Category: Wool Expert

Episode 212 | Superwash Wool Part 2 w/ Cliff Cox

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Cliff Cox is the Plant Manager at Chargeurs, a multi-national company with a plant in South Carolina that produces superwash and non-superwash wool sliver (combed and carded top). In this two-part series we will use the conversation with Cliff to dive into the deep mysteries of Superwash Wool and the ways it is made.

Interview Notes:

Review…..
  • The structure of wool and wool scales up close
  • Why and how wool felts/shrinks (DFE)
  • Wool before and after the chlorine/Hercosett process
  • Wool before and after the Chlorination portion
  • Chargeurs, where Cliff work
NEW Notes….

I want to thank Cliff Cox and Chargeurs for talking to me in such candid detail about how they run their plant.

You can follow me in all my making at Miriam Felton Knit Designs on Facebook, and on Twitter or Instagram. Thank you so much to the patrons who keep this podcast paid for.  You can join the Patreon at patreon.com/miriamfelton

If you can’t support the podcast with real moneys, you can rate and review it in iTunes, Stitcher, Google Play, Facebook, or wherever, or share the podcast with your fiber-loving friends.

If this podcast helped you understand something new, or gave you a deeper insight, I would really appreciate it if you could support me with rating, reviewing, or even buy me a coffee. You can do the coffee thing at ko-fi.com/miriamfelton.

You can follow the podcast on social media via Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.

This podcast was produced in Salt Lake City UT, with production help from Sid Fallon. Music is by the ever illusive Breakmaster Cylinder.

I’ll see you again in 2 weeks when we have a chat with designer, author, and publisher, Hunter Hammersen.

 

Episode 211 | Superwash Wool Part 1 w/ Cliff Cox

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS

Cliff Cox is the Plant Manager at Chargeurs, a multi-national company with a plant in South Carolina that produces superwash and non-superwash wool sliver (combed and carded top). In this two-part series we will use the conversation with Cliff to dive into the deep mysteries of Superwash Wool and the ways it is made.

Interview Notes:

I want to thank Cliff Cox and Chargeurs for talking to me in such candid detail about how they run their plant. And to Anastasia Williams, our guest in episode 209, for the conversation that sparked the urgent need to get this episode out there.

You can follow me in all my making at Miriam Felton Knit Designs on Facebook, and on Twitter or Instagram. Thank you so much to the patrons who keep this podcast paid for.  You can join the Patreon at patreon.com/miriamfelton

If you can’t support the podcast with real moneys, you can rate and review it in iTunes, Stitcher, Google Play, Facebook, or wherever, or share the podcast with your fiber-loving friends.

If this podcast helped you understand something new, or gave you a deeper insight, I would really appreciate it if you could support me with rating, reviewing, or even buy me a coffee. You can do the coffee thing at ko-fi.com/miriamfelton.

You can follow the podcast on social media via Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.

This podcast was produced in Salt Lake City UT, with production help from Sid Fallon. Music is by the ever illusive Breakmaster Cylinder.

Join me next week for Part 2…..

 

Episode 115 | Elemental Affects

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Attn: I’ve launched a Patreon, if you enjoy this podcast, please take a look. I’d love if you would join the fun and get all the extra stuff!

In this, the second to last episode of the season, I talk to Jeane deCoster of Elemental Affects about her start with Shetland Wool and branching out into other breed-specific yarns. Then we talk to Deb Robson about Shetland Wool.

Show Notes:

Technical stuff:

Something from this episode that really struck home with me is that we all knit for different reasons. I knit as a job, and because it gives me something productive to do with my hands, but I also knit because it makes me feel magical. Like I’m turning something simple into something extraordinary. It feeds the creative part of my brain while soothing the bit of OCD that I have to be doing SOMETHING. And I’m wondering about you? What does knitting mean to you? What do you get from your knitting? I’d love to get your emails, or if you want to just talk to me, you can use your smartphone to record an audio clip and send it to me that way. Most smartphones have an app to record audio, but if you don’t have one, there are plenty for free. I use one called Voice Recorder from quality apps on my Android phone. It records mp3s, which you can then send anywhere you want as attachments. I’d really love to hear from you!

miriam AT yarnstoriespodcast DOT com

If you’re enjoying this podcast please consider sharing it with a friend, posting about it on social media, or leaving a rating or review in iTunes, Stitcher, Google Play, Facebook, or wherever.. You can also join the Friends of YarnStories Ravelry group if that’s more your thing. And thank you so much for listening!

