Ep 122 - Shawl Affection, Dood.

Baby goat update (and jumping). A new shawl and the five shawls I wear the most (even if I say their names wrong repeatedly).

Finished:
Handspun socks from Three Waters Farm
The Doodler, Steven West Mystery KAL

In Progress:
Bedford by Michelle Wang in Jill Draper Makes Stuff, Hudson, colorway Lilac
Handspun socks in Into the Whirled

5 Favorite Shawls:
Aestlight Shawl by Gudrun Johnston in Madelintosh Tosh Merino Light colorway Afternoon
Magic Ruffle Cake Shawl by Paula Emmons-Fuessle in a magic cake from a friend
Juneberry Triangle by Jared Flood in Knit Picks Andean Treasure
Adirondack by Sarah Punderson in Miss Babs Yowza, Babette colorway Treasure Chest
Color Affection by Veera Valimaki in Knitting Notions Classic Merino Sock

KSF Shop - free shipping (US) with coupon code PRINTUS. $4 off International shipping with code PRINTINT. Good until 12/23.

Ep 121 - May I present...BABY GOATS!

The title pretty much says it all, yeah?

KSF Shop - winter bags, batts and handspun destash. 

Ep 120: Sock it up!

Mystery shawl knitting. Spinning for socks (again!). The five Table Top games we play the most as two players.

Ep 119 - Animal visit and canning jar history

A visit with the chickens, sheep and goats on a rainy day. A history of canning and canning jars.

Canning history resources:

http://www.collectorsweekly.com/bottles/fruit-jars

http://www.fruitjar.org/ballweb/main.htm  (Dating by type of jar, “Standard,” “Sure Seal,” etc.)

http://www.glassbottlemarks.com/

http://www.weststpaulantiques.com/galleryofjars.html

Midwest Antique Fruit Jar and Bottle Club: http://www.fruitjar.org/

http://www.sha.org/bottle/food.htm#Canning/Fruit Jars (most technical. Much info on seals)

Ep 118: This Yolk Thing

Handspun socks and lots of new fiber from Three Waters Farm

Bedford by Michelle Wang in Jill Draper Makes Stuff, Hudson, colorway Lilac

I've forgotten what else I talked about!! Let me know if you have any questions.

KSF Shop Update of rooster and Little Bo Peep bags

Ep 117 - Like a Virgin...spinner

Energized handspun. Knit socks. A bit of darning. Wrap up of the last chapters of Depletion and Abundance - our responsibilities in the world. 

Spinning:
Gnomespun Perendale, colorway "The Sun Sets on Fall."
Quillin Fiber Arts Cheviot in the colorway Owls
Miss Babs BLF/Silk in colorway Landscape

Knitting:
Handspun socks in Corriedale from Into the Whirled, colorway Mud Bogs and Moonshine
Ellington Socks by Cookie A in Cakewalk Yarns (no longer dyeing)
Basic toddler hat in Into the Whirled handspun

Book: Depletion and Abundance by Sharon Astyk

Last day for Calendar Pre-Orders; last three photos revealed

IF YOU ARE HAVING TROUBLE WITH PAY PAL AND COOKIES, PLEASE SEND ME AN EMAIL TO jsmoskal at gmail.com and I will send you an invoice for the calendar. I am very sorry for the inconvenience. 

Thank you to everyone who has ordered a calendar! The response has been fantastic and more than I hoped for. The last three photos have been added to the 2016 Calendar Preview album online here, if you'd like to be spoiled!

Pre-Orders for the spiral-bound 11x17" (8.5x11" closed) wall calendar will close early tomorrow morning (10/24, US East Coast). You can order a calendar using the "buy now" button in the side bar.

I'll have them printed when the pre-orders are complete and ship them as soon as they arrive. I expect you'll receive your calendar by mid-November. By placing an order through my website, we avoid many fees, which means I can offer the calendars at a lower price. 

Please let me know if you have any questions, or if you'd like to order more than one calendar. I can set up a special invoice for you and combine shipping charges.

After the pre-order, some calendars may be available at a higher price, though this is looking less and less likely...the pre-orders have gone really well and there might not be many left over.

Three more calendar pages! Pre-Orders available through Friday.

I just added three more photos to the 2016 Calendar Preview album online here, if you'd like to be spoiled!

