The Value of Wool (Knitting, Spinning & Romney Sheep)
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 8 ก.ย. 2024
- In this episode I give an update on my Jacob sweater spin, discuss my latest cast-on and discuss the history and characteristics of the Romney breed of sheep. A wee bit of wheel and spindle spinning in there for good measure. I hope you enjoy!
I would love to hear from you.
Please leave me a comment here or connect with me on
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E-mail: soulfulspinning@gmail.com
Ravelry Group:
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information about Romney sheep:
afs.okstate.edu...
americanromney....
Information of the Romney Marsh and Sheep:
theromneymarsh...
Patterns:
Autumn League Pullover:
www.ravelry.co...
Debut Shawl:
www.ravelry.co...
Music:
‘Something Beautiful’ by Josh Kramer, licensed under Creator Ambassador
Subscription. License number available upon request.
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Three years later - such an enjoyable video and time with you. Your lovely videos are timeless and classic, just like you. Thank you for taking the time to share and chat. I am truly grateful to be hang out with you. ❤
Thanks for talking about wonderful Romney wool. We have been keeping Romneys since 2009 and I use it for felting and enjoy washing picking and carding it from the raw fleece. It is great for DIY-ers. The info about smuggling was new for me. It makes sense. Wool is amazing. One point I would like to offer is that Romney sheep are very low maintenance and easy to keep. They always make us look good. Such docile creatures too. Truly a gift in many ways❤️
Hi there Anne. It would be a breed in my dream flock for sure!
I am processing my first Romney fleece and am in love with this breed. The fiber is long, strong and so lustrous! Even soft, which I was surprised by! Thanks for a beautiful video and in-depth look into the Romney breed. Enjoyed the story about the Owlers!
My favorite episode by far ... Just soooo lovely, every second was just so lovely!!!!! ... It's as if your "hands dance" in perfect elegant rhythm with each soft move ... Just so lovely!!!
it is lovely to see and hear someone enthusing about spinning and wool.
Much of my early working life a was spent overlooking Romney marsh. I bought my first house in Tenterden which includes much of the marsh in its Hundred ( district). My wife's family had lived in the town since the thirteenth century.
The marsh is also where my Late wife and I learned to spin and weave. Our teacher ( like yourself, a school teacher, had an ancient cottage down on the marsh that was overflowing with her Looms and wheels. she was not much older than we were. but had an encyclopaedic knowledge of all things wool. she ran the course for the local education authority.
Of course we were introduced to the drop spindle and romney wool during our very first lesson. un like your Spindles. the traditional British spindle has no hook, and is used with the long spindle uppermost. To use it you take the yarn under the disk and up the other side to the top of the spindle Where you latch it on with a finger hitch, half hitch. the long spindle is spun with the fingers to start the spin.
Later when we went to shows to demonstrate with the "Lath of Scray spinners and websters" ( a group of our close friends) My wife usually took her large Scandinavian style wheel that I had built for her, from lovely golden Kentish Elm. While I would Use a Drop spindle so that I could talk, and draw in the children and let them have a go.
We were also members of the Kent guild of spinners weavers and dyers, whose president at the time, was an ancient mine of information and skills, called Vic Edwards. He once repeated what you heard, at a meeting. "that it can a good Idea to cut Romney locks in halves". especially for a woollen yarn. Most members were outraged as hardly any of them did long draw, so the long staple was no disadvantage. Another thing that got them going was the then belief that you should always draft the staple from the Tip to the butt. There was little truth in this as the cut ends would tend to come out of the yarn. and the softer tip would be buried in it if you drafted tip first. In blind tests it made no difference.
If you want to try something truly different, You must try a Cotswold fleece. they are long and extremely lustrous, almost silky, with a wide wavy crimp and a staple up to 8 inches long with a count in the 44-48 range.
I used to card it in the normal way, and then pre draft each rolag into a long roving and spin from that. the difficulty was having your hands far enough apart so as not to be holding both ends of the same fibres when drafting.
Strangely my last position before retirement was at "Bradford College" Of Bradford count fame. However the old weaving and spinning sheds were in the process of closing and most of the classes were long in the past, so I only got to see a shadow of their former glory.
Though I did manage to speak to one of the old technicians who had worked in their summer school for hand spinners and weavers.
