This is why I Spin Yarn 🧶

In our modern times, spinning yarn seems unnecessary and time consuming. Let me explain my reasons for why I spin yarn starting with the story of how I began spinning in the first place.

~~In This Video~~

🧶🧶🧶 Patterns 🧶🧶🧶

Wearing- Arboreal by Jennifer Steingass

📚📚📚 Books 📚📚📚

The Omnivore's Dilemma: A Natural History of Four Meals by Michael Pollan

Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge and the Teachings of Plants
by Robin Wall Kimmerer

Women's Work: The First 20,000 Years: Women, Cloth, and Society in Early Times
by Elizabeth Wayland Barber

The Valkyries’ Loom: The Archaeology of Cloth Production and Female Power in the North Atlantic
by Michèle Hayeur Smith

▶ Mentioned Channels ▶

MandaMadeIt @Coastalwoolwashing

Abby Franquemont @abbysyarns
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~~ Social Media ~~


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*I use some affiliate links. They will always be clearly marked and you are never obligated to use them. If you make a purchase through an affiliate link, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thanks for your support!
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[jessiebird]

You may appreciate this: An acquaintance had a barn FULL of raw fleeces, mostly Romney, in every shade possible. He was trying make room for more and had no use for them, so invited me to come take what I wanted (I don't remember if I paid or not). I walked into the barn, inhaled the sheepy smell, and looked around at clear bags of fleeces of all colors, piled up everywhere. I practically swooned. He said, "Oh, you're one of those." I asked what he meant, and he said, "I don't know what it is, but every time a spinner walks into this barn, they get that same weird look on their face." It's a look of ecstasy, I suppose.

[carlacrazymom]

Why did I start spinning? Poverty...i figured out it is cheaper to buy a raw fleece and do the work myself than to go to the store 60 miles away and buy synthetic yarn. Why do i continue to spin? Because I NEED to. My failing body and brain get exercise from the physical motion, the calculations of how big to spin the yarn to get the yardage I need for the project I want to make. I love that the waste from the cleaning of the wool goes into my garden and makes my plants grow. I love that the things I make go mostly to my granddaughters and friends so that they can have real wool stuff too. I love that the rugs I have made can get washed and sun dried and smell heavenly...and last more than 2 washings. I love that you and folks like you are here to teach me what i don't know. My biggest regret? That I can't send you a paycheck for all your hard work, information, joy, time, experience...because well, even small amounts of money just don't exist for me right now. Icelandic is my favorite wool to work with. I can't wait to see your Icelandic journey. Anyway, hugs, Happy Valentines day, and most of all thank you for what you do.

[claretrevor]

Growing up my family spent our summers on an island in Maine. We had a 150 sheep. My dad has made custom spinning wheels for over 40 years. My mom knitted me a sweater, when I was 8 from my favorite sheep Moe. It’s still called my Moe Sweater. He had only 3 legs. Crochet and knitting keeps my hand busy and calms my brain. I’m starting to spin again… I’m trying to regain my muscle memory. Thank you for this video. It’s wonderful.

[cammacrae]

I was feeling chilly last night so I wrapped up in a beautiful blue and white wool blanket that a friend I taught to weave twenty-five years ago made for me on an old loom of my mother's. One day while my friend was weaving, she told me that the act of weaving made her feel like she was stepping off the bank into a long wide river filled with the thoughts and dreams of all the weavers in the world who went before her. I think my blue and white blanket must be infused with some of those thoughts and dreams, including hers and my mother's.

[elizjusteliz]

THIS! It’s not especially practical, it’s not especially cost effective, but I love it. I love feeling like I’m preserving a skill that shouldn’t be lost. Things traditionally considered “woman’s work” like sewing, embroidery, weaving, are slipping away in modern society and I think we lose something when we lose those skills. Mainly an ability to do something for ourselves and not have it handed to us. Just because I sew doesn’t mean I want to hem your pants. You have access to needles, thread, and YouTube, so don’t look at me like I’ve asked you to walk on water. It’s been done for thousands of years so I’m pretty sure you can do it too.

[MerylFioriti]

This is a year old at this point but I just had to pop up and say The Omnivore's Dillemma is literally what brought me to considering spinning and trying to purchase sustainable yarn as much as possible too. Felt like that meme of Leo pointing at the TV when you held it up 😂

[carllee]

Through my spinning, weaving and knitting I feel a connection to the past. In 1992, I taught myself to spin. I felt that I belonged at a spinning wheel. Some of my mother's family worked in spinning and weaving mills in Scotland and New England. Her 2 aunt's were handkniters. It's in my blood. I find spinning calming.

