From Sheep to Cloth

Gwen Handler creates a scarf from her flock of Leicester Longwool sheep
Video by Ken Koons

[@JTM53]

My 2nd grader had the word WEAVE today as part of his spelling homework. He didn't know what it meant, after I explained the meaning. I came to youtube to show him a video of how it worked. This was so informative! We watched together and we were fascinated! He said he can't wait to tell his teacher about not only weaving, but how it comes from sheep and ends up as a scarf! That's a huge deal for us. Thank you for putting this together and breaking it down so nicely

[@1coolgyrl]

I think of fake hair when I hear the word weave. I probably would’ve shown the kid videos of women getting hair extensions! 😂🤣

[@mortezgaming7187]

Lol when I think of weave I think of the word weave from boxing 🤣 . But my teacher would accept it anyways lmao

[@potatoboy549]

@@1coolgyrl I think of braids or puffy, curvy eyelashes when I hear the word “fake hair”. Not “weave”. I learned two things today!

[@mohammedmuheemuddeen9148]

Good

[@mohammedmuheemuddeen9148]

Very good

[@GEEthridge]

One day I want a little farm where i can have a few sheep and a vegetable garden and keep bees and just make so many wonderful things from the earth. This was so informative, and now that I know theres a textile resurgence in maryland, i might look into classes to learn the skills

[@patrii9100]

Wouldn't it be awesome? It's my dream too.

[@agnetegrenild1588]

That's Also my dream. I Hope you both live your dream one day. (Sorry for poor english)

[@jant4741]

@@agnetegrenild1588 Look into joining a spinning guild in your area when the Cov settles. An inexpensive way to start is with a student spindle kit from The Woolery. Then here on KZbin you can learn to make a simple Backstrap loom to weave. No need to buy a lot of expensive equipment to start the fiber journey! That scarf can be easily made by spindle spun yarn and a backstrap loom. Then if you love it all invest in equipment. Fleeces can be bought at Fiber Festivals and the wool dyes from Dharma Trading. Best Wishes to a fabulous lifestyle & hobby! Hobby farms generally require a separate income. Happy New Year.

[@theyarnalist6416]

There's a lot of good books out there on spinning and weaving; and a lot of good online tutorials, too.

[@jant4741]

Hands down the best learn to spin book on a wheel is by Anne Fields. ‘Spinning Wool: Beyond the Basics’. One book covers it all from types of fleece, cleaning, methods of spinning. If you want to dabble cheap intro. “Respect the Spindle” Lot of wannabes late to the party really not experts authors who write about a new hobby to waste your money on.

[@jeremiah1528]

You can't buy things like that amazing scarf today... That thing was one of a kind. Literally. God bless you ma'am in JESUS precious name...

[@tirzah-marielewis3447]

Spinning looks very meditative.

[@mmtruooao8377]

a lot of people use drop spindles to make smaller amounts of yarn but if you wanted to get a spinning wheel and raw wool from local farmers to make your own that'd be really cool

[@morningrose428]

It absolutely is. Cannot recommend it enough!

[@orbaxis8859]

$$t try gg tyty regretted rt t

[@beckienorton7771]

It is !!!!!!

[@jant4741]

@@beckienorton7771 :) Total Cov Stress buster. Happy New Year fellow spinner!

[@Holy-BrideOfChrist]

Praise God for giving men wisdom and creativity. How fascinating is this!!

[@Livvidoll]

My left ear really enjoyed this

[@nancysilong8689]

I thought my headphones broke lol. But it was a great video so it's worth watching!

[@georgiaisom6347]

Lmao same I thought my headphones were broke

[@marstothemoon9311]

Honestly this woman seems like such a treat. I would love to learn from her

[@Nana2111]

Many years ago, I learned to card wool, spin it with a spindle and a spinning wheel, and weave it at UC Davis's Craft Center. It was one of the most wonderful things I have ever learned to do, along with throwing ceramic pots on a wheel. I have knitted since the age of 6 and crocheted since the age of 8. I learned how to sew not long afterward and I love doing all kinds of things with yarn and threads and fabric. I guess I will always enjoy this. I envy the fact that you have a weaving loom. I only hope I can teach some of what I know to the younger generations, especially now that I have a granddaughter. I would love to spend a year on your farm and learn even more about sheep, carding, dyeing wool, spinning, and weaving.

