The Sheepspot Podcast

Episode 107: Spinning Communities as Learning Communities

In this episode, Sasha talks about a particular kind of learning community: the community of inquiry. She describes the essential components of communities of inquiry, using The Guild by Sheepspot as an example of such a community. And she proposes some specific questions you should ask when you're considering joining an online spinning community.

You can find the transcript 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 106: What I learned about plying from my e-spinners

In this episode, Sasha talks about how plying on an e-spinner challenged her thinking about twist and plying.

You can find the transcript 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 105: How to be sure your yarn has even ply twist throughout the skein

In this episode, Sasha talks about how to ensure that your yarn has even ply twist throughout the skein when working with a treadle wheel. E-spinning aficionado? We'll talk about ply twist and your e-spinner next week. 

You can find the transcript for this episode HERE.

You can comment on and discuss this episode here in The Flock, Sheepspot’s free online community for inquisitive spinners.

If you're interested in Sheepspot's Spinning for the Soul Retreat, you can find all the details here. And if you'd like to join the "Inspired to Spin Challenge," you can do that right here.

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

In this episode, Sasha talks about how to figure out how much ply twist to use in your yarn and whether spinners should obsess over whether or not their yarns are balanced.

You can find the transcript for this episode HERE.

You can comment on and discuss this episode here in The Flock, Sheepspot’s free online community for inquisitive spinners.

Episode 103: To rest or not to rest (your singles)

In this episode, Sasha talks about why and when to let your singles rest before you ply them. 

Mentioned in this episode: 

• Sheepspot Podcast Episode 12: Be Kind, Rewind

• Jillian Moreno, "Why Plying with a Center Pull Ball Doesn't Work For Me"

You can find the transcript for this episode HERE.

You can comment on and discuss this episode here in The Flock, Sheepspot’s free online community for inquisitive spinners.

Episode 102: Spinning and Mental Health

In this episode, Sasha talks about what science has to say about the mental health benefits of activities like knitting and spinning.

Mentioned in this episode: 

• The Journal of Positive Psychology: Everyday Creative Activity as a Path to Flourishing

• Kelly Lambert:  Lifting Depression

• Betsan Corkhill:  Knit for Health and Wellness: How to Knit a Flexible Mind and More

• Lisa Mitchell’s Article: Spin Off Summer 2023

You can find the transcript for this episode HERE.

You can comment on and discuss this episode here in The Flock, Sheepspot’s free online community for inquisitive spinners.

Episode 101: Combination Drafting vs. Combination Spinning

Confused about the difference between "combination drafting" and "combination spinning"? You're not alone! In this episode, Sasha defines and explains each technique, and talks about how she's using both techniques for a current project.

Episode 100: The Woolen Drafts

In this episode, Sasha talks about the long and short of woolen drafts.

Episode 99: Drafting with Your Feet?

 In this episode, Sasha talks about the crucial role your feet play in creating consistent yarns.

Episode 98: How I learned to stop worrying and love predrafting

In this episode, Sasha talks about predrafting: what it is, how to do it, why you might (or might not) want to do it, and her own evolving relationship with this controversial practice