Wool n' Spinning

a shared passion for handspun yarn

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This blog is dedicated to my Aunt Yvonne. My favourite crafting is my knitting and here I share my ideas, projects, pitfalls and successes. Vancouver, Canada
  • That Time of Year: Tour de Fleece | Wool n’ Spinning, ep. 341

    That Time of Year: Tour de Fleece | Wool n’ Spinning, ep. 341

    Dear Spinning Circle,

    Welcome All. In today’s episode, we chat about that magical time of the year: Tour de Fleece! In an effort to get through some of my stash I’ve been collecting this winter, I made my Romney from Twin Oaks a priority (although my brake band broke so waiting for a new one from Lendrum) and stash dived for copious braids to spin through. Spindling is a priority at the moment as a break from Charkha spinning – spinning some very slippery fibre has added a bit of nuance to my spindling. And finally, I have a BIG finish: My LB Pullover is finally done. Let’s chat about all that & more!

    If you’re curious about joining the Wool n’ Spinning community and wondering where to begin, I’ve written a simple Start Here guide.

    SPINDLING – Spindle Spun Season

    Bramble Ridge Haunuii + Silk ‘Mushroom Hunt’ – combination of Bosworth & Ed Pretty Spindles {Ravelry Project Page here}

    SKEINED!

    Hello Yarn Rambouillet ‘Botanical’ – stripped & attenuated; Majacraft Suzie Pro 22:1 {Ravelry Project Page here}

    SheepSpot Whitefaced Woodland – stripped & attenuated; Majacraft Suzie Pro 22:1 {Ravelry Project Page here}

    Nest Fiber Studio Combo Spin – SW Merino & Falkland – fibre clubs from 2016 & 2017; broken down into strips and spun end to end. Each braid to a bobbin & plied colourways together; Majacraft Suzie Pro 22:1 {Ravelry Project Page here}

    Hello Yarn Eider Wool ‘Little Houses’ – stripped & attenuated; Majacraft Suzie Pro 22:1 {Ravelry Project Page here}

    SPINNING

    Spunky Eclectic Merino Bamboo ‘Heathers’ – Nov 2015 Fibre Club – stripped & attenuated; Majacraft Suzie Pro 22:1 {Ravelry Project Page here}

    Twin Oaks Farm Romney – tweed batt – wolf yarn; Lendrum DT jumbo head 9:1 {Ravelry Project Page here}

    Weaving + Sewing

    LB Pullover by Paper Theory – WARP: Bowmont & Alpaca, 2-ply; WEFT: Mohair-silk, SETT: 13EPI x 13PPI – started May 2025 but stalled due to mock turtleneck neckline that wouldn’t sit properly/at all well due to lack of give or elasticity in fabric; had to rip out major work done & worried about the integrity of fabric beneath. Finally took plunge & did a bias neckline with awesome results {Ravelry Project Page here}

    Community Participation

    As always, thank you to those who share in the community, uploading photos and thoughts about what you are working on! I appreciate it – it’s my pleasure to be able to share!

    Thank you so much for joining me today! Due to some travel schedules this summer, Rebecca and Rachei will be changing some of our Stream dates to accomodate. The Wool Circle will next go Live on Tuesday, July 21, and the podcast will stream Tuesday, July 28 @ 11am PDT. Rachel will be travelling for the final stream this month. The show will be a Premier & pre-recorded.

    Until then, Happy Making!

  • Time in Transition | Wool n’ Spinning, ep. 340

    Time in Transition | Wool n’ Spinning, ep. 340

    Dear Spinning Circle,

    Welcome All. In today’s episode, we chat about being in transition and the season of making that offers us. As I move back into my space, there have been some challenges to getting things started, finished and worked on! Let’s chat about that transition time as a chance to reflect on what we truly want to be working on, when time is short!

    If you’re curious about joining the Wool n’ Spinning community and wondering where to begin, I’ve written a simple Start Here guide.

    ***

    Patreon Collection For Past Episodes here

    YouTube Playlists for Episodes 336 – 346 here

    YouTube Playlists for Episodes 325 – 335 here

    YouTube Playlists for Episodes 314 – 324 here

    SPINDLING

    Bramble Ridge Preparation – braids from stash for spindling throughout the summer

    SKEINED!