Pre-Orders for the spiral-bound 11x17" (8.5x11" closed) wall calendar are open until Friday, October 23. You can order a calendar using the "buy now" button in the side bar, or the link below.

I'll have them printed when the pre-orders are complete and ship them as soon as they arrive. I expect you'll receive your calendar by mid-November. By placing an order through my website, we avoid many fees, which means I can offer the calendars at a lower price. After October 23, some calendars may be available, but at a higher price.

Please let me know if you have any questions, or if you'd like to order more than one calendar. I can set up a special invoice for you and combine shipping charges.

More to come soon!

(New File) Ep 116 - Best Spinning Ever

**Some computers were rejecting the previous file I posted. This is the same video as the previous 116, but in the old format. I am sorry for the annoyance! Thanks to everyone who let me know they were having trouble.**

Handspun yarns that glow in the dark and glow in my heart. Sock yarn winner announced.

Finished
Into the Whirled Targhee, September club colorway Talisman
WoolPierogi May the Fleece be With You lightsaber rolags
My own Deep Forest Clearing batt
Improvised handspun cowl

In Progress
Quillin Fiber Arts Cheviot in the colorway Owls

2016 Farm Calendar (info in the side bar -->). Preview 6 months. More to come soon!

Six Calendar Pages...Spoilers!

Pre-Orders for the 2016 Farm Calendar are available until Friday, October 23. I've decided on six of the twelve images for the calendar, and created an album for them here, if you'd like to be spoiled!

You can order a calendar using the "buy now" button in the side bar. I'll have them printed when the pre-orders are complete and ship them as soon as they arrive. I expect you'll receive your calendar by mid-November. By placing an order through my website, we avoid many fees, which means I can offer the calendars at a lower price. After October 23, some calendars may be available, but at a higher price.

Please let me know if you have any questions, or if you'd like to order more than one calendar. I can set up a special invoice for you and combine shipping charges.

2016 Farm Calendar Pre-Orders!

Pre-Orders are now available for a 2016 Farm Calendar with photos of chickens, sheep, goats and landscapes from my farm! 

The 12-month spiral bound wall calendar measures 8x11 inches closed and 11x17 opened and is printed on high-quality card stock. 

The pictures shown are samples of what might appear in the calendar...I haven't put it all together yet and suggestions are welcome in the comments below. Many of the months will feature a full-sized photo that fills the entire page, but some months will include a photo collage. Some, but not all, of the photos have been posted on either Instagram or Facebook throughout the year. 

Pre-Orders will be open through Friday, October 23, and calendars will be delivered to you by mid-November. The special Pre-Order price is $19. After October 23 additional calendars may be available at a higher price. Shipping through USPS is $5 in the United States. International orders will be billed for the additional cost at the time of shipping (typically $3-4 extra for Canada, and $6-7 extra for other countries.)

Ep 115 pt 2 - Considering Food

Discussion about local food in America and the effects of our diets on our planet and fellow humans around the world.

Notes:
7:16 - We have replaced lettuce with kale and chard, which grow in more seasons here than lettuce does.

8:30 - CORRECTION: Life expectancy for sugar cane workers is 45 years (not 35 as I said).
The Human Cost of Sugar Harvesting (video) from National Geographic
La Isla Foundation

The Ship-Breakers Who Tear Apart Dead Cargo Vessels By Hand from Gizmodo (review of Nat Geo article, with photos)
Full National Geographic article
The Ship Breakers (video) from National Geographic
Ship Breaking in Bangladesh

35:00 - Is the Local Food Movement Elitist? by Sharon Astyk (re: her friend and the dairy/bathroom)
FDA Rules vs. small food producers

Ep 115 (pt 1) - A foot the size of my head

Handspun socks...so many handspun socks. Fall farm activities.

Finished:
Handspun socks in Cheviot from Three Waters Farm, colorway Dutch Iris


In progress:
Bedford by Michelle Wang in Jill Draper Makes Stuff, Hudson, colorway Lilac
Handspun socks in Corriedale from Into the Whirled, colorway Mud Bogs and Moonshine
Steek This Coffee Cozy by Rachel Henry in scraps

Ep 114: Old lady vs. New Technology

Fall harvesting and animal husbandry. Lots of finished spinning. A new yolked sweater. All captured on a new camera!

