Podcast appearances and mentions of deb robson

In this episode from 2010, Sasha interviews Deb Robson about the process of creating her magnum opus, The Fleece and Fiber Sourcebook. Mentioned in this episode: Deb Robson; The Fleece & Fiber Sourcebook 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.  Since these episodes are encores, you may occasionally hear Sasha mention links that are no longer available.

Don't try to put Sarah Swett in a box—if you do, she might just weave a bag on it. (https://handwovenmagazine.com/inspiration-everywhere-handspun-yarn-tapestry-weaving/) Growing up on the East Coast, Sarah found herself more enchanted with knitting sweaters from farm yarn than the traditional college track. She spent her young adulthood as a ranch hand and cook in Montana and Idaho, where she brought her yarn in by pack mule. She fell in love with the Palouse region of western Idaho for its rolling hills and agricultural bounty, settled there, and began to explore the possibilities of home. She is as inspired by the sweeping landscape as by the tiny discoveries of making cordage from milkweed and dandelion she finds in her garden. When Melanie Falick featured Sarah in her 1996 book Knitting in America, she was equally enchanted with knitting, spinning, and weaving; she also pursues stitching and dyeing. Aside from a few years when injury kept her from knitting, it has been a constant companion, and she handspins nearly all of the yarn she uses for both knitting and weaving. But Sarah's most important craft is fiber play: weaving grocery lists into monumental tapestries, weaving iris-leaf cordage into tiny fringeless tapestry book covers, creating balanced plain-weave strips on backstrap looms, and sketching comics of a squirrel and crow weaving those bags around cardboard boxes. Sarah's tapestries have appeared in dozens of exhibitions, but she prefers not to stray far from home herself. Her Substack newsletter gives readers a weekly peek into her intriguing imagined and real worlds. What she most hopes to share, though, is not her playful approach to her life and art, but permission for others to explore their own. "I would like everyone to be enchanted by their life," she says, "and I would like them to be enchanted by what they're enchanted by—not what I'm enchanted by." It hardly seems possible not to be enchanted by Sarah's work, even if it ultimately inspires us just to get out and play. Visit the Long Thread Podcast website (https://longthreadmedia.com/podcast). Find the show notes with photos on the Little Looms website (https://littlelooms.com/long-thread-podcast-sarah-swett). This episode is brought to you by: Treenway Silks Treenway Silks is where weavers, spinners, knitters and stitchers find the silk they love. Select from the largest variety of silk spinning fibers, silk yarn, and silk threads & ribbons at TreenwaySilks.com (https://www.treenwaysilks.com/). You'll discover a rainbow of colors, thoughtfully hand-dyed in Colorado. Love natural? Treenway's array of wild silks provide choices beyond white. If you love silk, you'll love Treenway Silks, where superior quality and customer service are guaranteed. Peters Valley School of Craft Peters Valley School of Craft enriches lives through the learning, appreciation and practice of fine craft. For more than 50 years, accomplished artists and students have come together in community at our craft school for powerful creativity and joyous life-long learning in the beautiful Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area. We are firmly dedicated to inclusion, diversity, equity, and access through all of our programs. We value and welcome the experienced professional artist, the new learner, the collector—and everyone in between who can be touched by the power of craft. Visit petersvalley.org (http://petersvalley.org/) to start your journey today! Links Sarah Swett's website (https://www.afieldguidetoneedlework.com/) The Gusset (https://sarahcswett.substack.com/) is Sarah's weekly Substack newsletter Fringeless: Four Selvedge Warping (https://rebeccamezoff.com/fringeless), Sarah's class with Rebecca Mezoff Wild Textiles by Alice Fox (https://www.alicefox.co.uk/) Lurie-Larochette Tapestries (http://www.lurie-larochettetapestries.com/) Velma Bolyard (https://www.velmabolyard.com/aboutme), paper textile artist Susan Martin Maffei (https://susanmartinmaffei.com), tapestry artist Michael Rohde (https://www.michaelrohde.com), tapestry artist Archie Brennan: Tapestry as Modern Art (https://schifferbooks.com/products/archie-brennan) Melanie Falick discusses Kids Weaving and Knitting in America in Season 6 of the Long Thread Podcast (https://pieceworkmagazine.com/long-thread-podcast-melanie-falick/) Sarah's fully illustrated guides (https://www.afieldguidetoneedlework.com/store/c2/Guides.html) range from storytelling to practical design direction

