Oh Rajiv, your reminiscing of your long ago summer and of your first love has me in tears. Storytelling is one of your many gifts. Love this meditative ode to spinning.
Connected to earth and the cycles of life 's seasons. Certainly labor intensive and rewarding. Thank you for another wonderful reveal of your incredible life.
The way that you're singing + spinning + talking about your gay childhood crush while passing on an ancient tradition is healing my heart in a way I didn't know it needed ✨
As someone who has been spinning for more than six decades, I have to tell you how much joy this video and your previous one has brought to me. There are many young spinners today, but most are working with commercially prepared fiber. I get the most enjoyment from beginning with raw fleece and seeing that you truly know how to do each step of the process, touches my soul to its very depths. Thank you.
I have an antique loom that was my aunt’s. One time she made placemats and entered them in the fair. They told her she couldn’t enter store-bought items 🤦🏻♀
I am a 6 year spinner, and I prepare fibre that I buy from farmers. Tons of poo balls and vm, but I really like the feel of the fibre with some lanolin left in it. I am in Ontario
Another beautiful video ! Years ago, I was knitting a blanket for my niece who was expecting her first baby. The baby was still-born, I finished the blanket with tears and loving thoughts of them and of the heartache they were experiencing. She still cherishes that little blanket and has two more beautiful children since. So I easily identified with the thoughts and feelings that go in to making something like that.
My mother always saved rain water to wash wool that she then carded by hand and turned into cozy quilts. I still have one that she made with my Dad when they were in their late 80s.❤️💕❤️
Beautiful story! My Grandma spun wool from a neighbour's sheep in Saskatchewan. As a little girl I visited my Grandma often and one time asked her and she let me try her spinning wheel, one minute at the most, but she was very willing to teach me to card the wool. I am likely now my Grandma's age and I still have her carders and sewing machine! Thank you for bringing back these wonderful childhood memories! Elaine
this video is a modern relic, a spiritual revelation... so deeply human that I'm sure any person from any time period could find joy and peace watching this. thank you Rajiv, your videos are such a blessing and balm to my life and I so appreciate you.
What a treasure you are, Rajiv. You spun such love and care and meaning into this video with your teaching, songs and nostalgia for a summer long gone by. This video embodies what I love so very much about you…you imbue your life and the objects you create with such depth of meaning and great value. That meaning is what we, who flock to you, are longing for. I’m so grateful for you and your wisdom and inspiration ❤
I adore this. As a knitter, I can appreciate the joy found in this quiet and meditative process. Thank you for your in depth look into these valuable, artistic endeavours!
I'm friends with one of your former teachers from Wexford - Lorie Hollingsworth. This is a charming video - open/honest/romantic. My wife is a fibre artist (sheep to shawl as they say). She spins, weaves, knits and lately has taken up tapestry work. We BOTH found your video to be beautiful and inspiring - well crafted from beginning to end.
In Belgium in the region of Verviers (Wallonia) there was a wool spinning factory that would use the water of the Vesdre river to wash the wool. The Girls who were handling the fleeces were known in the area for their soft hands because of the lanolin. The factory doesn't exist anymore but i remember my mother knitting with yarn from there. The yarn had the same name as the river: 'Vesdre'.
Thank you Rajiv for sharing your innermost thoughts and teaching a lot about spinning the wool which I didn't know. Love works in mysterious and unique ways in our lives and its hard to put into words. I am straight but I can relate to what you experienced. Mine was unconditional and loved just for what the person was and not based on material things, social status etc. One can't force love or happiness in others. Its a journey, process that the other side has to experience too. Everyone should experience true unconditional love and passion in some form or the other. It could be a human, animal or nature. Rajiv, Whatever that you're looking wrt love, I wish from the bottom of my heart that you realize and enjoy that true love in this life. Keep doing what gives you joy. You are touching other people's life in positive ways. You are a blessing in plain sight. Thank you sweetheart and have an amazing weekend.
Thanks for your lovely message. Looking back I can see now that when I thought about him in all those quiet hours at the spinning wheel I came to that realization that I didn't need him to love me back, it was wonderful that I could just love him...and I was very grateful for that. He was -- he is -- such a good and gentle person.