Finished
Handspun socks from Three Waters Farm, colorway Drought Creek
Spinning from Into the Whirled, Quillin Fiber Arts, Gnomespun, and my own batt

In Progress: 
Handspun socks in Cheviot from Three Waters Farm, colorway Dutch Iris
Bedford by Michelle Wang in Jill Draper Makes Stuff, Hudson, colorway Lilac

KSF Shop Update of autumn bags and batts

Ep 113 - Visiting the animals and family philosophy

A visit with the farm animals and then a discussion about family philosophy in an industrial age. (The beginning is a bit blurry, but it gets better. Sorry!)

Book: Depletion and Abundance by Sharon Astyk.

KSF Shop Update of autumn bags and batts

Episode 112 - Sheep Pimples

August has been a little gross on the farm. Camp Loopy success! Spinning thick and spinning thin. A peek at the Farmers' Market.

Finished:
Ashburn by Melanie Berg in Dream in Color Smooshy, colorways Gold Experience, Cocoa Kiss, and Poma-granade
Berruti by Wendy Neal in Another Crafty Girl Merino Worsted in colorway Green Grump
Spinning: Into the Whirled club colorways Mud Bogs and Moonshine, Scissors, Lizard, Spock. A Knit Spin Farm Batt.

In Progress:
Handbrake by Kay F. Jones in Into the Whirled handspun
Handspun socks from Three Waters Farm, colorway Drought Creek
Cowl of my own design

KSF Shop Update of autumn bags and batts coming soon (maybe Wednesday, Sept 9)

Ep 111b - Economics and Hobbits

Book: Depletion and Abundance by Sharon Astyk. Chapters 4-6, including the Real Economy, world population, and buying stuff. 

Ep 111a - Eleventy One, naturally

The knitting bits.

Finished:
Julia Grace Shawlette by Laura Linneman In Fiber Story Fave Sock, colorways Koi Pond and Shimmer
Handspun socks from Into the Whirled Cheviot, club colorway Second Spring
Spinning from Into the Whirled  and Three Waters Farm

In Progress:
Ashburn by Melanie Berg in Dream in Color Smooshy, colorways Gold Experience, Cocoa Kiss, and Poma-granade
Handspun socks from Three Waters Farm, colorway Queen of All Things

Purchase:
Corriedale and Cheviot from Quillin Fiber Arts

KSF Shop Update of bags (alpacas, birds and beer) coming soon.

Ep 110 - Tour de Gaston

Lots of spinning and a new baby goat.

Questions about any projects mentioned? Please ask in the Ravelry group.

KSF Etsy Shop 

Ep 109, Part 2 - Feminism and Industry

Part two of two - the book/philosophy bits. The part that will offend no one...

Book: Depletion and Abundance by Sharon Astyk

Ep 109, part 1: Talking Rhinos

Part one of two...The knitting and farming bits.

Finished:
Scottsdale Shawl by Claudia Donnelly in Malabrigo Sock, colorway Eggplant
Magic Ruffle Cake Shawl by Paula Emmons-Fuessle in a magic cake from a friend
Shellseeker by Heidi Kirrmaier in Spud and Chloe Sweater, colorways Beluga, Lake and Clay
Spinning - a batt of my own

KSF Shop Updated with sheep bags and beach batts

Episode 108: Philosophy

Obsessive spinning. Socks in progress. Discussion of energy use and climate change. 

Finished:
The Vermonter by Abi Gregorio in handspun Cormo
Three Waters Farm Corriedale in colorway Drought Creek
Dorset Down fiber from Gnomespun
Batt from Happy Fuzzy Yarn

In Progress:
Ellington Socks by Cookie A in Cakewalk Yarns (no longer dyeing)
Plain socks in Into the Whirled Cheviot in club colorway Second Spring
Scottsdale Shawl by Claudia Donnelly in Malabrigo Sock, colorway Eggplant

Book: Depletion and Abundance by Sharon Astyk

Episode 107 - Eat All the Wool

Farm planting news, companion plants in gardening. Spinning sock yarn. Recent reads.

Finished Spinning:
Into the Whirled  April club, Falkland
Three Waters Farm Cheviot in colorway Dutch Iris

In Progress:
Samen by Steven West in Malabrigo Silkpaca Lace colorways Pearl, Lettuce, Frank Ochre, Olive and Indiecita
Magic Ruffle Cake Shawl by Paula Emmons-Fuessle in a magic cake from a friend
Ellington Socks by Cookie A in Cakewalk Yarns (no longer dyeing)

Books mentioned:
Roosevelt's Beast by Louis Bayard
The River of Doubt by Candice Millard

KSF Shop Updated with lots of bags and batts

Episode 106 - Substituting Saffron for Sugar Pie

Catching up outside (beware the wind noise!), with lots of spinning and a couple of colorful shawls. A herd of goats and sheep stop by and we visit with some baby chickens.

