Episode 8 - The Fleece Episode | Honeywoods Flock, Hand-spun socks & The Eastwind

[@WoollyChats]

Thank you for sharing and inspiring me to spin at my wheel again 😊

[@knittingcharms]

Yes, I can relate to the concept of beauty and practicality at the same time. The two are actually depending on each other. Beauty always seems to falter if there is no purpose behind it and things that are well used become more beautiful with each day. I always tried to have beautiful things in use. They shouldn't be hidden away. Life is too short to hide beauty. 💫

[@AncestralCraeft]

They’re so interdependent aren’t they ❤️ when we care for something it becomes an extension of us almost, your favourite mug or spoon, they all have meaning because we have such a strong kindred connection. Thank you so much for your kind works ❤️ x

[@ShellAgri]

Alex your journey is legendary keep up the good work. 🎉

[@joriethompson6386]

I’m not a spinner…yet… but really enjoy seeing you prepare the wool and spinning it. It must be so satisfying to be able to be so connected to the item you create starting with seeing the creature it came from. I loved the footage of the places from your hikes. The cave and paintings inside -amazing. You’re so lucky to live in such a beautiful space. Thanks for sharing.

[@AncestralCraeft]

Yet 😉 it’s an incredibly beautiful journey that I’ve been on with wool, I’d be lost without spinning! I’m glad you enjoyed the episode!

[@dianejohns8648]

What a lovely surprise. Thank you for such a thoughtful and magical episode. X

[@doro5419]

I really enjoy your podcasts! Lisa from Soulful Spinning recommended it to us and I'm glad I checked it out. Thank you for mentioning the sock knitting book! I knew Lisa talked about it once, but I couldn't find it again in her videos. Now I wrote it down to not forget it again.

[@AncestralCraeft]

Lisa is the queen of resources, what a wealth of wisdom and knowledge. So glad to have you here :) x

[@maureenklettl4865]

Thank you for another inspiring episode. I enjoy seeing all the things you make, and your garden adventures.

[@robynreid3027]

Oops forgot to say that I only try to make items that are both useful and beautiful. Loved the pics of Aran, we were there last year, so beautiful and incredibly old. Stay warm and dry, think of us down-under in the hot sun, too hot for knitting!

[@AncestralCraeft]

Thank you for your kind words and encouragement ❤️ the fairy doll sounds so precious, it’s a beautiful thing to be making gifts. Thank you for the stocking recommendations!

[@moniquesavoie5440]

So happy to have found you! I love your aesthetics your garden, spinning, knitting and sewing! You’re a real artist❤

[@scanzaroli]

Absolutely love this podcast! It's so rustic and dreamy. I love your gardening, spinning, your sewing and especially your fabulous knitting. I feel more connected to the earth just watching. Thank you for sharing

[@AncestralCraeft]

I’m so glad you enjoyed it! I hope that it brought you comfort 😊🍂 x

[@StitchyJam_Knitting_Podcast]

Lovely to see you again. What a beautiful episode, love all your craft and garden projects. Self drafting sewing is such a talent and the fact you know the seehp where your fivre is is so heartfelt. Until next season, take care. J xo

[@AncestralCraeft]

Thank you so much for tuning in

[@Lisbonlovecrew]

Thank you 🙏🏻 I love how you embrace the rhythm of life. Sari Nordlund has socks with cables, if ever someone really needed a pattern to knit up something similar ! Have a great week.

[@annmorris6732]

What a pleasant surprise! It is always such a pleasure to watch you as it is always so interesting and so thoughtful!❤

[@debradantonio2974]

Lovely to see you gain Alexandra. Last winter you were so kind and encouraged me to learn to spin. Thank you . I am now a beginner spinner. Working with a fleece is in my dreams. Love your podcast.

[@AncestralCraeft]

Oh this makes my heart so full ❤️ I’m so glad you had the courage to try it! We’re all constantly learning, it’s never too early to try working with a fleece, even if you get yourself a small sample of washed fleece to start out with. Keep me posted on your journey! I’d love to keep in touch x

[@EmilyChurchman-ur1eo]

I have just found you.. YOU have just reminded me why I wanted to learn to spin.. to create my own yarn.. however somewhere along the way I have been lured in my pretty colours, and lovely images on instagram... and now have waaay too much commercially produced yarn. I have just finished spinning some kid mohair.. but thank you x thank you for reminding me why I wanted to learn to spin so much...

