Abby Franquemont of Abby’s Yarns was the guest today on Yarn Thing with Marly Bird, and it was a fun and 
intelligent conversation.
To begin with, Abby’s parents were anthropologists with interest in textiles and moved when she was a child to Peru to study. A fond memory for her was falling asleep under her father’s loom. Living in a spinning and weaving community, where all of her peers also did weaving and spinning, it was natural for her to pursue fiber arts as well. As a teenager, of course, she wanted nothing to do with it but thought she would be a musician then with computers. Found later that what she’d learned as a child, many crafts begin with yarn, Knitting, Crocheting, Weaving, and spinning is how you GET yarn; and there’s always more out there! IT’S A YARN THING!
She says, ten or twelve years ago, there wasn’t as much out there as options for purchasing yarn. She became what she calls Professional Yarn Dork, dividing her time between production, teaching and other business activities. Traveling to teach, too, fills a lot of her time and she will be going to Norway, Rhinebeck and SAFF later this year, teaching spinning with some weaving. When someone wonders why yarn ‘didn’t work’, Abby says a little bit of spinning knowledge or effort can either make us understand what can be done with a skein, or how to make that beautiful skein work how you would hope. Sometimes those discoveries just don’t become apparent until they are put to needles or hooks.
An interesting discussion here was that some Yarn Shops hesitate to offer spinning classes for fear that those students will cease to by yarn. Abby’s answer is to compare with cooking, that just because you can cook doesn’t mean that you’ll never eat out again. Later she said, the POTENTIAL of the yarn in your shopping bag, or sitting on your desk, even before you started working on it, is like the food in your cupboards and fridge. She herself appreciates the yarns that are available, perhaps with a bit more understanding. Having multiple yarn projects and it’s benefits, was also discussed, so that you always have something in case of emergencies and teaching opportunities.
We also heard here a lot of interesting things about the history of fiber:
- how textile creation became the basis for computer programming based on the punchcard technology used to create jaquard, was shared by Abby, who learned this from her dad who would speak at MIT about this.
- learning and understanding math, LOTS of personal struggles shared here.
- Gandhi’s spinning for the good of his countrymen, for industry also on a personal level, to be patient with the world situation, even requiring his cabinet to start their day with spinning.
More information from Abby can be found at her 
WEBSITE and she is also on Facebook, so knowing if she will be at your next local event would be easier to find! Her YouTube channel was mentioned (I got sidetracked there!) and her book Respect the Spindle (Amazon Link). Because, as her tagline says, ‘One way or another, it’s all about Yarn.’
If you missed hearing this wonderful visit live, it is available as an archive: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/yarnthing/2015/05/21/abby-franquemont-of-abbys-yarns or in iTunes.
Thekla says
May 21, 2015 at 1:40 pmI did not want this podcast to end today…fascinating! Abby brought out some very interesting tidbits. Applesauce?..really?…I like the homemade kind best. I am a spinner wannabe and am even more determined to learn now. Thank you.
Kim Wilkinson says
May 21, 2015 at 3:58 pmI wS so glad to talk to Abby today. I would love this gift so that I can teach someone else. Maybe we can all meet up sometime and have some applesauce.
Elise Thomasset says
May 21, 2015 at 4:04 pmSpinning yarn from fiber is like making applesauce from apples… It’s so rewarding to start with the raw ingredients! Thanks for another great interview and a chance to win!
foldoutcat says
May 21, 2015 at 4:32 pmThanks to both Marly and Abby for today’s terrific show! My first time listening – but wildly unlikely to be my last. I wish you both the chunkiest and most cinnamony of homemade applesauce :-).
–Q
joyce says
May 21, 2015 at 5:02 pmwow!!! What an interesting show! Very different ways of thinking about the whole knitting industry. I learned a lot from Abby and she even threw in some applesauce.
Rachel ravelry 100Creations says
May 22, 2015 at 8:49 amHearing about her falling asleep under her father loom reminded me of helping my great-grandma loom rag rugs. My first fiber experience! and i remember helping my mom make applesauce, or fired apples as they are called here in KY.
Amy L. says
May 22, 2015 at 11:11 amI am interested in learning to spin, but like Marly I’m not sure I want to go down that rabbit hole! Your interview with Abby has pushed me to the edge of that hole and maybe even tipped me in! Winning Abby’s Learn to Spin kit would definitely finish the job! I loved Abby’s comments about healthy, locally grown foods and other eco-friendly and human rights related topics. I bet she makes excellent homemade applesauce!!
Holly says
May 22, 2015 at 12:13 pmVery informative podcast with Abby Franquemont. Everything from yarn, to computer programming to applesauce! I may be ready to give spinning a try now.
