Blacker Yarns and some Yarn Art - Ep. 43 - Fruity Knittting Podcast

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Program Notes: fruityknitting....
Sue Blacker is our interview guest on Episode 43 of the Fruity Knitting Podcast. Sue is owner of Blacker Yarns but also of The Natural Fibre Company, a small specialist spinning mill in the UK. By working closely with sheep farmers, Sue has gained a lot of knowledge and experience of different breeds, and Blacker Yarns has developed a name for producing breed-specific yarns. In the interview Sue tells us about the qualities of different yarns and how we select the best yarns for our projects.
Our guest on Knitters of the World is Jamie from Alabama, who goes by the name Knitosophy in the knitting world. New Releases features a little lace from Anna Dalvi, originally from Sweden but now at home in Ottawa. Our tutorial covers finishing your steeks, and we see the winning projects from the Fruity Brioche Kal. And we have some footage of a Yarn Art project from Western Australia.

[@diannefitzmaurice9813]

The interview with Sue Blacker was wonderful. Once again a great show. I loved Sue's quote that you read Andrea, comparing sustainable wool to oil based synthetic products. Just to add a little more to all the wonderful info she provided, I live in Canada on the coldest parts of the prairies where our winters regularly get temps in the - 30's - -40's. So warmth is a critical component of selection of fibers for use. Mohair from angora goats (as well as cashmere ) is 4x warmer than wool so a 50% blend of wool with mohair will make those socks very toasty. Alpaca is even warmer (alpaca llama camel ) is 6x warmer than wool. And the best thing about all of these wonderful fibers is the warmer they are they lighter they become with angora being the lightest and warmest at 8x warmer than wool. Now the other wonderful characteristic about these properties is that although they are warmer, all natural fibers including wool do not overdo it to the point that you feel too warm, because they naturally regulate temperature. This is one reason why they are so great for children's and baby clothing. The other thing about so many of the different kinds of fleeces that has not been mentioned yet is the different felting properties that once were anathema but now are great for many different uses, especially rugs. There is always so much more to learn .

[@leilamlawler]

A wonderful podcast. Sue Blacker is so informative! And Andrea, your musical choices are always fantastic!

[@nicolejosan6364]

I always knit simple boring stuff when I watch this podcast. I can't knit difficult patterns while watching this, it is just too demanding. Thank you so much for your effort to make this podcast stand out!

[@helga5723]

Thank you for an other wounderful podcast!

[@Lamara5292]

That reef piece was out of this world, how amazing!

[@juliealvar4587]

Your show never ceases to amaze me. It's such a treat to watch. I usually knit while I watch podcasts but your show is so totally absorbing, informative and full of delicious eye candy that I just sit back, hands idle, and revel in it. Thank you and enjoy your well deserved break.

[@FruityKnitting]

Thank you, Julie. Taking you away from your knitting is a great compliment indeed!

[@cobbe.l]

Same here and sometimes I even watch it a second time just to make sure I understood everything. For instance the segment from Blacker yarns is going to get a second viewing. So informative.

[@cathleenmcgovern]

The knitted coral reef is beautiful

[@bdarci]

Your jacket is stunning. I'm so envious of your ability to modify patterns. I knit the way I cook; tell me what to do and I'll get it done. The interview with Blacker yarns had me heading directly to their site to order some of the Samite. She is a passionate and articulate spokesperson for wool. I will be using some of her points when talking to anti-animal fiber folks. I'm a public knitter, so I attract all sorts of comments. I love your podcasts. I've just come to them lately, so I can binge watch.

[@filomel1809]

Happy Christmas guys - enjoy the break and thanks for all the great inspiration through the year. Fil

[@FruityKnitting]

Thank you, Fil.

[@gerickson9552]

FIBER UNIVERSITY!! I am watching every show in order, and this is the best one yet!! I am learning SO MUCH!! Thank you SO MUCH for creating this incredible space filled with fascinating and brilliant people!! Love to you both!!