[@AncestralCraeft]

I'm so glad I could give you some inspiration! Follow your gut and make what makes you the most happy

[@glendabathgate4036]

Am in edinburgh too Your gardens are great

[@elainekiesel8103]

You bring a lovely calming vibe to the fibre arts which is what it’s all about. Thank you for sharing.

[@gertihackl6682]

Your spinning work is so wonderful. And thank you for your inspiring podcast

[@pollyg5731]

Thank you, this is such a lovely, thought provoking podcast. x

[@Moorandmist]

One of my favourite William Morris quotes is ‘Have nothing in your houses that you do not know to be beautiful or believe to be useful'. I love having lots of beautiful functional things but I also find beauty and have so much gratitude to some of my most basic tools or things I have made that aren’t necessarily traditionally beautiful but that I get so much use or joy out of. It’s so lovely to see Bec’s fleeces. She is such a genuine and lovely person and her sheep are gorgeous. And your skirt is amazing!

[@AncestralCraeft]

I love this quote, it’s such an insightful prompt, I look at the things around me and feel so grateful that I have such beauty surrounding me. I think beautiful is so subjective too, I almost always find that the unconventional is the most moving in it’s beauty. Bec’s fleeces are honestly the best I’ve ever worked with, it’s such a dream ❤️

[@kimberleerohloff5912]

Thanks for the episode. I love seeing what a fellow spinner is working on, your yarn looks gorgeous. I am currently spinning an East Fresian fleece which I intend to make into socks.

[@AncestralCraeft]

Handspun socks are a very special thing indeed!

[@eileenland3636]

This is a lovely podcast. I am so glad I have found you. Thank you for sharing.

[@nice2nettles]

Ah, as a gardener myself (up in the Highlands) I can so relate to the busyness of the season... and feeling extremely ready for the quiet and creative winter!! I've just found your podcast and am really enjoying catching up on your episodes. I'd love it if you could keep us updated on the flax processing, as this is something I've been interested in trying for years. I have an allotment as of this year, so I might finally get a chance to give it a try! Also very interested to see how you get on with knitting tights, which I've also considered doing. I settled for leg warmers this year! Thanks for the very enjoyable episode :)

[@AncestralCraeft]

Lovely to meet a fellow knitting gardener! What a combo. So glad you’ve found me here and share my sentiments of knitting tights! It would be lovely to do, wool layers everywhere to keep up warm 🍁 I’ll definitely keep you updated, currently building the processing equipment with some volunteers! Hoping to have some spun flax by the summer next year!

[@carolenorman1457]

If you watch the latest episode of Soulful Spinning she shows how she does the pinhole cast on using magic loop crochet to put the stitches on the dpns. Your square looks lovely!

[@christinebrown6154]

Lovely podcast. Arran is my spiritual home as my parents lived on the Island for most of their lives. Thank you 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@AncestralCraeft]

I’m so glad you enjoyed watching ❤️ what a wonderful place to live x

[@alisonharris7130]

You have it so right. At least in my opinion. I just started spinning about 6 weeks ago because I wanted to slow my whole making process down to essentials. So seeing you doing just what I am starting to do and doing it so beautifully is a gift. Your vlog is magical to say the least and I absolutely love the garden and hiking segment. Thank you for your lovely episode. I'm going to watch all of them now.

[@AncestralCraeft]

I’m so enjoying stripping my practice back to the raw materials, it gives me such an opportunity to connect with sheep and plants in a deeper way🍂

[@mary727]

Hello beautiful human! I love your podcasts and your insights into your knitting. Thank you for taking the time to share all your lovely creations. 🥰🤎🤍🤎

[@AncestralCraeft]

Thank you so much Mary! ❤️

[@roseprairiefarm3506]

So good to see what you are up to. You are a very talented person. Have a great autumn.

