The Simple Things with The Moon is Torn.

The photo above is the pink superwash yarn that I have been spinning over the last several months of podcast spin-ins.  It really is lovely, and I still have about 2/3 of a pound of fiber left.  Lots more of that yarn to spin.

Photos of the sheep breed review can be found on my blog.

Thanks for stopping by, and for listening!

Ribbons and not medals are what you win when you let your yarn be judged.  In keeping with the spirit of the Summer Olympics in one segment of this podcast I talk about how to find competitions to enter your spinning and how to prepare the skeins to be judged.

Three other segments also share some of the hints and tips I have after several weeks of experimenting with different techniques.  One segment talks about what to do when you end up with singles on one bobbin and you want to ply that yarn.  The method is called Andean plying and is easier to do than to explain!

A third segment talks about picking a fleece.  Now this is not talking about the actual selection of a fleece, but the process that allows the locks of washed fiber to be opened so that vegetable matter or short nubs of fiber can be removed.  It makes a big difference in the yarn you spin when you take the time to do this step, as I relearned this week.

And finally, the biggest challenge of all to many experienced spinners: spinning a bulky yarn is discussed.  It's a yarn you either love or hate, but either way, it's good to know how to spin it.

Be sure to check out my blog to see some photos of the topics discussed in the podcasts.

Since this podcast is an eclectic mixture of topics, I have an mixture of music too.  As usual, all music is from the podsafe music network and below are links to the specific musicians.

First a special thank you to Claire Dowling for the spinning intro music.

Interlude music called Summer Meadow is by Jim Richmond.

Saffire and the Uppity Blues Women sing for us Don't You Tell Me.

The music behind the thank yous is Butterfly Seranade and is by Tripple6Fusion.

And to close the show, a lovely blues vocal that just sings of summer, Watermelon Time by Marcia Ball.

Thanks for listening!

Spinning and the Summer Olympics, an unexpected pairing.  Unless of course you have been hanging out on Ravelry and have heard all about the knitting olympics.  Yarnspinner takes on the challenge and tells you all about it in this podcast.

Also there are two breed fleece reviews, the well known Romney, and the unfamiliar, but very American Targhee.

All music is from the podsafe music network. 

Providing the interlude with a jazzy summer feel is Boom Boom Beckett.  Since the musicians website is in Italian, here is a link on the music network that will allow you to buy their music.

The music closing the podcast is provided by Douglas Spotted Eagle.  He has a website on My Space, or you can go to the music network for his music here.

Thanks for listening! 

Episode 15 is all about preparing and spinning cotton. Joining me in the podcast are some of my spinning friends with some very good explanations of just how they do this.  And also something new to the show this time:  videos!

First as promised a very special spinning movie.  Currently it is on YouTube, to save me some MB storage space here.  The  Spinning Movie is set to music from Kelvin Bear, who I found on the Podsafe Music Network.  This artist does not seem to have a website, so here's a link to his music. 

Now for some instructional videos. 

These are for folks with DSL access.

Carding cotton and making punis

 <enclosure url="http://media.libsyn.com/media/yarnspinnerstales/adsl.wmv" length="13478823"

type="video/x-ms-wmv" />

Support spindle spinning cotton

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type="video/x-ms-wmv" />

 Setting up a charkha and spinning

<enclosure url="http://media.libsyn.com/media/yarnspinnerstales/chdsl.wmv" length="7385453" type="video/x-ms-wmv" />

Here are the same videos, at reduced bandwidths for dialup:

Carding cotton and making punis

<enclosure url="http://media.libsyn.com/media/yarnspinnerstales/adial.wmv" length="1092172"

type="video/x-ms-wmv" />

 Support spindle spinning cotton

<enclosure url="http://media.libsyn.com/media/yarnspinnerstales/cdial.wmv" length="476820"

type="video/x-ms-wmv" />

 Setting up a charkha and spinning cotton

<enclosure url="http://media.libsyn.com/media/yarnspinnerstales/chdial.wmv" length="598558" type="video/x-ms-wmv" />

This is all a grand experiment for me, and you may find that because I had to use Windows Movie Maker for editing, that they will only play in Windows Media Player.  If you do not have that media playing software, you should at least be able to view the Spinning Movie on Youtube, and well as the Cotton Carding  and Support spindle spinning cotton.

Enjoy!

All music for this podcast is from the Podcast Music Network.

Brian McRae  song July Moon provided the interlude music.

Ben Willmott  ends the podcasts with the song Fireworks.

 This was a fun podcast to make, and I hope you have as much fun listening to it.

Happy Spinning!

Spinning on my front porch, means cool morning air, birdsong and the occasional cow mooing in the background.  But the topic of the yarnspinnerstale this month is very cool, as I tell all about my recent cruise to Alaska with Seasocks 08.

Before that though, I discuss two sheep breeds from my rare breed sampler:  Cormo and Montadale.  The photo is from some of the cormo spun from combed top pulled through a diz.

