The Long Thread podcast

#Arts #Long Thread Media #Spinning #Weaving #Needlework #Long Thread #Fiber #Handmade #Fashion and Beauty #Lifestyle #Hobbies

36:25

Are you ready to discover why building customer self-confidence is more crucial than ever in today's B2B sales landscape? Brent Adamson and Karl Schmidt join us today, the duo behind the upcoming book "The Framemaking Sale." These sales experts unravel the critical yet often overlooked aspect of buyer confidence. They shift the focus from traditional supplier-centric models to the empowering idea that true confidence comes from within the customers themselves. This perspective not only transforms how we view B2B sales, but also highlights the importance of nurturing decision confidence. Throughout our conversation, Brent and Karl introduce their innovative concept of framemaking, a strategy that aligns sales solutions with client priorities. This approach goes beyond typical sales tactics by fostering genuine, lasting relationships with clients, even when they choose competitors. Their ideas promise to shake up conventional sales methods. Topics covered during this episode include: Why buyer confidence should be supplier-agnostic and focus on customers' decision making abilities. How Brent and Karl met each other at Corporate Executive Board (now part of Gartner). Why nurturing customer decision confidence is crucial in B2B. How framemaking aligns sales solutions with client priorities to overcome decision complexity. Why the book emphasizes customer confidence over supplier trust for effective decision making. The impact of decision complexity, information overload, and outcome uncertainty. Why understanding clients' businesses deeply helps navigate obstacles and maintain deal momentum. How salespeople can anticipate and overcome potential deal barriers. Why gaining customer confidence involves addressing emotional and rational decision aspects. Listen now to learn how to revolutionize your B2B sales approach with innovative framemaking techniques that build lasting customer relationships. Brent on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brentadamson Karl on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karl-schmidt-q…

The Long Thread Podcast

Поширити

Головна серій•Feed

The artists and artisans of the fiber world come to you in The Long Thread Podcast. Each episode features interviews with your favorite spinners, weavers, needleworkers, and fiber artists from across the globe. Get the inspiration, practical advice, and personal stories of experts as we follow the long thread.

120 епізодів

The Long Thread Podcast

78 subscribers

updated 6 днів тому

Поширити

Головна серій•Feed

120 епізодів

#Arts #Long Thread Media #Spinning #Weaving #Needlework #Long Thread #Fiber #Handmade #Fashion and Beauty #Lifestyle #Hobbies

Усі епізоди

The Long Thread Podcast

1
Madelyn van der Hoogt, The Weaver’s School 51:54

6 днів тому51:54

51:54

With Madelyn van der Hoogt’s extensive knowledge of loom-controlled structures and techniques, you might be surprised to learn that the celebrated weaving teacher spent her first years as a handweaver working on a backstrap loom. On a sabbatical in Latin America from her teaching career in Oakland, Madelyn traveled from village to village looking for the style of weaving she wanted to do, then sought out a local teacher. But when she moved back to the United States and began a new life as a farmer, her backstrap weaving style hit a snag: sitting on the ground to weave under a tree is a lot less pleasant when you are the favorite meal of chiggers. Falling in love with shaft looms and the cloth she could make, Madelyn began the weaving explorations that would make her the editor of two national weaving magazine, instructor in a half dozen weaving videos, and leader of a weaving school. She now has over 30 looms in her home teaching studio, each ready to explore a different weave structure. Despite decades as a writer and editor, she doesn’t hesitate before identifying first and foremost as a teacher. Links The Weavers’ School The Primary Structures of Fabrics: An Illustrated Classification by Irene Emery was originally published by the Textile Museum, Washington, DC; it is currently out of print. Ask Madelyn includes hundreds of thoughtful replies to reader inquiries—and if you send her an email , she might answer yours! This episode is brought to you by: Treenway Silks is where weavers, spinners, knitters and stitchers find the silk they love. Select from the largest variety of silk spinning fibers, silk yarn, and silk threads & ribbons at TreenwaySilks.com . You’ll discover a rainbow of colors, thoughtfully hand-dyed in Colorado. Love natural? Treenway's array of wild silks provide choices beyond white. If you love silk, you’ll love Treenway Silks, where superior quality and customer service are guaranteed. Learning how to weave but need the right shuttle? Hooked on knitting and in search of a lofty yarn? Yarn Barn of Kansas has been your partner in fiber since 1971. Whether you are around the corner from the Yarn Barn of Kansas, or around the country, they are truly your “local yarn store” with an experienced staff to answer all your fiber questions. Visit yarnbarn-ks.com to shop, learn, and explore.…

