Woolful Podcast –

Episode 79: Jessica Lewis Stevens – Librarianship, Natural Dyeing, Homesteading, and Sugarhouse Workshop

May 18, 2017

Sponsor: The Sated Sheep opened in February of 2015 in Dripping Springs Texas by Allison Wilcox. After practicing as a clinical psychologist for 30 years, Allison began looking to do something different..to focus on being a part of and building community, which led her to open The Sated Sheep. Allison shares, “I really believe that you change the world one moment and one soul at a time, and that a big part of that is education. I spend a lot of time just talking with folks who come in about where the yarns come from, how they are made, what the story is behind the person/company who made them etc. That’s super important to me personally and I try, as much as I can, to have that reflected in the choices I make in the shop.” The Sated Sheep is passionate about making craft accessible to everyone and they’ve partnered with the local library to offer free classes twice a month.

So if you’re in the Austin or Dripping Springs Texas area or just passing through, make sure to seek out The Sated Sheep. Stop in for coffee or tea beer or wine, and try some of their homemade raw dark chocolates, relax during the Tuesday evening happy hour, join one of their exciting classes or peruse the shop. Mark your calendar because on Mondays, a local massage therapist takes over the shop and one can book a massage for themselves or bring friends to sit and knit or crochet and take turns getting a massage and receive 10% off in the shop. You can find The Sated Sheep at thesatedsheep.com and on Instagram @thesatedsheep

Fiber folk: I’ve long admired Jessica and her work, for her simplistic approach to natural dyeing, love of books, tempting baked goods and warm and welcoming heart for this fiber community. She has a very interesting background, having first delved into natural dyeing while studying librarianship in graduate school and it’s led her all the way to making a home in Vermont along with her husband and two adorable sons. I hope you enjoy hearing her story as much as I have and getting to know this inspiring woman. You can find Jessica at sugarhouseworkshop.com and on Instagram @sugarhouseworkshop.

Sponsor: Scratch is an innovative new yarn and craft supply shop located in Lebanon, New Hampshire. They’re committed to providing a beautifully curated selection of yarns and supplies for knitters, as well as roving, tools, and kits for needle felters. Their shop also features embroidery, sewing, and select fine art supplies. Scratch operates with the guiding notion that makers are curious and creative, and should be able to find exciting, high quality materials to work with all in one place.

Scratch is also home to the areas only handcraft focused makerspace–home to a sewing bar, multiple looms, common workspace, a tool library, and more! Explore their full schedule of classes, and weekly Craft Night focused on building the creative community in the Upper Valley.

You can find Scratch online at scratchmakerspace.com, and on Facebook & Instagram: @scratchmakerspace

Giveaway: The winner of last weeks episode giveaway is Nancy. You’ve won a skein of their Alpaca handspun worsted weight yarn from Your Daily Dose of Fiber. Congratulations!

This week’s giveaway is sponsored by Making Magazine and to celebrate the launch of their most recent issue, No. 3 DOTS, they’re giving away a copy along with a yard of Robert Kaufman’s double gauze chambray dobby fabric to make the Starry Sky Skirt by Rae Hoekstra. This issue also features today’s guest along with many other makers, projects and patterns. To enter leave a comment on this post.

Music by Jónsi.

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Making Podcast Woolful Podcast

Episode 78: Emily Chamelin-Hickman – Shearing life, Wool business, Controversy and Targeted grazing

April 26, 2017

Sponsor: Sunday Knits has quickly become one of my new favorite yarns to knit with. Started in 2008 by Carol Sunday, Sunday Knits is a collection of 4 merino and merino blend yarns and beautiful patterns designed by Carol. From the 100% extra-fine Australian merino to the French Angora, all their fibers are humanely sourced and then milled in Italy to Carol’s meticulous and caring specifications. Aside from this yarns obvious qualities, they’re a dream to knit with…so soft yet sturdy and the breadth of colors are beautiful and perfect for color work…I have yet to move beyond swatching, as there are so many great uses for this wholesome yarn. And if you enjoy knitting shawls, make sure to take a look at Carol’s latest patterns, Windfeather and Water Hyacinth, featuring lacework and texture…a little warmth and a lot of style makes these beautiful shawls a wardrobe staple, and an enjoyable knit in any of Sunday Knits’ yarns. You can also find kits for these designs on their website. Visit Sunday Knits at sundayknits.com or if you can make a trip to Roscoe, Illinois near the Wisconsin state line, make an appointment to visit Sunday Knits gorgeous studio. You can follow on Instagram @carolsundayknits

Fiber folk: I first met Emily at the 2016 ASI convention, where I was introduced by our mutual friend Brittany Cole Bush. Brittany’s first words were, ‘You need to get to know Emily. She is the most incredible shearer you’ll meet.’ And she was right. I’ve enjoyed getting to know Emily more and watch her journey on Instagram. Her passion and love for sheep, their care and the wool industry is inspiring. I hope you enjoy getting to know her as she tells her story. You can find Emily at chamelinshearing.org and on Instagram @gypsyshearer.