I love all your videos, but this is near to my heart. I am a long time spinner--about 25 years. I love to see you doing this "lost art" and introducing it to your followers. If I may pass along a wee bit of advice, though, using laundry detergent is not good for wool. Most detergents have ingredients to break down protein such as stains and dirt. Wool is protein. It will damage your fiber. Using a wool washing soap or even a mild olive oil soap would be better. Many folks , myself included, use original Dawn dish soap. In the long run your wool will be better for it. Please keep up the good work and all of your interesting videos. Thanks so much. :)
@@rajivsurendra - In a pinch, use shampoo for any protein-based fibre. The cheapest shampoo will do and won’t damage the fibre. This is valid for clothing made out of protein-based fibre as well. If you’re worried about felting and/or shrinking, remember that temperature differences are more conducive to shrinking and felting than anything else. That’s actually quite useful to know if you want to use singles instead of plied yarn. You can ’shock’ the singles by rinsing in warm/hot water, then dunking the skein in cold water. Keep a good eye on the individual yarn strands, you don’t want them to felt together. But you do want the individual fibres within the strands to slightly felt.
The rythmic sound of that spinning wheel is wonderful. The first time I ever saw someone spinning yarn was when my grandparents took us to a fancy brunch near their home in Attleboro, MA. I still remember the name of the place was “The Lord Fox” and it was magical to me. There was live Colonial music, the woman in period dress spinning, and in a nearby shed you could watch a man blowing glass into items you could buy in the giftshop. My mother bought a small green glass pitcher and a Colonial white cotton round ruffled cap for me. My grandparents were Swedish and my grandmother grew up on a sheep farm. She would tell stories of how, when it was snowing and very cold, they would sometimes bring the lamb into the house to warm it by the fire. I have her mother’s (my great grandmother’s) spinning wheel. I’ve never tried to spin yarn on it but this video inspires me!
My great- great grandmother spun. She was Welsh, living on the island of Anglesey off the Welsh coast. It was a cottage industry, and thrived up until the industrial revolution. Then when cotton superseded wool, they migrated to the large cotton mills in Bollington in Cheshire, to work in the terrible conditions of the cotton mills.
Rajiv, I lost my spinning wheel in the last flood we had. By the time I found it it was beyound repair. The sound of you spinning and the quiet mindfulness of your storys; especially of your first love, make me yearn for my old friend. ( the Spinning Wheel). If only more people could be as aware of the value of hand craft as you are, I feel there would be much more beauty in life. Cheers from Australia, Muffy.
Thank you for sharing your beautiful stories and singing while spinning the wool. I sat sewing my husbands trousers, listening to you ❤ Geraldine north Wales UK
I’m in awe of how yarn is spun, from the point of shearing the fleece from the sheep to the comprehensive process of pulling and cleaning, to the spinning with the wheel to result into a ball of yarn. Your Vlogs are amazing in every detail from the settings around you, to You the Artist, and the subject of the creative content. If RUclips gave out awards, your Vlogs should win the Oscar(s) ✌🏽
What a sweet and poignant story. I too think about all the moments and memories I had while I spun the wool when I use what I’ve scoured and combed and carded and spun. It does make me appreciate everything I wear. It slowed my purchasing of disposable clothing. I purchase less and use things longer and reuse and repurpose. The sound of my wheel or my supported spindle is beautiful and calms me in ways a non spinner can’t know. Thanks for sharing your sweet story. ❤
I am weeping, everything about this film was so well crafted, the sounds of the ocean, the rhythmic sound of the spinning wheel and the gentle sound of your voice telling us your love story both about the boy and the process of cleaning, carding and spinning the wool. The cinematography of the ocean and the tones of the layers of wood in the spinning scene with the golden glow coming through the window illuminating the scene, just beautiful. Oh to recieve the gift of tge hat ... priceless gift of pure love.