The Long Thread Podcast

1
Cecelia Campochiaro, Curious Knitter 59:57

20 днів тому59:57

59:57

When you first learned to knit, you might have wondered why certain stitches made fabric that curled, or why right-leaning and left-leaning decreases didn’t quite match, or why charts didn’t really show what the knitted fabric would look like. Knitting patterns might have seemed completely unworkable. If we stick with the craft, most knitters eventually take these oddities in stride and work around them. We learning to fudge what we can’t fix, and we figure that’s the way knitting goes. We read our stitches, let the habits of our skilled hands take over, and integrate knitting into our lives the way we ride a bicycle, make a cup of tea, or steer a car. Not Cecelia Campochiaro. With a scientific mind (trained by a PhD in physical chemistry), she approached those small curiosities as chances to investigate knitting more closely. By making small variations—holding several yarns together and creating gradual striping patterns, repeating a sequence of stitches with a slight offset, or mirroring the same stitches on both sides of the work—she has explored the nature of knitting and created extraordinary fabrics. Her latest book, Reversible Knitting , shows the differences in drape, texture, design, and color that emerge simply from removing the idea of “right” and “wrong” sides of the fabric. The richness in Cecelia’s work lies in its simplicity. Like knitting itself, the careful repetitions and variations that she presents add up to a project far greater than the sum of its parts, as pleasing to the eye as to the hand. Links Reversible Knitting is Cecelia’s latest book. Making Marls explores working with strands of different colored yarns held together. Sequence Knitting examines the surprisingly rich results of repeating a group of stitches. Parastripe Shawl is available in the Farm & Fiber Knits Library and as part of the Creative Color Collection. Carson Demers’s book Knitting Comfortably offers advice on the ergonomics of knitting. This episode is brought to you by: Treenway Silks is where weavers, spinners, knitters and stitchers find the silk they love. Select from the largest variety of silk spinning fibers, silk yarn, and silk threads & ribbons at TreenwaySilks.com . You'll discover a rainbow of colors, thoughtfully hand-dyed in Colorado. Love natural? Treenway's array of wild silks provide choices beyond white. If you love silk, you’ll love Treenway Silks, where superior quality and customer service are guaranteed. The Michigan Fiber Festival —Michigan’s largest sheep and wool festival—is a vibrant world of fiber arts. Discover five days of classes with nationally recognized teachers in spinning, weaving, lacemaking, dyeing, felting, and rug hooking. Enjoy three days of shopping. Delight in shearing and fiber arts demonstrations. Enjoy a truly immersive experience. Join us in August at the picturesque Allegan County Fairgrounds (you can even camp on site!) Find more details at [michiganfiberfestival.info.](The Michigan Fiber Festival – Michigan's largest sheep and wool festival – is a vibrant world of fiber arts. Discover five days of classes with nationally recognized teachers in spinning, weaving, lacemaking, dyeing, felting, and rug hooking. Enjoy three days of shopping. Delight in shearing and fiber arts demonstrations. Enjoy a truly immersive experience. Join us in August at the picturesque Allegan County Fairgrounds (you can even camp on site!) Find more details at michiganfiberfestival.info.)…

The Long Thread Podcast

1
Sara Bixler, Red Stone Glen 49:38

5 weeks тому49:38

49:38

At a time when many fiber arts stores are closing, Sara C. Bixler is bucking the trend. With degrees in both fine art and education, she had developed a studio practice as well as a teaching repertoire at the Pennsylvania weaving school where her father, Tom Knisely, had taught for decades. When that store closed, she decided to take the risk of opening a brand-new fiber arts center known as Red Stone Glen. It was an audacious project: the school and accompanying store occupy a rural campus in southeastern Pennsylvania, with space for several classes and even on-site lodging for students. Beginning a few years ago, the family took another step into the fiber arts when her husband, Dustin, acquired Bluster Bay Woodworking from its founders and began producing shuttles and other weaving tools “in the Glen,” too. She had support in her project from former students and from Tom, who was delighted to have a teaching home base again. Sara also loves opening her students’ eyes to other weaving traditions, whether exploring weaving destinations overseas or preserving the legacy of American textile history in the National Museum of the American Coverlet, where she serves on the board of directors. Links Red Stone Glen Triaxial weaving: Hex Weave & Mad Weave by Elizabeth Harris and Charlene St. John National Museum of the American Coverlet Sara’s videos on Boutenné and other subjects are available from Long Thread Media. Sara leads tours to Japan and Switzerland with Opulent Quilt Journeys. Bluster Bay Woodworks This episode is brought to you by: Treenway Silks is where weavers, spinners, knitters and stitchers find the silk they love. Select from the largest variety of silk spinning fibers, silk yarn, and silk threads & ribbons at TreenwaySilks.com . You’ll discover a rainbow of colors, thoughtfully hand-dyed in Colorado. Love natural? Treenway’s array of wild silks provide choices beyond white. If you love silk, you’ll love Treenway Silks, where superior quality and customer service are guaranteed. The Michigan Fiber Festival —Michigan’s largest sheep and wool festival—is a vibrant world of fiber arts. Discover five days of classes with nationally recognized teachers in spinning, weaving, lacemaking, dyeing, felting, and rug hooking. Enjoy three days of shopping. Delight in shearing and fiber arts demonstrations. Enjoy a truly immersive experience. Join us in August at the picturesque Allegan County Fairgrounds (you can even camp on site!) Find more details at [michiganfiberfestival.info.](The Michigan Fiber Festival – Michigan's largest sheep and wool festival – is a vibrant world of fiber arts. Discover five days of classes with nationally recognized teachers in spinning, weaving, lacemaking, dyeing, felting, and rug hooking. Enjoy three days of shopping. Delight in shearing and fiber arts demonstrations. Enjoy a truly immersive experience. Join us in August at the picturesque Allegan County Fairgrounds (you can even camp on site!) Find more details at michiganfiberfestival.info.)…