Sponsor: Located in Historic Downtown Laramie, Wyoming, Cowgirl Yarn is a fiber-lover’s paradise. Their unique collection of scrumptious yarns, luxurious needles, fashion-forward patterns, one-of-a-kind accessories, and oodles of inspiration provides the ideal home for any and all knitters, crocheters, weavers, and spinners. They are proud to offer a large and exclusive selection of yarns and fibers that are produced in Wyoming. They also represent over 25 brands that are made in the USA as well as stock goods from 6 out of the 7 continents. Enjoy a taste of the world, of the United States, of Wyoming at Cowgirl Yarn. Make sure to visit cowgirlyarn.com for a list of their gatherings and classes, including their community gathering every Monday evening. And follow along with their fiber exploration on Facebook, Instagram, the Cowgirl Yarn blog or join their Email list.

Man on the Street: For this week’s “Man on the Street” I asked the question, “What are some of your favorite farm or breed specific yarns these days?”. We had a great reply from Beatrice @threadandladle, mentioning Wing and a Prayer, Hinterland and Lana Plantae

I’m looking for more fiber appreciating folks to join the Man on the Street team…if you’re interested, shoot me an email at hello@woolful.com

Giveaway: The winner of last weeks episode giveaway is Adrienne Simmons. You’ve won the Constellation Bandana Embroidery project kit and No. 2 FAUNA from Making Magazine.

This week’s giveaway is sponsored by Your Daily Dose of Fiber and they’re giving away a skein of their handspun Alpaca worsted weight yarn. To enter leave a comment on this post.

Music by Jónsi.

70 Comments

Making Podcast Woolful Podcast

Episode 77: Maura Grace Ambrose – Grandma’s attic, Americana, Family and Folk Fibers

March 24, 2017

Sponsor: Making is a bi-annual handcrafts publication created by Carrie Bostick Hoge of Madder, that brings crafts people from different areas of focus to one publication. The act of making helps to connect us to the past, knowing that many craft skills were practiced daily out of necessity. We also connect to our present, as we stop to slow down and enjoy the work at hand, leaving behind the stress of our busy days. And, possibly at the heart of our creations, is the future. As the sweater we knit or the blanket we quilt becomes an heirloom for our family to use, enjoy, and pass down to the next generation. Circling back and tying us to the past. All these connections are equally important and help to bring meaning and value to the beauty and utility we make. Subscriptions just opened for 2017, with the Spring issue DOTS shipping in May, which includes a Q & A piece with today’s guest Maura Ambrose and myself, and the Fall issue LINES shipping in October. This year you’ll enjoy projects, essays and more from And if you missed past issues, they’ll be available beginning next week from the shop. Make sure to visit makingzine.com to subscribe and follow along on the blog and Instagram @makingzine.

Fiber folk: When it comes to quilting, few are as passionate, dedicated and adorable as Maura Grace Ambrose of Folk Fibers. Through hand quilted elegance and natural dyeing exploration, Maura has created a mesmerizing collection of some of the most beautiful quilts I’ve ever seen. Her journey has lead her to a place where her craft comes second only to her family and the home they’ve created. I hope you enjoy getting to know Maura and her passions. You can find Maura at folkfibers.com and on Instagram @folkfibers.

Photos by: Maura Ambrose, Dennis Burnett, Josh Goleman, Rinne Allen, Boots and Pine, Wynn Meyers, Knoxy Knox

Scratch is also home to the areas only handcraft focused maker space–home to a sewing bar, multiple looms, common workspace, a tool library, and more! Explore their full schedule of classes, and weekly Craft Night focused on building the creative community in the Upper Valley.

You can find Scratch online at scratchmakerspace.com, and on Facebook & Instagram: @scratchmakerspace

Giveaway: The winner of last weeks episode giveaway is Tiffany H. You’ve won a two year subscription to Taproot Magazine, 2 skeins of Stone Wool and 2 skeins of Greenbow Farm Lopi yarn. Congratulations!

This week’s giveaway is sponsored by Making Magazine and they’re giving away the Constellation Bandana Embroidery project kit along with Issue no. 1 FAUNA. To enter leave a comment on this blogpost.