Heavenly Knitchet

01/25/2026

I just taught two 3 hours workshops yesterday focused on long draw techniques. Today, the fun continues as we are diving into combs and hackles. Are you ready for the virtual workshops for Winterfest?

In case you’ve missed the memo, the original workshop sessions sold out within a few days of opening day so new sessions were added down the line. AND, a liiiiiiittle birdle told me that there were 3 openings left for the Prep Like a Pro: Combs and Hackles (B) session so you can grab one of the last few seats. All of my virtual Winterfest sessions are recorded for replay up to 30 days after the session. Class times are shown on Lessonface in ET. Don’t miss out!

https://www.lessonface.com/apply/Prep-Pro-Combs-Hackles-B

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1373044620946460&id=100047228042520n the r lo

WINTERFEST UDPATE! We've added some new classes for our 5th annual virtual festival of classes and seminars for fiber artists and shepherds on January 24-25, 2026. We've also added second sessions for some of the sold-out classes. Check out the updated schedule and find full registration information at https://sheepandwool.org/winterfest-2026/.

01/16/2026

Heavenly…. A BLACKSMITH?! Let’s gooooo! YEEEEESSSSSS! AHHHHH! I could scream all week just from the excitement of stepping out to do something I’ve wanted to do for several years. In case you may be wondering, yes it is for spinning wheel restoration purposes and more! Sooooo… What you are looking at is a series of photos (keep swiping) of the first day of my journey as a blacksmith. This is my first project: an S hook. I learned how to take square stock (basically a long bar with a square profile and create various shapes and twisting). Forging is a LOT of fun and manual labor!!! I learned a lot from the best instructor, Dan Caldwell and this piece took me 2-1/2 hours! If the first 2-1/2 hours looks like this, I can’t wait to do more! ☺️ I am so EXCITED to go down this rabbit hole and also put my skills to use on the forge I already have at home. Crank shaft, rams head wing nuts, and other metal fabrication coming up! Hey 2026, we’re going on a journey, and I hope you can keep up with me! 💛💛💛

12/18/2025

More restoration work coming your way… Bobbins, leathers and a whorl, oh my! Here are three larger capacity bobbins and a custom whorl I made on my lathe. These parts required a lot of calculations on my end (the fun part, really) and then measuring and testing fit. I use recycled leather for the bobbin bushings and treated them after staining. And yes, I always try my best to match colors whenever possible, and I’d say the bobbins are a pretty close match.

First picture—Finished work with treated leather bushings.
Second picture—Bobbins and whorl after a coat of stain.
Last picture—The mother-of-all with the leathers properly inserted and pegged in place.

12/16/2025

Let’s say goodbye to all the large cracks on this bobbin and give it a longer lifespan. 💛

11/09/2025

This Winter I am teaching virtual workshops— Slow to Quick: Ease Your Way into Longdraw & Prep Like a Pro: Combs & Hackles! Will you join us for Maryland Sheep and Wool’s Winterfest in January? Register now before spots fill!!! See you there! ☺️💛

10/25/2025

[Handprocessed. Handspun. Handdyed. Hand knit.] Done by me in that order on my blue Tyrolean wheel with Irish tension. The skirted Romney fleece came from a sheep named Geisha (Oak Creek Farm). The gorgeous browns and subtle taupe colors received the dyes so well. The Muga Silk accents were carded in for the lace portions of the shawl. In the middle and on the edges. I’ve had this for some years as part of a knitalong in 2020, and it’s been a little breezy in PEI, Canada so I have a chance to wear it more than once. The pattern is Fairy Leaves Wrap pattern. There’s nothing quite like a fleece to finish object!!! ☺️ Today’s drink is a cappuccino with a maple flavoring from my favorite day spot on the island, Kettle Black. 💛

09/02/2025

Only a few seats left… it’s not too late to join this workshop on Thursday morning. We will check out different combs and their uses, gets some hands on experience with combing different kinds of fleeces, and diz with a tool and by hand. As time permits, I’ll demonstrate planking on my 6-pitch English style combs. I can’t wait to see you at the Wisconsin Sheep & Wool Festival in a few days!!! I’m so excited!!!

Become a FRIEND OF THE FESTIVAL and have 48 hours of early access registration in 2026! Click on the "Membership" button to support the festival!

08/29/2025

Spin Off’s digital issue for Fall dropped in my email!!! I screamed a little, ok maybe a LOT, when I saw the cover. ☺️ (I’m a nerd and unashamed lol). I said to myself, “Oh, look at that pretty sweater!” Then, I scrolled down some more and saw the model holding my jellyfish spindle with my 155 wpi wild silk singles on it!!! 🎉🎉🎉 The dyed tussah silk is from , and it is a dream to spin it so thin on my Russian-style spindle. In this issue, I wrote an article about spindle tips — metal tips, ball bearings, glass, and wooden. It is one component that is overlooked but the shape, size, and material affects the duration of spin and how the spindle interacts with a surface. The article is titled, The Tipping Point: Supported Spindle Tips on pg. 50. Did your digital copy hit your inbox? If not, it’s not too late to get your issue. Be sure to check out my article plus Pamela Schultz’s pretty sweater—Millefiori Pullover, designed by Sandi Rosner—and other awesome articles in the Fall 2025 issue at spinoffmagazine.com! I cannot wait for the physical copy to come in the mail! 🎉

07/09/2025

Say hello to a new restoration project! This wheel has come to live with me temporarily while it is restored. I’m pretty sure it’s lovely owner will be really happy to be able to spin on this lovely superslanty! 💛

07/03/2025

Hey, hey! Longtime no post, I hope all is well in your crafting world.

I’m sneaking in a little chill time at Panbanged Knits & Fiber Shoppe while on vacation. You know I had to pack my supported spindles and a wheel.

I also brought along some of my fave reading: the latest issue of PLY Magazine! This one’s all about Tension, and it’s packed with super-interesting articles. I’m behind with reading because I’ve been busy woodworking prior to leaving for the trip (and there’s more to go when I return home.)

🧶 Fun news: I’ve got an article in this issue! I’m talking all about drive band materials — what I like to use on my wheels, and how something as simple as your drive band choice can totally change your spinning wheel’s performance with more or less twist per inch. A subtle change that can completely change your experience.

Have you checked out the Tension issue yet?

You’ll find a single issue below:

https://subscribe.plymagazine.com/item/13582/the-tension-issue-49-summer-2025

05/16/2025