The Long Thread Podcast

1
Spotlight: Cashmere on Ice 37:59

6 weeks тому37:59

37:59

You know about North Pole and the South Pole, where polar bears and penguins live. Have you heard of a third pole? West and south of the Tibetan Plateau, a mountainous area holds more glaciers than any place in the world outside the Arctic and Antarctic poles. This region has a special significance for fiber artists: it is the home and habitat of the goats that produce much of the world’s cashmere. And as at the North and South Poles, climate change is threatening the animals and people who call this region home. To bring attention to the threat to glaciers in the region, engineer Sonam Wangchuk climbed into the Himalayas of in Ladakh, India, and carried back a 7 kilogram chunk of glacier. It began a journey across two continents, wrapped in 3 kilograms of cashmere, and finally arrived at the United Nations in New York. The UN has named 2025 the International Year of Glaciers’ Preservation , and Wangchuk’s Travelling Glacier brought the threat of climate change to the world’s door. The cashmere covering the sample not only insulated the ice, it also demonstrates what’s at risk when glaciers melt. The animals and people living in these regions depend on glaciers for water; when the glaciers melt too abruptly, the overflow of water sweeps away whole villages and cities in devastating floods. Stories of people and animals on other continents can seem remote, abstract, and hopeless, but joining in the movement to preserve this important resource can be as near as your fingertips. Long Thread Media is joining with Wild Fibers to sponsor the Cashmere on Ice Contest , which invites fiber artists to make a project containing cashmere. Projects can be wearable or decorative; a special category highlights fiber grown in the Ladakh region from which Wangchuk sourced his Travelling Glacier. In this episode, celebrated storyteller and wild fiber expert Linda Cortright shares details about why she cares passionately about this crisis and what fiber artists can do to help the cause. Learn about the contest and find an FAQ for more details. Discover the Wild Fibers resource page. Hear about the effects of glacial melt in another high-elevation fiber-producing region: the Andes.…

The Long Thread Podcast

1
Tom Knisely, Generational Weaver 58:37

7 weeks тому58:37

58:37

When Tom Knisely decided to buy his first item in an antique shop, he had two strokes of luck: the spinning wheel that he chose included all the parts needed to make yarn, and he lived not far from the landmark weaving store The Mannings. There, he learned to spin and eventually to weave. Enamored with the crafts, he got a job at the store there as a teenager and eventually built a career there over 37 years. That love of antiques led Tom to accumulate a collection of historic coverlets and rag rugs, along with knowledge about the old techniques used to make such durable textiles. Students often turn to Tom to learn such traditional skills as rag-rug weaving, working with linen from plant to fabric, and weaving with counterbalance looms. Through these antique rugs and coverlets, he traces the legacy of the weavers before him—those who pursued a life in weaving centuries ago. His nine books and ten videos explore contemporary and historic techniques, structures, and tools. As much as his knowledge, Tom’s patience, enthusiasm, and warmth draw students to his classes. Named Handwoven Teacher of the Year, he loves helping students—from children who watch his living history demonstrations to dedicated weavers—develop their skills and love of spinning and weaving. His longest-lasting teaching relationship has been with Sara C. Bixler, one of his daughters, who took up the mantle to become a weaving teacher and designer herself. “I think we have an obligation to get out there and promote what we do,” he says. “You’d be surprised how much it means to other people to see this. But I guarantee you, you’ll come home with stories that are far greater than what you have put out. It’s a real reward.” Links Read about bumper looms in “Never Say Never” ( Little Looms Spring 2025 ) and “Never Say Never Again” ( Little Looms Summer 2025 . Find Tom’s classes, including How to Weave a Rag Rug and Weave a Good Rug with Tom Knisely: From Fiber to Finish , streaming and in the Handwoven online store. Tom teaches frequently at his daughter Sara C. Bixler’s shop, Red Stone Glen , in York, Pennsylvania. Cracker Country is a living history museum in Tampa, Florida, where Tom and his wife often demonstrate spinning and weaving. This episode is brought to you by: Treenway Silks is where weavers, spinners, knitters and stitchers find the silk they love. Select from the largest variety of silk spinning fibers, silk yarn, and silk threads & ribbons at TreenwaySilks.com . You’ll discover a rainbow of colors, thoughtfully hand-dyed in Colorado. Love natural? Treenway's array of wild silks provide choices beyond white. If you love silk, you’ll love Treenway Silks, where superior quality and customer service are guaranteed. Learning how to weave but need the right shuttle? Hooked on knitting and in search of a lofty yarn? Yarn Barn of Kansas has been your partner in fiber since 1971. Whether you are around the corner from the Yarn Barn of Kansas, or around the country, they are truly your “local yarn store” with an experienced staff to answer all your fiber questions. Visit yarnbarn-ks.com to shop, learn, and explore. Tapestry weaving’s simple structure lets you weave almost any image you can dream up. Rebecca Mezoff, author of the bestseller The Art of Tapestry Weaving, will teach you how to weave your own ideas, designs, and adventures. Join Rebecca online to learn all about the magic of making pictures with yarn in the fiber technique of tapestry weaving. Find out more at tapestryweaving.com .…