    MellyKnits CVM, Gulf Coast Native, Bombyx Silk – spindle spun & plied on wheel

    WestCoast Colour Toothy – carded batts from remaining prep to open up, created airy prep = super simple, easy to spin

    KNITTING

    Moon Set Tee by Ozetta – Cold Valley Farms, WI, Jacob – scoured, prepped & blended on drum carder; 2-ply, natural/undyed; 3.00mm / US 2.5 {Ravelry Project Page here}

    Oolong Tee by Aimee Sher – Bramble Ridge Hand Dyed Yarns O. Wool-Linen (flax) 70/30; 3.00mm / US 2.5 & 3.25mm / US 3 {Ravelry Project Page here}

    Bliss Tank by Alicia Plummer – Bramble Ridge Hand Dyed Yarns O. Wool-Linen (flax) 70/30; 4.5mm / US 7 {Ravelry Project Page here}

    Community Participation

    As always, thank you to those who share in the community, uploading photos and thoughts about what you are working on! I appreciate it – it’s my pleasure to be able to share!

    Thank you so much for joining me today! Due to some travel schedules this summer, Rebecca and Rachei will be changing some of our Stream dates to accomodate. The Wool Circle will next go Live on Tuesday, July 7, and the podcast will stream Tuesday, July 14 @ 11am PDT.

    Until then, Happy Making!

  • Moving In & Getting Settled | Wool n’ Spinning, ep. 339

    Moving In & Getting Settled | Wool n’ Spinning, ep. 339

    Dear Spinning Circle,

    Welcome All. In today’s episode, we explore the idea of getting settled, clearing out as I unpack & sifting through tools that might not serve me anymore. I have a bit of progress on my Moon Set Tee and started the finishing process of several woven items that I collected during the time at my mom’s house this winter.

    Today is also our 10-Year Patreon-iversary. I hope you can join us on Zoom throughout the day as your schedule allows. We would love to welcome you – check your Patreon feed for the links or Slack #general.

    If you’re curious about joining the Wool n’ Spinning community and wondering where to begin, I’ve written a simple Start Here guide.

    Patreon Collection For Past Episodes here

    YouTube Playlists for Episodes 336 – 346 here

    YouTube Playlists for Episodes 325 – 335 here

    YouTube Playlists for Episodes 314 – 324 here

    KNITTING

    Moon Set Tee by Ozetta – Cold Valley Farms, WI, Jacob – scoured, prepped & blended on drum carder; 2-ply, natural/undyed; 3.00mm / US 2.5 {Ravelry Project Page here}

    Oolong Tee by Aimee Sher – Bramble Ridge Hand Dyed Yarns O. Wool-Linen (flax) 70/30; 3.00mm / US 2.5 & 3.25mm / US 3 {Ravelry Project Page here}

    WEAVING – Finished Object

    Advancing Twill Stole – Bramble Ridge Mashup – BFL/Masham ‘Price of Eggs’ (weft) & Haunui ‘Mushroom Hunt’ (warp); sett 15 EPI x 15 PPI {Ravelry Project Page here}

    Community Participation

    As always, thank you to those who share in the community, uploading photos and thoughts about what you are working on! I appreciate it – it’s my pleasure to be able to share!

    Thank you so much for joining me today! Our next stream will be Tuesday, June 30 @ 11am PDT.

    Until then, Happy Making!

  • Projects that Call to Us | Wool n’ Spinning, ep. 338

    Projects that Call to Us | Wool n’ Spinning, ep. 338

    Dear Spinning Circle,

    Welcome All. In today’s episode, we explore the attributes of projects that call to us. How to discern what projects we think might work wih our wardrobe? Why we might choose a certain pattern over another? How to begin deciding which yarns to work with as we narrow down those projects. As well, I have major progress on my Moon Set Tee (while not finished – sad face – it’s almost there) and an advancing twill in handspun off the loom!

    If you’re curious about joining the Wool n’ Spinning community and wondering where to begin, I’ve written a simple Start Here guide.

