Spinning A Yarn's Tale

Blair Staake
  • 5.0 (7)
  • VISUAL ARTS
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY

Spinning a Yarn's Tale is a podcast about fiber arts history and culture. Follow us, Denise and Blair, on a meandering journey across the world of fiber and its rich history and culture. We'll be talking about knitting, crochet, spinning and sheep!

  1. 10/16/2023

    MINI EPISODE: 3 Darners

    This week I dove a little bit into the different types of darners out there and their Significance in history! I personally like the darning eggs with the short handles, but what are your favorite types of darners? Our Instagram Page Reference List Gilday E. A Darn Good Egg: Darning Tools for Holey Socks. Piecework. 2018;26(1):48-52. Accessed October 16, 2023. https://search-ebscohost-com.ezproxy.snhu.edu/login.aspx?direct=true&db=aft&AN=126584944&site=eds-live&scope=site HABIT F. The Egg and I: Tools for Darning. Piecework. 2020;28(3):12-14. Accessed October 16, 2023. https://search-ebscohost-com.ezproxy.snhu.edu/login.aspx?direct=true&db=edb&AN=144272650&site=eds-live&scope=site  https://homethingspast.com/2012/06/07/darning-eggs-mushrooms/

    12 min

  2. 10/02/2023

    MINI EPISODE: 2 Steeking

    I enjoy steeking, mostly because I hate knitting flat. Why go back and forth when I could go round and round? I know there are arguments that a flat knit garment fits better, but I kind of like the oversized look myself anyway. Photos on our Instagram Resources: https://www.interweave.com/wp-content/uploads/Steeks-Cutting-the-Edge.pdf https://kddandco.com/2012/04/29/steeks-1-introduction/ https://kddandco.com/2014/08/15/what-is-a-steek/ https://www.hazeltindall.com/steeks https://icelandicknitter.com/traditional-icelandic-steek-on-my-gamaldags-lopi-sweater/

    11 min

  3. 09/18/2023

    MINI EPISODE: 1 Circular Needles

    Hi all! Blair checking in to see how all of you are doing, you're well I hope? I'm going to be putting out some mini episodes to bridge the gap between our last episode and when we start recording our longer episodes again. These are going to be coming out on a bi-weekly basis, just like our usual episodes. The only exception is that these are going to be about 10- 15 minutes in length and cover one small, particular, subject. This weeks episode is about the history of circular needles! I found a few cool facts, and I hope you find them as interesting as I did! Photos on our Instagram! REFERENCES: https://loopholes.blog/2020/02/circular-knitting-needles/ https://pieceworkmagazine.com/going-in-circles-a-history-of-knitting-in-the-round/ The Hazy History of Knitting Needles and article by Anne Berk  Found in my colleges online library catalog.  https://ezproxy.snhu.edu/login?url=https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=aft&AN=71325962&site=eds-live&scope=site

    11 min

  4. 07/31/2023

    Episode 13 - Nalbinding

    Hi there! In the last episode of this season, we are going back in time to talk to you about a craft that we have mentioned several times over the past few episodes: Nalbinding. Nalbinding is one of the oldest needle-crafts and often coined as the predecessor to knitting. But what is nalbinding, how does it work, and is the craft still alive today? Find out in this episode!  Resources:  Picture of Nålbound sock: https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/520143fde4b089a05854f6ac/bb2e9c82-e16b-4642-8b5a-cea1c2a66d6a/Schermafbeelding+2022-01-16+om+12.44.17.png?format=2500w Nålbinding tutorial:  https://youtu.be/FyiyRQ-1E8w https://spinoffmagazine.com/nalbinding-a-short-history-of-an-ancient-craft/ https://www.studiomyr.com/blog/2022/1/14/the-history-of-knitwear https://heritagecrafts.org.uk/nalbinding/ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/N%C3%A5lebinding  Stitch explanation:  http://vakerrysta.blogspot.com/2017/10/what-does-f2-mean-which-nalbinding.html