[@KathiTrujillo-kn6qn]

I enjoy your videos so much! Such a relief that that are so practical and non-commercial. I am inspired to do some fiber prep after seeing your beautiful spinning

[@AncestralCraeft]

Fibre prep is one of life’s many joys ❤️ I hope you do, I’d love to know what you’re working on x

[@intuitknit]

I so enjoy all your episodes and projects. They are very moving and have a spirituality about them. Thank you for sharing your making with us. I especially admire your spinning . I also spin with a wheel and spindles. Here in Canada we have several fibre festivals where I can buy fleeces. We also have a spinning guild where I live and I learn a lot there.

[@louisewilson1063]

Thankyou for a lovely episode, you're so calming and bring such serenity through your video.

[@saramerrick3539]

I was just wondering why I hadn't seen you for so long and then, voila! Here you are! I love the artisan approach you seem to take with everything you share. Thank you!

[@thelinus]

i so very much enjoy your videos! thank you for sharing your practice again.

[@joywilson6067]

What beautiful things you have made. Very inspiring. 🌷

[@SusanDuffield-t1y]

I have enough hand spun to knit a blanket over the christmas holidays - simple Lshape peggy square join as you go - grey gotland, chocolate alpacca and lots of bits left over to stripe the L shape squares. Warmth is practical

[@ghostpuff]

A very welcome new episode on this gloomy dutch weather day! Happy you are back! :'))

[@purltwotogether8218]

My afternoon of spinning went by even more enjoyably with your company! I'm spinning some lovely Norfolk Horn sliver into 3ply double knitting at the moment with the intention of naturally dyeing it and making a garment for my husband. I absolutely love knitting with my handspun, even though I've only had my wheel for a couple of months - you inspired me to go for a wheel because I find drop spindling too tiring and I really wanted to get more deeply into the journey from sheep to sweater to shawl. Your work from fleece is so inspiring to me.

[@fleurall]

I'm also a full-time gardener! I wear lots of my knits to work. Especially the penny gloves for gardening!! Ideal for keeping cosy in the greenhouse whilst having your fingers free. Highly recommended ❤

[@AncestralCraeft]

That’s wonderful! It’s a lucky life we live 🥰 thank you for pointing to the Penny gloves, perhaps they would be good for my fingerless mitts project x

[@michaelanneneal8439]

Gorgeous episode Alexandra! I love your socks and sweater! They look really lovely! The wool is gorgeous. I wish I could spin!! Maybe someday!! Always nice to see you! Thank you for sharing!

[@AncestralCraeft]

Thank you so much ❤️ I hope spinning is in your future, it’s so fulfilling. Lovely to catch up with you ✨

[@MarieAhlen]

So glad you are back, I’ve missed you. Thanks for a very inspiring episode 🌟

[@lindenyoung671]

Lovely as always, and so worth the wait!

[@AncestralCraeft]

Thank you for your lovely comment ❤️

[@dhurd4099]

Stunning. Absolutely stunning!

[@missjenny1953]

This was my introduction to your videos. Delightful

[@hartleyshandmade8471]

So glad to have found you. Its a little difficult to find true spinning podcasts. I've been spinning for the sake of spinning recently. I want to spin for specific projects. What's holding me back for that is I have knits I want to get done before I start doing that. I also have a lot of colorful fiber that really when I get down to it is not the yarn I reach for to knit with other than socks.

[@AncestralCraeft]

Spin what makes your heart sing and the projects will follow ❤️

[@tinahofmann4838]

Hello Dear, I am hoping you will make a new episode after the busy summer time!! Love your content :)

[@AncestralCraeft]

Thank you so much for your kind words, I’m hoping the path to creating again becomes clear soon! 🌿

[@bmwvintageprincess]

Love your videos.

[@AncestralCraeft]

Thank you!

[@sunnyw4148]

Some day I hope to spin almost as well as you. Thanks for inspiring me.