Sponsored by Weavolution If you would like to support the show, become a Weavolution Patron and get access to exclusive Patron content from Erica. Where to find us: iTunes, please leave us a review on iTunes. Podcast FB Page! E-mail! We have an e-mail account, please feel free to e-mail us! Podcast Instagram: fiberatthespeedoflifepodcast    Michelle is             Ravelry: MichelleTF             Instagram: michelletfcrafts             Facebook: Valdelia Maker     Erica is             Weavolution: Erica J, Jahanara, or Weavolutionary             Ravelry: weavemage             Instagram: weavemage             Facebook: Weavolution Intro and Outro Music: Sundown by Joseph McDade, thank you!     Tool tip: Michelle ordered a brush cleaner to try on the drum carder she borrowed from the library. She had carded the white Coopworth/Shropshire (Coopshire? Shropworth?) after carding the black llama and then used the usual cleaning brush on the drum before trying this brush cleaner. It was obvious, because the fiber she got on the brush cleaner is gray, that there was still some llama left on the drum.       It did a number on the brush cleaner, but she thinks it will work better with fewer teeth anyway. She thinks the teeth are just prone to turning on this particular one.       Finished objects:   Michelle finished carding the Coopworth/Shropshire fleece. It became very floofy.           British Breeds Study Spun Yarns These were not spun recently, however, Erica came across the breed study yarns she has finished spinning. In the photo below you can see from left to right Jacob, BFL, Suffolk, Shetland. The Weavolution sponsored Breed study includes the following breeds:   Suffolk Jacob Romney Marsh Shetland (moorit, humbug) Black Welsh BFL (oatmeal,  Masham Erica still has a few sample packs left she can send to listeners, if you are interested e-mail her.   Erica also completely finished her Community Cloth Sett Samples, by mounting them on card stock with their records. You can see various details about each sample on Weavolution. Merino Sample,  Merino Sample 2, Merino Sample 3, and Shetland Sample 2. See WIP's for Sheltand Sample 3.           Works in progress:   Since Michelle is traveling this week, she pulled out her Electric Eel mini spinning wheel to start spinning the Coopworth/Shropshire cross. She hopes to talk her Dad into helping her make a box for the battery to add some weight to the very light wheel.   Erica commented on how small the Electric Eel mini spinning wheel is, so Michelle had to get a picture that showed the size of the wheel. Here's a picture with the wheel sitting on the bottom of Michelle's sandal to keep it out of the sand and keep it from moving. Michelle does have big feet, but it may give an idea of the size of the wheel.     Erica Erica has finished spinning the Rambouillet in the colourway Gizmo from Fiber Nest Studio. According to Deb Robson's Fleece and Fiber Source book, Rambouillet began in France in the 1700's. Louis XVI was allowed to import 359 Spanish Merino to his estate in Rambouillet. His breeders bred for different specifications, thus creating the separate Rambouillet breed. When Erica showed her spinning to the Wool N Spinning Community she received several great descriptions pointing out that it is a very grippy and sproingy/springy yarn. Erica had noticed it was Targhee like, the grip is great for spinning, until it isn't. Erica experienced far more times of the fiber separating and pulling into the orifice than she does with other wools. In her post recording investigations, Erica learned that Targhee were bred from Rambouillet rams and a combination of other sheep. So it is no wonder that Rambouillet is more like Targhee than it is like Merino. Erica has also done a bit more sampling on her Damask warp. Since the colors she chose from Halcyon Yarn were out of stock, she ordered a red and black from Treenway Silks to test. Treenway has a variety of reds, fortunately the red they had in stock is so very close to the red from Halcyon that Erica liked. Let us know in the comments what you think of the difference (bottom sample that has been cut off the loom is Halcyon Yarn Gemstone Silk, upper cloth still on the loom is Treenway Silks). In this photo you can also see the area where the sample was mistreadled and inadvertently cause some very long floats. When weaving damask you only tie each thread down once in a 4 pick repeat, so missing a treadle creates a quite long float. After consulting with other drawloom weavers on Weavolution, Erica will be weaving her cowl face up on the loom to prevent this from happening. This is a cowl that was made for Erica when she was Queen. This is included, so listeners can see what she means by a 7th C Persian Cowl, it is a very different shape from what we modernly use the word cowl to describe.   Finally, Erica has finished weaving the third sample for the Collaboartive Cloth project, sett at 24 epi on the loom. She has embarked on this project with 3 other SCA spinners. The other members will spin the yarn and Erica will weave 4 meters of cloth for each member. She is really excited about this project, because she has always wanted to have a very authentic experience where she works with friends who specialize in spinning to make cloth for everyone. This is how communities functioned before the guild system. She finds this project is building even more a sense of community amoung her and her friends. She will also invite all the spinners over to weave a bit of their own cloth, if they chose to do so! She hopes, despite the current pandemic, that everyone will be able to see and touch the samples and the group can make a final decision, between the Merino and the Shetland, so they can embark upon the final project soon.   

