Fiber Nation

We travel to the Isle of Man and hear the story of one of its oldest inhabitants: the Manx Loaghtan sheep. A sheep that’s been on the brink of extinction not once or twice, but THREE times. And we’ll talk about not just how it was saved, but why some things are worth saving in the first place. Find Show Notes here. www.interweave.com/fiber-nation/next-up-in-fiber-nation-manx-for-the-memories/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Up to now, our daily dose of fiber has always focused on the woolly natural stuff. However, even the best diet has to succumb to a bag of Cheetos now and then. Consider this episode, about the crotch-hugging antics of spandex, as our cheat day. Show notes are here: www.interweave.com/fiber-nation/spandex-fabric-of-our-lives/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Eliza Hardy Jones was a professional musician and an amateur quilter. Until a once-in-a-lifetime offer made her change her tune. Find out how she turns traditional folk music, sung by women, into a craft traditionally done by women. Show notes: www.interweave.com/fiber-nation/song-quilts/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In today’s episode, we talk to a shearer of sheep. And while there are all kinds of cool things to learn about wool and economics and how to make a sheep sit on its butt, there’s a larger story here, about how people with the weirdest career path ever helped rescue their communities from calamity. Show notes: www.interweave.com/fiber-nation/sheep-wind-and-fire/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

From its roots in Asia to its importance in the colonial US, from WW2 to the war on drugs, hemp has a curious and complicated history. Plus, we talk a lot about smoking pot. Show Notes: www.interweave.com/fiber-nation/hemp-forbidden-fiber-episode-15/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In 1859, a small island off the coast of Washington state was the site of a war almost no one has heard of. It lasted 12 years, involved 5 British warships, 14 American cannons, 34 uncooperative sheep tossed into rowboats, and General George Pickett. And in the end, it sustained only a single causality: a pig. Show Notes: https://www.interweave.com/fiber-nation/fiber-nation-the-pig-war/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In today's episode, we hear a tale of two radically different sweaters. But while we begin by exploring the world of luxury knitwear, we end up discovering something completely different…and completely new. Read the show notes: https://www.interweave.com/fiber-nation/tale-two-sweaters/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Did you know Oct 10 is I Love Yarn Day? Neither did we. but no matter. Listen to hear how you can win a box of fluffy goodness. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On the eve of the Civil War, Godey’s Lady’s Book was the most successful fashion and literary magazine in the US. That is, until its editor destroyed it, along with her own place in history. Show notes: https://www.interweave.com/fiber-nation/godeys/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Almost one year ago we released this episode, but its story of disaster and resilience has even more relevance today. As we prepare Season 3, we hope you (re)discover the story of Patty Reed and her doll. In 1846 an 8-year-old girl named Patty Reed headed west on the Oregon Trail, along with her family. Among Patty’s few toys was a tiny wooden doll. This doll is maybe 4 inches in height, and there is nothing particularly remarkable about her. Except for one thing: The wagon train that Dolly and Patty Reed were traveling in became known as the Donner Party. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices