Thank you for another lovely podcast. The chipmunks just made my day running around in the background, stepping on your toes and ”speaking” into the mic. So nice to hear the positive story about the Mandrake yarn and I am happy that you got to support her work. Your Nightshift shawl is so gorgeous, the natural colours are surprisingly lively in that pattern. Thank you for showing the Bolan pattern. I am not really a summer garment knitter, but I have a bit of Tynn Line that needs a project. The Rideau Arcott sounds like an interesting breed, the wool looks lovely. I am learning to spin lambs wool at the moment. I meet up with some old ladies who learnt to spin as children, and they are such a resource of knowledge and inspiration. Even though I am in the late 40s they think it is so fun that the young (😅) people are interested in spinning. I would love to do a breed study someday hoping learn more about the sheep breeds and get a feel for spinning different kinds of wool. I also overestemate my abilities and make way to many plans. But I think dreaming of what I kan do - like 15 km walks three times a week (not happening) is something worth beceause I feel happy and full of positive expectations while planing 🙂🙃🙃
Thank-you sweet Inger 🥰 So glad you enjoyed my furry visitors! How lovely that you are able to meet up with such experienced spinning ladies and learn from their wealth of knowledge. I can imagine how insprational that must be! 🤗 Glad I'm not the only one overestimating and planning ALL the things. But you're so right--it's wonderful to dream 😊 Happy Making 💕
Yours is a podcast that is soooo relaxing and fun, and CHOCKFULL of inspiration and information Nikki. Many new items going on the queue. That is such a good idea about frogging back the mistake before putting it in a timeout. Girl if you take to sewing like crochet and spinning… you are going to have the best wardrobe in town! Love that Mandrake yarn 😍 and the story behind it. Thank you for a wonderful episode!
Thank you so much for the shout out! It's always nice to share other creators and spread the love 🥰 I love your Rock It Tee - the colours are gorgeous and look fabulous on you! Also, your Sweet Summer Sunflower bag is SO cute - I've been dabbling in some crochet projects recently as well, and I think I'll have to add that to my queue for sure. The neutral colours you chose for the granny squares look great together! I've tried spinning once - I bought a drop spindle a while back and it came with a small bag of wool to play with. I certainly gave it a good go, and I think what I managed to spin was pretty decent haha! I'd love to pick it back up again, perhaps this fall at Knit City I'll buy more wool to give it another try!
Hi Nikki! It's so fun to see and hear all the animals run and fly around you, you're a true Disney princess 😍! As for the spinning, this fleece would make my first long-awaited spin. My mom-in-law generously passed her very vintage spinning wheel on to me and now it's proudly standing in our living room, but now only as a beautiful artefact as I have been having strong indecisiveness in terms of which fiber to get first 😂😂 Absurd! 😂
Thanks for sharing Alyona 🤗 Having not spun the Rideau Arcott fibre yet, I can't really comment on how easily it will be to spin but I can definitely pass along the advice that was given to me which was to start with a longer staple fibre such as Corriedale as it's easier for beginners (less breakage, more time to draft) 💕
Thanks Nikki for another wonderful podcast! How amazing that your daughter asks you to knit for her. I have to say that she has a really good taste, I love the crochet cardigan you are currently making for her! I haven’t done any spinning but it’s something I always want to try, hopefully I will find some retailers in the upcoming wool festival here so I can get a feel of this new craft
Nice to see you again on a podcast! You always make very nice things that are inspiring to see. I don't spin yet, nor do I make granny squares, but they are definitely on my future (after retirement in 3 years) to do list, though the grannies could happen sooner. Missed the kitties, but loved all the creatures behind you.
So enjoyed catching up Nikki. I’m so curious about the natural sun dyeing. I’ve ordered some madder, indigo and lac to try this summer. I may have to try a small batch in thr solar method also for scientific purposes. I also loved the inspiration behind Mandrake Fibres. My first spin I believe was actually fabric. The instructor used that to demonstrate the process. I think Alpaca was the first fiber spin. Love the crochet bag. Definitely adding to my list. Can’t say I love crochet, but I can handle a granny square. It would be a fun small scrappy memory project. 🧶 Cher
Thanks so much Cher 🥰 Can't wait to see how your dye experiments go 😍 So interesting that your first spin was with fabric! I didn't realize that was possible! Highly recommend giving the granny square bag a go--fun and practical 🤗
I have never spun before, and I would love to try it. I've subscribed to Longway Homestead's yarn of the month, so I have the yarn version of this fibre. How cool would it be to have 2 skeins. I love your Rocket Tee so much. I must stash dive and get that baby on my needles also. Thank you for all of the inspiration.
Thanks so much Lynn! I didn't realize the monthly fibres and yarns from Longway were the same, although I guess it makes sense! I do hope you'll give spinning a try and fall down the rabbithole with Bonnie and I 😂 Hope to see you tonight at Knit Night 🤗
This was such a great episode! Thank you for brightening my Saturday morning ❤ Love all your projects - I feel I half of your projects on my needle or about to as well 😅 I have both the Hinterland Dress and Orchard Dress on my list of things, I wish I could do. I can’t wait to see yours! My first spin was an absolute disaster and left me frustratedly crying 😅 It was a gifted Rambouillet fiber and it just broke and ripped. Second one was also gifted and not better - Targhee. I was about to give up but was recommended to get something that is pin drafted already. Found some local pin drafted BFL and OMG what a difference. It’s going really great ever since then 😂 Have a fantastic weekend!
Thanks so much Janine 🥰 Sorry to hear about your frustrations with your initial spinning experiences but good on you for persevering!! If all goes well with my Hinterland I will have to look into an Orchard dress as well 🤗 Thanks so much for sharing and hope you're have a lovely Sunday 💕
Hello Nikki💞 Wonderful episode as usual😻. I really love your tee😍. It's always so fun to see the chipmunks they are so cute☺. If it is of any comfort, I haven't even cast on my socks even though the yarn has been spun since February😂. You have really gotten into spinning, your yarn looks great😍🤩. I really love all your projects.🥰
That is so nice that you are giving away the extra fibre that you received in error! I have not spun yet, but I'm so excited to attend my first spinning class held by my local weavers/spinners guild this Saturday, June 10! So if I win, this would likely be my 2nd spin. Learning to spin has been on my bucket list for a few years now, and I feel so fortunate that I'm actually getting to learn!
Hi Nikki, I've been spinning for several years. I started spinning with Suffolk wool because that was the kind of sheep we had. We don't have sheep now. I stil spin different breeds whenever I can. I have not spun with any of the Arcott varieties. I would enjoy giving Rideau Arcott a try. Thanks for your amazing podcasts! Terry
Hello Nikki. I have been holding off adding spinning to my collection of crafts but if I was lucky enough to be chosen i would take it as a sign that I need a new fibre craft in my life!. Love your content as always. Thank you.
Nikki! I enjoyed this episode very much! 🎉And the furry visitors behind you! How funny you opening your surprise knitting book! Greetings from Argentina!
I'm so glad I searched on Rock It Tee and stumbled onto your podcast. I thoroughly enjoyed and subscribed! I wanted to tell you that my dog would love your backyard with the squirrels and chipmunks, lol. Love your knitting projects and yarn ideas. Hello from St. Louis, MO
I started spinning this past winter as well and have only spun Corriedale so far. I find spinning to be so relaxing. I just love it so much, even when I get frustrated lol. I think I’m going to knit a cowl with my handspun! On a side note…I bought the Hinterland Dress pattern a couple of years ago and really want to sew one as well.
Thanks for sharing Candace! I'm so glad to hear you're enjoying spinning 🤗 A handspun cowl sounds lovely! It's amazing how many people have the Hinterland Dress pattern 😊💕
Hi. Thx for this episode, always a pleasure. I have been spinning since 2019 but never have spun Rideau Arcott. I like the idea of spinning some wool from sheep "designed" in Ottawa.
Wow this is an amazing prize Nikki, my very first spinning project was BFL and I am truly enjoying the process of spinning. I haven’t spun Rideau Alcott fleece before but would love to have the opportunity to try it out.
I got behind with the spin for socks too! It’s so slow with the drop spindle. I’ve actually just bought a second hand Ashford Traditional spinning wheel as I was finding 100g of fibre a bit overwhelming on a spindle. I’m currently doing a British breed study which has been fascinating and would love to try a Canadian breed xxxx love your podcast thank you xxx
So nice to see an episode pop up! I got a drop spindle for Christmas 2021 because I wanted to give it a go...but have been too nervous to give it a try...which is not like me! I have lovely yarn to knit a tunic, I think I'll start it soon. A while ago I did a test-knit for a cardigan...it was a bit big and I didn't like it at all. The yarn was an indulgence, so I ripped it out and started the Three Seasons Cardigan...and it's been sitting for a while now...not because I don't like it, it's just that I've been distracted by other knits. If I remember correctly it seemed to be knitting up quickly, so I should just get back at it! Maybe in August it will be my focus, as in July I have plans to knit a cute Christmas sweater that I seem to never have time for around the Christmas season!
Thanks so much for sharing Sandra 🤗 You should absolutely give spinning a try--Nothing to be afraid of at all 😊 Glad to hear the Three Season Cardigan is a quick knit. I completely hear you on the "getting distracted by other knits" front 😂 If only there was more time in the day! Hope you're having a lovely weekend 💕
Gosh, thank you so much for such kind words, Nikki! You melted my heart and I'm sitting here blushing, because I always think so little of my work and to hear that you consider me a wealth of knowledge is mind blowing and so humbling! I have my Hinterland dress pattern sitting on the shelf waiting for me to get round to it, but my attitude to sewing is so similar to yours 😂 Maybe I should wait for you to make yours with your mom and I'll see what tips you will have for me 😆 I think what stops me most right now is the fear of cutting into the pattern, because I can't make up my mind which size I should choose (it's not very obvious for me as I fall in between the sizes and I know nothing of alterations). I've never heard of Rideau Arcott, I'm assuming it must be native to North America, but I'm very curious now so I need to look it up. My first spin was a mysterious fleece that I got with my wheel and to this day I don't know what it is (I still have plenty of it in my stash!). I keep thinking that it's Alpaca, but I don't know anymore... Maybe when I'm done with my breed study box, I will have a better idea 😅
My pleasure Magda! I always learn so much from your podcast and find it to be such a great inspiration 🤗 Apparently there are several people who have the Hinterland pattern but who've yet to make it. Perhaps we should do a sew-a-long? 😁 I remember you talking about your 1st mystery spin. It's so funny that it still remains a mystery to this day 😂 I've been enjoying seeing the process of your breed study spins very much! Hope you're having a lovely weekend 💕
Hi There! I am a novice spinner, if you have watched my podcast I just got into it through Brittany when I recieved the Traveling Spindle. I don't have a wheel, but I absolutely love my turkish spindle. I tried Corridale so far and made coasters! Lol! I bought a bat of hand dyed locally and am working with it now 😊
My first spin was malibrigo nube. So far my favourite has been corridale. But I’ve only spun commercial tops and merino other than that. Thanks for another wonderful episode.
Thanks for sharing Paula! What a coincidenc, Corriedale's my fave as well (but I've yet to spin anything else 😂) I'm so looking forward to trying some new breeds soon 🤗
Hi Nikki, I am positive that I haven’t tried the redeau arcott before, very curious about it. I have spun with a lot of different yarns before from Islandic to New Sealand lambswool. I love your podcast and hope you have a great time with sewing the hinterland dress. Also on my wishlist for sometime in the future!
Hello! thanks for the nice company this morning. Today is Sweden's national day and I am sitting here knitting a pair of socks called Reversed Vanilla Socks. I have 4 active projects and 4 resting right now. In my head there are lots of plans for many more. Wish you all the best! / Ann
Lovely to see you again Nikki 😊 looks like you enjoying the crocheting lately all the projects looking beautiful 😍 With winter here I have been knitting warmer projects. I have received the Strands of Joy book for last Christmas I will take a close look at it maybe I can pick an easy colourwork pattern to knit.
Thanks Sylvia 🥰 I can't wait to see which pattern from Strands of Joy you end up choosing to start with! I especially love the cardigan in the cover 😍 Hope you're having a lovely Sunday! 💕
Hi Nikki, you projects are so lovely! Thank you for keeping me company this morning while starting the shoulder shaping on my Betha. After completing the 1st front panel ( while struggling with fairisle knitting flat🤦🏻♀️) I decided the shaping really didn't look nice and then remembered that I saw other podcasters replacing the shaping with short rows... So I ripped everything I knitted throughout your entire episode! 😅.
Hi Adele! Happy to have kept you company through your rip-back 🥰 I will have to keep the idea of shortrows in mind for future shaping! Thanks for sharing and hope you're having a lovely weekend 💕
Hi Nikki! I wonder, if you’d like to change your avocado dye colour a bit, if maybe putting some marigold flowers in there too might be nice. I’ve never dyed with avocado, but if the tannins in it are acting as mordant, then I think it would allow the marigold dye to take. I think? Could be fun to try anyway 😊 I’ve never heard of that breed! The first I spun was Romney & I still love that breed. PS- it was fun to see the chipmunk & the black squirrel 😃
Your projects are looking beautiful. I have been crocheting a lot too, something about it compliments summer for me. I had to comment about your little friend in the background!
Hi Nikki, I’m so in awe of your first spun yarn. I’m in the process of my first spin on a drop spindle but it’s so inconsistent .I’m hoping to make fingerless gloves or mittens ?! but would really love to knit socks. It’s an Exmore top from John Arbon. I am definitely not a sewer but have made two Hinterland dresses and I love the relaxed fit. Good luck x
Thanks Ann! Oh my 1st handspun (grey Corriedale) was very uneven as well! I've gotten more consistant with the rust coloured Corriedale but it's still far from perfect. But such a fun process turning fibre into yarn 🤗 Glad to know the Hinterland isn't too complicated 🤞 I'm as successful as you 😊
That is so funny I cannot sew either, but last year I bought the hinterland pattern. I want to make lots of those dresses, but I have not even started trying yet. Good luck on yours …(I’m thinking of taking a sewing class)oh I would love to try that fibre I have only done a wee bit of spinning but have a spinning wheel …
Love to spin with that. Just learning to spin. My first spin was Romney, since then. Done a bit with merino. Next year I’m planning to do a corespondenc course in spinning to gain more knowledge.
Another fantastic podcast Nikki, love the sound of the birds around you! 👏 👏 I too have been aspiring to sew and I just finished my first ever pair of pants. Mine was a Sew Liberated pattern as well, and I printed mine at my local library (my printer is currently not working and it took me almost an hour to figure out how to do it!) I totally need to look into those links you mentioned. What a coincidence, I too just bought a bike from Canadian Tire (maybe even the same as yours??) so I can go on rides with my son. It’s been like 20 years since I’ve had a bike! 😂😂 I love Kristin Hannah’s books, they always seem so well researched but I also find them emotionally exhausting.😢
Thanks so much Melissa 🤗 Congrats on finishing your first pair of pants! Such an amazing achievement 👏🥳🎉 I got my pattern printed at Sew YYC www.sewyyc.ca/pattern-printing and am very happy with it. Hope you're having a lovely weekend 💕
I enjoyed the birdsong- we're in the forest and there are very few birds, surprisingly. I have strawberries on my deck (no rabbits) and last year I got very few. One large berry was almost ripe and a squirrel came up and at it on the railing, just staring at me..... then he put it down half eaten! That really pissed me off more. Until he held it out to another squirrel (child, mate?). So cute I had to forgive them.