In this episode of Mother Earth News and Friends, Charlotte French chats with Deb Robson and Deborah Niemann, both sheep breeders and fiber experts, about raising sheep and processing fleece.  Be sure to listen to Part II, an interview with Deborah Niemann on making a business out of your fleeces. Links mentioned in Podcast: Deb Robson: “Shave ‘em to Save ‘em” The Independent Stitch Fleece and Fiber Sourcebook Deborah Niemann: The Thrifty Homesteader Homegrown and Handmade, 2nd edition. Additional Resources: Emily Chamelin and Kevin Hickman, Shearers Dharma Trading Co. Welsh Women’s Sheep Shearing Competition. (In Welsh) Gulf Coast Native Sheep Florida Cracker Sheep No Fleece Left Behind Check out the MOTHER EARTH NEWS Bookstore for more resources to help you achieve your health and farming goals!   To see more podcasts, visit our Mother Earth News and Friends page! Check out the MOTHER EARTH NEWS FAIR page for an opportunity to see our podcast guest live!     The Mother Earth News and Friends podcast is a production of MOTHER EARTH NEWS NETWORK.

In this episode I talk to Neil Paice co-owner with his wife Sue of WooSheeps, based in Rural Scotland. Then we talk to Deb Robson about the Bluefaced Leicester sheep breed and its history. Show Notes: WooSheeps website, Instagram, Facebook. North Ronaldsay Sheep Madder and Indigo for natural dyeing Natural Dyes vs Synthetic Dyes WooSheeps … Continue reading Episode 114 | WooSheeps

In this episode I talk to Karida Collins, owner of Neighborhood Fiber Co. and Mama to a brand new baby boy, Kai.  We talk mostly about activism, business dilemmas and being a minority in this industry. Then we talk to Deb Robson about Leicester Longwool Sheep. Show Notes: Neighborhood Fiber Co’s website & On Ravelry … Continue reading Episode 112 | Neighborhood Fiber Co

In this episode I talk to Michele Rose Orne, Creative Director of Swan’s Island Company based in Northport, Maine. Then we talk to Deb Robson about the history of the Rambouillet sheep breed. Show Notes: Swan’s Island’s Blankets My Vinculum Cardigan (on Ravelry) Michele’s Patterns on Ravelry Camden, Maine Ugly Christmas Sweaters! Swan’s Island (the Island) … Continue reading Episode 111 | Swans Island Yarn

In this episode I talk with Jennifer Tepper Heverley, owner and sole dyer of Spirit Trail Fiberworks. Spirit Trail focuses on luxury fibers, like merino, cashmere, silk, and some really great breed specific yarns in an extensive range of bases. We also talk to Deb Robson about Polwarth wool from Tarndwarncoort. Show Notes: Twist & … Continue reading Episode 106 | Spirit Trail Fiberworks

