I purchased the book Medieval Garment Reconstruced: Norse Clothing Patterns by Franson, Nordtop-Madson, Norgard, & Ostergard as I am interested in messing around with historic patterns and recreating a secret life in Rohan. In this vlog I review a little about Icelandic fleece and my experience separating the tog and thel for weaving prep.
I want to be sure to let you know I am not an expert. I simply researched the concepts in the book as well as the Fleece and Fiber Sourcebook by Ekarius and Robson. Then I attempted the techniques myself. Wool is a dynamic resource subject to its environment, and creature what may work or not work for my Icelandic fleeces is completely subjective and one should be encouraged to experiment and explore a multitude resources to build a personal understanding and wisdom.
I’ll be back shortly with a recap of my trip to Norway and finished knitting in the mean time wherever your fiber treks may take you, may you return home safe and with lots of soulful stash. Thanks for tuning in! Sarah
Root of the Tree 
Thank you for that. I have spun both together and made Strong socks for boots. And used Tog as an embroidery thread to embellish a dragon head I knitted from elsebeth lavold’s Viking Knitting book. FUN. Good luck.
Wow! That sounds amazing! I love Elsebeth’s Lavold’s designs!
Oh, wonderful to see you! And the steely grey of your fiber? Swoon- worthy! Look forward to seeing more
Hi Cary…a big hug to you! Thanks for tuning in
Your videos are so interesting and informative. And wool. Isn’t it just magnificent?!
It is Ann, thank you for watching!
So interesting, as usual. I agree – I think lettlopi uses both the tog and the thel. And loved the history of the word “staple”!
Hi Rachel, thanks fo tuning in!
Enjoying your vlogs. I have a stashed Icelandic that needs exploring and I’m looking forward to learning more.
I hope you have done some Icelandic exploration! I am getting ready to skirt ALL my fleeces from the past two years! I need to get back to spinning though. Hope all is well and thank you for tuning and commenting
So lovely to spend a bit of fibery time with you, friend! Your grey Icelandic fibre is heavenly! I can’t wait to see how it spins up.
So fun to follow your adventures with the Icelandic wool. Always lovely to see you and learn from you–that book looks fairly amazing! How are things, btw, in your neck of the woods? Hoping you’re well! And welcome back from Norway!!
Hello! Thank you for your comments, It’s so nice to see them here on the blog. All is well here. I can’t complain as I have my dog, my craft stash and the woods. The worst news is that Rob will have to shave his beard for his PPE fitting :(. As always, I love your podcast and anything to do with those beasties. They are too much! Hope you’re well friend. Sarah
Thank you so much for all you share. I have been a faithful follower of your sheep sharing!! for a long time. I’m from New Zealand, I just love sheep, wool, spinning, creating and smelling the sheepy goodness on the fleeces I use. My favourite has to be Gotland. I have owned several and they gave me much joy. You have inspired me, especially when I hit a slump in all thing crafty. What you share gave me the inspiration I needed, thank you.
Dear Bathsheba, thank you so much for your kind words. It is wonderful to receive feedback and to share a love of sheep…especially Gotland, so lovely! I hope you are well and immersed in something sheepy!
Following on instagram and here… loved the reference to the book Women Running with the Wolves… if I got that right. Anyway, the bit in your Youtube blog speaking about returning to your hearth. I am going to order the book, I think. It is available at my library online as an audiobook, but it seems like a book one needs to sit with and let soak in. Anyway, loving this new direction. I am so excited to see your marsma too! It looks lovely. I have been inspired myself and have plans to start as soon as I finish my current project. I could not resist writing up the plans though, so hoping they bear fruit later this summer after the garden is in. I live in Norway, and am so glad to see, via instagram, that you had a wonderful trip. It really seems like it was a special group of people all in one place. Best wishes, Lynne
Dear Lynne, wonderful! you are reading Women Who Run with the Wolves! I would recommend the book over the audio as I think the audio is abridged. Phew! I am catching up here after travels and Covid chaos. I’d be curious about your marsma plans as I am kinda making it up. I’m not 100% sure about the finishing, and the binding around the seams. Thank you so much for your kind words and support of the podcast. Norway was absolutely magical and I can’t wait to get back. Again, I so appreciate your positive feedback. Keep me posted on your run with the wolves! Sarah