Your insights into this humble craft really moved me. When you said “there is history in this lock of wool....” and how very true. That something so simple, created by animals, sunlight and nourishment have shaped the course of humanity in so many ways. We are fortunate to be the ones to be the vanguards of this ancient craft, and to appreciate it as we do. Thank you.
Your comment was so beautifully worded! Thank you 💕.
Fascinating history on the wool and the smuggling! I get to talk about wool and promote it a little bit as I go to the farmers market with my potter husband and help out. It's an underappreciated renewable resource that needs to be more popular! People come over and talk about spinning with me and tell me stories of their family and their memories. It's the best! Thanks for your work bringing all this look-see into your world and sharing.
Thank you so much Valerie!
I just got my first Romney fleece, thank you for this video. Blessings.
Lovely episode Lisa! I have worked with a Romney fleece that I bought at a fiber show in 2004, beautiful gray fleece with brown tips. I washed it and worked with a bit of it. The rest sat in a plastic garbage bag for about a decade. It was surprisingly everybit as useable as it had originally been. It's now a knitted blanket for my older son. Thanks for sharing about the history of Romney. It is hard to imagine today getting the death penalty for smuggling wool! I have enjoyed your show. I'm glad I stumbled upon it. I look forward to it every week.
Thank you so much Jessica. I am so glad you enjoy my channel 🤗.
Oh I'm so glad your video popped up in my feed. I just did Tour de Fleece to learn how to spin and it's opened up a whole new world of pleasure for me. I'm really looking forward to seeing more of your videos and absolutely love your accent!
I totally enjoy your podcasts! I learn so much! Thank you
You are so welcome! Thanks for watching 😊
Love spinning Jacob.
Love your videos, I have 3 Romney cross sheep yearlings waiting for the shearer. Can't wait to get started on their fleeces. Thank you
I am processing my own Romney sheep fleece....2 girls that l bought last year. I combed a little and drop spindles all this my first time. I'm really enjoying the experience. Thank you for all your invaluable information and advice
As I watched this spinning away on my new project. I am thinking 🤔 I need to get some Romney at the fiber fest next month. I came to the tag 🏷 and it was Romney blend. I had it in my stash for some time. Anyway I enjoyed spinning Romney with you. I’ll have to get jacubs
Your Jacob spin is coming along beautifully. Your jumper is going to be stunning. I think I need to stop watching your episodes as they just make me want to run out and buy more fleece to try......only kidding I'm off to watch your next intstallment right now :d Hope you are able to have a wonderful relaxing spinning filled weekend
I heard you say in your last pod you have 4 fleeces now. They totally can multiply. 😄. I can’t wait to hear about your Shetland fleeces.
I get so tempted to buy even more fleece when I see all the spectacular locks and your spindle sample spinning! Thank you for the compliments and sending people over to my spot on Instagram 🙏🏻 that was very kind 🥰 I didn’t know too much about Romney until I bought a fleece last year at the Blacksheep festival in Oregon. I went first thing in the morning when they setup a few fleeces and I just walked by every bag, putting my hand in the fiber to see if it made my hands happy. If it did, I’d look at the label. I stopped at a 4 pound Romney (lamb) fleece that was buttery soft and irresistible to my fingers. Every stage of the process I was in love with the fiber. The variation in color, the metallic luster / sheen when the batts started growing on the carder, and just how easy it was (and quick) to spin. I feel gratitude that I found such an amazing fleece. Also, I feel a sense of connection with the animal whenever I pick the skeins up. I know it sounds weird, but it’s the first hand spun that feels ‘alive’ to me. Thank you for another amazing show Lisa 🙏🏻💜💜💜🙏🏻
I love how you wax poetic about fiber, Kent. I really understand what you are saying about the joy you feel from that spin! 🥰
Soulful Spinning thank you! It makes me feel sane knowing you understand 😅
I love your videos and how well put together they are. Your editing and research skills are under appreciated because your lovely personality and amazing skills outshine them. I’m waiting on my very first spindle to arrive this week, I’m excited to start!
I hope you receive your spindle soon. Be gentle with yourself as you are learning. Happy spinning ❣️
Breathtaking! Thank you, Lisa, for the lovely diversion I enjoyed this Sunday morning. I too have a collection of Romney fleeces and am mesmerized by the wool. I would love to have a spinning session with you!
