Fiber Nation

Bonus Episode: "The Cloak of Invisibility" Apr 01, 2022

What does it take to disappear? So-called cloaking technology is common on things like fighter jets, but recent advances at MIT have created flexible "fabric" surfaces capable of bending light. It might sound like Harry Potter hocus pocus, but it’s quite possible, in the next decade, to have clothing that makes the wearer invisible.

Find Show Notes here: https://www.interweave.com/fiber-nation/cloak-of-invisibility/

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Everything Will Be Fine: Twisted Tales of Travel Mar 17, 2022

You go on a trip, and stuff happens. You lose your luggage or miss your plane. But what if the stuff that happens is a little more epic? Like war zone, poisonous snakes, engines-falling-out-of-your-plane kind of epic? Could you roll with that?

Find Show Notes here: https://www.interweave.com/fiber-nation/twisted-tales-of-travel/

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The Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire, Part 2 Feb 17, 2022

The Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire lasted fewer than 30 minutes and killed 146 people, most of them young women. The disaster’s aftermath would lead to sweeping labor reforms and workplace safety regulations we still have today. It would transform Democrats into a progressive party. And it would, more than 20 years down the road, help elect Franklin D Roosevelt president, paving the way for the New Deal.

Show Notes here: https://www.interweave.com/fiber-nation/triangle-factory-fire-part-two/

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The Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire, Part 1 Dec 16, 2021

On a warm spring day in 1911, a fire broke out at the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory in New York. Within minutes it engulfed the top three stories of the factory building. 146 people died in the blaze; 123 of them young women who worked there. It was one of the worst industrial disasters in the United States.

The fire and its aftermath would transform US politics and shape the growing labor movement for decades. But to really understand the events of 1911, we need to go back two years and tell a much larger story than that of a single factory.

Show Notes here: https://www.interweave.com/fiber-nation/triangle-factory-fire-part-one/

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Fiber Nation Knit Night: Reindeer Recipes and Attractive Cowpeas Dec 01, 2021

We’re excited to announce another Fiber Nation Live Knit Night! Bring your knitting, and join us Wednesday, December 8 at 6 pm EST for a talk with Danielle Dreilinger, featured on the “Home Economics vs. Hitler” episode.

Since it’s the holiday season, we thought we’d change things up and talk about food, festive or otherwise. (Quite possibly otherwise.) Danielle will introduce us to some wonderful cookbooks and recipes from the Bureau of Home Economics, including 99 Ways to Share the Meat and Attractive Ways of Cooking Cowpeas. We might even tackle the history of Jell-o salad!

Notes and registration: https://www.interweave.com/fiber-nation/fiber-nation-knit-night-reindeer-recipes/

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Lifting the Hem on Scottish Kilts Nov 18, 2021

We look at the evolution of men’s fashion, and how it helped turn an obscure ethnic costume into one of history’s most famous garments. We talk about how tartan patterns became a marketing scheme in the 1800s, and, scandalously, we discover that the Scottish kilt we know today…may have been created by an Englishman.

Find our Show Notes here: https://www.interweave.com/fiber-nation/scottish-kilts/

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The Sheep & Cattle Wars Oct 28, 2021

The American West is this mythic place…the land of Wyatt Earp and Calamity Jane, cattle drives, and cowboys. Myths aside, it's also the land of the western range wars, where cattlemen and sheepmen battled over access to grass and water. Dozens of sheepherders were killed and 100,000 sheep were slaughtered, all before a Colorado congressman ended the violence in 1934. But a mere generation later, it's the sheep owners who had the last laugh.

Follow along on the show notes page: https://www.interweave.com/fiber-nation/sheep-and-cattle-wars/

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The Crochet Coral Reef Sep 30, 2021

In this episode, we dive into a place where art, ecology, science, and math come together into something extraordinary. And we learn how a 2300-year-old geometric system was blown out of the water by a woman crocheting blobby things. Welcome to the Crochet Coral Reef.

