https://simplecast.com Modern Wool Lydia Christiansen shares the secrets of sustainable, small batch wool straight from her mill on Whidbey Island. Explore modern topics, questions, and techniques affecting fiber farms, cottage mills, and discerning hand crafters. 2025 Abundant Earth Fiber en Fri, 14 Apr 2023 01:49:57 +0000 Wed, 21 May 2025 21:48:00 +0000 https://abundantearthfiber.com/podcast Modern Wool https://image.simplecastcdn.com/images/72c7f704-eedc-41da-9239-6f6f1e1735f8/77b04a18-7066-4ed3-b823-f617427fe24c/3000x3000/mwp-showartx3000.jpg?aid=rss_feed https://abundantearthfiber.com/podcast episodic Lydia Christiansen shares the secrets of sustainable, small batch wool straight from her mill on Whidbey Island. Explore modern topics, questions, and techniques affecting fiber farms, cottage mills, and discerning hand crafters. Lydia Christiansen false https://feeds.simplecast.com/92c_saY9 wool, local, small batch, fiber mill, yarn, roving Abundant Earth Fiber wool@abundantearthfiber.com a0518a1f-eb67-46ce-9bd2-924eb6b00bd0 The Trifecta of Sheep Breeds Links & Highlights ]]> Fri, 14 Apr 2023 01:49:57 +0000 wool@abundantearthfiber.com (Lydia Christiansen) https://abundantearthfiber.com/blogs/modern-wool/010 Links & Highlights ]]> The Trifecta of Sheep Breeds Lydia Christiansen 00:22:35 Discover the Trifecta of Sheep Breeds, and three reasons for its long-standing success in this episode of Modern Wool. Discover the Trifecta of Sheep Breeds, and three reasons for its long-standing success in this episode of Modern Wool. romney, small-batch-yarn, yarn, wool tinctures, raw wool, roving, wool false full 10 63a49544-531a-4369-a06a-47c5da398dd5 What are we going to do with all this wool? Mon, 4 Apr 2022 03:48:15 +0000 wool@abundantearthfiber.com (Lydia Christiansen) https://abundantearthfiber.com/blogs/modern-wool/009 What are we going to do with all this wool? Lydia Christiansen 00:34:59 In this episode, we'll unpack some of the dilemmas and opportunities with small batch wool, and consider some options for wool that don't involve yarn. In this episode, we'll unpack some of the dilemmas and opportunities with small batch wool, and consider some options for wool that don't involve yarn. false full 9 0c9d5c56-2e7c-495a-830b-6d7a338e8bd0 The Wide World of Dyes Links & Highlights ]]> Mon, 13 Apr 2020 07:16:03 +0000 wool@abundantearthfiber.com (Lydia Christiansen) https://abundantearthfiber.com/blogs/modern-wool/008 Links & Highlights ]]> The Wide World of Dyes Lydia Christiansen 00:37:54 In this episode we’ll explore color and the wide world of dyeing. I’ll share some ideas on how we are affected by the colors around us as well as a crash course on acid dyes. Plus, we will talk about my favorite way to dye wool at home. In this episode we’ll explore color and the wide world of dyeing. I’ll share some ideas on how we are affected by the colors around us as well as a crash course on acid dyes. Plus, we will talk about my favorite way to dye wool at home. acid dyes, dyeing wool, dyeing yarn, color, small-batch-yarn, yarn, wool tinctures, wool false full 8 a8d05111-1dfd-438f-80f5-e6d6ec5db900 Royal Sheep Links & Highlights ]]> Thu, 19 Mar 2020 07:15:07 +0000 wool@abundantearthfiber.com (Lydia Christiansen) https://abundantearthfiber.com/blogs/modern-wool/007 Links & Highlights ]]> Royal Sheep Lydia Christiansen 00:25:08 In this episode we’ll tell you about our relentless quest for balance; both in yarn and in life. We’ll also discuss our house DK yarn we call Verdant, and dip our toes into the history of a breed of sheep that might be one of the closest breeds to royalty that there is in the sheep world, Rambouillet. In this episode we’ll tell you about our relentless quest for balance; both in yarn and in life. We’ll also discuss our house DK yarn we call Verdant, and dip our toes into the history of a breed of sheep that might be one of the closest breeds to royalty that there is in the sheep world, Rambouillet. rambouillet, small-batch-yarn false full 7 03981f38-8ee6-409e-860c-e69f895608f4 Finnsheep Highlights and Links in Today’s Episode ]]> Fri, 6 Mar 2020 00:05:59 +0000 wool@abundantearthfiber.com (Emily Tzeng, Sarah Pope, Lydia Christiansen) https://abundantearthfiber.com/blogs/modern-wool/006 Highlights and Links in Today’s Episode ]]> Finnsheep Emily Tzeng, Sarah Pope, Lydia Christiansen 01:14:35 Dive into the secrets behind Finnsheep. Hear about the fiber and breed itself, and chat with two shepherdesses who tend the wool I’ve been spinning this month. I’ve even got a hot tip on where you can purchase these brand new small batch yarns. Dive into the secrets behind Finnsheep. Hear about the fiber and breed itself, and chat with two shepherdesses who tend the wool I’ve been spinning this month. I’ve even got a hot tip on where you can purchase these brand new small batch yarns. finn, finnsheep, shepherdesses, small-batch-yarn, yarn-design false full 6 2ded3274-adf1-4b1f-acee-f2f321fffbc6 The Secrets of Josef & Anni Highlights and Links in Today’s Episode ]]> Wed, 19 Feb 2020 08:04:47 +0000 wool@abundantearthfiber.com (Lydia Christiansen) https://abundantearthfiber.com/blogs/modern-wool/005 Highlights and Links in Today’s Episode ]]> The Secrets of Josef & Anni Lydia Christiansen 00:54:47 Hear about the secrets behind one of our top selling yarns, Josef & Anni. Learn how the yarn came to be and other stories behind the names. We’ll take a close look at the Targhee sheep breed, one of our local family farms, as well as the original Targhee namesake. Hear about the secrets behind one of our top selling yarns, Josef & Anni. Learn how the yarn came to be and other stories behind the names. We’ll take a close look at the Targhee sheep breed, one of our local family farms, as well as the original Targhee namesake. local, targhee, fiber mill, yarn, small batch, wool false full 5 aa3b3b51-a4ba-4fbf-8586-9b0cf69763ec Spinning Stories Spinning a yarn about spinning yarn, in this episode you’ll find stories about hand spinning that you don’t have to be a spinner to appreciate. I’ll also share some notes on creativity and how it affects us at the mill, plus an opportunity to try out the role of Yarn Designer by creating your own small batch of roving or yarn.

