#spin15adaywoolbreedstudy July – December 2019

Posted on February 9, 2019 by

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I have pulled together the breeds for the July- December 2019 study in approx. 25 gram bundles and packaged them together for spinners that don’t have them in their stash and want a low-cost way to participate.

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The list of breeds we are studying through December 2020 can be found here!

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We do have lots of snow (over 12 inches from what I can see) that has piled up and it’s still snowing. I’m very thankful it’s a Saturday, so many folks and children are home from work and school. So, any orders placed will be shipped as soon as the roads are safe to drive to the bulk mailing post office (about 8 miles away). I’m sure you understand.

So, we should just all hunker down for the weekend and spin, spin, spin….

Life Lessons of a Maker

Posted on February 2, 2019 by

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I made a decision to pull the Find a Farm from the website for now. It requires a ridiculous amount of time that I don’t currently have to give to it along with my full attention.

There are plenty of resources out there for folks to find wool in their area without me trying to reinvent that wheel.

Sometimes it just takes me giving it a try, or two, maybe even three tries before I decide it’s not working for me, at least at the moment.  I think you get it. We’ve all been there.

So, if you need me, I’ll be over on Instagram, getting the word out on #spin15aday.

Spin on…

Ground Control: We have a Mission Statement

Posted on January 28, 2019 by

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It took much thought, over three years of actual promoting and then writing it out by hand, multiple times, to finally create the #spin15aday mission statement.

“The goal of #spin15aday is to promote the craft of spinning fiber 15 minutes a day while building a worldwide fiber community together, online and in person.”

This tells the what, how and why.  If I had tried to write this back in 2015, I would have failed to hit the mark and probably would have changed it multiple times.

I think this sums it up!

 

Hands: Irish Spinning Wheel Making

Posted on January 10, 2019 by

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If you have 28 minutes, a cup of tea and your spinning wheel or spindle handy, have a sit down and enjoy this documentary from YouTube.

Power Outage @ the 1764 studio

Posted on January 6, 2019 by

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Good morning from the studio.

We had a windstorm just after midnight and it knocked the power out through out the area.

A pretty tall tree came down and took out the woodshed, just missing the studio.

Luckily, I have neighbors to help me cut some of the tree away and a neighbor that has a generator to his well so I can get water to flush the toilets. The mister is working out of town. He misses all the fun storms we have had over the years.

Any orders placed will be delayed going out as no power equals no internet. Fingers crossed the county gets it sorted soon.

Maybe I should spend the day spinning by the fire…

January 2019 #spin15aday Events

Posted on January 2, 2019 by

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IMG-6938Two #spin15aday events over on Instagram in January.

If you are participating in one or both, make sure to tag your photos so you have a chance of winning one of these gift-aways from some wonderful #spin15aday sponsors:

#spin15adaystashdown sponsor:  @dnali.thestudio (Thanks bunches, Nicky!)

#spin15adaywoolbreedstudy sponsor: @coveredbridgefarm (Thanks Nicole & Lavonne)

Check out my posts over on Instagram for more information.  You can find the link to my account over on the far right —->

Out of the Mouths of Sheep

Posted on December 19, 2018 by

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A bit of wool controversy is happening, with a few big name brands and a well known group doing what they can to tell the world not to wear wool.

What would a sheep say?

I think they would say “Save a sheep – Wear wool.”  Since sheep can’t really tell us how they feel, we have to be their voice.

Wool has so many great natural properties to offer the world, has been around since… well forever seems like a good amount of time.

We know wool is a natural, renewable resource. 

We also know:

  • Wool is self-cleaning, naturally antibacterial and odor resistant.
  • Wool can absorb a lot of weight without feeling wet.
  • Wool is biodegradable.
  • Wool is naturally fire resistant and fire retardant.
  • Wool improves indoor air quality to help remove allergens and pollutants, deterring the growth of dust mites.
  • Wool is 100% natural and forms part of a natural carbon cycle.
  • Wool is a great insulator for homes.
  • Wool keeps you warm in the winter and it cools in the summer.