[@robynreid3027]

Thank you for such a special video, Alexandra, I really enjoyed it. As I watched it I was sewing a fairy doll for my granddaughter, which is fun but difficult, and reminded me of how my fingers are itching to begin my next spinning /knitting project. I loved hearing about the qualities of your fleeces, we mostly have merino-based options in NZ. Roxanne Richardson has knitted stockings btw. Very best wishes to you

[@MerryweatherKnitting]

It was such a delight to catch up with you this November afternoon, lovely Alex! Your seasonal videos are always so rich in beauty and wonder. Knowing how to create a hand knit garment or accessory without reference to any external resource, but just the knowledge in your mind and hands is something I so desire as well. I am so inspired by your connection to the entire process of creating~ thank you for sharing with us!! 🤎🦋

[@AncestralCraeft]

I’m so glad you enjoyed it! I’m glad we share similar goals! Every year I get a little bit closer, here’s to deepening our craft! ✨🍂 thank you for sharing such a lovely comment x

[@ForagingGardener]

I get so calm listening to these:) hope you’re well

[@AncestralCraeft]

Thank you

[@christinecornell4732]

Hi loved your podcast. You were speaking about making the pinhole cast on for your afghan. There is a podcast in America called soulful spinning. She speaks with fondness about your delightful podcast. She shows how she starts a pinhole cast on. Love your podcast!!!!

[@AncestralCraeft]

Thank you so much for your love and support! I know her channel well, so you know which episode she talks about the pinhole cast on? ❤️

[@wildflower-spirit-creations]

I feel so blessed to have found you. I believe you keep my spirit alive. I get lost in every podcast. ❤

[@AncestralCraeft]

Your comment has made my day, I so glad you can find peace in these moments together ❤️

[@freshwindbrightsky]

So lovely to see a new podcast from you Alexandra! So curious about the footage on Isle of Arran of all the pages pinned to the wall…what were they about? I have made several attempts at an Eastwind…it’s very challenging to get gauge, and then I’ve tried a few different yarns…it’s a project I will return to…likely in the depths of our Maine winter. Also great to see how you card your rolags. I’ve bought a glorious Coopworth fleece this autumn, so I’m looking forward to messing around with it. I’m a gardener by trade as well…just finishing up for the season…more time for knitting and spinning! ❤ -Karen

[@AncestralCraeft]

I’m so glad to hear from you again! I always remember your comments! The footage is from a place called the forest library, it’s a cabin made from wind fallen trees in a protected woodland that’s been regenerated by a wonderful group of people. The forest is called Eos Mór I believe, it should pop up on Google ✨there’s paper there and people leave poetry, drawings, stories and journal entries and pin them to the wall.

[@FiberTrek]

Oh Hooray! I always love your podcast so I can sink right in for a while and contemplate all things woolly. Spinning in the grease is the best right? Your work is stunning and I'm so inspired!

[@AncestralCraeft]

Thank you so much, Sarah ❤️ it brings me so much joy knowing that I can reciprocate the wonder that your podcast provides me. I’ve adored spinning in the grease, I’d love to experiment further with leaving the lanolin in the yarn after processing too. So much to try and learn. I found your creative practice so inspiring, especially your idea to help curate your yell cardigan through other mediums. I’ve always wanted to make the yell but have never settled on a colour scheme, perhaps I need to ground it in a landscape/feeling/sound etc. Sending so much love to you x

[@opheliabells]

wonderful garden all that hard work and look at what you are rewarded with. PS watching your podcast reminded me of a song called Etienne Trilogy🌸🌸

[@AncestralCraeft]

Thank you for your kind words ❤️ how wonderful, I love a good song recommendation! I will listen to it this evening x

[@MarinaSkua]

What a lovely episode - I'm so glad to have found you! I completely relate to finding a balance between comfort and practicality, and creating things that are lovely to look at and wear. I'm currently weaving fabric for a skirt from yarn that I've spun recently, combining naturally coloured wool and hand-dyed moody colours. I really enjoy your appreciation for local fibres and their glorious colours!

[@AncestralCraeft]

I'm so glad you enjoyed it! The skirt sounds like a wonderful project, I admire your weaving so much x

[@MarinaSkua]

@@AncestralCraeft Ahh thank you! I finished the weaving this morning, catching up on your past episodes in the background.

[@AncestralCraeft]

@MarinaSkua no finer compliment than being a backdrop to your magnificent skirt weaving. It looks incredible ❤️

[@conniewagner4234]

Hi! This is the first time I’ve seen your channel. What a beautiful episode! I subscribed. ❤

[@AncestralCraeft]

Thank you for watching and sending your support. It’s so appreciated ❤️ have a wonderful day.

[@zoeradford2149]

Hi Alexandra :) I was just wondering where you got your beautiful dress/jumpsuit from - it's so pretty. Can't wait for your next video to see what you've been creating so far this year.