    45 min
  5. Episode 12 - Sweden & Bohus Stickning

    07/17/2023

    Episode 12 - Sweden & Bohus Stickning

    Hello there! We are 2 weeks late with uploading this episode because Denise had her baby! Momma and baby are doing well, recovering and trying to get as much sleep as possible. (Knitting hasn't happened yet, but Denise's feeling her fingers itch for the needles a little bit!) We talk about Sweden and its knitting history in this episode. We zoom in on Bohus Stickning and what knitting can mean for a society. In short: we talk about a lot of fascinating stuff, yet again! Enjoy. Blair's Yarn: Trilogy Yarns - Mustard  Resources Sweden:  https://knittingtraditions.com/knitting-resources/knitting-traditions/swedish/#:~:text=Sweden%20is%20also%20the%20birthplace,embossed%20motifs%20can%20be%20worked.  https://pieceworkmagazine.com/tvaaendsstickning-swedens-two-end-knitting/  Berit Westman. (1982). Tvåändasstickning. Västmanlands läns hemslöjdsförening, Västerås https://sverigesradio.se/artikel/6027669 A great book on Swedish knitting (and spinning): https://waltin.se/josefinwaltinspinner/knit-spin-sweden/ Bohus:  To refer you from one podcast to another, it was really enjoyable to listen to this interview on Fruity Knitting: Bohus Stickning - Ep. 112 - Fruity Knitting.  https://www.bohuslansmuseum.se/en/collections-and-history/bohus-knitting-1939-1969/  https://florafiber.live/blog/bohus-stickning  https://kelbournewoolens.com/blog/2017/05/emma-and-bohus-stickning/  Robson, Deborah & Ekarius, Carol. (2011). The Fleece & Fiber Sourcebook. Storey.  Nargi, Lela. (2011). Knitting Around the World: A Multistranded History of a Time-Honored Tradition. Voyageur Press.

    53 min

  6. 06/19/2023

    Episode 11 - Estonian Knitting

    Welcome to another episode! Today, we talk about Estonian knitting. A rich history and culture exists that perhaps not everybody knows about. We'll cover how knitting played (and still plays, sometimes!) a role in Estonian society, as well as some different techniques and designs that are typical Estonian.  We hope you enjoy!  Resources:  Pictures of knotless netting: Bhsstaff. (2015, August 25). Knotless netting demonstration. Beaufort Historic Site. Retrieved May 7, 2023, from https://beauforthistoricsite.org/knotlessnettingdemonstration/ Muhu Pink Gloves: https://pieceworkmagazine.com/a-pair-of-womens-muhu-gloves-to-knit/ Modern example of Kihnu stripes: https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/virvendus A wonderful book on Estonian knitting, it’s a series: https://epood.saara.ee/en/pood/estonian-knitting-1 Byrd, Aleks. (2022) Traditions Revisited: Modern Estonian Knits. Laine Publishing.  Aleks Byrd’s tutorial for roosimine knitting https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ke7TYCA8Fyc&ab_channel=AleksByrd  Kihnu sheep: http://wovember.com/2016/11/08/estonian-native-sheep/ http://eestiloodus.horisont.ee/artikkel2990_2942.html  Ruhnu sheep: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Estonian_Ruhnu  The Estonian button: https://newstitchaday.com/how-to-knit-the-estonian-button/  Examples of roosimine motifs: https://needled.files.wordpress.com/2016/08/ek16.jpg  Little tutorial of a Vikkel/Lateral braid: https://shibuiknits.com/pages/lateral-braid  History. Nordic Knitters. (2017, June 18). https://nordicknitters.com/history/

