Episode 99 - Week 2 of January

[@ApplesandPeanutButter]

"...never have a massive fiber stash" famous last words 😂 BFL is one of my favorite fibers, and Gemma's color is beautiful. Save any tags or labels that come with fiber. Attach it to the yarn you make from it because, trust me, you will NOT remember where it came from or the fiber content. Keep it recorded somewhere.

[@eddavanleemputten9232]

Hi Martyn, First off: don’t be so hard on yourself. I can see a definite improvement between your first spin and your second one. Your second yarn does look more consistent. About your goal of being able to produce a 4-ply: give yourself some time. 4-ply yarn means your singles will probably need to be a lot thinner than you’d think. Now don’t let that worry you. A lot of spinners actually find spinning thin a lot easier than spinning thick or chunky. I am one of those spinners. Whether from roving or combed top, rolags, batts, … my default is pretty thin. That being said, you’ll find different fibres will ‘want’ to be spun differently. Even the exact same fibre, issued from one single fleece, might ‘want’ to be spun differently depending on the dye it’s been coloured with. Which reminds me: once you start to be able to spin more consistently and thinner, you might feel it takes ages to fill a bobbin. When that happens, change your thinking from bobbins/grams into metres/yards. It can take me over 36 hours at my spinning wheel to produce 1300 metres of 2-ply lace weight yarn… weighing less than 100 grams. At a little over an hour per day that’s over a month of spinning. In grams it’s a whole lot of hours for next to nothing. In metres it’s more than your average sweater quantity (and if knitting a Ranunculus, it’s two sweater quantities, LOL). Long story short: adjust the way you think about your spinning to the weight of your singles. 😊 I can’t wait to see more of your spinning adventures. The shawls you showed are making me salivate. They’re absolutely gorgeous! And your question about not being comfortable about putting down your knitting before you’ve finished a particular part of your knitting (the purl row going with a corresponding knit row etc) made me chuckle. I’m exactly the same. I “need” to finish a row, or a section, and I certainly “need” to finish a purl row because I much prefer knitting to purling. If I know I have to sit through a purl row can cause me to leave a knitting project to languish for a bit.

[@jantiley735]

Lots of lovely spinning advice here. Thanks for saving me the time to write it myself 😂

[@jeanandreas3446]

You rock! Keep it up. The more you do it………the better you get 😊

[@gleannemarie]

Dearest Martyn! I am not a spinner - in fact, it gives me anxiety to just think about doing - but I am 100% HERE for your journey!!!! I do think you will have a better time with the BFL because it has a longer staple. The merino has a shorter staple and therefore would be more of a challenge to get it to spin - that's just from what I've read. Again, not a spinner! LOL! I love that you chat along to us like we are keeping you company, because that is exactly what you are doing for me! ❤

[@adrienneoliver3825]

You didn't waste the fiber. It was what you were learning on. I am thoroughly enjoying your entire knitting, crocheting, and spinning journey. I bought an e-spinner last year and couldn't quite get the hand of it. Watching you made me want to give it another go.

[@bgummeson]

My favourite YTubers are the people who are light on the editing. I wouldn’t call it lazy, but choosing how you want to spend your time. I loved doing the Exploration station, and your version looks so cozy. You are now a Brioche Bro - I mean, Pro! Have a great week! ~Brenda

[@bernbee26]

The improvement is obvious already well done! Love the Glowhair colours too ❤

[@leslieambailey]

When I start a skein on my niddy noddy, I hold the first end with my thumb in the middle of the handle, wrap the yarn, and then put the first tie close to the end of the finishing bit. I then place the next tie close to the starting end - and then put a few more ties around the rest of the skein’s circumference. That really helps everything stay in place when you’re washing and thwacking and twisting.

[@nokesbob2256]

Good job on the spinning. It takes patience to learn a new skill. I remember you said you were going to do so much time on each project to move them forward. Maybe you should put the spinning in there too. I love both of your shawls. They are so beautiful. I've made the Exploration Station, and I might do it again, but I haven't made the other Stephen West shawl and it's so gorgeous that I've got it on my to buy list. You are such an inspiration. Your happiness and enthusiasm just pushes me forward to find my joy in what I'm doing. I think sitting with you on a weekly knit night would be wonderful. Happy spinning!

[@judithtaylor6916]

Something I found helpful to gain a full 100g skein. Weigh your skein before and after washing. I always have weighed out fibre for spinning 105-110g to compensate for loss in spinning/shrinkage. Twist 8 times the skein. Before you take off the niddy noddy, tie each of the ends with another differing yarn with a special colour to the others so you know where the ends are in the skein. Also in 3 other places depending how long your skein. So it keeps the skein together when washing.

