I’m very excited to share the sixth episode of the Woolful podcast. Today we get to meet two fiber folk that inspire in different ways. Jennifer King of The Sachem Farm and Bristol Ivy.
Sponsor: This episode is sponsored by Yarn, a charming online and local yarn shop based in Eureka, California. Yarn was created by Sunni Schrivner who has a dedication for natural fibers and supporting local yarns. Make sure to visit Yarn in person when on the coast in hum bolt county and online at yarn-fun.com.
Fiber folk 1: Bristol is a designer, spinner, jack of all trades for Brooklyn Tweed and lover of cats from Portland, Maine. You can find her at blackbirdturning.blogspot.com and on Instagram @bristolivy. And with that, here’s Bristol…
Man on the Street: For this week’s “Man on the Street” I asked a handful of fiber enthusiasts to answer the following question, “What fiber aspirations do you have for the new year?” We had many amazing replies from Andrea (@dreareneeknits), Nikki (@woolenviolet), Sonja (@atreebytheriver), Andi (My Sister’s Knitter) and Brittney (Wool + Wood).
Fiber folk 2: Our next guest I met through the Woolful blog, after she wrote me one of the most encouraging notes, shared from her heart as a woman and mother. As time went on and I got to know Jen a little better, I came to learn more about her amazing journey at The Sachem Farm in Warren, Connecticut and as a mother of three boys. You can find her at thesachemfarm.com and on Instagram @thesachemfarm. And with that, here’s Jen.
Giveaway: The winner of last week’s giveaway, is @anna_dandelion! You’ve won two skeins of Rambouillet fingering yarn dyed in indigo from Local Color Fiber Studio. Congratulations!
The giveaway this week is sponsored by Sunni Scrivner of Yarn. We’re giving away the Trelawney Mitts project kit which includes a skein of knitted wit Welterweight Rambouillet and Sunni’s beautiful Trelawney mitts printed pattern. To enter this giveaway, visit the giveaway post on Instagram @woolful and tag a friend in the comments. You can also enter by leaving a comment on this post.
The past couple of week’s, my family and I were at our ranch in Idaho, working on the cabin, soaking up our first white Christmas and naturally dyeing over 60 skeins of yarn using plant matter found on our property, for the Winter quarter natural dye club. It was quite the undertaking and we had a blast doing it, even in the sub zero weather. This week I’ll be sharing a preview of Spring quarter’s Natural Dye Club which has some pretty exciting yarn bases. To be a part of this sneak preview, signup for the newsletter in the sidebar.
Music by Jónsi
Transcription to follow shortly…
74 Comments
I love to hear wise words from all kinds of fiber people here on woolful. Thank you!
And mitts – just what I need!
oh boy – can’t wait to savor this podcast when I have a few moments! so great to have this to look forward to – It’s better than “something good on TV” which is so rare these days – who has time for television when there’s stuff like this around… and knitting of course!
Loved listening while knitting a birthdaysweater! Would love to knit mitts 🙂
Can’t wait to listen. I caught up on all the podcasts over the holidays.
Oooh, Bristol is awesome, can’t wait to listen to her on this episode!
That purple yarn is amazing, wow! <3
Happy Knitting!
oh podcast you inspire.
what fun that they have created a yarn pattern site of their own.
i never get quite as far north as eureka but have the shop on my list in case it happens.
jonatha
aka she was not your ordinary knitter
I’m looking forward to this podcast. I always enjoy every one.
I’ve loved listening to all of these podcasts and am getting ready to start this one now. I’ve learned so much and am so inspired!
I can’t wait for the spring quarter yarn!! So exciting!!!
I’m always anxious for the next one! I follow you on Instagram also. I’m @kniterella
Your Podcasts are urging me through my first sweater!!!!! I look forward to them every week 🙂
This has become a regular highlight of my week, and way to dream of what my life could be! Looking forward to what new things you share this year.
Looking forward to listening to this podcast while I get to work on my fibre aspiration for 2015. I plan to launch an online shop with my own handspun, naturally dyed local yarns by the end of the year. Tonight I continue sorting the 8 lb fleece I bought last month.
So many amazing points in this podcast- thank you for the fruitful conversation, as always! A perfect balance of tips, stories, laughs, and philosophy…well done!