    ***

    ***

    Patreon Collection For Past Episodes here

    YouTube Playlists for Episodes 336 – 346 here

    YouTube Playlists for Episodes 325 – 335 here

    YouTube Playlists for Episodes 314 – 324 here

    SKEINED!

    MellyKnits Burn Pile batt – stripping down to begin spinning {Ravelry Project Page here}

    Bramble Ridge Cormo ‘Scruff’ = Daedalus Dove, singles {Ravelry Project Page here}

    KNITTING

    Moon Set Tee by Ozetta – Cold Valley Farms, WI, Jacob – scoured, prepped & blended on drum carder; 2-ply, natural/undyed; 3.00mm / US 2.5 {Ravelry Project Page here}

    Oolong Tee by Aimee Sher – Bramble Ridge Hand Dyed Yarns O. Wool-Linen (flax) 70/30; 3.00mm / US 2.5 & 3.25mm / US 3 {Ravelry Project Page here}

    Bliss Tank by Alcia Plummer – Bramble Ridge Wool-Linen DK 70/30) OOAK – 5.5mm (US 9) {Ravelry Project Page here}

    WEAVING – Finished Object

    Advancing Twill Stole – Bramble Ridge Mashup – BFL/Masham ‘Price of Eggs’ (weft) & Haunui ‘Mushroom Hunt’ (warp); sett 15 EPI x 15 PPI {Ravelry Project Page here}

    Community Participation

    As always, thank you to those who share in the community, uploading photos and thoughts about what you are working on! I appreciate it – it’s my pleasure to be able to share!

    Thank you so much for joining me today! Our next stream will be Tuesday, June 16 @ 11am PDT. We will be back in my own home for this episode & I hope you will also join me in celebrating our 10-year Patreon-anniversary, too.

    Until then, Happy Making!

  • Continuing with a Daily Cotton Practice (when life is busy) | Wool n’ Spinning, ep. 337

    Continuing with a Daily Cotton Practice (when life is busy) | Wool n’ Spinning, ep. 337

    Dear Spinning Circle,

    Welcome All. In today’s episode, we explore what happens to our making when life is pretty full-on. Lot’s happening and not a lot of quiet time! Continuing with my daily practice of spinning on my charkha, which I plan to continue for Spindle Spun Season (starting soon!), I have found that those little pockets of time are even more precious to me. I’ve continued working on my Moon Set Tee with some good progress, and started a new Aimee Sher pattern from some beautiful wool-linen yarn from Bramble Ridge Hand Dyed Yarns.

    If you’re curious about joining the Wool n’ Spinning community and wondering where to begin, I’ve written a simple Start Here guide.

    ***

    ***

    Patreon Collection For Past Episodes here

    YouTube Playlists for Episodes 336 – 346 here

    YouTube Playlists for Episodes 325 – 335 here

    YouTube Playlists for Episodes 314 – 324 here

    ***

    FIBRE PREPARATION

    MellyKnits ‘Burn Pile’ batt – deep stash; pulled apart first ‘bobbin’ to begin spinning once spindle project currently going is finished (more soon!) {Ravelry Project Page here}

    SPINNING

    Bramble Ridge Cormo ‘Scruff’ = Daedalus Dove, singles {Ravelry Project Page here}

    SPINDLE SPUN SEASON

    Upcoming: Starts on the Summer // Winter Solstice in June

    Vegan Yarn Organic & Fair Trade Cotton ‘Avocado’ – charkha daily practice; Bosworth Spindles Charkha {Ravelry Project Page here}

    Cotton by Cottonman, NC – charkha daily practice; Bosworth Spindles Charkha {Ravelry Project Page here}

    KNITTING

    Moon Set Tee by Ozetta – Cold Valley Farms, WI, Jacob – scoured, prepped & blended on drum carder; 2-ply, natural/undyed; 3.00mm / US 2.5 {Ravelry Project Page here}

    Oolong Tee by Aimee Sher – Bramble Ridge Hand Dyed Yarns O. Wool-Linen (flax) 70/30; 3.00mm / US 2.5 & 3.25mm / US 3 {Ravelry Project Page here}

    Community Participation

    As always, thank you to those who share in the community, uploading photos and thoughts about what you are working on! I appreciate it – it’s my pleasure to be able to share!