Link to show notes: https://www.interweave.com/fiber-nation/crochet-coral-reef/

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I'm Sorry, Dave. I Can't Knit That. Aug 26, 2021

Today’s episode is all about artificial intelligence—AI. What it is, what it ISN’T, what it can and can’t do. What happens when you try to teach a computer how to knit? Can a neural network match the creativity of a human? And what might happen if the Terminator became a knitwear designer?

Find Show Notes links here.

https://www.interweave.com/fiber-nation/ai-knitting-im-sorry-dave-i-cant-knit-that/

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Home Economics vs. Hitler Jun 24, 2021

On today’s episode, we explore the radical origins behind home economics. Hear how it became important enough to have its own federal agency. And learn how one particular sewing magazine became a game-changer during WWII.

Find Show Notes here.

https://www.interweave.com/fiber-nation/home-economics-vs-hitler-sewing-wwii/

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Manx for the Memories: Saving a Sheep Apr 29, 2021

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/

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Lycra: The Fabric of Our Lives Apr 01, 2021

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/

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Song Quilts: Stitching Together Women's Stories Feb 25, 2021

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/

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Sheep, Wind, and Fire Jan 28, 2021

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/

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Hemp: The Fall & Rise of a Forbidden Fiber Dec 17, 2020

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/

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The Pig War Nov 11, 2020

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/

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A Tale of Two Sweaters Oct 16, 2020

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/

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Fiber Nation wants to give you yarn, again! Oct 07, 2020

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.

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The Forgotten Woman of Fashion Sep 16, 2020

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/

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Encore Episode: The Donner Party Revisited Aug 20, 2020

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.

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The Mystery of Gunnister Man Jun 25, 2020

1n 1951, near Gunnister, Shetland, two men discovered a body in a shallow grave. They called the police, who quickly determined there was something very strange about this burial.

The body wasn’t actually a body; it was a full set of woolen clothing that had once contained a body. And that clothing was almost 300 years old.

Who was Gunnister Man? How had he come to be in such a remote spot, and what exactly had happened to him there?

Read the show notes! https://www.interweave.com/fiber-nation/gunnister-man-mystery

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The Socks that Won WWI May 25, 2020

The First World War was the first truly “modern” war, with its wireless communication, tanks, and poison-gas attacks. In the trenches of Belgium and France, however, one of the most important items in a soldier's kit—right up there with a rifle and a gas mask—was a pair of hand-knit, woolen socks.

*** SHOW NOTES*** https://www.interweave.com/fiber-nation/episode-9-world-war-socks/

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Fabric Fails & Textile Triumphs Apr 30, 2020

When it comes to history, wars and plagues and art and science are the exciting stuff. Linen bed sheets are not. But fiber—fabric— is an integral part of human progress. From Neanderthal caves to Egyptian pyramids, from Viking ships to spaceships, we journey through almost 40,000 years of human advancement. And humble cloth is the springboard.

View the show notes: https://www.interweave.com/fiber-nation/episode-8-textile-history/

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A Handmaid's Knit - Introducing the Knitting Nerdcast Apr 15, 2020

We're hard at work on our next episode of Fiber Nation. In the meantime, we wanted to feature a new podcast called the Knitting Nerdcast, where host Hannah Baker goes deep into her random knitting obsessions with friends. In this first episode, Hannah and Andrea Lotz nerd out about knitwear they've been noticing in various prestige television shows, including the Hulu show A Handmaid’s Tale. Enjoy!

SUBSCRIBE to the Knitting Nerdcast - https://megaphone.link/GPM2560551780

Show notes and photos for A Handmaid's Knit - https://www.interweave.com/knitting-nerdcast/handmaids-tale-knit/

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The Deadliest Dyes: A Colorful History Apr 03, 2020

As knitters and makers, we understand the siren song of color all too well. But did you know that some colors come at a price? And throughout history, people—not just knitters—have been willing to pay it. From poison dresses to a dye that helped destroy an empire, this episode of Fiber Nation explores our fatal fascination with hues throughout history.