Bristol Ivy’s patterns are lovely, but I didn’t know she had a blog, I will check it out. Thanks for the chance to win such a beautiful pattern and lovely yarn! 🙂
I look forward to this podcast so much!! Thank you for all your hard work Ashley! This weeks was awesome- I love Bristol Ivy and what she was saying about homeschooling was spot on. I was homeschooled preschool-high school and she is so right about the freedom to learn and think outside of the box that comes with homeschooling! And that totally carries you through to adulthood. 🙂 I am looking forward to dabbling in natural dying this summer and saving that special skein of Cormo for that purpose (as hard as that is!)
Just started tuning in on a train ride from Chgo-MKE and am hooked!
I always start listening to these thinking that maybe half I might find applicable to me; but every single one I am SO inspired and intrigued for the whole time. My brain gets all caught up in fiber, pattern design, different sheep breeds, and then my kids ask for a snack or start competing for my attention. 🙂 Such an enjoyable pod cast and I feel so inspired to try new things!
I look forward to listening to this podcast!
Another excellent episode! I enjoyed every minute. Thank you.
Those mitts look wonderful and purple is my favorite color. I’d love to win and try out Sunni’s pattern!
What a great kit!! These would be fabulous to knit up!
Love hearing all the stories and the myriad ways that people enter and thrive in the fiber world. Thank you.
Gorgeous mittens!
Thank you so much to you and each of your guests for the inspiration! I can’t wait to see what your natural dye adventures look like.
Like your Podcast!
I do want to add to Bristol’s comment about US-made knitting tools. Off the top of my head, Brittany needles are made in a small, family business in California. They make straights, DPNs and crochet hooks. I think I read in an article that they do source their birch from Europe.
I was part of Anne Hanson’s Bare Naked Knit Club last year and one of the things I got was a cable needle from Indian Lake Artisans. They are also a small family business in Michigan and get all their materials locally. They have circs, DPNs and straights and they are beautiful!
Kollage makes all their metal needles in the US, too.
Hopefully this will help others to buy more US-based items. 🙂
I second your comment about Indian Lake Artisans! I love their needles and the hand written notes of thanks when they arrive in the mail:)
Another great podcast 🙂 It’s been so great to hear your interviewees’ winding journeys to their current profession.
As usual you interview some really amazing people in the fiber industry. Always a joy to listen.
I especially loved listening to Jen of Sachem Farm. I could have listen to talk about the farm, the sheep, and her journey all day long.
I finally found time to sit and listen to this week’s podcast. As always-it was great to hear Jennifer’s voice and story. Though I already know her journey in fiber, every time I hear it, I learn something new.
Another great podcast! I was trying to talk my husband into leaving everything and starting farm.. he was NOT interested.. In my dreams I guess! I especially liked the dory about your son starting the ATV and you describing the look of pure satisfaction on his face! Ha! Well done! Can’t wait for the next!
This is my first time listening to your podcast, I have really enjoyed it, I am now off to listen to your earlier ones!
I am looking forward to hearing about your new farm venture it sounds very exciting x
I love to listen you podcast while knitting.
Thanks from Greece
Fantastic episode! Love learning more about Bristol. She’s a favorite here in our house of wool.
Best of luck to you on your big adventure! Sounds like you are getting tons of great advice. XOXOX
I have only just found your blog and podcast and will be starting to listen this evening. I am so looking forward to it!
Of course the mitts would be great…. But I want to say “what a wonderful blog”.
This is my first visit at your blog, I enjoyed and will listen more often. ☺️
I enjoyed meeting Bristol very much as I have bought several of her designs. This podcast is by far one of the best out there!
this is the most amazing purple I’ve ever seen.
thank you for your podcast, it is warming my heart on those very hard and sad days
Ashley, you are doing an incredible thing for the creative community. I’m learning so much that I’m even taking notes! These podcasts will be an amazing archive of this current period in textile history.
I have dreams of homesteading in my future, and seeing that other women are making it happen is just what I need to keep fueling that dream.
I love your Instagram as well – I’m @carlenergy.
Cheers <3
I love reading your blog–makes me more mindful of what I choose to knit and with which fibers. The purple yarn looks amazing!!
Great episode! I love the purple of that skein as well.
I forgot to mention – Sachem farm is just 35 minutes from where I live right now! I might have to plan a visit.
Your podcast has quickly become one of my favorites. Thank you for interesting interviews and insightful thoughts on the fiber community. I look forward to many more!
i love listening every week – thank you for all that you do!