[@Norfolk250]

The image shown at mark 0:56:57.... A future episode segment could be done to feature the science of wool and yarn. Show this image, but expand to show what and how the various wool blends as finished yarns differ. Include showing before and after twisting, as well as dying, multiple fiber blends and just what the thinnest lace weight look like at that microscopic level. Some of us really DO enjoy counting our number of stitches ... so, I am certain your show can handle a complex and in-depth segment like this, and it would never be ‘too-late’ to include in your series. True, it won’t be to everyone’s taste, but, variances always happen. Sue Blacker is the type of presenter that could pull all that off perfectly! Wonderful interview she gave.

[@GrownToCook]

Such an interesting episode! I have just purchased some Blacker yarn and loved getting a deeper look at the production

[@overhere461]

Fantastic show! Enjoyed and learned from all the segments. The reef yarn art project is incredible, all that work, so intricate and beautiful. Congrats to all who worked on it.

[@lyndawells4507]

I learn so much every time I watch your show. Thank you so mych

[@yoshiew05]

Just love your channel. Blacker yarns rocks!!

[@jsmultron]

Yes! A new episode! Just let me grab my knitting and a cup of tea.

[@FruityKnitting]

Enjoy!

[@jsmultron]

Thanks, I did. But then I always do. 🙂 LOVE your Sidsel Høivik cardigan. 😍 The tutorial series is pure gold for someone like me who is also knitting a SH cardi. What a great idea to cover the steeks with velvet ribbon! Will copy that. 🙂

[@kjones95472]

What a helpful interview! Now I understand worsted vs woolenspun. Thanks!

[@18daisydoll65]

I'm so proud of your jacket, it is a tour de force, congratulations

[@DebbyBeachy07]

I just love your program and I watch it on my big screen TV. Have a wonderful Holiday and New Year celebration I will be looking forward to the new programs. I also will be buying all the books mentioned in this program.

[@roxannewaddell3830]

Love your new jacket/sweater,beautiful knitting, beautiful details.

[@sobat7402]

The jacket is so beautifully made. You may brag! Have a nice Christmas and hope seeing you again next year!

[@karen427M]

The jacket is amazing, beautifully done! Blessing and Merry Christmas,

[@FruityKnitting]

Thanks, Karen. Merry Christmas to you too. A + A

[@shirleybeard2318]

Congratulations on another very informative and well produced podcast. Enjoy your time away on holiday and the most joyous season to you.

[@FruityKnitting]

Thank you for your lovely comments, Shirley. We will definitely be enjoying our holidays and the Christmas season. A + A.

[@suevoigt5973]

Thank you for another fantastic show. Have a great holiday .

[@ampm3098]

Loved theBlacker yarn interview. It made me appreciate the thought and attention needed to make fine quality yarns that will do what we knitters want in a garment. I learned so much, thank you!

[@FruityKnitting]

It is great to get some of these details from someone who is so closely involved and has put so much thought into the production of different yarns. Thanks for your feedback.

[@xxNicolaJanexx]

Another lovely episode! I am going to be knitting Tegna soon too! Can’t wait to see yours, Andrea. Enjoy your holiday! Merry Christmas.

[@pstcali7152]

Beautiful jacket Andrea. Happy Holidays. See you all next year and enjoy your vacation❤️🇨🇴

[@FruityKnitting]

Thanks, Pilar.

[@susanbossung9098]

I'll miss seeing your program, but want you to have a great holiday. Rest and recharge for the New Year. You are the best.

[@FruityKnitting]

Hi Susan. Thank you, we will certainly enjoy our break. A + A.

[@PinsandNeedles]

Loved the coral reef! Every year at Wonderwool in mid-Wales there is a similar scale knitted installation to raise money for the Welsh Air Ambulance. There's been an under the sea tunnel you can walk through, the four seasons and a map blanket of the local area, to name a few! It's a great yarn show, and takes place every April in Builth Wells if you fancy visiting!

