YarnStories – Page 4 – A podcast telling the tales behind our favorite fibers

Episode 103 | Lux Adorna Knits

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In this episode we talk with Heidi Hennessey, owner and proprietress of Lux Adorna Knits in Boise, ID. Lux Adorna makes 100% cashmere yarn in 4 different weights and a multitude of colors. Then we’ll shift to expert talk with Amy King of Spunky Ecelctic about cashmere fiber and cable plying.

Show Notes:

Lux Adorna’s Website: http://luxadornaknits.com/

Lux Adorna Knits’ Ravelry Page: https://www.ravelry.com/yarns/brands/lux-adorna-knits
How to recycle a sweater for yarn.
Ashford spinning wheels (I have a Traveller)
Fun Size Bundles from Lux Adorna
Cloudlift Shawl, the piece I designed in Lux Adorna Sportweight.
One Direction, for those not in the know….
The Bee Gees
Party skeins!!
Meghan Jones of Little NutMeg Productions and her gradient laceweight wrap in Lux Adorna
The laceweight gradient braids for the Armeria Wrap.
Chevron Lila Cowl.
Age of Empires! Heidi’s Superpower and a flashback to my teenagerhood.

Technical stuff:

- A bit about the History of Cashmere.
- If you want to hear more from Amy, you should check out her book on spinning for the yarn you want – Spin Control (affiliate link).
- Sheep vs Goats
- Pygora goats
- Cable Plying
- Z & S Twist

Here’s the link for the crochet star garland tutorial I mentioned in the outro.

If you’ve enjoyed this podcast, please share it via social media, or leave a 5-star rating in iTunes. It really helps the podcast to grow and find more audience. I’m looking for sponsors as well, so if you have any suggestions or if you would like to sponsor the podcast, I’d appreciate an email about that (miriam@yarnstoriespodcast.com).

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

Next episode in 2 weeks!

Enter here to win a skein of the coveted Cashmere Party Yarn!

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Episode 102 | Nua Yarn

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In this episode we talk with Carol Feller, knitwear designer, teacher, and co-creator of Nua Yarn. Carol lives in Cork, Ireland. Then expert talk with Amy King of Spunky Ecelctic about the Merino, Yak, and Linen blend that comprises Nua.

Show Notes:

Carol’s Website: http://stolenstitches.com/

Nua’s Ravelry Page: https://www.ravelry.com/yarns/library/stolen-stitches-nua
Fyberspates: http://fyberspates.com/
Chester Wool: http://www.chesterwool.com/
Belfast’s Linen History
The first Nua Collection, with colorwork, texture, and lace
The Black and White Color test for colorwork helps you see if there is enough value contrast in yarns to work them together as colorwork. You can use your smartphone in the yarnshop to help you with it.
Pistachio Saffron – FREE Pattern in Nua from Knitty.com

Props to Erica, my resident namer.
You can sign up for updates on the Nua releases (kits, new colors, and the second collection) with Carol’s newsletter here.
My fav silk/linen blend: Anzula Breeze, which I have used for tops and shawls.
We mention Louet’s MerLin, which is sadly discontinued.

Technical stuff:

Sport Weight yarn is right between DK and fingering weight. To learn more about yarn weights, check out Miriam’s Yarn Weight Chart.
copyright Miriam Felton, From Twist & Knit
If you want to hear more from Amy, you should check out her book on spinning for the yarn you want – Spin Control (affiliate link).
A bit about yak fiber production
More about the superwash process
PSA: WASH AND BLOCK YOUR SWATCHES!

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

Next episode in 2 weeks!

Enter here for a digital copy of the Nua Collection, Vol. 1!

Contest by Rewards Fuel.

Episode 101 | Spincycle Yarns

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In this episode we talk with Rachel Price and Kate Burge, the Spinsters behind Spincycle Yarns in Bellingham, WA. Then expert talk with Deb Robson about Corriedale, Rambouillet, and Columbia wools.

Show Notes:

Spincycle Yarns Website: https://spincycleyarns.com/

Their signature yarn line – Dyed In the Wool: https://spincycleyarns.com/collections/dyed-in-the-wool-sport-weight
I mention the Local Food movement and Eat Local.
Rachel mentions Mulesing, which is a questionable practice in the wool industry as it does harm the sheep.
Tolt Yarn & Wool in Carnation, WA is focused on breed specific and wooly yarns and working for sustainable supply chains.
Andrea Rangel is designing patterns for wooly yarns and active people.
Corriedale Sheep

Rambouillet Sheep

Columbia Sheep

Check out Spincycle’s Merch that really shows their great branding!
Julia Farwell-Clay’s Tambourine Cardigan

Technical stuff:

A bit about Micron Count: http://www.wildfibres.co.uk/html/fibre_size.html
Rams are the male sheep, Ewes are the female sheep. It matters which breed is in what position when you’re breeding.
In the breed discussion we also mention Lincoln Rams and Merino Ewes.

This is a Lincoln Ewe, not a Ram, but check out those locks!

For a lot more breed info and fleece knowledge, check out Deb’s book Fleece & Fiber Sourcebook (affiliate link).
Combing vs. Carding
Woolen vs. Worsted

I’d love to get your feedback on this first episode, so if you’d like to leave a comment or shoot me an email that would be great. That email is miriam@yarnstoriespodcast.com, and you can find that in the show notes as well.

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

Next episode in 2 weeks!

Enter here for 2 skeins of Spincycle’s new yarn Versus!

Contest by Rewards Fuel.

Episode 100 | Introduction

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Join Miriam and Sid (her spouse) as he interviews her about YarnStories. What’s behind the podcast, and what’s to come.

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or send feedback to miriam AT yarnstoriespodcast DOT com

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Music by Breakmaster Cylinder

Watch This Space

Hi, I’m Miriam. I design, blog, and instruct over at miriamfelton.com.

2014-07-12 11.40.16

I love podcasts. I spend most of my day listening to podcasts while I work. From RadioLab, Stuff you Missed in History Class, Welcome to Night Vale, and many many others. I love the medium. I love the glimpse of other people’s lives. I want to contribute to it.

I was thinking about this a lot this last week or two and then yesterday at 2 am I woke up with an idea. An idea that I could turn into a podcast. So here we go. This is a crazy endeavor considering I know nothing about microphones or digital audio recording, or iTunes uploads. So while I’m figuring this out, go listen to some other podcasts, then come back and see me.