Highlights

  • Listener questions on handling wool scouring waste water [2:19]
  • Hand Spinning Story: Letting Go [8:23]
  • Hand Spinning Story: The Broken Wheel [12:33]
  • Exploring the language of creativity [18:56]
  • Wool Apprentice survey results [24:23]
  • Try out the role of Yarn Designer! [27:08]

Links

]]> Tue, 21 May 2019 22:47:43 +0000 wool@abundantearthfiber.com (Lydia Christiansen) https://abundantearthfiber.com/blogs/modern-wool/004 Spinning a yarn about spinning yarn, in this episode you’ll find stories about hand spinning that you don’t have to be a spinner to appreciate. I’ll also share some notes on creativity and how it affects us at the mill, plus an opportunity to try out the role of Yarn Designer by creating your own small batch of roving or yarn.

Highlights

  • Listener questions on handling wool scouring waste water [2:19]
  • Hand Spinning Story: Letting Go [8:23]
  • Hand Spinning Story: The Broken Wheel [12:33]
  • Exploring the language of creativity [18:56]
  • Wool Apprentice survey results [24:23]
  • Try out the role of Yarn Designer! [27:08]

Links

]]> Spinning Stories Lydia Christiansen 00:31:43 Spinning a yarn about yarn spinning, some notes on creativity, plus an opportunity for you to be a Yarn Designer. We have a new feedback line! Now you can call/text your wooly questions, comments, and stories to us directly at: 619-516-WOOL (9665)‬. Spinning a yarn about yarn spinning, some notes on creativity, plus an opportunity for you to be a Yarn Designer. We have a new feedback line! Now you can call/text your wooly questions, comments, and stories to us directly at: 619-516-WOOL (9665)‬. stories, hand spinning, small batch, wool false full 4 f839a1e1-c310-4a70-bfb3-38ec69cbaa9f Wool Scouring In this episode we’ll unpack the nuance of one of the greatest barriers to sustainability of small batch yarn, wool scouring. We’ll share the 4 essential requirements for scouring, discuss fermented suint, reveal 3 types of scouring baths we use at our mill and also pro-tips on how to tell whether you’ve washed your wool effectively.