The Long Thread Podcast

1
Susan Strawn, Knitting Historian 56:52

9 weeks тому56:52

56:52

A lifelong lover of fiber arts, Susan Strawn’s career in textiles began in an unexpected corner: with training as a biomedical illustrator. She found cloth far more exciting than biology, so she turned her eye for detail to illustrating PieceWork magazine. She added photostyling to her duties, bringing textile stories to life and demonstrating the steps of various needlework techniques. After a decade on the staff of the magazine, she decided to devote herself to studying and writing about textiles, earning a PhD in Textiles and Clothing. Although her initial interest was in writing, she discovered that she loved teaching. She became a Professor in the Department of Fashion at Dominican University, with a roster of classes she loved to teach (and that would make a textile lover swoon to take). Now retired from the university, she is exploring the importance of textiles, especially knitting, in her own life through essays and illustrations. With a particular interest in everyday cloth and the insight it offers into women’s lives, Susan’s hands are always busy with needle, pen, or keyboard. Links Susan Strawn’s website Susan’s Substack Discover Knitting America and Susan’s other writings Knits of Yore video The Gaman Mittens pattern is available in the Farm & Fiber Knits library or in PieceWork September/October 2017. Read about Susan’s visit to the nuns of Shaw Island and their flock of Cotswold sheep No Idle Hands: The Social History of American Knitting by Anne L. MacDonald A History of Hand Knitting by Richard Rutt Blazing Star Journal from AgArts This episode is brought to you by: Treenway Silks is where weavers, spinners, knitters and stitchers find the silk they love. Select from the largest variety of silk spinning fibers, silk yarn, and silk threads & ribbons at TreenwaySilks.com . You'll discover a rainbow of colors, thoughtfully hand-dyed in Colorado. Love natural? Treenway's array of wild silks provide choices beyond white. If you love silk, you’ll love Treenway Silks, where superior quality and customer service are guaranteed.…

The Long Thread Podcast

1
Sissal Kjartansdóttir Kristiansen on Faroese Knitting 1:00:41

11 weeks тому1:00:41

1:00:41

Knitting and wool are so essential in the Faroe Islands that in the early 1800s, exports of sweaters and socks made up about half of the economy. Today, the nation of about 55,000 people has 8+ knitwear brands, 2 active spinning mills, and 70,000 ewes. Sissal Kristiansen, the owner of knitwear company Shisa Brand, started an initiative called The Wool Islands to celebrate the heritage and potential of Faroese fiber. “We owe it to our past and our future to utilise the natural resources that we have, and on the Faroe Islands, that is wool,” she says. The first project of the Wool Islands was a 15-minute documentary that takes viewers on a sweeping journey through the Faroese landscape, meeting shepherds, knitters, and of course sheep. Available to watch free on YouTube and the project’s website, the film welcomes you to the small country, which is located in the North Atlantic between Shetland and Iceland. Today, the economy of the Faroe Islands relies on tourism; the film shows how enticing a destination it is for knitters, spinners, and textile lovers. Sheep and knitting are everywhere in the Faroe Islands, but maintaining the quality and value of the local wool depends on visitors, locals, knitters, and consumers to recognize its unique importance. Drawing on the natural colors produced by the native sheep, Faroese knitting patterns are characterized by graphic, highly contrasting stranded patterns that generally carry floats over less than five stitches. Sissal’s designs for Shisa Brand feature bold traditional motifs in contemporary silhouettes and scales. Some of Shisa Brand’s iconic garments feature black-and-white geometric patterns, and the ready-to-wear items are handmade by local handknitters using Faroese wool. Undeterred by wool’s reputation for scratchiness next to the skin, she celebrates the lofty texture, warmth, and silkiness of the dual-coated fleece. Hearing Sissal speak about her home and her passion for Faroese wool will leave you yearning to wear Faroese knitwear, knit with Faroese yarn, and visit the country’s wool islands. Links Shisa Brand website and Instagram Find The Wool Islands film and resources about wool in the Faroe Islands at the program’s website Watch a panel moderated by Isabella Rossellini featuring Sissal and other Faroese designers and producers, hosted by the Scandinavia House in April 2024 Read Sissal’s “Legacy of Wool: Faroese Gold” in Farm & Fiber Knits Føroysk Bindingarmynstur (Faroese Knitting Patterns), the collection of Faroese knitting motifs documented by Hans Marius Debes, is available from Navia. Yarn grown in the Faroe Islands is available from Navia (distributed in the US by Kelbourne Woolens. Spinnaríið við ánna (Spinnery by the River) produces 100% Faroese yarns at a family-owned micro mill. Snaeldan mill produces yarn and knitwear in the Faroe Islands. Signabøgarður tógv offers 100% Faroese wool yarn. This episode is brought to you by: Treenway Silks is where weavers, spinners, knitters and stitchers find the silk they love. Select from the largest variety of silk spinning fibers, silk yarn, and silk threads & ribbons at TreenwaySilks.com . You'll discover a rainbow of colors, thoughtfully hand-dyed in Colorado. Love natural? Treenway's array of wild silks provide choices beyond white. If you love silk, you’ll love Treenway Silks, where superior quality and customer service are guaranteed. KnitPicks.com has been serving the knitting community for over 20 years and believes knitting is for everyone, which is why they work hard to make knitting accessible, affordable, and approachable. Knit Picks responsibly sources its fiber to create an extensive selection of affordable yarns like High Desert from Shaniko Wool Company in Oregon. Are you looking for an ethical, eco-friendly yarn to try? Look no further than Knit Picks’ Eco yarn line. Need needles? Knit Picks makes a selection for knitters right at their Vancouver, Washington headquarters. KnitPicks.com —a place for every knitter.…