[@AncestralCraeft]

Hello! Thank you for your kind words, my jumpsuit is from AmbaarBazaar on Etsy! 😊

[@janellehodgson9204]

Seeing your flax was so amazing! I had recently watched a video on how to process flax and it was fascinating. I've been thinking that someday when I get a larger garden space I would like to try growing my own flax and processing it into linen. The idea of growing my own fiber and being able to make a garment from seed to sweater is so enticing. I would love to see what yours turns out like when you process it into fiber. I love watching your podcast I always go away inspired to get out in nature and of course to knit 🙂 thank you for this lovely episode ❤

[@AncestralCraeft]

It’s so dreamy isn’t it, to think of growing fibre from seed and making something from it ❤️ I would love to spin some up and try weaving with it, but also I saw that Josefin Watlin had knitted a linen shawl, which was also lovely!

[@janellehodgson9204]

@@AncestralCraeft weaving the linen would be lovely too. I haven't tried it yet but I want to. I am fascinated by those big floor looms that can make cloth but one would never fit in my tiny apartment lol. Someday.....

[@AncestralCraeft]

Someday indeed! ❤️

[@Meredith36]

I'm so glad KZbin showed me your channel! I've just liked, subscribed, and turned the bell on (which I never do). But I don't want your channel to get lost on me. I have also concluded that I want to create functional and beautiful clothing. Thank you for this channel and for showing me that with time and patience (which I'm not that good at), it can be done. Happy creating 💚🧶💚 I’m now off to check out your show notes and the shops ☺️

[@AncestralCraeft]

Thank you so much! I really appreciate your kind comments, it makes what I do oh so worth it!

[@lindas5964]

First time here. Lovely channel! Btw, I find the pinhole cast-on is a little easier if you lay the needles down on a table and use it to help support everything until you get those first few rows to stabilize everything. 🙂

[@AncestralCraeft]

Thank you for finding me and enjoying it! 🥰 great suggestion! Hopefully next episode you’ll see another square

[@irischinook1961]

Welcome back to us! I was entranced by the long spin on that Turkish spindle. Can you share where you got that? Beautiful spinning and projects!

[@AncestralCraeft]

Thank you! 😊 I got this spindle from tineandfloyd on Etsy! Zx

[@sarahlovesdonuts9601]

Thank you for sharing your Ryder Pullover! I’ve been wanting to knit it, but only hearing negative things. I wasn’t sure that I trusted those opinions, and now I know that I don’t…this pullover was never the style that they were looking to wear. I’m farming and this sweater will fall into my wardrobe perfectly! I’m so excited…can you tell?😁💗😁😁

[@AncestralCraeft]

I really loved knitting this! I think a lot of people don’t like bottom-up, seamed constructions but I really enjoyed it. It was different to other jumpers I’ve made and I love the neckline and it’s oh so practical! Really easy pattern to understand, I’d love to see you make it too! I fell in love with the neckline and it keeps getting better with every wear ❤️

[@saiorsecassingham-tourell3856]

Thanks for sharing! I'm totally new to spinning, my partner made me a drop spindle for my birthday and I blended and spun together little cut off scraps of yarn to make a little ball which I then wove into a band which was gorgeous and very exciting. It is so satisfying creating something from scratch, it's such a special feeling. I'm wondering which is your favourite drop spindle to work with? and what's the method to create such neat patterns in the ball of yarn?! Everything you spin looks so beautiful and perfect ✨

[@AncestralCraeft]

Thank you for your kind words! I really appreciate it 🥰 my favourite spindle is a supported one from Kravelli which I featured in my second latest episode. I love the flow I can spin with it. For neat winding I use a basic nostepinne winding method, which keeps it tidy 🥰

[@LittleShoparoundtheCorner]

Thanks for this episode, I relate to your concept of practical and useful garments. That’s why I love wool and linen so much. What historical movies can you recommend seeing?

[@AncestralCraeft]

I’ve been adoring the knitwear in the Anne of green gables series recently. There are so many shows/movies to choose from!

