Making

When it comes to quilting, few are as passionate, dedicated and adorable as Maura Grace Ambrose of Folk Fibers. Through hand quilted elegance and natural dyeing exploration, Maura has created a mesmerizing collection of some of the most beautiful quilts I’ve ever seen. Her journey has lead her to a place where her craft comes second only to her family and the home they’ve created. I hope you enjoy getting to know Maura and her passions. You can find Maura at folkfibers.com and on Instagram @folkfibers.

Over the past few years I’ve had the pleasure of getting to know Matt and Christina of Greenbow Farm…first discovering their yarn, visiting their farm and following their incredible journey on Instagram. This first generation family run farm is an inspiration, that with hard work, sacrifice, gumption, drive and business savvy, you can achieve your farm dreams. They are ‘doing it’, creating a living on and from their farm. I hope you’ll take some time to visit their site, Instagram and shop and if you’re in the Seattle area, you can find them at the West Seattle Farmer’s Market every Sunday. Visit greenbowfarm.com and find them on Instagram @greenbowfarm.

Sylvia McFadden has a gift…evoking grace, calm and desire by combining wool, imagination and a keen eye for color and composition. I’ve been a big fan of Sylvia’s work for some time and am enamored by her designs and most recent book, Shawl Joy. Her tenacity for life and her various photography and youth based programs gives you a bit more of a glimpse into her life and heart. I hope you enjoy hearing from her as much as I have. You can find Sylvia at softsweaterknits.com and on Instagram @softsweater.

I first became captivated by Shannon Haye’s work when I came across her site after searching ‘Multigenerational Farming’ and quickly became engrossed in her blog and books. Shannon is an amazing storyteller, living and operating a multigenerational homestead and farm to table cafe with her husband, two daughters and parents in rural upstate New York. From meat to fiber, homeschooling and running a farm based business, I hope you enjoy hearing Shannon’s fiber and farm journey as much as I have. You can find Shannon, all their farm goods and her books at sapbush.com.

Erika Barratt has created a whimsical world from natural fibers and dyes, trimmings, buttons and do-dads. What began as a fiber fascination early in life, bloomed into a beautiful fiber journey that’s lead her to create heirloom dolls, each with their own story. I’ve long admired her attention to detail, use of natural fibers and the playfulness she brings to her work. I hope you enjoy her story as much as I have. You can find Erika at erikabarrattdesign.com and on Instagram @erika_barratt.

Whitney Hayward has her hands in a lot of fiber goodness these days and if you’re on Instagram you may be familiar with her journey, from photojournalist and spinning maven to Twig and Horn and now the launch of her yarn line, Stone Wool. Whitney’s ambition and passion is evident as she tells her special story, one I’m sure many of you will be able to relate to. You can find Whitney at thestonewool.co and twigandhorn.com and on Instagram @whit_knits, @stone_wool and @twigandhorn

There’s a very good chance today’s guest Deborah Robson is someone who you’re familiar with from her incredible book Fleece and Fiber Sourcebook, written in partnership Carol Ekarius. This book became a staple in my fiber library, introducing me to the vast array of sheep breeds and the qualities of their fibers. There’s a special story behind how this book came to be, along with Deborah’s rich fiber journey as a weaver, spinner, knitter and editor. I hope you enjoy getting to know this incredibly knowledgeable woman as much as I have. You can find Deborah at drobson.info.

Paola is an amazing woman with an amazing story, from growing up in rural Italy to immersion in Tibetan life to finding herself in Brooklyn, with a family and a rich history and future for her fiber and textile company mYak. Like with many yarns, mYak has a rich story and impact on our global fiber community and I hope you enjoy getting to know Paola and the mYak vision as much as I have. You can find Paola at mYak.it and on Instagram @myak_us.