In this episode I talk with Amanda Jarvis, the new owner/operator and long-time employee of Lorna’s Laces and Mrs Crosby Yarns. Lorna’s Laces has been a staple in the hand-dyed yarn market for years, and Mrs Crosby loves to play. We’ll then talk to Deb Robson about the superwash process and how it affects wool. … Continue reading Episode 104 | Lorna’s Laces & Mrs Crosby

In this episode Kara is joined by Leanne Pressly, the CEO of Stitchcraft Marketing. Principal owner and multi-hat wearing fearless CEO of Stitchcraft Marketing. Leanne holds an M.A. in Sociology and a B.A. in English and has 20+ years of experience in sales and marketing. Prior to starting the agency, she owned a website design and hosting business for 10 years. She’s been a knitter since she was 18 and loves to spin yarn, make her own clothes and quilt. She lives in Colorado with her husband, teenage daughter and a menagerie of pets. “The rapid pace of change means you're NEVER going to be in front of your social channels all the time. Half the battle is just having a solid social media plan and following through on the work. Let the rest go.”   -Leanne Pressly [Tweet "Soaking up TONS of #marketing advice from Leanne of @Stitchcraftmktg on #PowerPurlsPodcast!"] Episode highlights:   Leanne began her career in the fiber crafts when she met Deb Robson while pulling weeds on a farm in Colorado!  Listen to the episode to hear about Leanne's whimsical first knitting project. Leanne worked at Interweave while she finished her graduate school program in Colorado. Leanne's "light bulb moment" came when she realized that there was a need for fiber arts businesses to hire someone to mange their newsletters and social media.  Stitchcraft's clients own businesses in all areas of the hand crafting world, from fabric to yarn to paper crafts and more. Stitchcraft manages many different areas of a client's business, depending on that client's needs. Stitchcraft's sweet spot is social planning, strategy, and execution but they also offer content planning and marketing, pattern support, and more. Leanne advocates that even a B2B (business to business) company needs to have a social media plan and an active presence on social media channels. Leanne says that the growth in the industry has been mostly positive: "Competition's good for everybody - it raises all ships," she says. Leanne started a podcast so that she could share the common advice she gives several clients with a wider audience. Leanne loves to invite guests to the show who can share their expertise with her listeners. In her daily life, Leanne still knits and spins regularly. She loves a simple project to help her unwind at the end of a long working day. Marketing is in Leanne's blood: her mother was a marketer and her father was an entrepreneur.  Life and knitting have taught Leanne that she thrives best when she's focusing on the big picture. On Leanne's team, everyone has "a seat on the bus." So she builds that team according to the individual strengths that people bring to the bus. Leanne's big piece of advice for our viewers: "Don't be afraid to embrace what you're really good at, and really focus your career on that." What contributes to Leanne's day to day success? Zapier!    Mentioned in this episode: Deborah Robson's book: The Fleece and Fiber Sourcebook Stitchcraft Marketing - Leanne's company Spin Off Magazine Interweave Leanne's podcast, Business of Craft Episode 2: Leanne's interview with Staci Perry of VeryPinkKnits Smart Passive Income - Pat Flynn's podcast Tim Ferriss's podcast Zapier   Learn more about Leanne and Stitchcraft Marketing: Website: stitchcraftmarketing.com Business of Craft Podcast: stitchcraftmarketing.com/podcast Facebook: facebook.com/stitchcraftmarketing Instagram: instagram.com/stitchcraftmarketing/ LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company-beta/10152753/ Pinterest: pinterest.com/stitchcraftm/ Twitter: twitter.com/stitchcraftmktg   MOVE THE NEEDLE ON YOUR KNIT BIZ! Click here to sign up for a free 30-minute creative business strategy session with Kara!  