The Long Thread Podcast

1
Shay Pendray, Stitcher, Entrepreneur, Cowgirl (classic) 22:06

13 weeks тому22:06

22:06

When young Shay Pendray told the head of her school that she wanted to learn to sew, he had a prerequisite: He would give her a lamb, and she would learn to process the wool, spin it into yarn, and weave it into cloth, and then she could learn to sew. It was an extraordinary home ec class, but the administrator in question was Henry Ford. Shay was one of the students in Greenfield Village, a living museum on the grounds of what is now the Henry Ford Museum. Shay has combined curiosity, hard work, good fortune, and a passion for needle arts ever since. Many fiber artists will remember Shay from the Needle Arts Studio with Shay Pendray. Wanting to share her knowledge of needlework, she developed a television series that ran on PBS stations for years. Before finding a national television audience, Shay opened successful needlework shops, studied embroidery in Japan, China, and Britain, and wrote several books. After decades as a business owner, television pioneer, and teacher, Shay finds great joy in sitting down with needlework every day, reveling in the variety of threads, materials, and information available to stitchers. Besides needle arts, Shay’s other passion is for horses. She loves to ride her horse in the open spaces of Wyoming, admiring the value of the greens and golds in the landscape. Not long before we spoke, USA Today wrote about her: “This 85-year-old cowgirl is still herding cattle across Wyoming: ‘We will age together.’” This episode marks the fifth anniversary of the Long Thread Podcast, which was first released in April 2020. I’ve thought so fondly of this conversation, our first podcast to release, and was excited to revisit it. This episode is brought to you by: Treenway Silks is where weavers, spinners, knitters and stitchers find the silk they love. Select from the largest variety of silk spinning fibers, silk yarn, and silk threads & ribbons at TreenwaySilks.com . You'll discover a rainbow of colors, thoughtfully hand-dyed in Colorado. Love natural? Treenway's array of wild silks provide choices beyond white. If you love silk, you’ll love Treenway Silks, where superior quality and customer service are guaranteed. Sustainability and regenerative ranching have been a way of life for the ranches of Shaniko Wool Company for decades. They are the first “farm group” in the U.S. to achieve certification to the rigorous international Responsible Wool Standard and NATIVA Regenerative. Shaniko ranches raise Merino/Rambouillet sheep in the Western United States, delivering a fully traceable wool supply that gives back to the Earth and its ecosystems. To learn more, and discover Shaniko’s yarn partners, visit ShanikoWoolCompany.com. Tapestry weaving’s simple structure lets you weave almost any image you can dream up. Rebecca Mezoff, author of the bestseller The Art of Tapestry Weaving, will teach you how to weave your own ideas, designs, and adventures. Join Rebecca online to learn all about the magic of making pictures with yarn in the fiber technique of tapestry weaving. Find out more at tapestryweaving.com .…

The Long Thread Podcast

1
Robin Lynde, Meridian Jacobs 55:42

15 weeks тому55:42

55:42

Some shepherds research extensively and choose the breed that best matches their needs. Others come across an animal or a whole flock and everything falls into place—it becomes clear that these are the sheep they’ve been waiting for. Robin Lynde had a farm with a few sheep in the mix, but when a local shepherd decided to sell her Jacob sheep, Robin jumped at the opportunity to own a flock of black-and-white-spotted, two-to-four-horned heritage-breed sheep. Although the flock lives full-time between Sacramento and the Bay Area, Meridian Jacobs get around—digitally, at least. When Robin started fielding inquiries about visiting the sheep and the farm, she came up with the idea for a Farm Club, which invites members to develop a relationship with the flock, by helping on designated Farm Days, keeping up with their photos and videos, and purchasing a share of fiber as a fleece or as yarn. You can find her photogenic sheep on her webite, social media, and YouTube. “I take pictures of everything,” she says—and with sheep so cute, who could blame her? In addition to caring for her sheep, Robin immerses herself in the fiber world through writing and designing handwoven projects. She’s held a weekly study group for weavers for years, first in person and now online. She has designed for both Handwoven and Little Looms magazines, with a particular specialty in weaving with wool. She teaches at a number of events and presents at guild events. Just don’t ask her to go anywhere during lambing, when you’ll find her in the barn with those irresistible Jacobs. Links Meridian Jacobs website Learn about Meridian Jacobs’s Farm Club and see a photo gallery of activities Find Robin’s blog on WordPress and the main website Purchase Meridian Jacobs fleece , yarn , and Robin’s handwovens on their website The Meridian Jacobs YouTube features videos about shearing, weaving, and other wooly subjects Farm & Fiber Knits subscribers can read Robin’s article How to Source Wool Directly from a Farm” Learn more about Jacob sheep in “Meet the Jacob: Robin Lynde in Black and White (and Lilac)” Robin’s article on clasped-warp weaving , which appeared originally in Little Looms magazine, is available online Robin designs frequently for Little Looms, and Handwoven This episode is brought to you by: Treenway Silks is where weavers, spinners, knitters and stitchers find the silk they love. Select from the largest variety of silk spinning fibers, silk yarn, and silk threads & ribbons at TreenwaySilks.com . You’ll discover a rainbow of colors, thoughtfully hand-dyed in Colorado. Love natural? Treenway’s array of wild silks provide choices beyond white. If you love silk, you’ll love Treenway Silks, where superior quality and customer service are guaranteed. Susan Bateman started the Yarn Barn of Kansas back in 1971. She says, “Since the beginning, it's been important to us to teach the crafts we love—weaving, knitting, crochet, and spinning. Last year, we had nearly a thousand enrollments in our classes. We answered questions in store, by phone, and through email.” When you order from The Yarn Barn of Kansas, you aren’t just ordering materials. You're supporting a business that can support you when you need help. Visit yarnbarn-ks.com. Sustainability and regenerative ranching have been a way of life for the ranches of Shaniko Wool Company for decades. They are the first “farm group” in the U.S. to achieve certification to the rigorous international Responsible Wool Standard and NATIVA Regenerative. Shaniko ranches raise Merino/Rambouillet sheep in the Western United States, delivering a fully traceable wool supply that gives back to the Earth and its ecosystems. To learn more, and discover Shaniko’s yarn partners, visit ShanikoWoolCompany.com.…