[@margarethastings3332]

Stephen West has a pattern for tights (Marled Mania Leggings). Obviously his colours are a bit out there, but of course you can make them your own. They would be so cosy. Always enjoy your podcasts. 🤎

[@AncestralCraeft]

Thank you for this suggestion! All the recommendations are appreciated, I’ll have a look at that pattern ❤️ I was looking at the Rua tights by di gilpin as well, they looked super cosy!

[@heatherchilderhouse495]

For your pinhole cast on, try looking at Lisa from Soulful Spinning. She has just done a small tutorial showing this cast on using a crochet hook to start. This maybe a help for you.

[@AncestralCraeft]

It warmed my heart to see her lovely video, it helped me immensely! X

[@spinningstones]

Hi Alexandra, lovely episode. I would love to have some of Bec's fleece but can't import raw fleece into Australia. I know she has prepared fibre as well so maybe one day.... For your leggings have a look at Eli zabeth Zimmemans book Knitters Almanac where she knits 'nether garments'. It's a wonderful book just to read with laugh aloud sections and great encouragment to try anything. She is a treasure!

[@AncestralCraeft]

Thank you for the recommendation! I saw this book at a local bookstore, it sound worth a read! I’ll have a look ❤️

[@AncestralCraeft]

I’d recommend her prepared roving, it’s just as beautiful as her fleeces!

[@wyldweaverandwyrm]

One of the women at my last knit night was wearing some knitted footless leggings, I think she used a 3/4 length pattern and just added length. They were cabled at the front and looked super warm.

[@AncestralCraeft]

Thank you for sharing! I’m so encouraged to give it a go after hearing this ❤️

[@gaylecmiel8221]

Thank you for the lovely podcast! This is my first viewing and meeting with you and I look forward to your next connection. I have a question….I’m interest in purchasing a sheep skin rug for alongside my bed so I can feel the warmth of real fleece on my bare feet every morning! I see you had one draped over a chair that you stood on while showing your lovely cable socks. I would want to purchase ethically produced skin…do you have any suggestions for me as to where I might shop? Thank ou for direction. I love your kind and gentle spirit and your visions of wearability with wool, linen, etc….. you inspire me to work with my hands even more than I do. Gayle in Minnesota USA

[@AncestralCraeft]

Hello! Thank you for your lovely comments ❤️ the one in the video is a Oussant fleece that’s felted as opposed to being a skin. There are a few makers who produce them and they’re cruelty free and ethical. I made this one and you can find more info on a previous episode 😊

[@danielletrottier6699]

Thank you for sharing ! You are inspiring…. I would like to learn to spin nice wool as you do…can you make tutorials or refer some good tricks or tutorials on you tube ? Thank you.

[@AncestralCraeft]

Thank you 😊 I think you should! Jillian eve makes wonderful tutorials on KZbin, and tinyfibrestudio also!

[@DanaBarbieri]

Check out soulful spinning too. She's great!

[@danielletrottier6699]

I have another question…if I want to spin the most regular wool possible, can I acheive it with hand cards or do I need wool combs to succeed ? Thank you

[@AncestralCraeft]

You can get a lovely woollen spun yarn from hand cards, or if you’re looking for a really smooth worsted yarn you could use dog brushes to flick out the locks 😊

[@shadowdancingpoetry]

I just found you're channel - and I love it. Now I want to spin. 😍 Also, could I ask what is that beautiful pencil drawing you have in the frame on the wall?

[@AncestralCraeft]

Definitely give spinning a try! It's a drawing study I did in art school of a Camille Pissarro drawing called Paysage d'hiver

[@shadowdancingpoetry]

@@AncestralCraeft Thank you! As an artist, I love that quality of pencil work and I'm always trying to reach it in my own work.

[@pollogmoody5746]

Did I miss the name of the sweater you are wearing? It is so pretty on you!

[@AncestralCraeft]

Thank you 🥰 I didn’t mention it actually, didn’t really think of it! It’s the kume cardigan by Vanessa pellisa x

[@TwoFoxOneCat]

So lovely to see another podcast from you, always so inspiring, maybe i missed you saying it but i was wondering what is the beautiful cardigan called that you’re wearing. Xx

[@AncestralCraeft]

I’m so glad you enjoyed it ❤️ it’s the kume cardigan by Vanessa pellisa, all of the modifications I made can be found in episode 1! X