Show notes: https://www.interweave.com/fiber-nation/deadly-dyes/

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The Black Sheep of Wyoming Wool Mar 03, 2020

When Karen Hostetler’s children started school, she thought about starting a small business. A gift shop, maybe, selling Wyoming souvenirs to tourists on their way to Yellowstone or Montana. But when she discovered that you can't buy Wyoming wool in Wyoming, her desire to sell wool bunnies and blankets took a sideways turn into something much bigger—the largest wool mill in the American West. In this episode, we share the story of how Karen upended her life and started spinning wool, in an attempt to save the struggling Wyoming sheep ranchers and historic Basque shepherding culture of her home state.

See our show notes here: https://www.interweave.com/fiber-nation/black-sheep-wyoming-wool/

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The Half-Knit Stocking: A True-Crime Tale Feb 04, 2020

In this episode we look at the darker side of fiber history, with a surprising twist. Because in Victorian England, newspapers were filled with stories of murder victims, suspicious deaths, and tragic ends. And we’ll learn why, at the heart of so many of those lurid stories, was a woman knitting.

Learn more about these stories and our guest Penelope Lister Hemingway on our show notes page: www.interweave.com/article/knitting/new-season-of-fiber-nation-podcast/

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Coming Soon - A New Season! Jan 30, 2020

Stay tuned! Fresh episodes featuring tales of textiles, craft and culture are coming soon with the new season of Fiber Nation.

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The Donner Party and the Doll Aug 27, 2019

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.

Show notes: www.interweave.com/fiber-nation/fiber-nation-podcast-donner-party-doll/

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Fiber Nation Podcast: From Russia with Love May 22, 2019

Hello Fiber Nation listeners! We're re-publishing this episode to celebrate Galina Khmeleva joining us for Yarn Fest Loveland, 2023. Learn more and sign up for classes with Galina at https://www.interweave.com/yarnfest/loveland/

Hand-drawn knitting charts are not normally the target of armed robbery. When you are starting a business in 1990's Russia, however, anything goes. In this episode, we meet Galina Khmeleva and hear a dual story: one about a 300 year-old knitting tradition, and another about the remarkable woman who helped preserve it.

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Fiber Nation Wants to Give You Yarn (Really) May 16, 2019

We hope to get your help to bring attention to Fiber Nation! Listen to our fresh clip to find out how your help may be rewarded with yarn. It's all about us wanting to hear from you, the yarn loving listener (and maybe a few of your friends).

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Fiber Nation Podcast: Country Life Apr 12, 2019

Say you start knitting, and get into yarn. Maybe you start spinning, and get obsessed with fiber. This is how an obsession with sheep might begin. Spin Off magazine editor Kate Larson just happens to have her own flock of sheep. In this episode, Kate walks us through animal husbandry, harvesting fiber, and the hard choices that sometimes come with ranching. Have you ever considered integrating sustainable agriculture into your life? Learn more about the possibilities on this episode of Fiber Nation.

Show notes: https://www.interweave.com/fiber-nation/country-life/

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Fiber Nation Podcast: Not What I Expected Mar 20, 2019

From the khamak embroidery of Afghanistan to Mayan rug hookers in Guatemala, see how women are changing their lives with creativity, courage, and old t shirts. Publisher Linda Ligon takes us around the world with Thrums Books, and reflects on how the best intentions can sometimes backfire.

Show notes: https://www.interweave.com/fiber-nation/not-what-i-expected/

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Introducing: Fiber Nation Podcast Feb 26, 2019

Stay tuned for the first episode of Fiber Nation, a knitting podcast that goes beyond knitting. Join host Allison Korleski as she talks with people from all corners of the yarniverse: designers and dyers, shepherds and spinners, publishers and pathfinders. From family farms in the American heartland to a woman’s cooperative in Afghanistan, each episode explores what connects us as knitters and makers.

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