[@FruityKnitting]

Hi Zoe. That sounds great - and we approve of supporting the Welsh Air Ambulance. A + A

[@teresaprice5070]

I simply am never disappointed with the quality, joviality, and educational content! Y'all ROCK!! Thank you for your continued excellence...Happy HolyDays!!

[@FruityKnitting]

Thanks, Teresa.

[@diannebowles5605]

So lovely to see my rav friend Christie and her amazing work she helped create on the Ningaloo reef

[@FruityKnitting]

Hi Dianne. We loved this project - creative and celebrating the amazing natural environment. Cheers, A + A.

[@janlloren]

Yay! I'm glad you're doing the Tegna by Caitlin Hunter. I plan on knitting that sometime soon. So seeing a more experienced knitter make it will be beneficial.

[@chelinfusco6403]

You guys are amazing. What else can I say! A big Thank You for sharing. Enjoy your brake. ;-)

[@FruityKnitting]

Thank you, Chelin.

[@juliaconnolly2908]

Amazing work Andrea!

[@18daisydoll65]

I'm in love with that octopus 🐙 and the art reef.... 🐶 dogs love to help

[@kristinegrace3200]

Hi Andrea & Andrew love you both! I am a proud knitter (huge wool supporter) and a vegan, although I do not like to outwardly identify with that community aggressively because I feel it carries very hard line views and opposition in these types of topics. The main question for many vegans is the ethics surrounding the abuse of animals including physical abuse by shearers and ultimately their death. There are many videos circulating online showing physical abuse sheep endure in large scale commercial wool factories. That being said I gravitate towards small scale wool brands that are breed specific and European wool companies which have much higher standards of humane treatment of animals. Small companies such as blacker yarns show their love and affection for each sheep during their lifespan and I am more than happy to support that for my knitting. In total the world is full of paradox and gray areas, nothing in nature is 100% vegan, each being supports the other and supports the cyclical recycling nature of life. I feel that making conscious choices that supports all life on the planet AND aligns with our own values and desires (or hobbies) is the best that we can do. ❤️ ✨

[@FruityKnitting]

Hi Kristine, Thanks for sharing your thoughts in such detail, they are well said.

[@yarnbite6867]

happy Christmas. Love your show!

[@bernadetteburgoyne8238]

I love doing crab stitch, what some people call reverse sc in the US and dc in the UK. It's so pretty on baby items xx

[@juliaconnolly2908]

Enjoy your little Christmas break. Thanks for an interesting year.

[@FruityKnitting]

Thanks, Julia.

[@ludouglas1]

love this podcast as always. Your cardigan is to die for, Andrea and I loved seeing your brioche, Andrew, something I am building up to :-) Are you missing Madeline? I keep thinking of her here in Australia and imagining when I go to Melbourne, running into her. Wouldn't that be funny? That coral piece was amazing and I can't imagine he work, voluntarily, that went into it. Some people ae so generous with their time.

[@knotanitter]

beautiful cardigan and your mods are very on trend and fit you perfectly

[@sandracolomb1434]

I would love to have seen your jacket with the color done in the border pattern (Pink) fair isle . But it is beautiful 😍

[@lorigriffith9108]

What is the pattern for Andrew’s sweater and where would I find it. Beautiful!

[@thistleandhive]

When you sewed the ribbon to your steek, did you hand-sew so that the stitches wouldn’t come through to the front of your sweater?

[@FruityKnitting]

Yes, I did hand sew the ribbon on.

[@aida_tz.]