The Long Thread Podcast

1
Laura Nelkin Knits for Food 46:29

17 weeks тому46:29

46:29

Listening to her college-aged daughter making calls for AmeriCorps in 2020, Laura Nelkin was surprised at how many people in her community faced food insecurity and hunger every day. A problem that had seemed far away suddenly felt much closer to home, and Laura wanted to find a way to help. She had a feeling that other knitters would want to help, too, so she dreamed up a group effort: the Knit for Food Knit-a-Thon . In its first 4 years, the effort has raised over $1.25 million for Feeding America, Meals on Wheels, No Kid Hungry, and World Central Kitchen. 2025 is poised to be the largest event yet, with more teams and knitters joining the effort every day. How does it work? Until Saturday, April 5, 2025, crafters register to participate, either as members of a team or solo. Participants reach out to friends, loved ones, colleagues, and other contacts to make a financial pledge to support the effort. Then from 10 am to 10 pm Eastern Time on April 5, participants pick up your craft of choice and knit (or crochet or stitch or whatever you like). Some teams and local craft groups organize public meetups for support. Anyone raising at least $100 receives a link to online events including stretching and knitting ergonomics, live music, games, and presentations from the four benefiting charities. At the end of the day, you’ve enjoyed 12 hours on your favorite craft, strengthened the fellowship of crafters, and helped raise hundreds of thousands of dollars that directly feed hungry people. Laura (and her saucy alter ego, Lola) develop dozens of innovative ideas every year, from original designs to bead-knitting techniques to a brilliant method for swatching to knit in the round while knitting flat. She documents her ideas and experiments on her YouTube channel, offers kits and mystery knit-alongs, and invites knitters to join her in real life on knitting-related tours and cruises each year. The Knit for Food Knit-a-Thon brings that spirit of fun and inventiveness to a much-needed cause, building the spirit of community with every stitch and donation. Links Knit for Food sign-up page Knit for Food FAQ Check out a list of ideas for charities for handknitters. Laura Nelkin’s website Laura’s YouTube channel Nelkin Designs Ravelry group Nelkin Designs on Facebook This episode is brought to you by: Treenway Silks is where weavers, spinners, knitters and stitchers find the silk they love. Select from the largest variety of silk spinning fibers, silk yarn, and silk threads & ribbons at TreenwaySilks.com . You'll discover a rainbow of colors, thoughtfully hand-dyed in Colorado. Love natural? Treenway's array of wild silks provide choices beyond white. If you love silk, you’ll love Treenway Silks, where superior quality and customer service are guaranteed. KnitPicks.com has been serving the knitting community for over 20 years and believes knitting is for everyone, which is why they work hard to make knitting accessible, affordable, and approachable. Knit Picks responsibly sources its fiber to create an extensive selection of affordable yarns like High Desert from Shaniko Wool Company in Oregon. Are you looking for an ethical, eco-friendly yarn to try? Look no further than Knit Picks’ Eco yarn line. Need needles? Knit Picks makes a selection for knitters right at their Vancouver, Washington headquarters. KnitPicks.com —a place for every knitter.…