I would love to sit and spin with you too Holly!
I have used that pattern many times. I do a lot of beading and I usually end with some kind of lace. I did several last winter combining lace with mohair and they turned out great. I have also done it in linen too. Anything goes, I just knit until all the yarn is used up then bead the cast off edge. A little bling never hurts in my world. The tassels will look great.
Thank you Ruth for your suggestion. I must go through my bead collection. I hope I have ones that are large enough. As always I truly appreciate you watching .
I have a Romney ewe coming at the end of June...she joins others (Wensleydale, Corriedale, Cormo) to make a Spinners’ Flock. I can’t wait to feel all the fleeces! ...and then to spin & knit! You are quite an inspiration, I’m sure I’ll be watching many episodes more than once!
I dream of having my own spinner’s flock. What a wonderful combination of breeds you have! Thank you for watching, Pat 💕.
Hi , Lisa , I'm loving your podcasts so much. I have the "Fleece to Fibre" Book it is a lovely book., I haven't read it for a while though, you're making me feel like I should be digging it out, lol.
The music at the beginning is so calming. I love your Wheel , its first time I've seen one in action.
Love the colours that you've picked for your sweater..
Love the fleece you're holding it looks scrumptious .
I'm actually stuck for words.
Keep spinning, keep smiling, keep safe and well.
Love to you and Peaches.
Jen xxxx
Lovely to see you again my friend! You are so generous to share all of this with us. It is fascinating. Your love of the wool and process is inspirational. I have spun 8 skeins of grey Romney and have half a fleece to go. I would like to make my son a vest from some of it. I love your idea of spinning on your steps. I must try that!
It is so good to hear from you Lori. I think a vest would be perfect with this wool. Lucky man, your son 💜.
You are so inspirational Lisa, I love that you spin so much for us on your cast and show all your experiments and samples. I am spinning some Perendale right now and as you know they are a cross between a Romney and Cheviot. Having been inspired by watching you I am now going to try to emulate your long draw and see if I can become as proficient as you are.
Thank you again for a lovely cast. Jenny(NZ)
Oh, I will try Perendale someday, too! Thank you always for your encouragement and support 💜.
Hi Lisa, I’m starting to watch all of your podcasts . I just love how they make me feel so relaxed. The music you’ve chosen is just perfect to go along with your spinning. I just got some Jacob and exited to try to spin it long draw. I’ve not tried Romney but will soon. I am on the hunt for Finn now. Just love experimenting with the different breeds! Really am enjoying your podcasts!
Linda
An enjoyable watch yet again. I have spun Romney too and it also takes dyes very well being semi lustre wool. Best wishes and happy spinning.
I want to get to my dye pots this summer. It’ll be fun to experiment with my Romney looks and yarn. Thanks for watching!
Catching up on you vlogs as I spin for the TdF 😊 I must say your good company ❤️ Romney is my all time favorite fleece to spin. I’ve knit a couple of sweaters for my oldest son from Romney, beautiful and super warm. I’m currently spinning Falkland, it makes a lot of sense that it might just be Romney. It sure spins like Romney.
I’m glad to keep you company. I do love Romney to spin for sure. Happy spinning 💕.
I enjoyed your podcasts and the history of wool is fascinating!
Thank you Mary! So much more to discover and learn. Take care and have a good week 💕.
Thank you Lisa, what a beautiful show! I’m going to knit the Autumn Sweater with my hand spun yarn too!! I’ve been looking for a pattern just like this, it’s perfect. Love your show. Laurie
It’s a lovely pattern and so nice of the designer to make it available for free. Thank you!
I need to try Romney again, we have quite a few here in the PNW from what I’ve been told. The only time I had Romney it was a chunk of a poorly sheared fleece and it wasn’t pleasant in the hand. I need to give it another shot.
Thank you for the i formation on Romney; I really enjoy your videos!!💟 very relaxing!
Thank you for watching Barbara 🥰.