[@infinite6163]

Please do begin a YT channel!

[@Nana2111]

@@infinite6163 I'm gathering all the necessary stuff to do so...

[@infinite6163]

@@Nana2111 This is awesome news 😊

[@jeannede104]

Nana2111 me too I learned to knit and crochet young I think we could be internet friends .

[@mmtruooao8377]

I wish i could do some kind of apprenticeship to learn about this kind of stuff. I don't think I'd be able to fully commit to dropping my life and starting a farm (definitely would consider it if someone that knew more about it asked me to join them) but I would love to be able to produce linen for friend crafters (im much better at working with plants than animals), grow my own harvest, make my own soap, etc. Right now I'm focusing on getting through college so I can get a job, and someday that job will pay for a little homestead where I'll be able to do all my little projects.

[@CrimsonArcturus]

I never understood how clothing was made. This really opened my eyes. I still don't understand exactly what you do on the loom, but I see how it flips the vertical position of the two lines of wool to trap the middle line and create the over and under pattern that is used in clothing. This is cool!

[@B-Th-Change]

That’s awesome. If only all wool sheep were treated with this level of care. I would buy wool from you. It’s very clear that you stock is loved.

[@kevnar]

When you buy at Wal-mart, all this work is done in a sweatshop in Asia by 8 year old kids. The final product is cheaper, because they only pay those kids pennies a day. Hand-crafted items are more expensive, but you're getting a product that was made with love and care, and generations of experience handed down.

[@jant4741]

Walmart sells fake wool...petro based yarns. Real wool is a different economic level entirely. With the video you can understand why. Happy New Year!

[@theyarnalist6416]

And if made with any degree of skill, are of superior quality, will last longer (rather than ending up in the landfill in a few months because the seams ripped), and when they finally do wear out, are biodegradable..

[@accelerator8929]

This is the kind of stuff you'd think is impossibly boring as a child, but as you grow older it's simply.. Fascinating. I love watching artisans work.

[@katrinascreationscrafting]

This was so cool to see. I lived in Carroll County for 36 years. I now live in Gettysburg, but work at the Carroll County library. I am a spinner, knitter, crocheter, and novice weaver. Thank you so much for sharing.

[@infinite6163]

🤗 You should have a YT channel as well!

[@katrinascreationscrafting]

I do. It's Katrina's Creations Crafting Podcast. I have a video posted every Saturday. I'm having a blast getting to know so many people in the fiber community.

[@infinite6163]

@@katrinascreationscrafting Awesome! I'm going there right now 😀

[@c.h.1376]

Thank you. Watching this has allowed my Soul to breathe.

[@frankfahrenheit9537]

Being an engineer I was often triggered by the idea "that step needs automation" . The video tells me how hard the life of our ancestors was. And now imagine your underwear were made of sheep wool because this is the only fibre available ....

[@whippyboy6272]

Ouch

[@magpiestarcatcher]

It wasn’t though! Flax, cotton and linen were used!

[@en1909s9iah]

undergarments were made of linen or, later, cotton and hemp. and silk later.

[@samanthab5752]

@@magpiestarcatcher flax is linen!

[@stigyanblue1442]

If my sheep are on a farm, then my farm should also have cotton! Or I would trade my wool for cotton.

[@rnswann6324]

I loved this video! ❣ I have never been exposed to the beginning-to-end process, so I was fascinated. What a sweet lifestyle, albeit hard work. I'm going to watch it again.

[@cherrybell2995]

That is fantastic and that woman is amazing how from the sheep to the weavers and spinning, washed dyed fine wool. I like to crochet and want to use this natural fiber of wool. Thanks for this video.

[@gilmangus83]

At 6:27, when the artist hung out the dyed wool, those colors just seeing them made me happy. :-)

[@rocketmunkee]

I just watched this with my 9 yr old daughter - what a wonderful video. Thank you for sharing your talent and your love of weaving.

[@gilmangus83]

What artistry and devotion to craft, technique and expressionism she has. Brava!