The Long Thread Podcast

1
Gabi van Tassell, Turtle Looms 48:33

19 weeks тому48:33

48:33

One day, while waiting outside her daughter’s weaving class, Gabi van Tassell became fascinated with an old-fashioned quilt. The Grandmother’s Flower Garden pattern combines groups of paper-pieced hexagons, and Gabi found herself wondering how she could weave the shapes. An active and curious crafter, she had explored a variety of fiber crafts, though she wasn’t yet a weaver. She experimented with different approaches to the pin loom, eventually realizing that she needed a combination of plain and bias weaving in the same piece. Once she developed the method, she faced the challenge of making the looms. When she realized that she would need to build the looms herself, she decided to patent the idea while developing her manufacturing process. Although establishing her business was challenging, she knew that weavers would love the little turtle-shaped looms. Turtle Looms have the can’t-weave-just-one appeal of any pin loom, but the geometry of hexagons (and Gabi’s newer trapezoid and five-sided Jewel looms) offer a variety of design choices. In addition to making Turtle Looms, Gabi began designing projects to show the variety of projects to be made from hexagons. To her delight, weavers have adopted the looms and even create designs Gabi herself hadn’t dreamed of. Links Turtle Looms website Find Turtle Looms on Instagram @turtleloom The Turtle Looms thread in the Ravelry group Pin Looms to Go offers support and inspiration. This episode is brought to you by: Treenway Silks is where weavers, spinners, knitters and stitchers find the silk they love. Select from the largest variety of silk spinning fibers, silk yarn, and silk threads & ribbons at TreenwaySilks.com . You’ll discover a rainbow of colors, thoughtfully hand-dyed in Colorado. Love natural? Treenway’s array of wild silks provide choices beyond white. If you love silk, you’ll love Treenway Silks, where superior quality and customer service are guaranteed. You’re ready to start a new project but don’t have the right yarn. Or you have the yarn but not the right tool. Yarn Barn of Kansas can help! They stock a wide range of materials and equipment for knitting, weaving, spinning, and crochet. They ship all over the country, usually within a day or two of receiving the order. Plan your project this week, start working on it next week! See yarnbarn-ks.com to get started. Sustainability and regenerative ranching have been a way of life for the ranches of Shaniko Wool Company for decades. They are the first “farm group” in the U.S. to achieve certification to the rigorous international Responsible Wool Standard and NATIVA Regenerative. Shaniko ranches raise Merino/Rambouillet sheep in the Western United States, delivering a fully traceable wool supply that gives back to the Earth and its ecosystems. To learn more, and discover Shaniko’s yarn partners, visit ShanikoWoolCompany.com.…

The Long Thread Podcast

1
Lily M. Chin, Knitting & Crochet Rock Star 49:48

21 weeks тому49:48

49:48

In the early 2000’s, one episode of the Late Show with David Letterman boasted that a crocheter would make Dave a sweater over the course of the show. It sounded impossible, but their special guest backstage was Lily M. Chin, who held the title of World’s Fastest Crocheter. When the closing music played, Lily presented Letterman with his sweater—it was a bit short, but Dave pulled it over his head. By that point, Lily was no stranger to either deadlines or high-profile clients, having created runway pieces for Diane von Furstenburg, Ralph Lauren, Isaac Mizrahi, and other Fashion Week icons. As a crocheter, machine knitter, and handknitter, Lily is known for her innovative techniques and bold designs. Fashion and speed are the hallmarks of Lily’s native New York City as well as her handwork. Lily grew up at the feet of her mother, a garment worker who put a crochet hook in her hands so she’d stay out of trouble. She picked up handknitting and machine knitting, stepped off the pre-med track, and began one of the most varied and interesting careers in fiber art. Any knitter or crocheter with a yarn collection will take heart at Lily’s solution for managing her decades’ worth of stashed yarn. With no room for it in her 650-square-foot Greenwich Village apartment, she keeps it in 9 units in a nearby self-storage facility. She doesn’t need it in her house, after all, when she travels to teach, especially on the Craft Cruises she has participated in for years. Named a Master Knitter by Vogue Knitting International, Lily has a list of credits and affiliations as long as a skein of laceweight yarn, but her down-to-earth attitude and delight in her craft make her stories so much fun. Links Lily teaches frequently with Craft Cruises. In 2025 she will be traveling to Japan and the North Pacific. Find information about Lily’s upcoming classes, current projects, and latest adventures on her socials: @LilyMChin on Instagram @LilyMChin1 on Twitter @LilyMChin on Threads LilyMChin on Ravelry @lilymchinnyc on Pinterest This episode is brought to you by: Treenway Silks is where weavers, spinners, knitters and stitchers find the silk they love. Select from the largest variety of silk spinning fibers, silk yarn, and silk threads & ribbons at TreenwaySilks.com . You'll discover a rainbow of colors, thoughtfully hand-dyed in Colorado. Love natural? Treenway's array of wild silks provide choices beyond white. If you love silk, you’ll love Treenway Silks, where superior quality and customer service are guaranteed. KnitPicks.com has been serving the knitting community for over 20 years and believes knitting is for everyone, which is why they work hard to make knitting accessible, affordable, and approachable. Knit Picks responsibly sources its fiber to create an extensive selection of affordable yarns like High Desert from Shaniko Wool Company in Oregon. Are you looking for an ethical, eco-friendly yarn to try? Look no further than Knit Picks’ Eco yarn line. Need needles? Knit Picks makes a selection for knitters right at their Vancouver, Washington headquarters. KnitPicks.com —a place for every knitter.…

