Blatnaid Gallagher is FANTASTIC. Blatnaid is a WONDERFUL spokesperson not only for Irish Galway sheep, but for Ireland as a WHOLE! Thank you, Emma, for bringing this brilliant person to my attention. I now want a knitted item made from Irish Galway sheep's wool. Emma: "I could listen to you (Blatnaid) talk about this stuff all day, it is so interesting to me." Me too, Emma. Just LOVE this post. " .... it's almost like a droopy boob"! What a nice start to my day.

@woollymammothfibres

4 ай бұрын

haha I knew we would all get a laugh from that one!!

What a WONDERFUL episode, Emma! Blatnaid was such an interesting person to listen to, and my intrigue about Galway wool is so piqued!! Really enjoyed this one! Looking forward to your shop update on Sunday! Cheers, Judith 💜

Absolutely enthralled by this episode! Well done Emma and Blatnaid, fascinating stuff ❤

Thoroughly enjoyed this episode!!! Thank you Emma for interviewing such a knowledgeable and interesting farmer!!

Wow, what a BRILLIANT, amazing conversation to watch! I have a feeling I will come back to this episode again and again when I need a bit of inspiration and passion about working with nature rather than trying to force nature to human's skewed will; about people coming and working together, and just generally the energy and passion for something you've chosen to really love. Absolutely fantastic.

Another informative and wonderful podcast in this series. What a spokesperson Blatnaid is not only for the Galway sheep but farming in general. The droopy boob comment was not only a lol moment but a pretty accurate description. I think there is nothing but amazing things going to happen on your journey with Galway sheep. Keep up the amazing work!

Absolutely fascinating episode. I’d love to hear more about the sustainable farming side of what she’s doing. Such an inspirational and aspirational episode.

Emma, this series is amazing. Thank you so much for taking the time to interview people who are caring for animals, the soil and the planet in such mindful ways.

Wow, a fabulous podcast Emma and Blatnaid! So interesting and so enlightening! Thank you🤩

Thanks Emma! Really interesting and a very informative chat with Blatnaid. I met her at the Meitheal in Athenry in 2023 and hope to attend again this year. Hope you will be there too. I have some Galway wool and need to make a start on a knit project! Thanks for the podcast and highlighting Galway wool.

Thank you, Emma! Another fantastic interview in your Galway sheep series. Blatnaid is absolutely brilliant and I smiled for 54 minutes listening to her bubbly enthusiasm for this heritage breed and farming. Bravo to you both for your efforts in promoting Irish wool.

What a fantastic episode, Emma. ❤ I learned so much and what a pleasant interview. I look forward to seeing more interviews with you and also more episodes of your podcast. You're a beautiful soul.

Once again, a fabulous interview! Emma, I'm so happy you've started the Thinking Through Making episodes. Boundless thanks for the remarkable effort--time, energy, and thought--I'm sure it takes to make these happen. And that on top of making regular podcasts & vlogs, running a business, parenting, gardening, remodeling, and everything else you accomplish! What an inspiration you are. 😊

@woollymammothfibres

4 ай бұрын

When you put it like that.....I'm ready for a holiday!!! haha!

@julierogers1155

4 ай бұрын

@@woollymammothfibres I am sure it is well-earned.

I've got an Irish Aran Sweater that I bought back in 1995. So it's almost 20 years old now. I love it dearly. It's my favorite gardening sweater. It was always meant to be worn outside as it would've been way too warm for inside. Of course the fabric is rough and still has lots of lanolin in it, but that's why it's so awesome. It's absolutely perfect for its purpose. I don't get wet if it rains a little bit. I rarely had to wash it. I don't even think I washed it even a handful of times. The dirt just doesn't stick to it. It keeps me very warm, but I never sweat in it. Perfect outdoor wear. It's sad that people didn't and still don't realize that. Thank you for trying to change that. Here in in Germany the wool production is nearly extinct nowadays. Pretty much for the same reasons, sadly.

This episode fed my soul. Growing up in dairy farm country and watching the demise of so many family farms as the pricing was not enough to sustain them was very sad. I know I am privileged to be able to support smaller producers, those employing organic and bio diverse methods of farming, natural dying(i.e. WoollyMammoth). But the reality for far too many people in the US is food and financial insecurity so it is essential that government subsidize growers and producers while putting programs into place for our hungry population. Thank you for this entire series Emma.

Omg I love this women! So inspiring, I’m so excited to get my knitting needles on some Galway 🧶🧶🧶

So enjoyed your podcast today blatnaid and the history of the sheep. Looking forward to your galway dyed and in your shop. Any chance that it would make it to woolly thistle. 😊

I love these interviews you are doing. This one was particularly interestingly. 😊

So great to listen to this interview. Thank you thank you thank you!!

Thankyou Emma. I totally enjoy watching all your Episodes but this interview was such an great, informative, interesting watch. Look forward to seeing more of what you have to offer. 😍

Blatnaid is a tonic ❤️ what a wonderful episode, thank you Emma.

I literally had goosebumps the whole way through this episode. Such passion from Blatnaid….what a joy to watch!