Hi! Just discovered your podcast and throughly enjoyed it. In regards to sewing…try working in small steps and stop and take breaks before you get frustrated. I think that you’ll enjoy the process more. And how great that your mom is there to help you.❤️
Hello and Welcome Karen 😊 Glad you found me. Thank-you very much for this advice--I think you're absolutely right 🤗 Yes, I'm certainly lucky to have my Mom to help me 🥰
Speaking of mistakes, lol, I'm picking back a k5below, k3 row of 110 stitches on the Killer Queen shawl as I am watching this! My daughter watched a Spanish tutorial on a daisy crochet bag last week cuz that's the one she found and you showed the Lion brand pattern, I'm not going to tell her that. Love the colors of your Shift! Mine was too short for me as well! Happy knitting, crochet, spinning!!💚🧶
Yikes! Hope you were able to successfully correct your mistake Charlotte! Your daughter and I may have been watching the same tutorial as I've now remembered it wasn't in English and I had to turn English subtitles on 😂 Hope you're having a lovely Sunday! 💕
Maybe you've got my fiber haha xD because I've never got mine, I tried to contact her.. will see if she will ship me another, this looks amazing so I hope !
Oh dear! I hope you manage to get your fibre! I did not have any luck getting a response when I used their online form but when I emailed directly I got a response 🤞
I am new to spinning, I’ve only used a spindle so far with corridale, but I just received my new spinning wheel and would love to use this fibre to learn to use my new wheel!
Hi Nikki, OMG, I'd love to try to spin the Rideau Arcott. How gorgeous are those shades? We started spinning with a drop spindle at about the same time, but I'm not half as good as you are. I must say, though, switching spindles did improve my spinning. I started with Shetland, then Corriedale, then tried Cormo and Rambouillet and I'm currently trying my hand at Targhee and Polwarth. I find the Targhee very challenging and I'm not sure if it's the fiber or the spinner. Probably the latter. 😁 Question about the wool you spun for your socks. Are they single or 2-ply? It looks amazingly even, which is something I'm having a lot of difficulty with. As usual, a great episode. Take care!
Thanks for sharing Dominique! My gosh, you've already tried quite a few fibres! How amazing! I'm still on my beginner Corriedale but am thoroughly enjoying it 🤗 To answer your question, my scok yarn is a 2-ply (extremely high twist, probably over spun, and feels like twine 🤣). It will be interesting to see how the yarn wears. Happy Making 💕
Sewing is so much faster than Knitting. It just takes time to learn how to do it correctly and you need to have patience with yourself. I make all of my clothes and have for at least 20 years. start with small simple items and lower your expectations of yourself. Then practice. Sew a lot. The more you sew the better you get, just like knitting.
My husband walked by when I was watching your podcast and said, Oh, I didn't know Barbara Streisand was a knitter!😂 I enjoyed all your projects! Here's a tip, you will always be 35 in your head, which looks really weird on a 66 year old!!
Thank you for another lovely podcast. The chipmunks just made my day running around in the background, stepping on your toes and ”speaking” into the mic. So nice to hear the positive story about the Mandrake yarn and I am happy that you got to support her work.
Your Nightshift shawl is so gorgeous, the natural colours are surprisingly lively in that pattern. Thank you for showing the Bolan pattern. I am not really a summer garment knitter, but I have a bit of Tynn Line that needs a project.
The Rideau Arcott sounds like an interesting breed, the wool looks lovely. I am learning to spin lambs wool at the moment. I meet up with some old ladies who learnt to spin as children, and they are such a resource of knowledge and inspiration. Even though I am in the late 40s they think it is so fun that the young (😅) people are interested in spinning. I would love to do a breed study someday hoping learn more about the sheep breeds and get a feel for spinning different kinds of wool.
I also overestemate my abilities and make way to many plans. But I think dreaming of what I kan do - like 15 km walks three times a week (not happening) is something worth beceause I feel happy and full of positive expectations while planing 🙂🙃🙃
Thank-you sweet Inger 🥰 So glad you enjoyed my furry visitors! How lovely that you are able to meet up with such experienced spinning ladies and learn from their wealth of knowledge. I can imagine how insprational that must be! 🤗
Glad I'm not the only one overestimating and planning ALL the things. But you're so right--it's wonderful to dream 😊 Happy Making 💕
Yours is a podcast that is soooo relaxing and fun, and CHOCKFULL of inspiration and information Nikki. Many new items going on the queue. That is such a good idea about frogging back the mistake before putting it in a timeout. Girl if you take to sewing like crochet and spinning… you are going to have the best wardrobe in town! Love that Mandrake yarn 😍 and the story behind it. Thank you for a wonderful episode!