The Long Thread Podcast

1
Jennifer B. Williams, Inkled Pink 1:03:10

23 weeks тому1:03:10

1:03:10

A lifelong crafter, Jennifer B. Williams had tried a wide variety of fiber techniques, but she felt something fall into place the first time she sat down to a lesson at an inkle loom. “It was the strangest thing to me. When I started inkle weaving, I started thinking through inkle,” she says. Delicate bracelets, origami fish, flip-flop straps? Absolutely! Joining bands edge to edge, folding strips into new shapes, and exploring drape and density, the formal confines of narrow warp-faced bands just spark new ideas for her to explore. Although the term “inkle” arose in the sixteenth century to describe a narrow linen tape, some form of band-making developed around the world where something needed tying, lashing, embellishing, cinching or any of the other uses for a durable piece of cloth. Jennifer has studied bandweaving methods from Japan and Africa, finding inspiration in contemporary Yoruba aso-oke weaving and other warp-faced plain-weave techniques. Though her brain has a unique affinity for bandweaving, Jennifer loves to share her knowledge and excitement with students at all levels, using her inkle-first weaving education to help teach effectively. In the coming year, she has classes planned at the Braid Society conference, among other events. A few spaces remain in Jennifer’s classes at Weave Together with Handwoven 2025 in York, Pennsylvania, March 23–27. Links Find Jennifer B. Williams online at the Inkled Pink website or on Instagram . Jennifer documented her daily band practice on Instagram as @dailybandpractice . Jennifer’s patterns for Easy Weaving with Little Looms are available through the Library . Jennifer’s detailed tutorial appears on her website. See Jennifer’s process for making origami goldfish . The Braid Society’s website includes details of conferences and exhibitions. The Weaver's Inkle Pattern Directory: 400 Warp-Faced Weaves by Anne Dixon is available from many weaving stores. Inkle by Evelyn Neher is available from used book sources. Aso-oke weaver Muhammed Abdulrasheed Abiodun practices and teaches traditional Yoruba weaving techniques. This episode is brought to you by: Treenway Silks is where weavers, spinners, knitters and stitchers find the silk they love. Select from the largest variety of silk spinning fibers, silk yarn, and silk threads & ribbons at TreenwaySilks.com . You’ll discover a rainbow of colors, thoughtfully hand-dyed in Colorado. Love natural? Treenway’s array of wild silks provide choices beyond white. If you love silk, you’ll love Treenway Silks, where superior quality and customer service are guaranteed. Sustainability and regenerative ranching have been a way of life for the ranches of Shaniko Wool Company for decades. They are the first “farm group” in the U.S. to achieve certification to the rigorous international Responsible Wool Standard and NATIVA Regenerative. Shaniko ranches raise Merino/Rambouillet sheep in the Western United States, delivering a fully traceable wool supply that gives back to the Earth and its ecosystems. To learn more, and discover Shaniko’s yarn partners, visit ShanikoWoolCompany.com.…

The Long Thread Podcast

1
Louie García, Pueblo Weaver (classic) 59:11

25 weeks тому59:11

59:11

Visiting museums and archaeological sites in the American Southwest, Louie García finds inspiration to revive the fiber techniques of the past. He has participated in creating several recreations of ancient textiles, including a replica of the 800-year-old Arizona Openwork Shirt, and is a member of the Cedar Mesa Perishables Project, which studies artifacts including baskets, plaited and twined yucca sandals, and most importantly cotton textile fragments that date back as much as two thousand years. But where others might see ruins, Louie sees connections to the Pueblo heritage that is part of his daily life. When rediscovering weaving, spinning, and cotton-growing skills, he says, “That’s how I’m able to connect with my ancestors.” Navigating between his wish to maintain the role of fiber arts in his community with respect for the sacred nature of traditional knowledge, he founded the New Mexico Pueblo Fiber Arts Guild in in Albuquerque, New Mexico. He teaches classes to Pueblo weavers as well as a few non-Pueblo fiber arts enthusiasts. His handspun, handwoven gauze and weft-wrap openwork piece, inspired by a nearly 1,000-year-old Hohokam textile in the Ventana Cave excavation, was featured on the cover of Spin Off Summer 2020—one of just a few articles about Pueblo weaving written from a Pueblo perspective, he says. Looking at the piece, Cedar Mesa Perishables Project director Laurie Webster remarked, “It’s probably been at least a thousand years since anyone has woven a piece like this.” Spin Off is excited to welcome Louie as an instructor at SOAR October 12-17, 2025, in Loveland, Colorado. Join us to hear how Louie connects the work of his hands with his dedication to Pueblo heritage. Links Openwork Shirt (sprang replica): Carol James, “The Arizona Openwork (Tonto) Shirt Project” (2017). PreColumbian Textile Conference VII / Jornadas de Textiles PreColombinos VII. 25. Cedar Mesa Perishables Project Indian Pueblo Cultural Center Louie García, “Pueblo Cotton in the American Southwest: Ancient Gauze Weave and Weft-Wrap Openwork.” Spin Off Summer 2020. This episode is brought to you by: Treenway Silks is where weavers, spinners, knitters and stitchers find the silk they love. Select from the largest variety of silk spinning fibers, silk yarn, and silk threads & ribbons at TreenwaySilks.com . You’ll discover a rainbow of colors, thoughtfully hand-dyed in Colorado. Love natural? Treenway’s array of wild silks provide choices beyond white. If you love silk, you’ll love Treenway Silks, where superior quality and customer service are guaranteed. KnitPicks.com has been serving the knitting community for over 20 years and believes knitting is for everyone, which is why they work hard to make knitting accessible, affordable, and approachable. Knit Picks responsibly sources its fiber to create an extensive selection of affordable yarns like High Desert from Shaniko Wool Company in Oregon. Are you looking for an ethical, eco-friendly yarn to try? Look no further than Knit Picks’ Eco yarn line. Need needles? Knit Picks makes a selection for knitters right at their Vancouver, Washington headquarters. KnitPicks.com —a place for every knitter. Knitters know Manos del Uruguay for their yarns’ rich tonal colors, but the story of women’s empowerment and community benefit enriches every skein. Discover 17 yarn bases from laceweight to super bulky made and dyed at an artisan owned cooperative in Uruguay. Ask for Manos at your local retailer or visit FairmountFibers.com .…

The Long Thread Podcast

1
Charan Sachar, Creative with Clay 55:53

27 weeks тому55:53