That was an amazing interview! The way of regenerative farming and traceability is greatness. I enjoyed hearing about it so much! And you asked so many great well thought out questions! I'm looking forward to having some of your yarn!

What a fabulous interview Emma! Thank you so much for this wonderful informative series.

This is so interesting and the sheep seem so lovable! 🐑🐏🐑🐑 It would be great to see some footage from your next gathering when it happens!

This was an absolutely beautiful interview. Looking forward to March 17th!!

Great episode Ladies 🍀🐑🇮🇪

I adore this woman! Blatnaid is so very warm and engaging. Her energy permeates out and makes me feel joyful, just by listening! What a great episode, Emma! Cannot wait to get my hands on some of your dyed skeins!

@julierogers1155

4 ай бұрын

... and she is SO SMART.

What an incredible interview!

Emma, this was absolutely brilliant, so inspiring and interesting and what a joy to hear the wonderful Blatnaid Gallagher!!! Thank you!!! 😊❤

@woollymammothfibres

4 ай бұрын

we had such a great chat!

This was sooooo good Emma! Thank you both!☺️

One more brilliant interbiew, so simple and profound! Thank you so much, Emma! Now, I dream even more of a knitting retreat in nothern Ireland, with a pattern by Ailbiona and with Galway wool

Such a wonderful and interesting podcast. Galway sounds interesting 🧶🧶🧶

This was amazing; so interesting, educational and inspiring!

Fabulous episode! So interesting to learn about Galway Wool .Thank you ❤

This is a great interview, Emma, it was so informative .

Thank you for another great interview, i have learned so much!

Loved this podcast! So informative! ❤

Fantastic interview….😊 love the passion.🥰

Absolutely loved this episode. So interesting. Just want to go and learn more about wool and its impact.

Wonderful episode Emma!!! So interesting and Blatnaid is a hoot! “Droopy boob” had me laughing 😂 I sure can see you giving a talk at their next farmers meeting. You have so much to share that we get to see, and I’m sure would inspire the farmers too. Thank you so much ❤

@woollymammothfibres

4 ай бұрын

such good craic, was a great conversation!

Big thanks that was so interesting husband and I are farmers in Cornwall ( not sheep though) and agree so much with what was said.

This was so inspiring, thank you! I loved listening to you both and feel like working on a farm right now :D

Yes!!!

I must repeat, FANTASTIC interview. Great choice, Emma. Really knowledgeable! Are you going to buy a farm, Emma?

@woollymammothfibres

4 ай бұрын

haha I wouldn't have a clue what I'm doing. Would need a knowledgable elder to teach me! and a large chequebook that doesn't bounce ha!

Great interview, very interesting indeed!

Such a fascinating and interesting interview. I could agree more about merino being like a ‘droopy boob’ I know exactly what she meant!

Great interview Emma and so interesting. Here in Australia we are awash with merino but for handspinners and knitters wanting different breeds to work with we have quite a lot of small farm enterprises. The issue often revolves around finding the places to scour and spin the fleece but it's always exciting to work with different breeds when we can get them. Thanks again, for a very informative and fascinating interview.

@woollymammothfibres

4 ай бұрын

It's the same here in Ireland, finding places to scour and spin smaller batches can be tricky. Thanks for watching

This is so cool!

I'm so excited to hear what Blatnaid is doing with the Galway sheep, and to know that you are adding your lovely colors to it. How do you spell the word for the community gathering and working together? Wonderful interview!

@galwaywool2406

4 ай бұрын

Meitheal

That was such an interesting conversation and so glad you brought up your questions. You both are such lovely ladies. Have you shown what will be coming out on March 17th?

@woollymammothfibres

4 ай бұрын

Stay tuned for my next vlog episode, out tomorrow for colours etc!

Thank you! What a great interview! And the yarn! :)

I gave up social media for Lent and I have been excited about watching this. To be honest as a new knitter my preference has always been true wool and not manufactured wool, but to have the background to sheep breeds and how it is used etc, I find fascinating. I missed the last sale of Galway yarn, but I’m looking forward to sampling at the end of April. Will you carry this wool every year Emma?

@woollymammothfibres

3 ай бұрын

Yes I hope to!

😂🤦‍♀️Apparently I can't calculate... or I might simply wish to still be 10years younger...😅 Well the pullover is almost 30 years old of course. 🤣

I love rustic wool and plan on buying your galway if I get on before it's gone but I ITCH! What material do you find best for shirts to layer underneath to stop the itching? I'm afraid if the fabric is too thin I'll still be itchy. Thank you.

@woollymammothfibres

4 ай бұрын

Just cotton works for me, I usually wear a long sleeved top below all my knits. Maybe a slightly thicker one if you find you itch. Silk scarves are also a look too if you wanted to be bold! Or a cotton neckerchief would be nice.

There is so much talk of this not being next to skin. Emma in your experience is this wool pricklier than Icelantic? I frequently wear lettlopi and plutolopi sweaters. I know some people don't wear those yarns next to skin. How does Galway wool compare with that?

@woollymammothfibres

2 ай бұрын

It's so different- very dry and the hairs aren't as long as Icelandic. It's hard to explain without trying it! Give it a go!