Music for this podcast is from the Podsafe Music Network.  New music artists include:

Janet Spahr  with Rosemary

Damh the Bard with Lady of the Silver Wheel

And special thanks to Wren Ross for letting me use Baa Baa Black sheep with the sheep fleece reviews, and to Clare Dowling for the opening Spinning song.

A few links I said I would include are:

Amy Singer   her webpage is here.  Amy taught a shawl Plug and Play class on the cruise.

Crissy Gardner, and Heather Ordover  each taught in the Heels, Heels, Heels classes.

And Brenda Dayne, talking all about her experiences podcasting, was the highlight of the trip, for this podcaster.

Finally, I issue an Olympic challenge.  I did this for the winter Olympics, and the blog entry is in the archives from my blog.  But I am in the mood to do something different this time, and talk about that in the podcast.  I hope you will join me in August as I watch the Olympics and take on your own Olympic spinning challenge. You have a bit of time, but don't dally, the challenge starts 08/08/08.

Happy summer solstice!

Part 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, and for this podcast, closes with Go With the Flow.

Hope you have enjoyed these two podcasts of dyeing cotton. Comments are always welcomed here or on my blog.  And if you use Itunes, and could look me up there, searching under Yarnspinners Tales, leave a review.  It'll help more spinners find me.

Until next time, hope all you fiber colors are wonderul.

Dyeing 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 the dye well. 

Dyes created specifically for cotton need to be used.  These are the old formula Cushings union dyes or any dye specifically created for tie dyeing.

Solar heating or low tech variations with a heating pad work well to set the dyes.  Temperatures need to be around 100 degrees.

Cotton takes a very long time to dry, needs lots of dry heat or breeze to dry and looks pretty compacted until it does dry.

A good thumping on the cotton, once it is dry will fluff it up and make it ready to spin.

There's lots more on the podcast!  So much more, that I had to divide the podcasts into two parts.  So continue on with episode 13 to hear the rest of the story.

Music for the podcast is from the podsafe music network.  Clare Dowling provides my opening theme, and the interludes today are by Dan Tharp. 

A bit of change in the format this time, change is good, right?

In this episode I review three books that include spinning information, and I share with you about a real live outside spin-in that I joined. 

Since this is not a hands on, technical podcast this time, just think of this as time to catch up on your spinning projects.  The podcast will be back to its usual format in a couple weeks.  Meanwhile, enjoy the chat and music of this show.

All music is from the podsafe music network.

The interlude music, Blacksmiths Dance  is by Eastern Blok

The ending song is Coffee Man by Calvin Owens

Until later, happy spinning!

April is not only about spring, but many other things on this month's spin in podcast.  I talk about the fleece from two rare breeds of sheep, the Finn Sheep and the Perendale.   And as usual there is lots of music, and a Yarnspinner's Tale.

Today's music comes from the Podsafe Music Network.  I encourage you to check out this website as well as the websites for any of the artists used on today's podcast.

Special thank you's go to Clare Dowling and Wren Ross for use of their music to introduce segments in the podcasts.

The music behind the spring poem was provided by Monica Herzig.

The song Memory Lane was done by Elliott Smith.

Hardly Enough is from WAZ.

And the show closes with music from the group Parker Street Cinema.

Until the next podcast, hope all of your memories are well spun.

Spring Cleaning time, means fleece washing time.  

Join me as I talk through the process of converting this fleece straight off the shetland sheep into a beautifully clean fiber, ready to comb or card.

Pictures of everything I talk about are located on my blog, Yarnspinner Tales.

All music today can be found on the podsafe music network.

The Eggerton Boys are back in this show with the appropriate, Bath Time.

Jimmy Nicholas sings The House Cleaning Blues.  His records hang out with over Texas Bluesman at this label.

And the closing surprise piece, was done by these artists.

Hope the show helps you along with any of your spring cleaning chores this month, whether you are washing windows (you do, really?  Can you come to my house?) or fleece.

See you in a couple of weeks for a spin-in show.

It'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 this podcast.

My Heart by Norman Hedman Tropique provided the toes in the sand feeling.    http://normanhedman.com/

Wren Ross does a song that just made me laugh out loud and I hope you find it just as much fun. You'll recognize the song, but not the words! Her website is http://www.wrenross.com/

The podcast closes with just a modern lovesong in honor of Valentine's Day, The Love Song you Always Wanted.  http://www.deadheartbloom.com/html/news.htm

A big thank you to all that have left comments here, and on my blog.  It truly feels like a gift to read your comments.

Spring will be on it's way by the next podcast, and I think it will be time to open up the windows and get out the dyepots.  I hope you will join me then too.  Until then, happy spinning.

If skirting a fleece makes you think of running to your nearby clothing store, you really need to listen to this spinning podcast.  Find out just how you take a five pound raw fleece and get it ready for the wash.

Today's music found on the podsafe music network, is provided by:

MDL with Acoustic Heart

Tom Smith with Stupid Belated Valentine

The next podcast will be a spin-in, with lots of heart related music in honor of the month of February, as well as some yarnspinnerstales.  See you then, and thanks for listening.

In today's show I talk about two sheep breeds, and lots of snow.