Sponsor: My Sister Knits is a locally owned and loved yarn shop located in For Collins, CO, minutes away from Historic Old Town and located in a carriage house. What started out as a small venture for founder Julie Luckasen, grew into a passionate community of creative minds. My Sister Knits provides a welcoming atmosphere for knitters of all types and skill levels, a place for people to gather and cultivate their passion for knitting, share and support one another. Join them each Tuesday night from 5-8pm for their Open Knitting Night. And make sure to visit mysisterknits.com to view their list of upcoming classes including, Learn to Knit, Latvian Mittens, Brioche, Knitting Backwards, and Intro to Stranded Colorwork. And if you find yourself in or around Fort Collins, make sure to visit this shop in person to find YOTH yarns and more. Follow on Instagram @mysisterknits Fiber folk: It’s hard to put into words just how great the family behind Yarn on the House, or YOTH yarns is. Earlier this year I spent an evening with the whole crew and it was mesmerizing to watch the dynamic between each member, the love, the dedication and the consideration that makes this family run operation a joy and success. For anyone who’s even been in the same room as Veronika Jobe, knows the positive energy and enthusiasm this woman exudes. I hope as you listen today, you come away inspired by this family’s story and gratitude. You can find YOTH at yothyarns.com and on Instagram @yarnonthehouse.        Sponsor: Wool & Honey’s focus is on thoughtful companies who add their own stories to our little spot in the world–brands that highlight fibers that mirror the exquisite natural beauty of their area. Michigan fiber artists are paramount—and their selection of locally grown, dyed, spun yarns and fiber is unparalleled. The hive is the center of it all–it’s home. Home to bees of all ages and ability levels, each adding a bit of shine to a vibrant community. Every day, these tiny workers gather pollen–powdery bits of fluff–and with a little time and effort, transform it into gorgeous, golden nectar. How similar we knitters are to the bee! Taking nothing more than two sticks and a string, we create warmth and comfort, fabric to clothe and decorate our bodies. Make sure to visit on Saturday October 29th from 10-4pm for the Brooklyn Tweed trunk show, full of surprises, samples to try on, patterns and special guest Jared Flood will be signing copies of his new book, Woolens. Visit woolandhoney.com for more info and in person for a selection of YOTH yarns and other wooly goods. Follow along on Instagram @woolandhoney. Fall/Winter Woolful Knitalong: Beginning November 1st, let’s celebrate the cooler seasons with a Biches & Bûches inspired knitalong, casting on one of their patterns, kits or with one of their yarns. You choose how you’d like to join the knitalong and then we’ll get started. Visit http://www.bichesetbuches.com to be inspired and find your project kit or yarn and Monday I’ll be announcing further details of the podcast on the blog. Giveaway: The winner of last weeks giveaway is Jamie Dear, you’ve won a sweaters worth of Purewash yarn and the R&R Hoodie by Ta...

Nearly two years ago I received an email from Tanis Lavallee. It began as a conversation, which then spurred a new journey for her and her husband Chris’s seasoned hand dyed yarn business, Tanis Fiber Arts. It’s been inspiring to watch from afar and hear more about the leaps of faith these two have taken in their business over the years, as a husband and wife team, parents and entrepreneurs - so much hard work and dedication. I hope as you get to know Tanis today that you’ll be motivated to pursue your dreams, take those leaps of faith and inspired to stick with it for the long haul. You can find Tanis at tanisfiberarts.com and on Instagram @tanisfiberarts.

When I first happened upon the mother-daughter collaboration Biches & Bûches, I was starstruck. The nature inspired aesthetic and wholesome knits looked as if they had appeared out of one of my wooly dreams…or Pinterest boards and belonged in my wardrobe. But even better is the story behind this partnership, where they started and where they’re headed. Beginning with their Scandinavian roots, Astrid and Caroline have created something quite beautiful and moving…and I hope you’re as inspired as I. You can find Biches & Bûches at bichesetbuches.com and on Instagram at @bichesetbuches

From kitchen sink sweaters to yarns, and from living abroad to settling into motherhood, Amy Small of Knit Collage has carved out a special place within the fiber community…creating some of the most whimsical and colorful yarns, all spun by hand. Amy’s laugh and charisma will leave you smiling and inspired to go after what’s most exciting…whether it’s a project or your fiber dreams. You find Amy at knitcollage.com and on Instagram @knitcollage.