Since we last spoke, I headed over to the Lower Mainland Sheep Producer's Association Wool and Ewe-A-Fair, which is held annually at the Cloverdale Fairgrounds.  I hadn't planned to go, since I prefer to escape to these types of events kid-free if at all possible, but at the last minute, I decided to go with Emily in tow.We went for the morning, leaving before the fleece auction began at noon.  I just can't be trusted around all those fresh wool fumes! We had a really nice time, and I found a couple (of pounds, HA!) of goodies to bring home.I left fully intrigued with (and regretting I didn't buy) one of the woven 'stadium cushions' from Hannelo's Studio.  You can see a picture of what I'm talking about if you follow the link. They look amazing in person! She's a fiber artist based in the Fraser Valley.I was really impressed with the variety and beautiful colours at Ewesful Creations' booth.  I also made a quick stop in at Birkeland Bros booth. I was really hoping to pick up another pound of white Crossbred sliver to go with the pound I bought at one of the events last year (for a future sweater spin), but they didn't have any of that with them.  Never fear, I found some wool to follow me home.LinksLower Mainland Sheep Producer's AssociationEwesful Creations, Chilliwack, BCBirkeland Bros, Abbotsford, BCDeb Robson interview on the Fruity Knitting PodcastBreed specific wool - North Country CheviotI also included a little video clip of the way Emily and I have been spinning together. She loves to put her foot on the treadles and help with the spinning. She often insists I take my feet off the treadles so she can do it herself, but she isn't able to keep the wheel going by herself yet.

In Episode 45, we continue our Wool Series with an interview with Deb Robson.

My Journey to Shepherd's Harvest Sheep and Wool Festival Lake Elmo, MN.www.SHEPHERDSHARVESTFESTIVAL.ORGSaturday evening get-together with Deb Robson and Carol Ekariusauthors of ‘The Fleece & Fiber Sourcebook’Contact information:www.HomespunJourney.ComHomespun Journey Podcast group on RavelrySpinning Buddy on Ravelry, Facebook, and TwitterSpinningBuddy@sbcglobal.net

What's on my needles and wheel? Pictures and details can be found on my Ravelry Group Homespun Journey.2012 New Year's Resolution Spin the good stuff!Christmas Presents Books -Fleece and Fiber Sourcebook by Deb Robson & Carol Ekarius -Knitting Around the World a Multistranded History of a Time Honored Tradition By Lela Nargi -Friday Night Knitting Club Knit Two by Kate Jacobs - Stitch and Bitch by Debbie Stoller -Knit your own Dog by Sally Muir & Joanna OsborneMy Journey to The Fold, Marengo, Illinoiswww.thefoldatmc.net Books -A Knitter's Life List by Gwen W. Steege -Unravelled by Maggie Sefton Needles -Kollage square needles -Addi Turbo by Skacel BFL/ Tussah Silk 50/50 top spinning fibersBook Review - Sunrise on Cedar Key by Terri DuLongCultured Purls Knitting GuildMeets at Holy Cross Lutheran Church in basementCorner of First Street and Three Oaks RoadCary, IL.Informal Meetup at Barnes & Nobel Bookstore Crystal Lake, IL. 7 pm.www.culturedpurls.comPay it Forward.....Charity KnittingMotherBearProject.org Calendar of Hope 2012. www.armyofwomen.orgEvents -Rhonda's Knit Wits. 3rd Thursday Get Together Wonder Lake, IL -Fiber Wrapped Figure art workshop with Danny Mansmith Art InStitchtute of Chicago 2020 N. Western Ave., 2nd Floor Chicago, IL. -3rd Annual Midwinter Fiber & Yarn Tasting Feb 25, 2012 starting at 9:00 am. Basics Natural Foods Co-op 1711 Lodge Drive Janesville, Wisconsin -Sheep in the City Getaway February 24, 25, & 26th, 2012 Comfort Suites Oak Creek, Wisconsinwww.web.mac.com/jmassie1Illinois Prairie Spinners 2012 Spring RetreatMay 18-20, 2012 (Fri-Sun)Everyone is welcome to attendRegistration FormMalabrigo Song Gary Karlsrud - Composer Mediaworkzone.comMalabrigo Song Video