Thanks so much for the kind words sweet Leanne 🥰 Hopefully the sewing works out 🤞And if not, I can always knit/crochet a full wardrobe 😂
Thank you so much for the shout out! It's always nice to share other creators and spread the love 🥰 I love your Rock It Tee - the colours are gorgeous and look fabulous on you! Also, your Sweet Summer Sunflower bag is SO cute - I've been dabbling in some crochet projects recently as well, and I think I'll have to add that to my queue for sure. The neutral colours you chose for the granny squares look great together!
I've tried spinning once - I bought a drop spindle a while back and it came with a small bag of wool to play with. I certainly gave it a good go, and I think what I managed to spin was pretty decent haha! I'd love to pick it back up again, perhaps this fall at Knit City I'll buy more wool to give it another try!
Thanks so much for your kind words Jenny 🥰 I hope you continue on your spinning journey 🤗💕
Hi Nikki! It's so fun to see and hear all the animals run and fly around you, you're a true Disney princess 😍! As for the spinning, this fleece would make my first long-awaited spin. My mom-in-law generously passed her very vintage spinning wheel on to me and now it's proudly standing in our living room, but now only as a beautiful artefact as I have been having strong indecisiveness in terms of which fiber to get first 😂😂 Absurd! 😂
Thanks for sharing Alyona 🤗 Having not spun the Rideau Arcott fibre yet, I can't really comment on how easily it will be to spin but I can definitely pass along the advice that was given to me which was to start with a longer staple fibre such as Corriedale as it's easier for beginners (less breakage, more time to draft) 💕
Thanks Nikki for another wonderful podcast! How amazing that your daughter asks you to knit for her. I have to say that she has a really good taste, I love the crochet cardigan you are currently making for her! I haven’t done any spinning but it’s something I always want to try, hopefully I will find some retailers in the upcoming wool festival here so I can get a feel of this new craft
Thanks so much Jie 🥰 I do so hope you end up giving spinning a try! 🤗💕
Nice to see you again on a podcast! You always make very nice things that are inspiring to see. I don't spin yet, nor do I make granny squares, but they are definitely on my future (after retirement in 3 years) to do list, though the grannies could happen sooner. Missed the kitties, but loved all the creatures behind you.
Thanks so much Leslie 🥰 Your plans for retirement sound spot on to me 🤗
So enjoyed catching up Nikki. I’m so curious about the natural sun dyeing. I’ve ordered some madder, indigo and lac to try this summer. I may have to try a small batch in thr solar method also for scientific purposes. I also loved the inspiration behind Mandrake Fibres. My first spin I believe was actually fabric. The instructor used that to demonstrate the process. I think Alpaca was the first fiber spin. Love the crochet bag. Definitely adding to my list. Can’t say I love crochet, but I can handle a granny square. It would be a fun small scrappy memory project. 🧶 Cher
Thanks so much Cher 🥰 Can't wait to see how your dye experiments go 😍 So interesting that your first spin was with fabric! I didn't realize that was possible! Highly recommend giving the granny square bag a go--fun and practical 🤗
I have never spun before, and I would love to try it. I've subscribed to Longway Homestead's yarn of the month, so I have the yarn version of this fibre. How cool would it be to have 2 skeins. I love your Rocket Tee so much. I must stash dive and get that baby on my needles also. Thank you for all of the inspiration.
Thanks so much Lynn! I didn't realize the monthly fibres and yarns from Longway were the same, although I guess it makes sense! I do hope you'll give spinning a try and fall down the rabbithole with Bonnie and I 😂 Hope to see you tonight at Knit Night 🤗
This was such a great episode! Thank you for brightening my Saturday morning ❤
Love all your projects - I feel I half of your projects on my needle or about to as well 😅 I have both the Hinterland Dress and Orchard Dress on my list of things, I wish I could do. I can’t wait to see yours!
My first spin was an absolute disaster and left me frustratedly crying 😅 It was a gifted Rambouillet fiber and it just broke and ripped. Second one was also gifted and not better - Targhee. I was about to give up but was recommended to get something that is pin drafted already. Found some local pin drafted BFL and OMG what a difference. It’s going really great ever since then 😂
Have a fantastic weekend!
Thanks so much Janine 🥰 Sorry to hear about your frustrations with your initial spinning experiences but good on you for persevering!! If all goes well with my Hinterland I will have to look into an Orchard dress as well 🤗 Thanks so much for sharing and hope you're have a lovely Sunday 💕
That bag is so cool. I love it. And such a lucky girl to get a cardi!
Thanks so much Lisa 🤗💕
Hello Nikki💞 Wonderful episode as usual😻. I really love your tee😍. It's always so fun to see the chipmunks they are so cute☺. If it is of any comfort, I haven't even cast on my socks even though the yarn has been spun since February😂. You have really gotten into spinning, your yarn looks great😍🤩. I really love all your projects.🥰
Thanks so much sweet Emilia 🥰 Glad I'm not alone in missing the sock spinalong 🤣 Hope you and your family are feeling better these days 💕
That is so nice that you are giving away the extra fibre that you received in error! I have not spun yet, but I'm so excited to attend my first spinning class held by my local weavers/spinners guild this Saturday, June 10! So if I win, this would likely be my 2nd spin. Learning to spin has been on my bucket list for a few years now, and I feel so fortunate that I'm actually getting to learn!