[@juliamackesson6883]

Nothing was wasted, it was an important part of the learning. Personally, I'm polishing the halo, by working on my 2022 yarn advent calendar.

[@jantiley735]

Your spinning is coming on a treat! The improvement will be exponential from now on. Both shawls are lush - I love them. Also, tie the two ends of your skein together before you take it off the niddy noddy, and if you have a bit left over you can use it to make the figure of 8 ties around the skein.

[@nz-nz]

Ooh….. bitten by the spinning bug!!! I’ve only been spinning since 2017, but I love it. (I also process my own sheep’s wool)… that part takes up a LOT of room!!!!!!! All I can say is cherish your bulky yarn spin because many spinners find that they’re eager to achieve spinning a fine yarn, but then, they have trouble spinning bulky further down the road!!!!!!!!! Your green yarn looks lovely ❤️

[@toomiepal]

Squish -Vision! Best wishes for 2025 and all your projects!

[@sams_sew_scrappy]

“Do a rave on every stitch” 😂💕 If you call what you do a “rave”, then I don’t want to know what it is *I* do. All I know is that it’s weird (I get looks) but it works for *me* 🤓 I love your Hiberknit SO MUCH!!! 🏝️😻

[@heathertucker7056]

I’m really enjoying your spinning adventure because I started to learn last year. I’m loving it and I guess you are too! BFL is lovely to spin and I’m sure you will enjoy it. Your shawls are fabulous as well!

[@rossiej100]

Brioche is great in crochet as well!

[@stellajennison7998]

I usually spit splice my spinning if it breaks. Welcome to the world of spinning! You’re already doing so well!! I also loved your eureka moment when it suddenly came together. I remember that moment for me too!

[@sbedwards100]

I can see your improvement with the green "chunky". It would be a beautiful cowl. Well done!

[@pppetra]

You did learn a lot! I was told to let the spin yarn rest about a week before playing and than give it a few more days on the bobbin. The 2 ends are tied (all skeins i buy have the ends woven trough and a knot, often 2 more ties as well to keep the skein from tangling during washing/dyeing). Also twist settles when washed. I use a doorhandle to twist the skein into a hank. Love your shawls!

[@lynncrompton6392]

Hi Martin, I'm already looking forward for your 2026 vlogs - The Year Of The Loom! 😅😅

[@MICHELLEROMEOLEHNERT]

I am excited for your progress on all the things! Good job! I have pulled one project out of hibernation, thanks for the inspiration! I have started new cast ons to take on vacation. I have a pair of socks started, Cetrelia shawl, and I think there may be one or two more. Maybe I have become you casting on all the things! 😂 I will need to do the format of 10 hours each I suppose to keep on my journey. And weighing yarn used verses bringing in. Very fun. 🎉

[@weavenut]

You use the ends to tie the skein in a figure eight through the bulk of the yarn along with other ties, so you get four ties in total around the skein

[@pommerainette375]

Hy! Tanks a lot for your video! I’m looking forward for your spinning videos ❤ I spin for 10years, and I’m so in love with spinning…so you are, the more I spin, the more I want to spin…and the more I want to knit my own yarn! That’s my 2025 goal: spin only my handspun yarn 😅 you will see: the more you’re spin, the easier it is, and rapidly, you’ll produce more yarn you can knit 😂 but it’s so wonderful! Excuse my bad English, cause I’m French, but I understand you so well, beyond the language ❤

[@janedaniel7288]

Hi Martyn, .....loom, not this year!😂😂 Well done on the spinning! So much more of the green than the highlighter yellow. Do you really have to goto work? Just active off and spin all day. No-one will know, we won't tell. Both the shawls are gorgeous. Such a contrast in colours, but both so perfect. Brioche, slowed it down and didn't see one wrong. I'm so impressed. Not something I have tried ..yet! I've lost a bit of my knitting confidence, if I'm being honest. Feeling a bit overwhelmed and no idea why. So I'm crocheting. Getting a start on grandchildren birthday presents and Easter gifts. Have a fabulous week. xxJane 🐑🌼

[@ApplesandPeanutButter]

Well done! The second spin looks so good😍 Keep spinning a little every day, and that West Knits MKAL is definitely in reach. You will be surprised at how quickly and dramatically your spins improve. Take breaks though. I notice my technique and the consequent yarn gets sloppy as I get tired and my concentration flags.

