The Sheepspot Podcast

In this episode, Sasha talks about breeds of sheep that produce wonderfully useful and complex fleeces: the multi-coated breeds.

Mentioned in the episode:

• Episode 18, on washing fleece

• Breed School

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 play...

In this episode of the podcast, Sasha talks about the ‘Down’ breeds: the Southdown, the Suffolk, the Dorset Down, the Hampshire, the Oxford and the Shropshire.

Mentioned in this episode:

• In Sheep's Clothing: A Handspinner's Guide to Wool by Nola Fournier

• The Spinner's Book of Fleece by Beth Smith

• Breed School 

You can find the script for this episode HERE.

You can comment on and discuss this episode here...

In this episode, Sasha talks about the longwools - breeds to look for, prep suggestions, and tips and tricks for spinning these fibers. Mentioned in this episode:

• Breed School 

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 ep...

In this episode of the podcast, Sasha talks about one of her favorite wools, Rambouillet. Mentioned in this episode:

• Breed School 

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 ...

In this encore episode Sasha talks about different types of wool and their uses.

Mentioned in this episode:

• The Fleece and Fiber Sourcebook, by Deborah Robson and Carol Ekarius
• The Spinner's Book of Fleece, by Beth Smith
• Wool types cheat sheet - available inside The Flock
• Breed School 

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...

In this episode, Sasha offers 5 tips for plying and finishing a big spin.

Mentioned in this episode:

• The Sheepspot Podcast:

  • Episode 146: Why I Never End Up with Leftover Singles When I Ply

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

In this episode Sasha dives into the essential strategies for staying motivated and consistent during your big spinning projects. Based on her own experiences, she knows how easy it is to lose focus when tackling something ambitious, so she shares her best tips to keep you spinning happily and efficiently.

Mentioned in this episode:

• Carson Demer - Knitting Comfortably: The Ergonomics of Hand Knitting.

• The Sheepspot Podcast:...

In this episode Sasha dives into what it takes to set herself up for a successful spin of 16 ounces or more. Sampling is a crucial part of the process; by letting herself start with experimentation and play, she figures out how to achieve both a fun spin and one that results in a yarn that she loves. 

Mentioned in this episode: 

• Episode 15: All About Sampling

• Episode 22: Get to know ...

This episode is the first in our series focusing on the "Using Your Handspun" pillar of skillful spinning. In this episode Sasha discusses two approaches on planning a big spin and she addresses the advantages and disadvantages to both.

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 Podca...

In this episode, Sasha dives into the frustrating experience of leftover singles after plying, a common headache for spinners. She shares three effective strategies to ensure you never face this dilemma again. First, she explains her favorite method—working from multiple storage bobbins—which helps to minimize leftovers. She also introduces the concept of a plying bracelet, a handy technique that lets you easily ply your leftover y...

In this episode, Sasha dives into the frustrating experience of leftover singles after plying, a common headache for spinners. She shares three effective strategies to ensure you never face this dilemma again. First, she explains her favorite method—working from multiple storage bobbins—which helps to minimize leftovers. She also introduces the concept of a plying bracelet, a handy technique that lets you easily ply your leftover y...

In this episode Sasha explores cabled yarns, which require multiple plying steps but which have a distinct look and texture and are fantastically durable. While they don't significantly change the look of stockinette or garter stitch, cabled yarns really shine in more intricate patterns like seed stitch.

You can find the script for this episode HERE.

You can comment on and discuss this episode here in The Flock, Sheepspot’s free on...

In this episode of The Sheepspot Podcast, Sasha dives into the various yarn structures, focusing specifically on singles, two-ply, and three-ply yarns, and discusses when and why to choose each type. She talks about the unique characteristics and advantages of each structure, such as the smoothness of singles, the texture and balance of two-ply yarns, and the consistency and durability of three-ply yarns. She also shares insights i...

In this episode Sasha takes what she has learned from abstract painting classes and suggests how we might use those lessons in our spinning practice.

Mentioned in this episode:

The Sheepspot Podcast: Episode 101 - Combination Drafting vs. Combination Spinning

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.

Her...

In this episode, Sasha shares three of her favorite spinning resources.

Mentioned in this episode:

• Maggie Casey: Getting Started on a Drop Spindle

• Abby Franquemont: Respect the Spindle

  • Link to book

  • Link to video

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 ...

In this episode from 2012, Sasha and Jillian Moreno report from their shared hotel room at the Madrona Winter Fiber Arts Festival (now the Red Alder Fiber Arts Retreat). Hilarity ensues. 

Apologies for the intermittent audio issues!

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 P...