Oh wonderful! Enjoy your spinning class Marg! 🤗💕
Hi Nikki, I've been spinning for several years. I started spinning with Suffolk wool because that was the kind of sheep we had. We don't have sheep now. I stil spin different breeds whenever I can. I have not spun with any of the Arcott varieties. I would enjoy giving Rideau Arcott a try. Thanks for your amazing podcasts! Terry
Thanks for sharing Terry! Spinning yarn from your own sheep sounds like such a dream 🤗💕
Love your podcast. It's been keeping me company as I knit, Thank you! I'm still new to spinning and just got a drop spindle.
Thanks so much for sharing! Enjoy your drop-spinning! 🤗💕
Hello Nikki. I have been holding off adding spinning to my collection of crafts but if I was lucky enough to be chosen i would take it as a sign that I need a new fibre craft in my life!. Love your content as always. Thank you.
Thanks for sharing! Regardless, I highly recommend giving spinning a try 🤗
Nikki! I enjoyed this episode very much! 🎉And the furry visitors behind you! How funny you opening your surprise knitting book! Greetings from Argentina!
Thanks so much Vik! Glad you enjoyed the furry visitors 🤗💕
Good to see you, I like a lot your podcast😊 I've never spun yet, but this July I will attend spinning workshop and I can't wait to try it 😁
Thanks so much for the kind words! I hope you enjoy your spinning class 🤗💕
I'm so glad I searched on Rock It Tee and stumbled onto your podcast. I thoroughly enjoyed and subscribed! I wanted to tell you that my dog would love your backyard with the squirrels and chipmunks, lol. Love your knitting projects and yarn ideas. Hello from St. Louis, MO
Hello and Welcome Michelle! Thank-you so much for your kind words and Happy Making 🤗
I started spinning this past winter as well and have only spun Corriedale so far. I find spinning to be so relaxing. I just love it so much, even when I get frustrated lol. I think I’m going to knit a cowl with my handspun! On a side note…I bought the Hinterland Dress pattern a couple of years ago and really want to sew one as well.
Thanks for sharing Candace! I'm so glad to hear you're enjoying spinning 🤗 A handspun cowl sounds lovely! It's amazing how many people have the Hinterland Dress pattern 😊💕
Hi. Thx for this episode, always a pleasure. I have been spinning since 2019 but never have spun Rideau Arcott. I like the idea of spinning some wool from sheep "designed" in Ottawa.
Thanks for sharing Kathleen 🤗
Such a fabulous episode, Nikki! I love the speckles in your Rock-It Tee. 'Going to look up Mandrake Fibres. Happy bike riding!
Thank-you so much Venessa 🥰
Wow this is an amazing prize Nikki, my very first spinning project was BFL and I am truly enjoying the process of spinning. I haven’t spun Rideau Alcott fleece before but would love to have the opportunity to try it out.
Thanks for sharing Bonnie 🤗💕
I love your projects and podcast. I’m a very new spinner starting with alpaca.
Thanks so much Kathleen 🤗💕
I got behind with the spin for socks too! It’s so slow with the drop spindle. I’ve actually just bought a second hand Ashford Traditional spinning wheel as I was finding 100g of fibre a bit overwhelming on a spindle. I’m currently doing a British breed study which has been fascinating and would love to try a Canadian breed xxxx love your podcast thank you xxx
Thanks so much for sharing Carole 🤗
So nice to see an episode pop up! I got a drop spindle for Christmas 2021 because I wanted to give it a go...but have been too nervous to give it a try...which is not like me! I have lovely yarn to knit a tunic, I think I'll start it soon. A while ago I did a test-knit for a cardigan...it was a bit big and I didn't like it at all. The yarn was an indulgence, so I ripped it out and started the Three Seasons Cardigan...and it's been sitting for a while now...not because I don't like it, it's just that I've been distracted by other knits. If I remember correctly it seemed to be knitting up quickly, so I should just get back at it! Maybe in August it will be my focus, as in July I have plans to knit a cute Christmas sweater that I seem to never have time for around the Christmas season!
Thanks so much for sharing Sandra 🤗 You should absolutely give spinning a try--Nothing to be afraid of at all 😊 Glad to hear the Three Season Cardigan is a quick knit. I completely hear you on the "getting distracted by other knits" front 😂 If only there was more time in the day!
Hope you're having a lovely weekend 💕
Gosh, thank you so much for such kind words, Nikki! You melted my heart and I'm sitting here blushing, because I always think so little of my work and to hear that you consider me a wealth of knowledge is mind blowing and so humbling!