I just discovered your blog and podcast today. It’s going to be a lot of fun keeping up with you in 2015!
What a gorgeous purple! I would love to make those for my sister in law. I am so glad I found your podcast via the KAL-Lori shared it.
I love listening to your podcasts. I found this one to be very informative. I love how you have different people on to share their experiences. I thought it was interesting that you all mentioned the generation gap. It seems as if you all are overcoming it. I look forward to the next podcast!
Thank you for the amazing podcast. It instantly became one of my favorite knitting companions. Looking forward to what’s ahead…
Loving listening to your podcasts while I knit in the evenings. Your stories are very inspirational and thought-provoking.
What a wonderful episode! I’m going to listen to this one twice for sure! Thank you so much for putting these together its so wonderful to hear about everyone else’s wool obsessions!
I just read about your podcast on Knitter’s Review. I’m looking forward to checking it out. Thanks for the terrific giveaway.
I was glad to hear Bristol’s shout-out for DyakCraft needles, made in Vermont. I ordered a set of DyakCraft interchangeable needles for myself in January 2014 and received them in December 2014. The especially long wait was due to the fire that Bristol mentioned. I am currently knitting a sweater with these needles, and it has made the experience all the more special. I am terrified of losing one though!
I always enjoy your podcasts but I was particularly fascinated by Jennifer King’s story. I loved her encouragement to “just go for it!” and ask for help along the way.
Always a pleasure to listen to your guests, I find that the focus on the variegated features of the fiber community is the best feature of this podcast. looking forward to very new episode ( and always crossing my fingers for the giveaway!)
The mitts are beautiful! Would love to win the kit!
I will be very interested to hear more about your building projects in Idaho. When we lived in the area one enterprising man soldered hot water pipes on the back of his woodstove and was able to heat all of his domestic hot water to 150 degrees, amazing. Very interesting talk, especially the shepherding journey.
Loves this week’s episode! I’d love to have my own sheep farm one day.
Would love to own a sheep farm.
The purple yarn is gorgeous! Would love to knit those mitts!
First time listener and enjoyed your podcast a lot, thanks for all the effort.
I would be very happy to win the the pattern and the wool. I really love the colour.
Great podcast and what a beautiful color of yarn!
Hi Ashley, since I found out about your podcast, I have been in tune with all your updates. This episode specifically, you are encouraging people to reach their dreams. I love how you brought up the fact you are planning to homeschool your son. I also live in the country in Ontario Canada. And as a City girl, it is a big change. I grew to appreciate the quiet and peace. As for homeschooling, it is a great choice to make. Living in the country really does humble everything and you appreciate every little thing. It’s not about what you are teaching. It is about the connection you have with your children. They will feel when you want them around. Also, they only learn by your modelling, not what you teach. You know that already when your son pressed that button (from the podcast) 😉
I am so enjoying your podcast, and all of the wonderful information…the stories and adventures! Please enter me in this week’s drawing. Thank you.
I would love to be entered into the giveaway! Lovely mitts!
Another interesting podcast! I can’t wait until the next one.
Thanks for these podcasts, they are an inspiring part of my week.
First Podcast And i loved it!! Thanks
Gosh, I really love your podcast. It’s so inspiring to hear about all these creative people, to learn about yarn and its production and the alternatives to commercially produced yarn! Due to you InI’m getting more and more curious about the topic. Thanks for all your hard work and I can’t wait to listen to the many future podcasts!!!
I love to listen to your podcasts on my way to & from work, they set me up in a calm , knitting positive frame of mind! It’s the great range of people we get to hear from that I especially like & also their background story which we would never normally get to know. You ask the questions I would want to plus we get to know about up & coming yarn sellers, dyers & all round great knitting folk! Love it!
Thanks very much for making such an awesome podcast. I shared it with my coworker who is getting into sheep farming here in Western Washington. Love it!
What a cute hat!
Every episode is so inspiring, wish I didn’t have to wait a whole week between episodes
I’ve recently gotten back into knitting and your blog and podcast are so inspiring. Im planning a trip to Seattle and you’ve inspired me to seek out some local wool producers and knitting shops while on that trip. Thanks for all the lovely images and information!
[…] and workshops taught by some of our favorite fiber folks. This week on August 13th and 15th, Bristol Ivy will be teaching two classes, Brioche 101 and Knitting Outside the Box. On September 3rd, Meghan […]