You can follow the podcast on social media via Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.

And again, the address for the Patreon if you want to get some cool rewards and all that bonus content is patreon.com/miriamfelton

This podcast was produced in Salt Lake City UT, with production help from Sid Fallon. Music is by the ever illusive Breakmaster Cylinder.

I’ll be back in 2 weeks with the final episode of this season, talking with Kristin Ford of Woolfolk.


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Episode 114 | WooSheeps

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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:

Technical stuff:

If you’re enjoying this podcast please consider sharing it with a friend, posting about it on social media, or leaving a rating or review in iTunes, Stitcher, Google Play, Facebook, or wherever.. You can also join the Friends of YarnStories Ravelry group if that’s more your thing. And thank you so much for listening!

You can follow the podcast on social media via Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.

This podcast was produced in Salt Lake City UT, with production help from Sid Fallon. Music is by the ever illusive Breakmaster Cylinder.

I’ll talk to you again in 2 weeks when I talk to Jeane DeCoster of Elemental Affects Shetland.


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Episode 112 | Neighborhood Fiber Co

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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:

Technical stuff:

If you’re new to the podcast, welcome! I hope you enjoy listening and that you’ll subscribe if you do. If you’re a regular listener, please consider sharing the podcast with a friend, or leaving a review in any of the many places where podcasts can be found. You can review it in iTunes, Stitcher, Google Play, Facebook, or wherever. Reviews really help to bring the podcast up in the search rankings. You can also join the Friends of YarnStories Podcast group on Ravelry.

This podcast was produced in Salt Lake City UT, with production help from Sid Fallon. Music is by the ever illusive Breakmaster Cylinder.

I’ll see you again in 2 weeks for an interview with Jonathan Berner of MJ Yarns.

 

 

Episode 111 | Swans Island Yarn

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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:

Technical stuff:

If you’re new to the podcast, welcome! I hope you enjoy listening and that you’ll subscribe if you do. If you’re a regular listener, please consider sharing the podcast with a friend, or leaving a review in any of the many places where podcasts can be found. You can review it in iTunes, Stitcher, Google Play, Facebook, or wherever. Reviews really help to bring the podcast up in the search rankings.

After last episode’s request for feedback I got some really good emails. So there will be more conversation about plant-based fibers in Season 2, thanks to feedback from Charlie in Aspen. These feedback emails have also resulted in the creation of a Ravelry group called Friends of YarnStories Podcast.

This podcast was produced in Salt Lake City UT, with production help from Sid Fallon. Music is by the ever illusive Breakmaster Cylinder.

I’ll be back in your feed in 2 weeks with Karida Collins, owner of The Neighborhood Fiber Company.

Enter here to win the Phoebe Hat & Mitts Kit!

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Episode 109 | Knitted Wit

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In this episode I’ll talk to Lorajean Kelley, Color-Queen of Knitted Wit. We talk activism, balancing local with internet-based life, and silly colorway names. Then I’ll talk to Amy King about the Targhee Sheep Breed and the fleece that comes from it.

Show Notes:

Technical stuff:

Thanks for joining me for this episode and for all the ones before. If you’re just coming to the podcast and this is your first time, please do check out the back catalog. I have had a wonderful time talking to all these makers and getting their different perspectives on this yarn industry we’re all a part of.

If you’re a regular listener, please consider sharing the podcast with a friend, or leaving a review in any of the MANY places where podcasts can be found. You can review it in iTunes, Stitcher, Google Play, Facebook… seriously just everywhere.

And don’t forget about LYS day on April 21, 2018. Check out the show notes for episode 108 for more info on that one.

This podcast was produced in Salt Lake City UT, with production help from Sid Fallon. Music is by the ever illusive Breakmaster Cylinder.