I have my Hinterland dress pattern sitting on the shelf waiting for me to get round to it, but my attitude to sewing is so similar to yours 😂 Maybe I should wait for you to make yours with your mom and I'll see what tips you will have for me 😆 I think what stops me most right now is the fear of cutting into the pattern, because I can't make up my mind which size I should choose (it's not very obvious for me as I fall in between the sizes and I know nothing of alterations). I've never heard of Rideau Arcott, I'm assuming it must be native to North America, but I'm very curious now so I need to look it up. My first spin was a mysterious fleece that I got with my wheel and to this day I don't know what it is (I still have plenty of it in my stash!). I keep thinking that it's Alpaca, but I don't know anymore... Maybe when I'm done with my breed study box, I will have a better idea 😅
My pleasure Magda! I always learn so much from your podcast and find it to be such a great inspiration 🤗 Apparently there are several people who have the Hinterland pattern but who've yet to make it. Perhaps we should do a sew-a-long? 😁
I remember you talking about your 1st mystery spin. It's so funny that it still remains a mystery to this day 😂 I've been enjoying seeing the process of your breed study spins very much! Hope you're having a lovely weekend 💕
@@KnittingWithCatHair thanks Nikki! And I'm 100% down for a sew-a-long! I need all the advice and moral support with this one 😅
Awesome!! We can chat on IG about the details 🤗
Oh, your nightshift shawl is so lovely 🥰
Thanks so much Kath! 🤗
Hi There! I am a novice spinner, if you have watched my podcast I just got into it through Brittany when I recieved the Traveling Spindle. I don't have a wheel, but I absolutely love my turkish spindle. I tried Corridale so far and made coasters! Lol! I bought a bat of hand dyed locally and am working with it now 😊
Thanks so much for sharing! Gkad to hear you're enjoying your spinning journey 🤗
My first spin was malibrigo nube. So far my favourite has been corridale. But I’ve only spun commercial tops and merino other than that. Thanks for another wonderful episode.
Thanks for sharing Paula! What a coincidenc, Corriedale's my fave as well (but I've yet to spin anything else 😂) I'm so looking forward to trying some new breeds soon 🤗
Hi Nikki, I am positive that I haven’t tried the redeau arcott before, very curious about it. I have spun with a lot of different yarns before from Islandic to New Sealand lambswool. I love your podcast and hope you have a great time with sewing the hinterland dress. Also on my wishlist for sometime in the future!
Thank-you so much for sharing! It really is amazing how many different sheep breeds there are out there in the world 🤗
Hello!
thanks for the nice company this morning. Today is Sweden's national day and I am sitting here knitting a pair of socks called Reversed Vanilla Socks.
I have 4 active projects and 4 resting right now. In my head there are lots of plans for many more. Wish you all the best! / Ann
Thanks so much for stopping by Ann 🤗 Hope you enjoyed your day off! And yes, soooo many plans, so little time 😂💕
Lovely to see you again Nikki 😊 looks like you enjoying the crocheting lately all the projects looking beautiful 😍 With winter here I have been knitting warmer projects. I have received the Strands of Joy book for last Christmas I will take a close look at it maybe I can pick an easy colourwork pattern to knit.
Thanks Sylvia 🥰 I can't wait to see which pattern from Strands of Joy you end up choosing to start with! I especially love the cardigan in the cover 😍 Hope you're having a lovely Sunday! 💕
Hi Nikki, you projects are so lovely! Thank you for keeping me company this morning while starting the shoulder shaping on my Betha. After completing the 1st front panel ( while struggling with fairisle knitting flat🤦🏻♀️) I decided the shaping really didn't look nice and then remembered that I saw other podcasters replacing the shaping with short rows... So I ripped everything I knitted throughout your entire episode! 😅.
Hi Adele! Happy to have kept you company through your rip-back 🥰 I will have to keep the idea of shortrows in mind for future shaping! Thanks for sharing and hope you're having a lovely weekend 💕
This would be my first spin>. I'm just starting and Im so excited!!
Wonderful! Thanks for sharing Susan 😊
Hi Nikki! I wonder, if you’d like to change your avocado dye colour a bit, if maybe putting some marigold flowers in there too might be nice. I’ve never dyed with avocado, but if the tannins in it are acting as mordant, then I think it would allow the marigold dye to take. I think? Could be fun to try anyway 😊 I’ve never heard of that breed! The first I spun was Romney & I still love that breed. PS- it was fun to see the chipmunk & the black squirrel 😃
Thanks Susan! I ended up throwing some tea bags into the avocado water 😁 Glad you enjoyed some of our furry visitors 🤗💕
Your projects are looking beautiful. I have been crocheting a lot too, something about it compliments summer for me.
I had to comment about your little friend in the background!
Thanks for commenting Rachel 🤗 So many lovely summer crochet patterns. Glad you enjoyed our local squirrel 💕
I think that lopi book is going missing lol Love the 3 season cardi and your lacework top...those hand dyed are lovely so much to make! love it
Hahaha I had a suspicion you'd like the Lopi book 💕
Hi Nikki, I’m so in awe of your first spun yarn. I’m in the process of my first spin on a drop spindle but it’s so inconsistent .I’m hoping to make fingerless gloves or mittens ?! but would really love to knit socks. It’s an Exmore top from John Arbon.