    32 min

  7. 06/05/2023

    Episode 10 - Iceland and the Origins of Lopi

    Welcome to this wonderful episode on Iceland! We dive into a bit of the history of knitting in Iceland, we talk about different weaving techniques found throughout the years, and of course we cannot mention Iceland without talking about Lopi! This is a really fun episode where both of us get to wonder about the magic of crafting as we explore Icelandic traditions. We hope you enjoy it as much as we do! Our resources:   Patterns mentioned in today's episode:  https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/graminees https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/sources/icelandic-handknits/patterns - Carr, Toni & Cassidy, Kyle. (2022). The Lopapeysa Sweater: A Journey North in Search of Iceland's Iconic Knitwear. Stackpole Books.  - Nargi, Lela. (2011). Knitting Around the World: A Multi-Stranded History of a Time-Honored Tradition. Voyageur Press.  - Robson, Deborah & Ekarius, Carol. (2011). The Fleece & Fiber Sourcebook. Storey Publishing.  Beautiful article about the weaving tradition in Iceland: https://thekindcraft.com/iceland-textile/   - A little more information about the Varafeldur:  https://littlelooms.com/weaving-history-the-varafeldur/  - Some good pictures of the warp-weighted loom:  https://medium.com/@zoescope/looms-and-the-role-of-women-in-iceland-71566058c7e9  - Picture of shoe inserts (and pattern!) https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/knitted-shoe-inserts-from-iceland  - A wonderful interview with a traditional pattern maker who has made several shoe inserts!  https://kddandco.com/2014/05/15/a-chat-with-helene-magnusson/

    48 min

  8. 05/22/2023

    Episode 9 - Germany and Continental Knitting

    Hi there! This week, we talk about Germany and its knitting history and traditions. We go over some of the older knitting projects people used to make, the projects a man had to knit to be admitted to a guild, knitting during the Wars, and continental knitting. We also go over some of the sheep found in Germany. Thus: another good one! We hope you enjoy.  Resources:  Pattern talked about here:  https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/graminees Books to check out: World Knitting Patterns by James Norberry The Ultimate Sock Book by Vogue Knitting Pictures of the knitting Madonnas: https://annkingstone.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/7C12A188-4C2E-40D7-8138-5F54A167C263-scaled.jpeg German knitted rug: https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/217400 a, n. (2014, January 6). Knitting my (German) heritage. Feel Good Knitting. Retrieved April 9, 2023, from https://feelgoodknitting.wordpress.com/2013/01/24/knitting-my-german-heritage/ Annika. (2023, February 2). Merinolandschaf. Rosemary And Pines Fiber Arts. Retrieved April 9, 2023, from https://www.rosemaryandpinesfiberarts.de/merinolandschaf-german-sheep-breeds/ German whiteheaded mutton sheep - Oklahoma State University. German Whiteheaded Mutton Sheep | Oklahoma State University. (2021, April 19). Retrieved April 9, 2023, from https://breeds.okstate.edu/sheep/german-whiteheaded-mutton-sheep.html Knitting&Death. (2022, June 16). Germany's "Knitting battalions" of the Great War. Medium. Retrieved April 9, 2023, from https://knittinganddeath.medium.com/germanys-knitting-battalions-of-the-great-war-13c1e68c20d1 Nargi, L. (2014). Knitting around the world: A multistranded history of a time-honored tradition. Voyageur. Thomas, M. (n.d.). Mary Thomas ́knitting Book. Hodder & Stoughton. Viennese art nouveau lace. Viennese Art Nouveau Lace. (n.d.). Retrieved April 9, 2023, from http://wakges.blogspot.com/2012/01/viennese-art-nouveau-lace.html Weightman, J. (2012, October 10). More knitting history: World War II. Judy Weightman. Retrieved April 9, 2023, from https://judyweightman.wordpress.com/2012/10/09/more-knitting-history-world-war-ii/

    36 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
7 Ratings

About

Spinning a Yarn's Tale is a podcast about fiber arts history and culture. Follow us, Denise and Blair, on a meandering journey across the world of fiber and its rich history and culture. We'll be talking about knitting, crochet, spinning and sheep!

Information

  • Creator
    Blair Staake
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    16
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Blair Staake
  • Show Website
    Spinning A Yarn's Tale