I’ll be back here in 2 weeks to talk with Bristol Ivy about her new book, Knitting Outside the Box.

Enter here to win a skein of Victory Sock in February 23rd!

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Episode 108 | Anzula Luxury Fibers

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This episode introduces Sabrina Famellos, owner of Anzula Luxury Fibers. We talk about knitting vs crochet, everyday sexism, and being both an introvert and a business owner at the same time. Then we talk to Amy King about metallic fibers and specifically Stellina, the shiny component of Anzula’s newest yarn, Lucero. 

TRIGGER WARNING: We get into sexism and just tangentially touch on sexual assault, but in case these topics are an issue for you, skip 30:10 through 34:47.

Show Notes:

Technical stuff:

Thanks for joining me for this episode. I just returned from TNNA last week and got to see a bunch of the people that I have talked to for past episodes, including Heidi from Lux Adorna, Amanda from Lorna’s Lace and Mrs Crosby, as well as Sabrina, who you heard from today. I love the creative chat that happens at shows like this, and I really rely on the injection of creativity that this kind of brain trust can bring to my life. I’ve got some ideas for this podcast that I’ll be talking about once I get them a little more solidified, including a sampler box of all the yarns featured in the first season.

I also learned about LYS day! On April 21, 2018 we will celebrate the wonderful shops that let us touch and smell the yarns we buy, who give us classes and expertise, and that bring color and inspiration into our communities. Check with your Local Yarn Store (aka an LYS) to see if they’re planning anything special. And if not, help them out! Bring some cookies to share and buy some yarn. Our fiber world wouldn’t be the same without these wonderful brick and mortar stores. So let’s share some love with them. Mark your calendars for April 21, 2018.

This podcast was produced in Salt Lake City UT, with production help from Sid Fallon. Music is by the ever illusive Breakmaster Cylinder.

Join me again in 2 weeks to hear from Lorajean Kelley of Knitted Wit.

Enter here to win 2 skeins of Lucero!

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Episode 107 | Indigodragonfly

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This episode introduces Kim McBrien Evans, Minionster, Snarkitect, and Evil Master Genius of Indigodragonfly Designs. Kim’s color sense is surpassed only by her wit and sense of humor.  We also talk to Beth Smith about how to spin a yarn that mitigates the challenges of superwash wool.

Show Notes:

Technical stuff:

There are so many ways to support this podcast that comes to you for free. The simplest way is for you to share it with someone else that you think would enjoy it. If you are feeling slightly more giving, you can leave a review or a rating on any of the many platforms (iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher) that YarnStories is now listed on, or donate a bit via the PayPal button at the bottom of every page. My heartfelt thanks in advance for anything you can do.

This podcast was produced in Salt Lake City UT, with production help from Sid Fallon. Music is by the ever illusive Breakmaster Cylinder.

I’ll see you in two weeks when I interview Sabrina Famellos of Anzula.

Enter here to win a skein of CaribouBaa!

Contest by Rewards Fuel.

 

 

Episode 106 | Spirit Trail Fiberworks

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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:

Technical stuff:

I hope you all had a great holiday season and a wonderful new year. I’ve got my goals and intentions set for 2018, and this podcast is prominently featured in that list. I’ve really been enjoying the work and would love it if it would help support me in the coming year. The podcast requires a lot of time and equipment, as well as hosting fees, and the like. My experts have been generous with their time and knowledge as favors to me, but I would like in this new year to be able to pay them for that time and knowledge.

There are so many ways to support this podcast that comes to you for free. The simplest way is for you to share it with someone else that you think would enjoy it. If you are feeling slightly more giving, you can leave a review or a rating on any of the many platforms (iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher) that YarnStories is now listed on, or donate a bit via the PayPal button at the bottom of every page. My heartfelt thanks in advance for anything you can do.

This podcast was produced in Salt Lake City UT, with production help from Sid Fallon. Music is by the ever illusive Breakmaster Cylinder.

I’ll be back in two weeks with Kim McBrian Evans of Indigodragonfly.

Enter here to win a skein of Brigantia!

Contest by Rewards Fuel.