[@Chichiknits2017]

Wood love to spend a day with Gwen and watch whatever she needs to do that day, whether it be washing wool, dyeing, winding , spinning, or loom work. Absolutely amazing. Of course I would have to buy a couple skeins. 😀

[@traceycreek5653]

I would love to do that too. But a long way to go for one day!

[@kennedy20007]

Gwen is a real gem!

[@meaganjo2278]

As a crocheter this is awesome to watch!

[@nanastevens4094]

Beautiful work. I wove some years back on my beloved Louet Spring. Became disabled and had to stop but do miss it, so relaxing and rewarding.

[@Spinningginny49]

Beautiful work. I too am knitter, spinner and weaver, but unfortunately do not own any sheep. I do buy fleece and wash, dye, card and spin it myself though, so I can appreciate all the work that you put into your items. Thank you for sharing.

[@theyarnalist6416]

I would love to have my own sheep, too, but apartment building managers are insufferably resistant to having sheep on your balcony. Bunch of spoilsports, imo.

[@sheilamayer3543]

Lovely video! I spin and weave too, as a historical reenactor.

[@patgriffin1925]

Oh my word so much work and time you devote from start to finish. You are one talented and smart lady.

[@jamessturcke6532]

not sure how I got here -- but I am amazed -- thanks for the video -- nicely done

[@dbaileyanorchardistsdaught5041]

Stunning shawl! I get exhausted just think about adding the warp. You do however explain the process beautifully! Seeing all your beautiful colors of yarn over the rail of your porch made me want to be your neighbor for the sight of it was striking! Wonderful VLOG! Thank you for sharing and God Bless!

[@jenniferramos6015]

Thank you for this amazing power packed video on sheep wool to a wearable item. It answered so many questions. Well done video!!!

[@Am-dp3jy]

Beautiful, I can look at it all day long, love creative people! And living on the farm is magical!

[@ilanasharon30]

I had Handspinning project with 4th grade this February 2020. Kids made amazing yarn by theirselve and had a lot of fun brushing and spinning the wool. Special thanks for your video.

[@kanchankafle1914]

I really loved watching every step of this process , I can't explain what I am feeling just a word for this process that's Meditation . Really love you and your work.

[@jacksnstaffs8293]

This is the best youtube video I've seen ages. I think this lady is amazing. Thank you so much for sharing.

[@ginadushaj358]

Shes very lucky to have such a lovely farm and people who help her. I'm very jealous of her family. I wish I had an aunt like this

[@alexandria6871]

Watching this while doing knitting. Very nice video!

[@Wolfgoddess56]

Despite seeing people looming again and again. All the words and seeing it. My brain just can't grasp it

[@guesswho4350]

2022 and this is amazing! Thank you for sharing!

[@TimeSurfer206]

Knitting and Crochet were Unisex Tasks, back in the day. When there's 14 of us in a one room cabin, over a winter, there are no Idle hands.

[@lucy1231]

Beautiful..what a talented lady

[@TC-eb6vi]

That's so Awesome.. Thank you. Wish there were more Woman out there like you. I love keeping the Traditions alive as you do.

[@jeneannekent370]

So beautiful. Looks inviting. Thank you for sharing.

[@saintp4721]

Very informative and peaceful Gwen thank you

[@mydear6788]

Wow what a hard working smart lady....enjoyed and learned a lot. Thanks

[@bethvankirk]

Wonderful video! Thank you for sharing this! I've just started with fiber arts and I'd say "I wanna be you when I grow up, but I'm already grown and think I've missed the boat here, but if I could do it over again..." Have a great day!

[@villegasdaniela]

Thank you for sharing this wonderful video! My kids loved seen the process from shearing a sheep to final product of a scarf!... Thank you

[@chrissullivan2282]

6’5 310lb man just watched all 13:24 minutes of this lady doing her work. Was Awesome👍

[@jant4741]

Pardon the late reply. To us spinners you sound like a big strong useful farm hand! All that hay doesn’t magically appear in the barn! Happy New Year Chris!

[@theyarnalist6416]

Men can spin and weave, too! There isn't a rule forbidding it!