[@Crochet_queen84]

I may be the only one, but I say go for it. Rules are for breaking.

[@knittingpurple]

Mark you need to hold the fiber hostage till martin dose some work on you jumper 🤣

[@nicolelafontaine1720]

I love you are still knitting in spite of learning to spin, this might incite me to also learn to spin, but i would start with a course first to see if i like the process. Both your shawl are looking so great. I have just knitted mittens for my friend Vicki who spins but doesn't knit. I love to knit her handspun for her or for others, that way I don't have to spin myself, but still enjoy to knit lovely fibers ... Gotland sheep produce very warm fibers.

[@lisaliedberg2772]

They are your rules so if you want to break them you can do that. And remember rules are made to be broken, lol.

[@knit365blog]

I knew one of you would give me permission hahaha

[@lorrainewalker9426]

I am the same, have to do two rows, always end after a purl row. Love the pink shawl Martyn x

[@shetlandlace]

Love your spinning progress. I think you are onto something with your 10 hrs/project. Most of my knits are socks, hats, mitts or scarves so I just pick a few to work on and alternate them. I am 'buying' from stash as much as possible. It's similar to going into a yarn store, because I always find something I forgot I had. And it's much nicer to my budget. Can't wait for the next video.

[@ChemCath]

Yes, yes you can break the rules to work on a favourite project. In the end it will all work out.

[@BarbaraHanachova]

Hi Martyn, I love your energy and enthusiasm! I am so far only drop spindle spinning but I might go for this little espinner ❤ And yes, I also have to stop my knitting with the wrong side row 😂 Also love the blue BFL - happy spinning! ❤

[@barbarapregger8526]

The 2nd skein looks really great! I have to finish with the purl row, too!! I finished my GoGoDynamo shawl, finally. Remember I bought the wool at Unravel at Gemma's stand and some sparkling yarn from another stand. Really love the combination. 😊

[@sallycooke6498]

Break the rules! Knit or crochet on what makes your heart sing!

[@petragrund6730]

Thank you Martyn for this podcast. Really love your enthusiasm for spinning, I have a spinning weel but I'm not spinning yet. But you're giving me the spinning bug 😂😂😂. Love your shawls, love those natural colours but also the bright colours, beautiful 😍. Maybe you should put your spinning on the 10 hour rotation too, otherwise your knitting will suffer 😂🤣😂🤣, and if you really want to knit on your exploration station just do it, it's your hobby do what you love, happy crafting, Petra

[@deborahjones9412]

Yes Martin, I am exactly the same I have to do the stocking stitch rows in 2’s - I CANNOT just do 1 row 😂 I think so that when I pick it up I’m starting on the knit row and not a purl 🙈😂

[@fabulousjaxx]

I love your natural style please don't ever change, Gemma's blue fibre though ❤❤❤❤❤

[@JADufault21]

When knitting stockinette in the flat, the knit row counts as one row, and the turn your work and the purl row is row 2 or the next row. They aren't a pair or stopping in the middle of a row or round. When you crochet in the flat, do you treat the WS/wrong side as part of the RS? You'll have to ask Irina about that knitting dilemma that doesn't exist. I live about an hour or so north of Irina of Fiberchats. Hope to meet her someday. We both knit in the Combination Continental style, fingers nice and close. I even managed to continue knitting after rotator cuff repair surgery and was in a pillow sling!

[@LTott2234]

Practicing plying with ready made yarn is a good way. A yarn swift can skein up the yarn

[@ChemCath]

I like your reasoning with the Exploration Station. I am kind of doing that with my HKAL. Working on it only so that I can finish. But I am trying to beat a deadline for my Conference. And I try to finish both RS & WS. I like to do them in 2s. I record them in my little book as pairs of tick marks with the stitch count as a subscript. Yes, I count the edge stitches every RS row for sure. Sometimes after each row. Every 4-6 rows I count the interior stitches. I have a stitch marker every 2 pattern repeats. I am on the last section and there are 28 stitches per 2 repeats. I used the cable needle. I tried without, but it didn’t feel right. So I got out the cable needle and it went pretty easily.

[@pamsavanovic3004]

I never really thought about it, but I do have to do a knit row and a purl row before I set the project aside. BFL and Ramboullet are my 2 favorite fibers to spin. Corriedale is right there too. They all have longer staples and easier for a beginner.