Hi Andrea, I dont miss any episode of your vlog as I love all the segments of it. usually I don't comment as I'm quite an introvert but after watching the interview with Sue Blacker I was left with more questions than answers. In your question about what she has to say about the vegan point of view for the use of wool I think that she didn't give any answer at all. in fact she made me that I'm not a vegan think that using wool is not ethical at all since as she said ships are inavitable killed as otherwise there will be too many in the planet. although she tried to make it sound okeish by saying that probably there are also to many humans in the planet which dosent sound like a standing argument to me. I really have mixed feelings at the moment about my knitting as now I see it is not ethical at all. thank you very much asking that question and I think it would be great if such subjects were mentioned more often in the knitting podcasts and that there is more information of all the steps and consequence of getting that yarn that gives us so much pleasure using. sorry for the long comment, enjiy your holidays and I look forward for your next episode.

[@annerobertson5991]

Can you tell me about the knitted piece that is the background photo on the opening of your channel? The beautiful blue plaid? Pattern? Details?

[@FruityKnitting]

Hi Anne. This is a really interesting jumper, and you can hear all about it in Episode 2: kzbin.info/www/bejne/b4bIhGSibbWHrKc (or check the shownotes for that Episode: fruityknitting.com/2016/04/05/welsh-weaving-and-celtic-song-fruity-knitting-podcast-episode-2/)

[@annerobertson5991]

Fruity Knitting great, thank you!

[@jaynebradbury9521]

I love this podcast! Andrea, I'd love to know what the sweater is that you are wearing during the piece on Blacker yarns. What pattern is that?

[@a2canadian]

Jayne Bradbury if you go back a little bit in the show you can watch her making it :) Check episode 34. Pattern is - www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/manzanita-tee

[@mohammedrhamzan9808]

Did u sell it if we want to make

[@mary-helenetravers9043]

Hi Andrea. I have discovered you newly. I sound only inform you that the mill som produces the wool Ask (Hillesvåg) you used for to knitt the jacket from Sissel Høvik, had a former designer Solveig Hisdal with her book poems in stitches. She Washington the soul back Oleana. I suggest you to invite her. For informatikk, I am a french knitter som lives in Norway. Best regards. Mary-Helene TRAVERS

[@tracyrobbins6248]

andrea, what is the name of the pattern for your sweater during the interview with Blacker. I was looking on your ravelry project page for it but I suspect it was knit pre-ravelry project documenting. thanks :)

[@a2canadian]

Tracy Robbins www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/manzanita-tee She starts making it in episode 34

[@tracyrobbins6248]

thank you!

[@kristyann9641]

Sue, there’s never too many people in the world as you suggest.😢

[@marafahl1188]

I really love your podcast! But... I really wish you guys would go over and edit the autogenerated captions, they are pretty bad sometimes and it makes it hard for me to understand what's being said :(

[@josefinwaltin]

Thank you for yet another inspiring episode! As a hand spinner I love it when you bring in interviews or sections with fiber theory and spinning. There is a wonderful TED talk on an earlier crocheted coral reef from 2009, www.ted.com/talks/margaret_wertheim_crochets_the_coral_reef#t-52115

[@FruityKnitting]

Hi Josefin, thanks for sharing the link.

[@hermiec4489]

So long I ended up skipping

[@clovelly1946]

awful music not needed.

[@aida_tz.]

Hi Andrea, I dont miss any episode of your vlog as I love all the segments of it. usually I don't comment as I'm quite an introvert but after watching the interview with Sue Blacker I was left with more questions than answers. In your question about what she has to say about the vegan point of view for the use of wool I think that she didn't give any answer at all. in fact she made me that I'm not a vegan think that using wool is not ethical at all since as she said ships are inavitable killed as otherwise there will be too many in the planet. although she tried to make it sound okeish by saying that probably there are also to many humans in the planet which dosent sound like a standing argument to me. I really have mixed feelings at the moment about my knitting as now I see it is not ethical at all. thank you very much asking that question and I think it would be great if such subjects were mentioned more often in the knitting podcasts and that there is more information of all the steps and consequence of getting that yarn that gives us so much pleasure using. sorry for the long comment, enjiy your holidays and I look forward for your next episode.