The Sheepspot Podcast

Episode 147: Common Plying Problems and How to Solve Them

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 yarn into a two-ply. Finally, for those creating three-ply yarns, she discusses chain plying as a way to use leftover singles. These three techniques will help you make the most of your singles and eliminate waste when plying.

Mentioned in this episode:

The Sheepspot Podcast

• Episode 11: Plying for consistency

• Episode 12: Be Kind, Rewind

• Episode 104: How Much Ply Twist? The Plyback of the Ply and the Question of Balance

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

Spin School - the online course for new and self-taught spinners

 

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. 

 

 

Episode146: Why I Never End Up with Leftover Singles When I Ply

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 yarn into a two-ply. Finally, for those creating three-ply yarns, she discusses chain plying as a way to use leftover singles. These three techniques will help you make the most of your singles and eliminate waste when plying.

Mentioned in this episode:
Available in The Flock

• Spinning Record Cards

• Bonus Lesson: How to Make a Plying Bracelet

The Sheepspot Podcast - Episode 12: Be Kind, Rewind

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. 

Episode 145: Are Cabled Yarns Worth the Work?

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 online community for inquisitive spinners.

Here's the link to the Podcast search page and playlists. 

Episode 144: Common Yarn Structures: The Whys and Wherefores

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 into how these choices impact knitting projects, highlighting the importance of selecting the right yarn structure for lace, cables, and other patterns.

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. 

Episode 143: Creativity Lessons from Denise Love

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.

Here's the link to the Podcast search page and playlists. 

Episode 142: My Missing Mojo

In this episode, Sasha searches for her missing mojo and talks about the steps she's taking to get it back.

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. 

Episode 141: How to Keep Track of Your Spindles

In this episode, Sasha shares her system for keeping track of her ever-growing spindle collection.

Mentioned in this episode:

• Podcast Freebie: Click here to download

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. 

Episode 140: My Favorite Drop Spindle for Beginners

In this episode, Sasha shares her favorite spindle for beginners.

Mentioned in this episode:

• Greensleeves Spindles: Bare Bones Spindles

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. 

Episode 139: Great Spindle Spinning Resources

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 Podcast search page and playlists. 

 

Episode 138 | SpinDoctor Flashback: Sasha and Jillian at Madrona 2012

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 Podcast search page and playlists. 

Since these episodes are encores, you may occasionally hear Sasha mention links that are no longer available.