I am definitely not a sewer but have made two Hinterland dresses and I love the relaxed fit. Good luck x
Thanks Ann! Oh my 1st handspun (grey Corriedale) was very uneven as well! I've gotten more consistant with the rust coloured Corriedale but it's still far from perfect. But such a fun process turning fibre into yarn 🤗 Glad to know the Hinterland isn't too complicated 🤞 I'm as successful as you 😊
That is so funny I cannot sew either, but last year I bought the hinterland pattern. I want to make lots of those dresses, but I have not even started trying yet. Good luck on yours …(I’m thinking of taking a sewing class)oh I would love to try that fibre I have only done a wee bit of spinning but have a spinning wheel …
Thanks for sharing Marnielee! So many wonderful crafts to try 🤗
Love to spin with that. Just learning to spin. My first spin was Romney, since then. Done a bit with merino. Next year I’m planning to do a corespondenc course in spinning to gain more knowledge.
Thanks for sharing Marie-Louise! 🤗
Nice to see you back, LOVE the bag 😍
Thanks so much Mel 🤗💕
Another fantastic podcast Nikki, love the sound of the birds around you! 👏 👏 I too have been aspiring to sew and I just finished my first ever pair of pants. Mine was a Sew Liberated pattern as well, and I printed mine at my local library (my printer is currently not working and it took me almost an hour to figure out how to do it!) I totally need to look into those links you mentioned. What a coincidence, I too just bought a bike from Canadian Tire (maybe even the same as yours??) so I can go on rides with my son. It’s been like 20 years since I’ve had a bike! 😂😂 I love Kristin Hannah’s books, they always seem so well researched but I also find them emotionally exhausting.😢
Thanks so much Melissa 🤗 Congrats on finishing your first pair of pants! Such an amazing achievement 👏🥳🎉 I got my pattern printed at Sew YYC www.sewyyc.ca/pattern-printing and am very happy with it.
Hope you're having a lovely weekend 💕
I enjoyed the birdsong- we're in the forest and there are very few birds, surprisingly. I have strawberries on my deck (no rabbits) and last year I got very few. One large berry was almost ripe and a squirrel came up and at it on the railing, just staring at me..... then he put it down half eaten! That really pissed me off more. Until he held it out to another squirrel (child, mate?). So cute I had to forgive them.
Oh that is just adorable Genie! I would absolutely forgive the squirrel(s) as well 🤗💕
Hi! Just discovered your podcast and throughly enjoyed it. In regards to sewing…try working in small steps and stop and take breaks before you get frustrated. I think that you’ll enjoy the process more. And how great that your mom is there to help you.❤️
Hello and Welcome Karen 😊 Glad you found me. Thank-you very much for this advice--I think you're absolutely right 🤗 Yes, I'm certainly lucky to have my Mom to help me 🥰
Speaking of mistakes, lol, I'm picking back a k5below, k3 row of 110 stitches on the Killer Queen shawl as I am watching this! My daughter watched a Spanish tutorial on a daisy crochet bag last week cuz that's the one she found and you showed the Lion brand pattern, I'm not going to tell her that. Love the colors of your Shift! Mine was too short for me as well! Happy knitting, crochet, spinning!!💚🧶
Yikes! Hope you were able to successfully correct your mistake Charlotte! Your daughter and I may have been watching the same tutorial as I've now remembered it wasn't in English and I had to turn English subtitles on 😂 Hope you're having a lovely Sunday! 💕
Maybe you've got my fiber haha xD because I've never got mine, I tried to contact her.. will see if she will ship me another, this looks amazing so I hope !
Oh dear! I hope you manage to get your fibre! I did not have any luck getting a response when I used their online form but when I emailed directly I got a response 🤞
I am new to spinning, I’ve only used a spindle so far with corridale, but I just received my new spinning wheel and would love to use this fibre to learn to use my new wheel!
Thanks for sharing however this giveaway is now closed. Happy Making!
Hi Nikki, OMG, I'd love to try to spin the Rideau Arcott. How gorgeous are those shades? We started spinning with a drop spindle at about the same time, but I'm not half as good as you are. I must say, though, switching spindles did improve my spinning. I started with Shetland, then Corriedale, then tried Cormo and Rambouillet and I'm currently trying my hand at Targhee and Polwarth. I find the Targhee very challenging and I'm not sure if it's the fiber or the spinner. Probably the latter. 😁 Question about the wool you spun for your socks. Are they single or 2-ply? It looks amazingly even, which is something I'm having a lot of difficulty with. As usual, a great episode. Take care!
Thanks for sharing Dominique! My gosh, you've already tried quite a few fibres! How amazing! I'm still on my beginner Corriedale but am thoroughly enjoying it 🤗 To answer your question, my scok yarn is a 2-ply (extremely high twist, probably over spun, and feels like twine 🤣). It will be interesting to see how the yarn wears. Happy Making 💕
Great episode, Nikki, thank you. The audio was fine, by the way, but if only you could keep those naughty chipmunks under control ...
Thanks Alex 🤗
Sewing is so much faster than Knitting. It just takes time to learn how to do it correctly and you need to have patience with yourself. I make all of my clothes and have for at least 20 years. start with small simple items and lower your expectations of yourself. Then practice. Sew a lot. The more you sew the better you get, just like knitting.
Thanks Edina. Some very solid advice 🤗💕
My husband walked by when I was watching your podcast and said, Oh, I didn't know Barbara Streisand was a knitter!😂 I enjoyed all your projects!
Here's a tip, you will always be 35 in your head, which looks really weird on a 66 year old!!
🤣 Thanks for sharing Gayle 🤗💕