    ***

    Thank you so much for joining me today! Our next stream will be Tuesday, June 2 @ 11am PDT.

    Until then, Happy Making!

  • Fine Gauge Takes Time | Wool n’ Spinning, ep. 336

    Fine Gauge Takes Time | Wool n’ Spinning, ep. 336

    Dear Spinning Circle,

    Welcome All. In today’s episode, we are discussing those projects that just take a bit of extra time. Whether it’s a fine yarn and, therefore, stitch count, or small weaving sett, these projects take comitting to the distance. First, continuing with my ongoing cotton project and singles spinning, I’ll recap where I’m at with both of those projects, including pitfalls from my charkha spinning! And second, I’ll share a new cast on and finished napkins off the loom.

    If you’re curious about joining the Wool n’ Spinning community and wondering where to begin, I’ve written a simple Start Here guide.

    ***

    ***

    YouTube Playlists for Episodes 336 – 346 here

    YouTube Playlists for Episodes 325 – 335 here

    YouTube Playlists for Episodes 314 – 324 here

    ***

    SPINNING

    Bramble Ridge Cormo ‘Scruff’ = Daedalus Dove, singles

    Cotton by Cottonman, NC – charkha daily practice; Bosworth Spindles Charkha

    KNITTING

    Moon Set Tee by Ozetta – Cold Valley Farms, WI, Jacob – scoured, prepped & blended on drum carder; 2-ply, natural/undyed; 3.00mm / US 2.5

    WEAVING – Finished Object

    Handwoven Floral Napkins – Maurice Brassard 2/16 cotton in natural, cinnamon, orange, green, denim; sett @ 26EPI; structure: overshot

    Community Participation

    As always, thank you to those who share in the community, uploading photos and thoughts about what you are working on! I appreciate it – it’s my pleasure to be able to share!

    ***

    Thank you so much for joining me today! Our next stream will be next week, Tuesday, May 19 @ 11am PDT.

    Until then, Happy Making!

  • Coping with Post-Project Drift | Wool n’ Spinning, ep. 335

    Coping with Post-Project Drift | Wool n’ Spinning, ep. 335

    Dear Spinning Circle,

    Welcome All. In this episode, we will cover all the sweater finishing I worked on throughout the end of March! I cast on my SweetGeorgia Yarns Combo Spin last week to knit a fun, quick and immensely satisfying vest. I’ve never worn vests before but had bought one back at Christmastime. I can’t believe how much I’ve enjoyed wearing a not-so-hot peice of clothing! Who knew?! To that end, I’ve finished my Vest No. 7 by My Favourite Things, as well as my spinDecember knit, the Seasons Cardigan by Ozetta. After finishing quite a few things over the past few weeks, I’ve been left feeling a bit lost about what to start next: How to cope with post-project drift. Let’s explore:

    That slightly unmoored feeling that comes after finishing a body of work — where you’re not quite ready to begin again, but also not quite finished.

    If you’re curious about joining the Wool n’ Spinning community and wondering where to begin, I’ve written a simple Start Here guide.

    ***

    ***

    YouTube Playlists for Episodes 325 – 335 here

    YouTube Playlists for Episodes 314 – 324 here

    YouTube Playlists for Episodes 303 – 313 here

    ***

    SPINNING

    Bramble Ridge Cormo ‘Scruff’ = Daedalus Dove, singles

    Cotton by Cottonman, NC – charkha daily practice; Bosworth Spindles Charkha

    FINISHED OBJECTS

    Vest No. 7 by My Favourite Things – SweetGeorgia Yarns Corriedale Combo Spin in Stormchaser, Patchwork Quilt & Snow Angel; {Ravelry Project Page here}

    Seasons Cardigan by Ozetta – handspun spinDecember yarns; total ~ 1000 yards; 3.5mm // US 4 & 4.00mm // US 6 {Ravelry Project Page here}

    WEAVING

    Handwoven Floral Napkins – Maurice Brassard 2/16 cotton in natural, cinnamon, orange, green, denim; sett @ 26EPI; structure: overshot

    ***

    Thank you so much for joining me today! Our next stream will be next week, Tuesday, April 21 @ 11am PDT.

    Until then, Happy Making!