I resonate so much with picking up the bobbin, putting it down, and immediately not being able to find it.

I found the process/product discussion interesting because I think a lot of us end up checking all of those boxes at different times. Gift knitting is more about the product than the process but I still very much enjoy the process. When I knit something for myself the process is often the primary focus, either because I am trying something new, like color work or a new fiber. I have no issues with ripping back if I need to redo or rethink the project. I thoroughly enjoy the meditative aspect of knitting in either case.

i thought about the process/product discussion so much that my next yoga class i taught i used that premise... thanks. it was a great class.

So glad that you did not delete the video. Time for more bobbins.

The new light/camera/mic setup is great. Also, I did not know there was a difference between combed and carded prepped wool. 😳 Now I have a new rabbit hole to jump down as an offshoot of the current spinning rabbit hole. ❤ Hooray for new things!!

I love that fiber you're spinning today! I really like the naturally colored wools, they look so nice undyed and dyed. My goal in the next few years is to have a little flock of Shetlands and Icelandics with as much color diversity as I can get.

Love the new mic and lighting, thanks for putting in the effort to make these videos more enjoyable for us. I hope you have a great day today!

My favorite fiber is probably Romney, partly it's because it's a common breed locally so I have ready access to fleeces. But I have also discovered that the down breed fibers, while not like Romney at all, are an absolute joy. I call them "self-spinning" just because I find the drafting so easy.

Chronic overthinker here too-you’re definitely not alone! Talk about what feels and sounds right to you. I guarantee many of us will resonate! I’m certainly one who does. (Also a process maker here! It’s enjoying the journey more than the destination for me, though I certainly also make time to celebrate and enjoy reaching the destination as well!)

Lighting and sound are clear as a bell 👍❤️

I’m naturally speedy too, I understand it’s our favorite pace. It’s sometimes hard to notice and modify, isn’t it? I hope to be a speedy spinner like you!!

If you like to spin long draw look into the majacraft Rose and the other one. Their flyer can move down so it makes spinning long draw more ergonomical.

Sound is much clearer (and btw, I don't hear the radiators.) The new lighting is adding more brightness and tonal depth to the video, and picking up more vibrancy /variation of the colors on your bobbins and in your fiber supply hand. I think the equipment upgrades are both winners. I appreciate your additional dive into what you like to spin and why. You've unintentionally supported my thoughts that when I get to start spinning again, I'm diving in with more breed sampling. I've been buying a variety of breed specific top and roving (Jiminy Cricket, THANK YOU for calling that out. Makes me nuts to hear dyers, or spinners on YT calling top roving and vice versa!) so I can figure out what else do I like to spin. Corriedale and Romney are already on my top 5 list as well, and I have my first Polworth braid calling my name. harpingJanet

Your new lighting looks great! I’m not sure I would have been able to identify the difference if you hadn’t mentioned it, but before you said anything I thought, “Aw, Tazhi looks really nice”. Of course you always look nice, but I think the new lighting made it easier to see you well.

Hello! The lighting and mic work great and that spinning really flew by! Overthinkers unite!!! lol Enjoy your day :)

My thoughts are the exact same on Polwarth and Targhee. They're so wonderful!

Your sound and lighting was great thank you. I really appreciate you taking the time and making the effort to get everything set up to record… I always enjoy what you have to say and you make me think and analyse my motives and my inner dialogue etc…and that’s a great thing 😊🙏 I also don’t enjoy the plant fibres and much prefer wool to spin. We have lots in common and I enjoy spending time with you😊🙏🎄

Our cups are overflowing 😊 we will be sad when vlogmas is over.

Love the Doctor Who reference! ❤

I think your new microphone is working great. Before you even mentioned it I thought got myself that your sound was better

Super interesting!

I think the new set up looks & sounds great! Thanks for continuing to tinker! Also I have never even spun before (I do have my first purchase of fiber staring at me from across the room right now.....) your discussion of product/process making REALLY connected with me, and even today I super enjoy the conversation about types of fiber I've never even touched or seen before :)

@stitchesandstarlight

7 ай бұрын

Hey, that’s so good to hear! I think we can always find value in different perspectives, even if it’s not a craft we’re currently engaging in so I’m glad to hear that something in this chaos made sense to you and connected.