[@RingoWild]

I loved watching every step of the process! It's incredible to think about the number of hours that go into making one scarf, but I guess that's what makes it so satisfying. I can only imagine what a thrill it is to be involved with a project from the very beginning! Did you say it takes three months for you to get your yarn after you've delivered the wool to the spinning place? That seems like a long time to wait! Thanks again for sharing. And you're right, there's no amount of money that would suffice to pay you appropriately for the amount of work. But if the person who buys your work appreciates and values it, then it's got to be gratifying!

[@bartholomewhoefer6140]

Many years ago, I learned to card wool, spin it with a spindle and a spinning wheel, and weave it at UC Davis's Craft Center. It was one of the most wonderful things I have ever learned to do, along with throwing ceramic pots on a wheel. I have knitted since the age of 6 and crocheted since the age of 8. I learned how to sew not long afterward and I love doing all kinds of things with yarn and threads and fabric. I guess I will always enjoy this. I envy the fact that you have a weaving loom. I only hope I can teach some of what I know to the younger generations, especially now that I have a granddaughter. I would love to spend a year on your farm and learn even more about sheep, carding, dyeing wool, spinning, and weaving.

[@helenscoffield]

That last little fella looks like it enjoys its beer! Thanks for the clear video!

[@jsmith3980]

Thanks for posting.Lovely to see and hear the animals too.

[@vonniejohnson9711]

Absolutely amazing. Enjoyed watching. What a beautiful scarf. Never knew how much work went into a skein of yarn.

[@bandilou]

Remarkable! Wonderful documentary about your work and your life. I really enjoyed it, a learned a lot!!!

[@HarryPotter047]

the amount of work that goes into this is astonishing

[@aluminescenceofflower]

Thank you so much for sharing such a magical process. 🌎🌷💜🙏🏿🌳

[@kennethmullen7183]

This video absolutely caught my attention. The yarn dyeing...very interesting. Thank you for sharing. Beautiful work.

[@eneal2056]

An absolutely exquisite masterpiece is achieved at the end of this fascinating video showcasing a timeless art from start to finish. Please continue to pass on crafts like this so that they are not lost to history. Thank you so much for sharing this with us.

[@lindsaymiles9304]

What a beautiful thing to watch the whole process. Thank you!

[@hmsm5701]

What a pleasure to see this.🤍

[@jillc720]

Thank you for your video showing the process! Hope to see you at Maryland Sheep and Wool this year!

[@Zincchromeshema]

Thank you for showing the beautiful art of weaving. From sheep to scarf, I love it!

[@adamakaru2683]

You are very lucky lady and I got the feeling I can learn a lot from you thank you. Ps, beautiful scarf and of course the colours.

[@kerriesdowntherabbithole]

I hope that one day I will have sheep and a alpaca and way to much fleece to spin would be my dream.

[@operacat1]

Thanks for this. Cute little black lamb at the beginning!

[@amuservlog4561]

Very interesting you’re talented. Thanks I able to see how did this fabric made, not easy.

[@altlife2908]

I just love your video and it make total sense to me when you mentioned at the end, that when you have a farm it gives you time to be creative, I'm an artist, home-edger parent and my youngest daughter and i, Ember, just watched your video, making our own home made loom. We don't have much money, but we have the imagination to make create and grow... thank you for your inspiration, i wish i could swap some of our goats for sheep.. Blessings

[@juddtotman931]

They were feeding the lambs milk with a yuengling bottle lol

[@Incubansoul]

Warping reel: 7:00 I shall sing you the song of my people

[@vladtimofte6511]

I am hearing "*Crying* Get away from me,get away from me *crying,wood cracking,crying* get away from me"

[@debbiegoodyear5963]

I love craft hobbies and can knit and crochet but I'm not sure I'd have the patience to do this... Well done to you x and such beautiful colours you dyed the wool

[@pjtfd3849]

Thank you for an interesting and informative video. I crochet, knit, inkle and card weave. Just got a new rigid heddle loom and a union 36 to restore. Please please don’t let me get tooooo interested in spinning!!

[@Stormblast729]

I guess this is where the old saying "Sit and spin!" comes from! This looks like an excellent life skill to have.

[@leannemayor5755]

I learned how to crochet watching you tube and I love it . Tapestry is a whole other ball game . What a talented lady from sheep to shawl xox

[@adelawiley2929]

Beautiful work, just beautiful. Love the full circle of the video, very well done..