[@ginnyc]

When doing stockinette - i don't feel obligated to do the purl row before getting up. I hate purling, too! Ugh. Although i think I'm getting better at it since doing Stephen West Mkal for the last 3 yrs. Love you being a spinner, since I'll never be one! 💜

[@AnaAlves-d8k]

Yes! I hate knitting a row and not purling back 😂 feels wrong somehow. I knit portuguese style though, so I love purling 😊 I never tried a different style, so I don't know what the difference is, but I'm always surprised the lengths people go to to avoid purling 😊

[@helenesunitsch8325]

❤ your spinning is coming along nicely. I have to laugh every time you ask Siri my iPad would stop and search.

[@karinafleron5161]

Still working on the Go Go Dynamo shawl 😅 your Exploration Station looks good!

[@barbrowilhelmsson5247]

There is no waste in spinning, you just use the carder and fluff up the fiber again.

[@haich_loves]

Have you got a spreadsheet for your stash as well? Your fibre one has got me thinking about making a stash one with all colours, weights, amounts etc so if I have a project idea I can instantly see what I have, whether I have enough etc, with a spread for projects and yarn in and out maybe… 😅 think I’ve found my project for the weekend! I’m working on my roaming sampler blanket, Darwin doll and HkAL 24 using the Gideon method but I’ve also been reading lots so am a bit behind schedule. Almost finished my 6hours on Darwin and then it’s back to the blanket

[@ChemCath]

I’m very impressed with your improvement from the yellow to the green! Well done! Practice and persistence pays off! I would put that yellow skein in a shadow box labelled “My First Skein” and never use it, but make something with the green. A headband?

[@lauralongland6176]

What if handspun skeins are both FOs and acquisitions because they are going into stash? 😈

[@barbrowilhelmsson5247]

Tie the end around the skein and make a knot.

[@meerimia]

Hey Martyn, it's so nice seeing you spin now :) I also spin for years and I love it. A long time I spun with the Ashford ESP 3. It's a very nice spinning wheel but I first constantly had problems with the pulling tension. Either it was to much and the yarn flipped out of my hand or it was to low and the yarn winds back from the bobbin. A good tipp to prevent this problem is to feed the yarn through the slyding hook and then to both hooks on the wooden part on the flyer. It works very well and you'll have even more fun with spinning, cause the pulling tension is not so 'extreme' when you start or stop the spinner. Do you plan to make a spinning zoom meeting like the knit together with GoGo Dynamo in october? It was so much fun. Happy spinning and knitting, Mia

[@SAP64]

Both shawls look wonderful. Your enthusiasm for spinning gives me such a happy feeling. You can see the progress in what you’ve done already, well done. Do you have a skein of yarn in your stash that is not caked up? Take a look at how the ends of yarn are done. I think the start and end of the yarn is tied together and woven through figure 8 style before tying in a knot.

[@valeriefelicetti9144]

I love your love of excel!! Fellow excel geek here!! HAHA. Enjoy the spinning

[@losingmyknit]

The WestKnits and Gemma’s weekly is just stunning and the transitions 😍

[@mindykannon4650]

I can walk away from my knitting at any point unless in the middle of a section repeat. Love the shawl in those “sherbet colors”. Gorgeous.

[@misshappyknitter]

I love this weekly updates! Thank you so much. We are at the same spot in the glowhair frost shawl, and I do agree about your'e thoughts. Have a good week!!

[@sueblaser14]

I used to like ending on a wrong side so I can get back to it on the right side but now I stop anywhere. If it's a counting rows section or lace work I quickly write down where I'm at x

[@debbiewigen805]

Well done Martyn! Good golly between your brioche and spinning you deserve some type of award!! Looks SO lovely! It very much depends what I’m making and what stitch pattern I’m doing as to when I can stop. If I’m honest that has prevented me from beginning some projects…..knowing that at that time in my life I just won’t be able to “muddle through” and some of my WIPs are there for the same reason. (Maybe inability to concentrate?) Sometimes just a vanilla sock is the ticket😂. I’m really enjoying the content this month…..thank you! Keep up the good work!

[@Lei-Lei27]

Love ur exploration station

[@helenrussell294]

lovely to see you Martyn; I'm enjoying your enthusiasm (and progress) with your spinning. I love your Exploration Station - 4 colours?

[@susanjohnke3575]

Don’t throw away your “waste” from spinning. Try finding a friend with hand cards or a drum carder and ask them to make you some lovely rolags to spin 😊

[@lemonbalmmel]

I knit rows I multiples of 5 so not always a "complete pair", but I am more comfortable doing just 5 with ribbing and multiples of 10 in stockinette.