I do think the sound and lighting is better. I was just thinking at the beginning that you looked more vibrant lol Also, I’m rewatching dr who so I’m all about the wobbly wobbly right now 😆

30 secs in and I just have to say how much I love your intro 😍

@mikelafiddle

7 ай бұрын

I'm spinning a manx loughtan and tussah silk blend.... hand carded batts. Soooo yummy. What does your book say about this breed? It seems like it's maybe a Longwool? Or maybe medium. I'm not sure. I've only spun fine combed top before this and it's such a different experience. It needs like.... no twist?

I still only have 4 bobbins. I’ve never done a sweater spin, but I’m thinking it’s time to get 6 more.

Same thing here, with the sensory problem... Somehow the manmade fibers feel like they're gathering electricity when i start spinning them. Have the same thing with silk and, weirdly, falkland. It makes (i only spin with pin drafted fiber) immensly squishy bouncy soft yarn which everyone seems to love, except me. Started spinning bc of you, btw, and i love it ❤ My favourite fiber is an islandic sheep mix

@stitchesandstarlight

7 ай бұрын

I’m so glad to hear that! Happy spinning and happy making!

Overthinker here as well. I cannot classify myself as either as exclusively a process or project knitter. I am both, depending on the project and where I am in it. I have an intricate Marie Wallin colorwork cardigan that I really really want to have but have found i don’t pick it up much as I am in that place with it where it has become a chore. The traveller has been the perfect knit for me as my husband started chemo about three weeks ago. My capacity for complicated is limited. I may do a few rows of colorwork here and there but spinning, either on my whee or spindles, and Traveller shawl are quite comforting. They take me into a meditative space where peace and joy sink in and I can face whatever the day holds. BTW, the lighting and microphone are great but I thought your videos were not lacking in any way before. It’s your vibe that I come here for. I enjoyed hearing you talk about different wool and prep. I agree about the no nylon. The first braid I spun that not only had nylon but was superwash was not the most enjoyable spin. I was able to make a pretty yarn but I will avoid that experience in the future. Thank you for your content. Bring joy to my mornings. ❤

@stitchesandstarlight

7 ай бұрын

I hope your husband is tolerating chemo well and that you both were able to have some peach and joy over the holidays. Cancer sucks and is awful to live through and it’s days like this that make me really grateful for fiber and the things that help us all string it together.

@Gail_Blanton

6 ай бұрын

@@stitchesandstarlight Thank you so much for your kind reply. Thankfully, Tom’s only side effect, at this point, is fatigue. So grateful he isn’t having any nausea. The fibery and crafty things do bring comfort with their meditative rhythms. I feel blessed every day for the practices of our ancestors that we can bring into the present.

I’ve enjoyed every minute of watching your vlogmas videos! It’s really like chilling with a fibre friend. Edit: If you want insane cleanliness for Charles’ fleece, try Margaret Stove’s lock method. It’s so much work, but somehow very satisfying 😂 Edit 2: (Clearly I am commenting while I watch) I totally feel you on flax and blends with flax strips. To me, it feels like spinning dry celery. I’m fully on the grow your own flax train though - one of my long-term goals is to weave my own flax shirt 🥲

@stitchesandstarlight

7 ай бұрын

Charles is perfectly clean and my wash method works very well, it’s the processing into batts situation that is going to take forever. I could comb it but I do prefer carded preps so carding it is.

Your lighting and sound is wonderful. The fiber your spinning reminds me of chocolate covered cherries.🍒 🥰I’m with you on woolen yarn, it’s just so airy and ethereal.