Finished:
Ribbed socks in handspun Manx Loughtan from Gnomespun
Spindle spun rolags and Corriedale in colorway Lava Flow from Unwind Yarn Company
Into the Whirled BFL in the March, 2015 club colorway

In progress:
Batts of my own creation on my wheel and new Aaron Makes Stuff spindle
Samen by Steven West in Malabrigo Silkpaca Lace colorways Pearl, Lettuce, Frank Ochre, Olive and Indiecita
Magic Ruffle Cake Shawl by Paula Emmons-Fuessle in a magic cake from a friend

KSF Shop Updated with lots of bags and batts

Episode 105: Blustery Spring Day

Sheep and goats in the pasture. The start of a garden. Baby chickens.

Episode 104 - Slow and Vast

Spring farm work is beginning in earnest! Some stories from the Knitting Pipeline Retreat. Frogging. Sweatering. Purchasing.

Finished:
Cable Rib Socks by Erica Alexander from Favorite Socks by Interweave in possibly Fleece Artist yarn

In Progress:
Shellseeker by Heidi Kirrmaier in Spud and Chloe Sweater, colorways Beluga and Lake
Evenstar Shawl by Susan Pandorf in Miss Babs Mulberry Silk, colorway French Marigold
Ribbed socks in handspun Manx Loughtan from Gnomespun

Knitting Pipeline Retreat purchases from Another Crafty Girl, Leading Men Fiber Arts, Fat Squirrel Fibers 

Ep 103 - Quick and Monogamous

Spring farm news and a wee bit of spinning, plus a sweater and some socks. Delivered really quickly.

Spinning: Into the Whirled Cheviot in club colorway Second Spring

In progress:
Cable Rib Socks by Erica Alexander from Favorite Socks by Interweave in possibly Fleece Artist yarn
Shellseeker by Heidi Kirrmaier in Spud and Chloe Sweater, colorways Beluga and Lake

Ep 102 - Finish-itis and Belugas

Finished sweater, sock and shawl knitting. Prize winners for the Make Do and Mend!

The Livestock Conservancy audio podcast

Finished:
Barley Hat by Tin Can knits in Knit Spin Farm batt
Another Door Opens shawl from Sara of Yarns at Yin Hoo podcast in Misty Mountain Farm DK alpaca.
Golden Hour by Suvi Simola in Briar Rose sport weight
Gluttony Socks by Kelly Eells in BFL handspun from FiberStory

In Progress:
Wensleydale fiber from Gnomespun 
Clun Forest Roving
Cable Rib Socks by Erica Alexander from Favorite Socks by Interweave in possibly Fleece Artist yarn
Shellseeker by Heidi Kirrmaier in Spud and Chloe Sweater, colorways Beluga and Lake

Ep 101 - Now More Disturbing

A tour of winter farm adaptations with some noisy chickens. Sheep and goats lounging in a barn. A weirdo pep talk.  Keep mending and enter the Make Do and Mend thread in the Knit Spin Farm group on Ravelry. 

KSF Shop - 10% off with coupon POD14

Ep 100 - Unrecognized Centenarian

100th episode, and I didn't even notice! Mixing up self-striping socks. Knitting with lots of handspun. Worrying about cold goats. Keep mending and enter the Make Do and Mend thread in the Knit Spin Farm group on Ravelry. 

Finished:
Color Craving by Stephen West in Madelintosh Tosh Sock, coloways Astrid Grey, Badlands and Robin Red Breast
Infinitude Scarf by Jeni Chase in handspun Three Waters Farm Falkland in colorway Season Reduction
Gluttony Socks by Kelly Eells in BFL handspun from FiberStory

In Progress:
Wensleydale fiber from Gnomespun 
Self-Striping socks in sport weight from  Quaere Fibre
Barley Hat by Tin Can knits in Knit Spin Farm batt
Another Door Opens shawl from Sara of Yarns at Yin Hoo podcast in Misty Mountain Farm DK alpaca.

KSF Shop - 10% off with coupon POD14