[@suzettegaybba-vanzyl6484]

Love love your spinning

[@ixtlanisabelle]

Again ? Youpiiii !

[@Hellen-pf7ts]

Hi Martyn, fun podcast as per usual. I left a little message for you on your You Tube short spinning video and repeated it on your Ravelry message board as not too sure which place is best for messages (not very technical sorry so hope you receive it), spinning relevant. I'm at the same place as you on the Glowfrost shawl and it is a bit slow going but won't it look fabulous once its done. Best wishes Helen x

[@fiddlenstyle]

Loosely tie the end with the little pieces of yarn you use to tie up the skein….does that make sense?

[@peggydemolli]

You can card all the wasted fibre together and spin it. So don't throw it away. You just need hand cards.

[@mindykannon4650]

Martin, stick to the rule! Wink wink!

[@mindykannon4650]

I got a small loom for Christmas so I’ll let you know how that goes. Looking for new ways to use my giant stash!!!

[@SusanDuffield-t1y]

Any plans to participate in tour de Fleece yet?

[@rossiej100]

Have you tried rolags on your spindle? I found making rolags and then spinning them my yarn was much thinner.

[@sew_So_beautiful]

I have a silly question. Am I missing something? I'm a thrower, but I see no difference between the motions of knitting or purling except which side of the needle I put the yarn and which side of the yarn I put the needle. It's no more or less awkward to knit or to purl. I don't even think about it when I have to knit a row or purl one. I can continental knit and do find purling slightly more awkward than to knit, so I can see continental knitters finding purling more difficult. But what are English style knitters finding a problem when purling? I often hear them say that purling is easier in continental knitting like youjust said. So what am I not seeing?

[@knit365blog]

I’ll try and cover it as I understand it in next weeks video, but on continental I think you more flick your finger forward, whereas English style you’re more moving your whole hand!

[@sew_So_beautiful]

@knit365blog ok, thanks. I just don't find much difference. Although maybe I am flicking with my right hand instead, because I only use my index finger. And when I do 2 stranded colourwork, I use my index finger and middle finger alternately with the colours. So maybe I just do a hybrid type of knitting. I used to use my whole hand, but using one finger seems much quicker.

[@deborahmonk93]

I agree with you @sew_So_beautiful. I have knitted English style since I was a child (60+ yrs) and just throw using my forefinger for both knit and purl. One difference I notice when watching other throwers - my working needle rests in the hollow between my thumb and forefinger on my R hand rather than holding it overhand, so I don’t drop the needle to wrap the yarn, just slide the forefinger forwards. Martyn, I will be interested in your further discussion in the next video ❤❤❤

[@sew_So_beautiful]

@deborahmonk93 I still use my right hand over the needle to hold it and only move my right index finger to wrap the thread for knitting or purling. I used to just set it in my lap when I used to use my whole hand. But even then, I really saw no difference in the difficulty of either the knit or purl stitch. But setting it in my lap was really only a small motion because my hands and knitting were already resting in my lap as I knit. Now I knit wherever I want since I don't need to set it down or hold both sides with my left hand if I had to let go with my right hand. When I used straight needles, I hold the right needle under my arm so I didn't drop it.

[@laurienesdahl6817]

Not a spinner but curious,couldn’t you use the waste fiber in another mix? Like recomb it together to make another fiber with the colors a bit mixed?

[@francescaquinn4129]

You can if you have some hand carders, blending board or a drum carder☺️

[@ApplesandPeanutButter]

@@francescaquinn4129 dog brushes work in a pinch.

[@susanjohnke3575]

This video really clicked for me when it came to trying to spin thinner: kzbin.info/www/bejne/epKTXnWag9hgrtksi=46xUslTxJ7NQKkA8 Some other things to try: lower the tension on your wheel while increasing the speed (thinner yarn needs more twist to hold together). Keep at it - you’re doing fantastic!! ❤

[@lois-marietodd1502]

Look to see how the skeins are tied up that you receive you will see what they do with the ends I think you should be able to answer that question that way.

[@justliz7851]

Knot your two ends together

[@lunardesignstudiolinda1256]

Please please break the rules the natural color shawl is just to beautiful and NEEDS to be worked on Please

[@noninunes6627]

Martin, PLEASE cover your mic when you address your electronic assistant. It set off mine and stopped the video multiple times. I had to put down my knitting and drastically messed up my S West shawl!!!! Thank you