Catching up on your Vlogmases here. Thoroughly enjoyed the "Deep philosophical thoughts with Tazhi" on Day 16. Yes, I am an overthinker too, and with you I am learning to put a name to something I have experienced all my life, which growing in the 60s through 80s, was labelled as "being fussy". I could not stand wearing anything but cotton and cotton blends for a very long time. "Sensory issues" describes well how I can be intolerant to both things that are prickly and things that are ultra soft. I cannot stand very fine silk or ultrasoft animal fibers on my neck and face, it very much feels like I am being smothered. However, I find that I am becoming more tolerant of prickly wool, depending where and how it is worn. It must be the dramatic decrease of stress in my life since I retired last year. I think it is also due to being more educated on various wools and fiber prep as I progress in my fiber knitting and spinning journey.

@stitchesandstarlight

7 ай бұрын

Hooray for continuing to learn and explore and figure out new things each and every day!

How did I have no idea you have a Green County Wool Fleece too?! I have a lovely lilac grey CVM fleece from them, and finished m first skein this week! I’m handcarding, but I found I was able to easily accomplish no neps! I was just talking to a friend about how CVM is a good intro to the fine wools- not AS likely to felt, nep or need rescouring like a fine Merino. Glad you are also a fan of Greene County ❤ So glad you brought up that a lot of spinners assume “I don’t like spinning this” means we don’t know how! I know HOW to spin Merino- I just don’t like it 😅 I don’t need tips, I would just prefer to spin a different wool haha

@stitchesandstarlight

7 ай бұрын

I keep getting tips on how to spin things I don’t like and it’s like, no I’m fully capable of doing this thing, I just don’t want to! I love my GCW fleece and I will happily flick all of the locks to get a smooth prep once I get to my carder. The sample skein I made was 100% worth the extra labor and spinning it was an experience.

I'm catching up on vlogmas during my time off, so I haven't seen for sure what fiber you were spinning in this video, but when you pulled it out of the package I immediately thought "Gotland" so we shall see if I'm right!

@stitchesandstarlight

7 ай бұрын

It’s Jacob! I thought it was Romney so we were both wrong 😂😂

@biblioknitting9695

7 ай бұрын

@@stitchesandstarlight Huh! Well you love to be surprised!

Lol, Gotta love the Dr. Who ! Are you watching it?

@stitchesandstarlight

7 ай бұрын

I just finished the 11th doctor and I’m moving onto the 12th.

@kayebaker-schwanz1041

7 ай бұрын

@@stitchesandstarlight I haven’t watched the 13th Doctor yet, I didn’t have access, I need to just order the dvd collection, I have 10, 11, 12. I love that they’re on Disney+ now.

Another comment, sorry. Have you had a chance to spin on a CPW? Long draw, fast, fast spinning, so much fun. The wheel has a large footprint, unfortunately, but it's fast spinner's dream.

@stitchesandstarlight

7 ай бұрын

There is absolutely zero chance I’m fitting a CPW in my apartment in Brooklyn so I haven’t bothered to try it just in case I fall in love.

@jessiebird802

7 ай бұрын

Sadly, I think that's the wisest call. Unless you are willing to get rid of your couch or table to make room. LOL@@stitchesandstarlight

Tazhi, I love the idea of trying different wools, but I don’t want to commit to a full braid. I just don’t spin that quickly, especially since I’m a fairly new spindle spinner. I love the idea of an advent with different breeds, but advent season is over. Do you have any suggestions of where to get smaller quantities of breed-specific top, like an advent? Or of off-season advents? Thanks!

@stitchesandstarlight

7 ай бұрын

I would search for a breed sample pack on Etsy - there are a lot of options there online in undyed fiber which is significantly cheaper than dyed.

I recently spun 4oz of a rose and bamboo yarn for a vegan crocheter friend and hated every second of it. I just could not stand it. It didn't draft right and it had a really weird feel to it.

Have you ever spin Scottish Black Face Shepp? I have a top in my stash but it seems so rustic I a bit scared to try out 🙈

@stitchesandstarlight

7 ай бұрын

It’s not really on my list to try so I haven’t experienced it. I imagine it’s a long wool and would spin the same as most of the rest and needs light twist and a light hand.

Polwarth is 😘🤌 💕 Idk how I spin. It's not really short forward not really continuous back. It just is 😂 and I like the yarn I get so that's all that matters.