[@anitaknapp4151]

Awesome way of life.I'm sure you are inspirational to many budding artist interested in fiber art. Please get sharing. I would love to see more of your art work.

[@victoriamyatt1709]

Absolutely beautiful and mesmerising to watch. Would so love to do this but will have to settle for just crocheting the scarf and letting someone else do the processing. I have a small ladder style scarf loom but in no way is as impressive as this loom. Thank you so much for sharing your Knowledge with us. Pricing items is always the hardest and I don't work nearly as hard as you.

[@jtsvec]

Very cool video. I like the yuengling bottle to feed the lamb haha

[@bandilou]

Me, too. lol

[@ngwnsaurabh]

History Ncerts are full of struggles of weavers in modern India, so got interested in the whole process and turned to youtube and came across this video. Absolutely wonderful!

[@FLMegan]

That was so amazing to watch. Thank you.

[@terrimalen710]

A very beautiful video! I enjoyed this video immensely! 🤚👍👍

[@TractusPhasmatis]

My son is Autistic and in the Scouts. He is earning the Textile merit badge and your video really helped him understand the process from sheering to fabric. Thank you for sharing. :)

[@craftysimon9601]

Excellent video! Loved seeing the full process and the beauty of the finished product.

[@miriamayala5757]

Thank you for that clear understanding of what it takes to make that beautiful scarf ! Beginning to end just a wonderful process and a lot of work ... but I can see how satisfying it is to you!!!

[@denisemartinez6456]

Gorgeous color's. Wow such a great hobby to learn. I'd love playing and working with textile yams and fabrics like this. Just wonderful. I really enjoyed your video. Thank you for sharing and teaching us.

[@westiewonder6601]

Thanks. Very informative. I love history and how people lived before modern technology. You have a talent of covering all aspects of the project

[@gwendolynhumphries7152]

WOW!! I'M TOTALLY IMPRESSED! This is a very intricate process. I really appreciate your attention to detail. It must be very satisfying to create something "from wool of sheep". I'm reading a book " Empire of Cotton" by Sven Beckert. On page xiii (introduction) He states that "it would take approximately 7 billion sheep to produce a quantity of wool equivalent to the world's current cotton crop." FASCINATING!!!! I love wool and textiles. Thank you very very much. I'll never take wool or cotton for granted after wating your video!

[@Stephlovesnapping]

This was fascinating! Excellent video! ♥️♥️

[@lbogarde]

Great video - I am slowly learning aspects of what you do, and even more slowly acquiring land, critters and equipment - but from critter to sweater is my goal! Thanks for your inspiration - again, great video......xx

[@suzanneneikirk5544]

This was mesmerizing to watch the whole process from start to finish. Thank you for sharing this.

[@vipulrathod510]

So much effort and dedication goes into doing this , i wish they get paid fairly always .

[@sudhirpatel7620]

Highly educational. I recommend everyone watch this. Especially grade school children. Understanding such things at a young age puts into perspective many things we would otherwise not understand or fully. An in depth learning of a trade in grade 5 could result in you owning a highly lucrative fortune 500 company in the future.

[@juanfraaguirre3401]

Amazing work from this lady. So relaxing to watch

[@lorainecross]

I guess the lambs like their Yuenglings too!

[@annroberts3635]

Very enjoyable to watch. I am a knitter but I can see myself doing the weaving also. Fabulous video.

[@normaheflin5670]

I will never get tired of watching this video...

[@NocturnalButterfly]

Thank you so much for sharing this!! 💖🦋

[@hearsthewater]

That was amazing! Thanks for sharing with us!

[@debraspencer9911]

That was such a great informational video. We watched it because Christoper Columbus' father was a wool weaver. Thank you for sharing with us! We loved the colors you chose for your yarn.

[@kyststudio-epicartadventure]

I love the sounds of a farm and hand work. I live on a busy road and would trade it any day for a life back on the land.

[@stefib.7758]

Beautiful video, you can see all the passion and commitment. It is a dream for me to be able to live like this. Thank you so much.

[@lyndasmith593]

Wow...the amount of work and time.....I never really Thought about it. Thank you so much!

[@skelitalmisfit12]

This video was so incredibly relaxing and soothing. Thank you so much for sharing!