Can you say that about man-made fibers?

There is much to be said about the health factors of shearing sheep and the by-product of their fleece, for us spinners, it is heaven on earth. 

The sheep is sheared and let free to roam around the pasture. The spinner obtains the fleece to spin the wool into yarn. The weaver or knitter works the wool yarn into an article of clothing or home goods.  The sheep grows more wool and the process starts again. 

There is so much more to it than this small post I am writing. Many of us on Instagram feel that @claraparkes said it well here. 

I’ve ordered buttons, see the photos within this post, and should be available mid-January in the #spin15aday shop!

Until next time…spin on.

#spin15aday gets a mention

Posted on December 12, 2018 by

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Spin Off Winter 2019 Issue

Spin Off has been around, well, it seems like forever.  I had printed copies of issues years and years ago.  Those printed copies have moved on to other spinners as I’ve taken the minimalist approach to magazines by mostly going digital.  

Thanks to @yarnengineer for the heads up about the article in the Winter 2019 issue of Spin Off, Podcast! Creating a Fiber Community by Emily Straw. Of course, I had to go out and get a copy to read, especially when #spin15aday gets a mention. 

It just keeps getting better, our little #spin15aday community, mostly on Instagram and now with the group on Ravelry run by some wonderful co-moderators that take care of keeping the threads alive and well.  

#spin15aday has slowly, but steadily spread joy over the past three years and I hope it will continue to do so as we head in to its fourth year in 2019. 

It has been a community effort, even when I nudge all of you spinners, it has taken us as a village to make it happen. Thank YOU for making it what it is and will be.

Spin on…

Oops! Not an IT person – Apology to you!

Posted on December 9, 2018 by

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A huge apology for any and all crazy emails that went out today from The 1764 Shepherdess website.

I was trying to update the website theme.  Fail!!!

Join the #spin15adaystashdown 2019

Posted on December 6, 2018 by

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We hope you will join us for a year-long spin and fiber stash diving! Each month (corresponding with the month number) has a theme to spin to. See what you have on hand to spin or find a fiber vendor, local or on-line, that has just what you are needing. Most of all, have fun and #spin5aday!!!

Starting January 1, 2019 on Instagram!!!

December 2018 Challenge

Posted on December 2, 2018 by

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Well, HoHoHo, December has arrived.

We’ve been spinning all year, so I decided we needed to end the year with an easy, fun spinning/knitting challenge over on Instagram.

Here’s what to do:

  • Stash dive for about 100 grams of fiber or use up a bunch of bits to create something unique.
  • Spin up approximately 100 yards in a DK weight (yes, you can target your spin to a specific weight, that’s just part of the challenge)
  • Post your progress on Instagram with #spin15december2018
  • Knit up a pair of Good Time Fingerless Mitts by Melissa Woods (a free Ravelry download) with your freshly spun yarn.
  • Keep posting your progress on Instagram with #spin15december2018
  • I’ll be drawing two names (completed the challenge) on December 31, 2018, and will send a woolly surprise package to them.

Even if your name is not drawn, you’ll have spun and knit yourself a pair of mitts! As @itsmyhamburger said, everyone wins.

Keep spinning and look for the activities being planned for #spin15aday in 2019!!!

Spin on…

It’s the Simple Things in Life…

Posted on November 29, 2018 by

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As I struggle with my early 1900’s circular sock machine, I am reminded that it’s not that important if I’m not successful with it, only that I tried. Our time here is too short to sweat the small stuff and just enjoy the simple things in life. What reminded me? This sweet holiday commercial put out by Hobby Lobby!

Check out all the handknits the young girl is wearing.  This longer version of the commercial is better via YouTube than the 30 seconds played over the television.

Brings a tear to my eye!

Enjoy!

 

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