[sadiesspincraft]

I saw someone spinning, and something inside me awoke as though a past life was coming through. I followed the feeling, and 5 years later, I'm still in love with it and can not see myself not doing it xx

[soma]

I have to tell you this was one of the loveliest, most enjoyable videos I've watched in many years. And to answer your question I learned to spin last year so I could gift my husband a scarf and hat set made from the fluff I saved for many years from our Husky. She was his baby and she passed away at 15 years old. And I learned to knit 6 years ago because my daughter used to knit lovely things and when she had her baby girl she couldn't wait to teach her that beautiful craft. She died of cancer when her daughter was only two and I decided I was going to be the one to teach her so I learned everything off of YouTube videos. In fact you taught me a lot about how to spin as well. So now my granddaughter is eight years old and I just started teaching her how to knit and now she wants to learn how to spin as well and help make my husbands gift from our dog's yarn whom she loved as well . Thank you so much for all of your videos. You always brighten my day with your sunshiny spirit…

[rebeccagibson]

When I became homeless what I missed the most was the beautiful art (and squishy socks) I'd been surrounded with. But a friend gave me a bag of yarn and my espinner miraculously returned in a box with my school stuff. Every day I think about what's left behind! There's just so much to catch up.

[kaitlinlewis]

I rent farmland to some people and we have talked about the Fiber Side of things and it's true it's being forgotten about. This year on Breakfast on the Farm I plan to bring my spindle and some wool with me and spin it while near the Sheep where I can talk about it. I spin my own wool and fiber to support the Shepherds. I was washing wool with my friend who helped me washed it and she understands it and she wants to be part of it. I can't wait to read the book and I am glad you like the book I recommend.

[kathytedford]

Let me start by saying I am an old soul. I feel like there is a being inside me from some long forgotten century that is scratching to get out. I have want to make my own yarn to find that connection. I garden and preserve food for much the same reason. I have always felt that we as a modern people have so many issues because we have lost the connection to our roots and our families. I loved this video so much

[maryannhalstead]

My why might seem simple to some but is actually quite complex when you understand that I was adopted and didn’t learn my true heritage until I was in my mid-40’s. Once I learned that heritage, I felt a deep yearning to connect with my ancestors. Primarily of Irish decent, working with wool felt natural. Now, every time I sit in front of my wheel or grab a spindle or pick up a cake of my hand spun, I feel that connection.

[helenehenkel]

I wanted to learn how to spin for decades, it wasn't until a few years ago that I finally did it. An advid crafter for my entire life, I have learned many crafts, mostly self taught. From crochet to sewing to soap making & spinning. I have always been able to move to the next level. Although I would love to farm acres, I have turned my backyard into an itty-bitty farm. Of course, I have fiber animals. The only ones that can fit into my space are Angora Bunnies. Getting in contact with local farmers, I can source Icelandic wool, alpaca fleece & mix it with my angora fiber. Spinning is a multi sensory experience, I feel the fiber traveling through my fingers, I see it form into yarn as it winds onto the bobbin, the slight aroma, feeling the wood as I treadle & of course the slight sound as the wheel spins. With all that going on, I can ignore the unpleasant things that are happening around me. I know it's temporary, but it sure helps to get away from it for a few hours.

[chasingthelook]

That blue fiber is beeeauuutiful! 💙
My brother had a similar response when he saw me knitting a sweater that I had spun yarn for...":o why?!" He couldn't believe all that work was just for enjoyment and not a side gig lol.

[katieh]

It is so refreshing and uplifting to know I’m not the only one who feels a strong desire to find connection through the art of making, and in the process, discover the wonders of living with intention. Slowing down and reconnecting with our deepest selves and with our human history. Thank you Jillian for everything you are doing to keep fiber arts and education alive. We need it now more than ever. ❤

[LisaMyEclecticLife]

I started spinning in the fall of 2012, I was teaching early American History in my homeschool and wanted my children to get a better understanding of what it took for people to clothe themselves before the industrial revolution. I made a couple of spindles from to wheels and dowel rods and found a part of a fleece online and bought some handcards from the sister of a homeschool friend. This same lad had a loom and I bought it too. My daughter and I each have spinning wheels, spindles, fleece, top, dyes, looms, and a drum carder. I also have two electric spinners. We are so far down the rabbit hole, and loving it still.

[forge_of_stars]

I love the way you speak about spinning, I've found it hard to articulate these same ideas to people who ask me why I spin and hearing it from you is beautiful. Thank you

[HegenerHomestead]

I learned that spinning was still a thing last summer. I didn't even know people still did this, or know really anything about it. I got my Turkish spindles and started small. I just got my first spinning wheel less than a month ago and already feel like I have a pretty good handle on it. It just fits and I really enjoy doing it. I'm not fast at all at knitting or crocheting, but I don't think it takes that long to spin up a bunch of fiber.

[kathywinn]

What a wonderful reverie. Thank you for this. We as modern people are so spoiled. It used to take a village to make clothing. My spinning guru loved to weave. (not my thing but...) She told me that it took 8 spinners to service one weaver. When people ask me what I make with my spinning, I tell them I make yarn. I love the quizzical looks I get to that answer. Thank you again for this lovely valentine to spinning. From a Louisiana spinner...