Thank you for another enjoyable and informative video... I loved seeing your fleeces and skeins - so inspiring. I was watching just after I had plied and washed my first ever woolen spin...I must admit I was despondent as I had hoped to have a yarn that I could potentially use but alas I don’t think it will be good enough - again!! I have done worsted spins before but always get rope - and rather inconsistent rope at that!! I need to just keep practicing! I am aiming for something as squishy and divine as your beautiful skeins. I dream of spinning something I am happy with😊!!
You might be pleasantly surprised when you knit with your yarn. Enjoy your spinning and thank you so much for watching 💙
Loved hearing about the history of wool. Imagine the death penalty! Your spinning is fantastic. Can’t wait for your next video. Hi Peaches 🐾🐾
Thank you so much Pat! Peaches is sending you love and snuggles today 💕.
The Lord Speaker in the House of Lords sits on what was a wool sack as a reminder of the source of England's wealth. So sad that it's not valued as it should be. Great episode as usual and very inspiring
It IS sad. The Campaign for Wool hopefully is helped a little and we who love all things wooly will keep it alive. The sustainable movement for clothing is having an impact too 🤞🏻 . Thank you so much for your encouragement 💙.
Nice seeing you again. Look forward seeing your shawl when it's finished. Pretty colors with different pattern stitches. So facinating the wool process from the beginning to the end of a beautiful knitted garment. Beautiful skeins you have spun.♥️
Thank you! 😊
My fleeces Merino and Suffolk, go straight from the wool shed into my Resource bag and away I go
Fabulous! I just bought my first Romney fleece to process myself. I am separating the locks to wash them individually. Any remaining wool I am washing in a bulk method. You seem to only do the bulk/batch method? Are you combing the fleece not in locks?
Your spinning technique is similar to mine in that you "polish" the thread by running your fingers along the length before allowing it to wind onto the bobbin. Do you ever spin Shetland? I have been looking around the inter webs for some information about spinning technique for Shetland but haven't seen any really good guidance. Thank you for the podcast.
Hello there and thank you for your comment. I am working on a Shetland exploration. Depending in the fleece it is amenable to both worsted and woolen spinning. I have spun it from hand carded rolags, drum carded batts and hand combed nests. But I have thus far worked on exclusively single coated Shetlands. The more ‘primitive’ are double coated and may require some special care similar to Icelandic.
Hi Lisa,have you attempted spinning Suffolk wool
Are all your fleeces been washed etc
Cheers 🍻, Martin
I usually wash my fleece. Do you spin “in the grease”?
@@SoulfulSpinning yep,it's a real neck to get the tension correct just right,my spinning wheel is a Tara,upright,hey its a beautiful day here in Victoria, Teesdale, Australia, have mentinioned you to my spinners group,take care,cheers
Hello! I bought some Romney - my first fleece. It is fair to say it doesn't need to be plyed?
Lisa. Your washed locks are so beautiful. I would live to watch your method of washing a fleece. Have you highlighted washing in a program?
From Western Massachusetts, Susan
I have interspersed it here and there. I am not an expert but I think making a video just on washing fleece would be fun. Cary @mywoolmitten did a wonderful video on washing fleece as well as many others here on TH-cam. Thank you for taking the time to watch and comment!
@@SoulfulSpinning yes, I have watched Cary. In fact Cary was on of my first mentors.
Your locks are always intact after washing and yet it does not appear that you wash each one "individually" as they all seem to be still attached as a fleece.
After an absolute disaster trying my first spin on commercial comed top I was introduced to carded Romney. Thank god or I'm sure I would have thrown in the towel.
I'm enjoying the hours I'm spending with you as I sit out both the pandemic and the marching.
What spindle were you spending on at the end of this?
Have you ever used Veles Blacknose wool❓
💜💙💚💛🧡❤
No. But they sure are cute. Do you mean these? www.valaisblacknosesheepsociety.org/breed-standard/
@@SoulfulSpinning yes‼😍
You know that there is a Hobbit Shepard's around there somewhere‼
💜💙💚💛🧡❤
I really loved last weeks vlog but you didn't talk about your e spinner.
guffdragon You are right! This next weekend for sure. Anything about it in particular are you wanting to know about it. I will give an overview and review. Thank you.
@@SoulfulSpinning No I'm just curious. I have a nano e spinner which I love but want to upgrade at some point. Thinking about getting a dreaming robots 6.0 when that comes out.