I have added a segment to the spin-in shows to share with the listeners my spinning studies of different breeds of sheep.  This started out as rare breed sheep only, but expanded into just about any breed that I have had a chance to sample fleece.  Today's two breeds are Border Leicester, and Blue Face Leicester.

All music in the show is from the Podsafe music network.

The first musical interlude is Snowfall by Rada Neal.

Snow's No Fun At All is song by the Danny Daughtridge Trio.

Dreams of a Snowman, was used as the musical interlude during yarnspinner's tale, and was provided by: No Plastic Inside.

And TV's Kyle is back again, with Snowball Fight.

The next podcast will be about just how I take that great big fleece from the sheep and sort it in preparation to washing it.

Thanks for listening!

Did you know that angora rabbits come in dyelots?  I talk about this and many other hopefully helpful explanations of how to process and spin that angora fiber you bought (and have stashed forever).

All the music in this podcast is provided by Clare Dowling through the podsafe music network.  She sings with a group known as The Moot, so that is the webpage to which you will be directed.  I featured her and her music in this show, because I am using her song Spinning Wheel, as my opening theme song.  The interludes between parts of the show are from her Acoustic Blues, and the show ends with Misunderstood.

To view the photos I talk about in the podcast please go to my blog.

Next show will be the spin-in for the month, see you then!

Not even a picture of decked out everygreens, jolly fat men dressed in red velvet or winter globe snow scenes.  Not a bit of spinning here, neither fiber nor tales.  Just lots of holiday music which will hopefully add a bit of zing to your holiday MP3 player.  Welcome to the non traditional seating of the holiday manor.

A very big thank you to all of the musicians that allow their music to be shared on this podcast.  All music is from the podsafe music network 

Please visit the musicians websites and buy their music if you like it. It would be like dropping a little something into their Christmas stockings.

Christmas Here on Mars  by Bubble

A Guy Named Nick by Jim Merillat

A Harry Potter Christmas by Joel Kopischke

Joy-Kinda Holidayish by Charlie Crowe

Oh Come All Ye Faithful by Uncle Seth

Robot Ad by PeeperRadio Theater

Ya, You Betcha Christmas by Gary Sundblad

Santa Claus is Freaking Me Out by Lord Weatherby

Carol of the Bells by Admiral Twin

I'll Be Home for Christmas by Twisted Sister

Let It Snow by Winzenried A.K.A. Hollywood Drunks

Socks and Underpants by TV's Kyle 

Santa's Story 06 by Andy Buscemi

God Rest Ye Merry Gentleman by Chris Barker

Jingle Jangle by Larry Seyer

Christmas...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 some music from them, their landlords will thank you.

The opening song was It's Christmas Time by Bree Noble

Feels Like Christmas is by: Rusty Bladen

Santa is Coming to Town is by: Andy Buscemi

A Round for Christmas is by: Jim Goodrich

Rise up Shepherd and follow is by: Cat Jahnke

Oh Holy Night is by: The New Autonomous Folksingers

And we close with, Carol of the Bells by: thehipcola

If you heard a strong chorus of Hallelujah! it's because I think I have finally worked out a better audio quality for my voice.  I hope you think so too!

 Join me in my barn today, and learn how to harvest the wonderful fiber angora from a rabbit.  And there's a few rabbits in the music hat too! 

Musical interludes in the barn are from:

     Dancing in November  by Monika Herzig

For our music break, we pulled these rabbits out of the hat:

     Run Rabbit/The Chase  by Brain Buckit 

     Bunny Boiler  Pablo Eskimo

And we close with some country bluegrass from the Smithsonian Archives:

     Rabbit in a Log  by The Stanley Brothers

And as always a thank you for my spinning wheel theme song by Clare Dowling.

All music can be found at the podsafe music network

Next month's podcasts will both be mostly music podcasts, set up for your listening whether you find time to spin, or knit on those have to be done by Christmas socks.  Talk to you then!

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 Clare Dowling for her Spinning Song used as my Intro.

Big Scary Five Pitch Combs and Halloween music, Oh MY!

Join me on my front porch and listen to my detailed explaination of how I use base held large combs for making top from  Shetland wool.  Then enjoy some Halloween music from the Podsafe music network, while either trying your own combing, or just enjoying the music.

A few pictures of the combing process have been posted on my Oct 27th entry of my blog.

All podsafe music used can be found here.

Websites for the musicians in the podcast are:

Well I Wouldn't Call them Demon by DeepSeaDust

Frankenstein's in the Mood by Beau Hall

Halloween by The Coffinshakers

Halloween is Awesome by Hyper Nonsense

And special thanks to Clare Dowling for her Spinning Song used as my Intro music.

Join me in several weeks for a spin along, as I light a fire in my living room fireplace, and talk and spin on one of my wheels.  See you then!

Welcome 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.

All music in this podcast is from the Podsafe Music Network. If you liked what you heard, go to the website and support the musicians.  Their spouses will thank you!

Special thanks to Clare Dowling  for her song Spinning Wheel, my intro theme song.

Refrigerator Blues by 77South

Cyndi by Podcast Troubadour

Goodbye Time by Bluesman Tom Malafarina