Greg says
May 22, 2015 at 2:01 pmWow, wow, wow. What an enjoyable episode! After listening to this conversation, I just want to hang out with Abby and Marly. Abby sounds like she’s comfortable talking about pretty much anything. Talking with Marly, of course, is like talking with your best friend. I don’t know, maybe we can all get together for drinks, coffee, or applesauce some time? I was especially interested in the turn towards history, science, and engineering the conversation took for the second half. When I first started knitting almost three years ago, it was the math and engineering I saw in knitted items before I saw the art. It’s still that way for me, and that’s one of the things I absolutely love about knitting — they way it combines both science and art. Being reminded how modern-day computing has its roots in automated weaving looms was a good reminder for me. Thank you both so much for such an enjoyable episode!
-KnittingDaddy Greg in North Carolina
Anita says
May 22, 2015 at 3:01 pmWhat a week! The best ever with Amy Herzog and Abby Franquenot. Really both shows excellent, full of fascinating info. I always wanted to spin but I too am afraid of the rabbit hole. There is never enough time to knit as it is. Love this podcast, here is to applesauce!!!
Judy B. says
May 22, 2015 at 4:44 pmI would love to learn to spin! In fact, I recently bought some beautiful yarn at a farmer’s market and I was told by the yarn vendor that there is a way to make my own spindle using CO’S just to check it out to see if I like spindle spinning. I was told to just Google it! Well, making a spindle with a CD, would be like making yarn out of applesauce. Not for me.
I so enjoyed the podcast again today! Thank you
Vicki Lynch says
May 22, 2015 at 4:57 pmExcellent show! Meeting for coffee and applesauce cake to chat with both of you would be so wonderful except for the 20 hour commute each way.
Kathleen Moul says
May 22, 2015 at 7:20 pmOne of the best, most informative podcasts I’ve heard in a long time. And don’t we all just love applesauce with our fiber.
Carol says
May 22, 2015 at 7:47 pmWhat an informative podcast with Abby Franquemont! You both were so much fun to listen to. Abby is so knowledgeable about so many things and your interview went so many places. I am very interested in learning how to spin. I have currently done a little spindle spinning and am saving up to purchase a spinning wheel. . . . so I am already going down that rabbit hole!
I would love to listen to both of you continue to talk over coffee and applesauce :o))
Great podcast! Thanks.
sandyjager says
May 22, 2015 at 9:39 pmGreat podcast! I’ve been a fan of Abby’s for several years and credit her with the insane amount of yarn I spin on a weekly basis. Learning to spin has added a lot to my life and has led me to weave as well. Maybe I should learn to make applesauce, since it seems to be a popular thing around here! Cheers!
Mary L. says
May 23, 2015 at 10:48 amI thoroughly enjoyed this podcast with Abby Franquemont! I haven’t used my spinning wheel in ages and after listening to Abby, I think I am going to pull it out again get spinning again. But first, I am going to go make some applesauce!!
Susan Crosby says
May 23, 2015 at 12:18 pmKnitting and spinning as acts of revolutionary consciousness! I could have listened to this conversation for another hour. Applesauce!!!!
Lee Ann Atencio says
May 23, 2015 at 2:25 pmThis was the my first time listening to your podcast. I was blown away with your wonderful exchange with your guest Abby. I love it! I will be listening again. I’m from Alaska by the way. Your podcast reminds me of applesauce. A little bit of tartness, a splash of sweet, and lots of texture in the mixture. Totally Crackin!
jen says
May 24, 2015 at 12:07 pmI’m holding this fiber and twirling in my office chair, no yarn yet. Maybe I’m doing this spinning thing wrong. Abby Applesauce!!! I need help.
Louise Gingery says
May 24, 2015 at 3:36 pmGreat Podcast! I enjoyed the conversation and the direction it took. Lots of applesauce for thought! I often considered trying spinning…maybe now is my time!
Janice says
May 24, 2015 at 5:28 pmWhat a fantastic podcast. I enjoyed hearing about the relationships between spinning and fiber arts and our evolution to computers and programming. Wow! I also try to eat local and grow a garden, and my barn houses Shetland sheep, cashmere goats and Angora goats. I had not considered the thought of reducing our carbon footprint by using locally grown fiber. I’m so happy thinking about applesauce (fiber…haha) from our orchard in our stomachs and our homegrown family farm fiber slipping through my fingers as I spin and create items for my family and friends.
Wendy Whalen says
May 25, 2015 at 7:29 amI have picked up spindles and looked them over but Intimidation factors in and I put them back, I would love to learn to use a spindle and not just look at them. Hmmm applesauce time??