Highlights

  • Lydia tells the story of her first time washing a fleece [2:36]
  • Four essential requirements for scouring wool [11:50]
    • Choosing a vessel [12:52]
    • Hot Water [15:08]
    • Soap & pH [19:30]
    • Extraction [24:55]
  • A few cautions for the home scouring setup [28:10]
  • Fermented Suint Method or Cold Wash [32:34]
  • Three type of scouring baths we use at the Abundant Earth Fiber Mill [37:15]
    Picking as part of the scouring process [40:12]
    Three tips to tell if you got all the grease out of your fleece [45:18]

Links

  • Wool Scouring Videos — Coming Soon!
]]> Wed, 24 Apr 2019 19:00:27 +0000 wool@abundantearthfiber.com (Lydia Christiansen) https://abundantearthfiber.com/blogs/modern-wool/003 In this episode we’ll unpack the nuance of one of the greatest barriers to sustainability of small batch yarn, wool scouring. We’ll share the 4 essential requirements for scouring, discuss fermented suint, reveal 3 types of scouring baths we use at our mill and also pro-tips on how to tell whether you’ve washed your wool effectively.

Highlights

  • Lydia tells the story of her first time washing a fleece [2:36]
  • Four essential requirements for scouring wool [11:50]
    • Choosing a vessel [12:52]
    • Hot Water [15:08]
    • Soap & pH [19:30]
    • Extraction [24:55]
  • A few cautions for the home scouring setup [28:10]
  • Fermented Suint Method or Cold Wash [32:34]
  • Three type of scouring baths we use at the Abundant Earth Fiber Mill [37:15]
    Picking as part of the scouring process [40:12]
    Three tips to tell if you got all the grease out of your fleece [45:18]

Links

  • Wool Scouring Videos — Coming Soon!
]]> Wool Scouring Lydia Christiansen 00:48:58 The How-to and why of washing raw wool. In this episode we’ll unpack the nuance of wool scouring, one of the greatest barriers to sustainability of small batch yarn. The How-to and why of washing raw wool. In this episode we’ll unpack the nuance of wool scouring, one of the greatest barriers to sustainability of small batch yarn. scouring, small-batch, raw wool, wool false full 3 882a49ec-b3bf-4723-8454-ede4d80d7142 Wool Quality
  • Flash primer on sheep [1:50]
  • Learn how to ‘read’ a fleece [7:48]
  • Listen in on a skirting conversation with Sarah Pope [11:11]
  • Dual breed East Friesian [15:22]
  • Discover the interesting history of Romeldale and CVM [17:49]
  • Wool Study [23:42]

    • Links

    ]]>     Tue, 2 Apr 2019 17:00:00 +0000 wool@abundantearthfiber.com (Sarah Pope, Lydia Christiansen) https://abundantearthfiber.com/blogs/modern-wool/002
  • Flash primer on sheep [1:50]
  • Learn how to ‘read’ a fleece [7:48]
  • Listen in on a skirting conversation with Sarah Pope [11:11]
  • Dual breed East Friesian [15:22]
  • Discover the interesting history of Romeldale and CVM [17:49]
  • Wool Study [23:42]

    • Links

    ]]>     Wool Quality Sarah Pope, Lydia Christiansen 00:25:58 Learn the top three questions people ask about their wool, listen in on conversations about skirting with local shepherdess Sarah Pope, and discover two fantastic Pacific Northwest sheep breeds. Learn the top three questions people ask about their wool, listen in on conversations about skirting with local shepherdess Sarah Pope, and discover two fantastic Pacific Northwest sheep breeds. false full 2     ed7efa1d-bea1-450a-a28d-ae15f9ffca4c Welcome to Modern Wool
  • Thought Experiment on finding our connection to the natural world [4:25]
  • A walk through where yarn comes from [8:06]
  • Examining a fleece is like reading a story that only gets told once [9:20]
  • From spinning wheel to fiber mill [11:15]
  • An answer to the important question: What do I want to do? [14:44]
  • What does local and sustainable mean? [20:37]
  • What’s happening with wool in the United States right now? [24:08]
  • Celebrating the value of our small family farms [25:30]

    • Links

    ]]>     Tue, 26 Mar 2019 18:00:00 +0000 wool@abundantearthfiber.com (Lydia Christiansen) https://abundantearthfiber.com/blogs/modern-wool/001
  • Thought Experiment on finding our connection to the natural world [4:25]
  • A walk through where yarn comes from [8:06]
  • Examining a fleece is like reading a story that only gets told once [9:20]
  • From spinning wheel to fiber mill [11:15]
  • An answer to the important question: What do I want to do? [14:44]
  • What does local and sustainable mean? [20:37]
  • What’s happening with wool in the United States right now? [24:08]
  • Celebrating the value of our small family farms [25:30]

    • Links

    ]]>     Welcome to Modern Wool Lydia Christiansen 00:28:51 Lydia shares an intimate look at the genesis of her mill, where yarn comes from, and the value of wool in the modern world. Lydia shares an intimate look at the genesis of her mill, where yarn comes from, and the value of wool in the modern world. fiber mill false full 1