YST Episode 17 Tips and Techniques

Ribbons and not medals are what you win when you let your yarn be judged.  In keeping with the spirit of the Summer Olympics in one segment of this podcast I talk about how to find competitions to enter your spinning and how to prepare the skeins to be judged. Three other segments also share some of the hints and tips I have after several weeks of experimenting with different techniques.  One segment talks about what to do when you end up with singles on one bobbin and you want to ply that yarn.  The method is called Andean plying and is easier to do than to explain! A third segment talks about picking a fleece.  Now this is not talking about the actual selection of a fleece, but the process that allows the locks of washed fiber to be opened so that vegetable matter or short nubs of fiber can be removed.  It makes a big difference in the yarn you spin when you take the time to do this step, as I relearned this week. And finally, the biggest challenge of all to many experienced spinners: spinning a bulky yarn is discussed.  It's a yarn you either love or hate, but either way, it's good to know how to spin it. Be sure to check out my blog to see some photos of the topics discussed in the podcasts. Since this podcast is an eclectic mixture of topics, I have an mixture of music too.  As usual, all music is from the podsafe music network and below are links to the specific musicians. First a special thank you to Claire Dowling for the spinning intro music. Interlude music called Summer Meadow is by Jim Richmond. Saffire and the Uppity Blues Women sing for us Don't You Tell Me. The music behind the thank yous is Butterfly Seranade and is by Tripple6Fusion. And to close the show, a lovely blues vocal that just sings of summer, Watermelon Time by Marcia Ball. Thanks for listening!