When I think about fiber folks who I’ve been most inspired by over the years, Susan Anderson is one of the first that comes to mind. The first knitting book I ever bought was her Itty Bitty Toys book, and it became dogeared and well loved. Since that time I’ve come to realize the joy and spark Susan brings to our fiber worlds…through her infectious passion behind what she does and her loyal dedication to her community. I hope as you listen today that you come to love Susan as much as so many of us do. You can find Susan at susanbanderson.blogspot.com and on Instagram @susanbanderson

Fiber fascination is something we can all relate too, discovering new yarns both rustic and soft…but Takako of Habu Textiles and yarns takes that fascination to a completely new level, resulting in over a hundred varieties of silk, stainless steel, paper, linen, bamboo, cotton, hemp and even pineapple fiber. If you’ve ever come across Habu in your local yarn shop and stood in wonder at all these incredible yet sometimes intimidating yarns and wondered who is behind all this? Well that someone is Takako Ueki, and she’s a wonder in herself. I hope you’ll be inspired by her story and explore her amazing yarns and all the gorgeous garments and projects designed in them. You can find Takako at habutextiles.com and on Instagram @habutextiles.

  Sponsor: Wool Days is an Australian based wool company, co founded by Megan Elizabeth with a mission to create a purposeful connection between where things come from and the people who love them and share the message that wool has the ability to heal, warm and delight. To connect with people who adore those special days spent slow dancing with the things that bring them true happiness. There is a world of inspiration and joy that fuels kindness and creativity in all of us, and the hope is that Wool days is a source of inspiration and joy for those who love good wool. Wool Days has created a most comforting and beautiful yarn, Scout, a single source, Australian Merino yarn. Our wants are simple, and they are grand – give us good wool and our imagination to please. A pot of tea and our knitting. Everyone has their own special ingredients for elevating their day, and the honest hope is the Wool days will be an essential part of that experience. You can find out so much more about Wool days and Scout yarn at wooldays.com, and follow along on Instagram @wooldays.  Fiber folk: Our fiber world is far stretching and diverse, and learning about our farther reaching fiber folks is one of my favorite parts of this podcast. Marta Bahillo dwells in Madrid with her husband, and young daughter and son. Her textile adventures and efforts came across my radar a couple years ago and I was fascinated by her commitment to sourcing and production through local artisans as well as the rich story behind her clothing brand babaà. She’s navigating relationships, motherhood and building a business with a fiery passion and grace and I hope you enjoy hearing a bit of her journey as much as I did. You can find Marta at babaa.es and on Instagram @babaaknitwear   Sponsor: Wing and a Prayer Farm is a fiber farm with beautiful pastures in Shaftsbury, Vermont and maker of some of the most delicious Shetland and true farm yarns I’ve had the privilege of using. The owner and operator of Wing and a Prayer farm is Tammy White, an incredible woman with a huge heart for both human and animal and everything in between. I’ve had the privilege of watching part of her fiber journey unfold as she shared a bit of her story in Episode 16 and has taken such care in creating a collection of yarns from her fiber flock which consists of Cotswold, Cormo, Shetland, Corriedale, Merino, Mohair and Alpaca…resulting in yarns that are a pleasure to knit with and wear.  Join Vermont farmer Tammy White at Wing & A Prayer Farm on Sunday, July 31st for a Natural Dyeing Workshop. You’ll learn sustainable methods, and experiment with locally foraged dye-stuffs to produce rich, natural colors with her farm’s yarn. Visit wingandaprayerfarm.com or more details or email Tammy at hello@wingandaprayerfarm.com to register.  You can also follow along with all the Wing and a Prayer Farm shenanigans on Instagram @wingandaprayerfarm Giveaway: The winner of last weeks giveaway is Tera, you’ve won a skein of Qiviut and Stinging Nettle yarn from the Large Animal Research Station in Alaska. Congratulations! This week’s giveaway is sponsored by Wool Days and they’re giving away 10 skei...