I apologize for my impromptu hiatus, make suggestions about how to organize a breed study, provide the results of the wool scour smackdown, and review Deb Robson's Handspinning Rare Wools.
Episode 019: Madrona!
All about my trip to the Madrona Fiber Arts Winter Retreat.
Episode 018: Gifts for Beloved Spinners
This week, SpinDoctor plays cupid with gift ideas sure to win the heart of beloved spinners.
Episode 017: New Segment Queen
I review Bosworth spindles, fiber from Black Bunny Fibers, and Interweave's new "e-mag," SpinKnit. Plus some thoughts on gratitude, an update on my breed study, and a new segment.
Episode 016: The Joy of Spinning
A big episode! I review Blue Mountain Handcrafts' comb and hackle set, a fleece from Foxhill Farm, processing by Morning Sun Fiber Barn, rare breeds roving from Spirit Trail Fiberworks, and Rita Buchanan's DVD, How I Spin. Plus, I set some spinning intentions for the new year, report on my progress with the breeds challenge, and suggest a knitting pattern.
Episode 015: From Canada with Love (II)
Reviews: a spindle, niddy noddy and nostepinne from Houndesign; fiber from Sweet Georgia Yarns and Treenway. Musings: knitting with handspun, spinning silk, and why I love podcasting.
Episode 014: "Wool is Weird" (The Breeds Episode)
I interview Deb Robson about her forthcoming book, The Fleece and Fiber Sourcebook, talk about the breed study classes I took with her, introduce a new member of the family, and review Wood Beams and the Schacht niddy noddy. There's a new contest starting, too!
Episode 013: From Canada with Love (I)
After a good deal of opening chatter, I review a Tom Forrester spindle, and fiber from Viola and indigodragonfly.
Episode 012: Rhinebeck Road Trip
I talk about my trip to Rhinebeck, and review one of the fleeces I bought there.
Episode 011: How to Go to a Fiber Festival
We warm up for Rhinebeck with some fiber festival how-tos, an interview with Beth Smith on choosing fleeces, and reviews of In Sheep's Clothing and The Knitter's Book of Wool.
Episode 010: SpinDoctor goes Batty
I review batts from FeltStudio UK, Crosspatch Creations, craftypuppylover, and Franquemont Fibers.
Episode 009: Flying Wool Combs
I review the Paradise Fibers wool combs, some Abstract fibers, Amelia Garripoli's Productive Spindling, and a new magazine for UK spinners called Yarn Maker.
Episode 008: Fiber Tourist
I talk about my trip to the Michigan Fiber Festival, and I review Judith MacKenzie McCuin's The Gentle Art of Plying and some fiber from Spunky Eclectic.
Episode 007: License to Spin
I review the Louet bobbin winder, storage bobbins from Schacht, a fleece from Ruppert's Corriedales that I had processed at Ozark Carding Mill, some Corriedale pencil roving from Crown Mountain Farms, and Judith MacKenzie McCuin's DVD, Popular Wheel Mechanics.
Episode 006: Spindle-rama!
I review spindles from Wildcraft and Cascade, the book and DVD versions of Abby Franquemont's Respect the Spindle, and Priscilla Gibson-Roberts' Spinning in the Old Way.
Episode 005: Go Diagonal
I review the Strauch Petite drum carder, the Kate 45, Judith MacKenzie McCuin's Teach Yourself Visually Handspinning, the Slipstream Fiber Arts blog, and the Go Diagonal scarf pattern.
Episode 004: Maggiepalooza!
I review the Woolee Winder, the Bee Mice Elf fiber club, and the book and DVD versions of Maggie Casey's Start Spinning.
Episode 003: "You can do it. I can help."
I review the spinning wheel cup holder from FBN plastics, fiber from Three Waters Farm, Abby Franquemont's Drafting: The Long and Short of It, and Clara Parks' pattern for Maine Morning Mitts.
Episode 002: Lamb Porn
I review the Schacht Ladybug, a California Red fleece from Apple Rose Farm, some fiber from Susan's Spinning Bunny, and Barbara Parry's blog, "Sheep Gal."
SpinDoctor Episode 001: The Doctor is In!
Episode 1 of SpinDoctor: Equipment, Fiber and Book Reviews for Handspinners has been posted and is available via iTunes (see link, top right, to subscribe). Or you can use the embedded mp3 player at the bottom of the post to download the file or just listen to it now. A couple of links to things I talked about:
The classic discussion of "Beginner's Mind" is Shunryu Suzuki's Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind.
There's lots of information about critical thinking here.
The listener's group on Ravelry is here.
Enjoy!