Suzanne says
May 26, 2015 at 6:12 amI will take it as a sign from the universe that I should start spinning if this gift lands in my lap. I have teetered on the edge of this rabbit hole for a while. So many people who spin well reference Abby as the source of their knowledge. The two of you had such depth and breadth in your discussions during your chat. If you had had time to go on longer, I bet one of you would have shared your favorite recipe for applesauce.
Annette says
May 26, 2015 at 6:38 amAbby was one of my spinning mentors via her video. Spinning is a true passion of mine and she is full of wonderful facts and stories. And, applesauce is as much of my diet as fiber!
sheryl says
May 26, 2015 at 8:55 amI’m so glad I found your pod cast.
Abby is a a very talented lady ,which, makes me
really lean to knit I do crochet
I I put the podcast on and set back with my applesauce
to soak up the great information.
Mary Anne Cox says
May 26, 2015 at 1:03 pmI want to spend a day with Abby and eat applesauce while we spin beautiful yarn! Thanks for a great show.
Rose Ruffolo says
May 26, 2015 at 1:05 pmHi Everyone,
I loooove all the podcsats thus far but I must admit this one is my fav! I just LOOOOOOOOOVE it when you get into the math, science and history of the fibre world! I really hope you are able to do more shows like this one…FUN! FUN! FUN! ( Yes, I’m a big nerd ;p)
YOU LADIES TOTALLY ROCK! You’re better than “APPLESAUCE!”
Happy Thursday!
Rose Ruffolo
Missy Schmidt says
May 26, 2015 at 1:24 pmOMG! Loved the show (as always)! Perhaps even more than I love applesauce!!! XOXO
calicokitty6 says
May 27, 2015 at 5:09 pmWhat a fabulous show! I learned so much from it. I have a few of her videos and they have helped me improve my spinning tremendously. I like applesauce with cinnamon sprinkled on it.
Denise C says
May 27, 2015 at 5:55 pmSuch an informative show this week. I loved it. I make my own applesauce and jar it.
yarngiraffe on Ravelry says
May 28, 2015 at 9:06 amWhat a great podcast today. This makes me want to code!!! I’m just starting with a drop spindle and have found Abby’s book and videos so helpful!!
I imagine it could get a little messy if you spin while making apple sauce??? 🙂
Tiffany J. says
May 28, 2015 at 12:58 pmWhat a lovely episode! Probably one of my favorites, if not my favorite, of your podcast, Marly. The discussion about textile tech was fascinating and really taught me a lot. I’ve just recently decided that I’d like to learn to spin, so to win the prize for this episode would be awesomesauce … or applesauce, as the case may be 🙂
CraftyLadyMel says
May 28, 2015 at 3:50 pmI would LOVE to learn how to spin one of these days. I can imagine I could not spin though and eat my applesauce as it would get to messy for me. I know!!! I could make applesauce cookies…. no…don’t think that would work either. Love the podcast!
Malinda Pelham says
May 31, 2015 at 5:37 pmApplesauce and spinning yarn go together in my yarn world. Very inspiring podcast and spinning has been a craft I want to learn.
SandraR says
June 1, 2015 at 9:25 amGreat show! I too love a little bit of apple sauce, especially with some pork.
Sarah Short says
June 1, 2015 at 8:43 pmWhat a coincidence that I was making homemade applesauce with my grandma while listening to this podcast! It was a very interesting and enlightening podcast. I can’t wait to learn how to spin!
knitfantasy says
June 1, 2015 at 11:35 pmI would like to find out if I like spinning as much as I like applesauce. And I really like applesauce, especially the homemade kind.
Leanne Holland says
June 2, 2015 at 6:01 amAbsolutely fascinating show. Abby’s depth and knowledge about the various yarn arts is inspiring. The key word of applesauce is a hilarious
Melissa C. says
June 2, 2015 at 10:25 amGreat podcast! Applesauce is a difficult word to work in! Loved the background info, the nerd in me was thrilled!
SallyFromIdaho on rav says
June 3, 2015 at 8:09 amI loved the show and applesauce.
skywatcher7 says
June 3, 2015 at 11:15 amAbby has awesome videos! So glad to hear her story. Yes, better than applesauce are Marlys podcasts. I’ve wanted to learn to drop spindle and this would start me off in style!
Michelle Staeck says
June 8, 2015 at 1:00 pmI have never thought about learning to spin, but I do love the feel of the yarn going through my fingers when I crochet and knit. After listening to Abby, she has given me the thought of maybe trying it one day. Then I could enjoy a cold cup of applesauce. Great podcast!