This is a lovely video and fills me with appreciation for traditional craft, for what a garment is, and what it means. I am a knitter - I make hats for the homeless in my community and as I'm knitting, I think thoughts of caring for people who have no homes, and I try to make a hat that will be very warm, but will also somehow provide the comfort of the emotional caring I put into it - I see that all through your video. Thank you for such lovely content and for sharing your knowledge in such a meaningful way.
This is the most gorgeous story about a first love. Had me tear up. I remember what it’s like falling in love with someone who can never return it, who is of the same sex as yourself. The pain is heart wrenching, there is nothing you can do, it isn’t their fault either. But it’s real none the less. Thank you for bringing light in such a beautiful way. This story you shared matters. But I know you know that.
It was so nice to hear you sing "Rowan Tree" and the others-- folk music of the British Isles is a passion of mine. I also love the sound of the spinning wheel. It reminds me of the sound of my antique treadle sewing machine, such a happy sound.
Seeing you spinning brings back memories of when I was a kid. I saw someone demonstrating spinning once while I was on holiday with my parents. After that, every time I saw a bit of sheep’s wool stuck on a fence, I would collect it. I hoped that I would somehow be able to spin it by hand (literally by hand!). Of course I failed but, even now, whenever I see wool stuck on a fence, I have to resist the urge to collect it!
Oh Rajiv! One of my favourite videos of yours such a long time. It was so lovely just sitting with you, spinning, listening to you recount precious memories. What a treat to not have everything edited with aggressive cuts...pacing everything at break-neck speed. The space to sit with you, the space to listen and reflect was just delightful. Longer form suits you!! And to top it off I feel like i learned so much, what a joy. Deeply, thank you. 🙏
This was such a lovely reminder of all the fiber work did for 30 years. From raising the sheep and llamas to all the carding and spinning. Lots of gorgeous dyed colors for yarn to knit or weave or to make felt with. It was some of my favorite pastimes. I even had an angora goat for mohair and an angora bunny. Thanks for sharing your life Rajiv! You inspire me!!!💜
I started spinning & weaving when I was about 50 years old & discovered I had a natural talent for spinning especially-who knew?! except God of course! But my hand spun yarn waits for very special projects for very special people who recognize the value of it. I’ve spun raw wool in the past for local sheep-to-shawl competitions, but I don’t enjoy the mess of it & having to clean my wheel afterwards, so now I only spin processed wool. It’s one of the most relaxing experiences once you get the hang of it. I am looking forward to having more time to do it when I retire next year 😊. Thanks for explaining the process so well for others so they can appreciate hand spun & hand woven garments. I’ve only sold a few simple scarves woven with store yarn a long time ago b/c I quickly realized the labor & material costs for woven garments would be sky high. It’s more enjoyable for me to just to give them as gifts. But I made high quality cotton tea towels & dish towels that I’ve been using for over 12 years that have never worn out! It’s amazing!
This video couldn’t have been even more perfectly timed. I was able to watch while I sat down to spin on my first free weekend in a long time. Many thanks to you, Rajiv. Your videos bring me such joy!
My best medicine: time with Rajiv. Thank you for showing, thank you for sharing such an intimate story. Ever thankful he saved you.. and I wish he could’ve loved you back. This momma is sending you some of her best love. 🌿❤🌿
Rajiv, for all of the many wonderful trips made from Minnesota to visit Toronto in the spring back in 80's I regret that I wasn't aware of your beloved Black Creek Pioneer Village!😢. However, through your wonderful videos I feel as if I've truly experienced it, probably in more detail, than those missed opportunities! Not only are you an accomplished artist, craftsman & musician but you are a remarkable historian as well! 😊
Oh my heart is so full after watching this! 💗 What a treasure the RUclips algorithm has gifted me this morning to come across your beautiful Channel. This was the most soothing and ALSO very pertinent vlog for me! I have a small amount of raw fleece from Newfoundland and I’ve recently bought a spinning wheel so seeing your process here was magic and I feel like I can do it. Thank you so so much for your gentle energy. 🙏🏼 💖
Thank you once again for a beautiful and inspirational video! I to learned to spin while working at a historic village in Dearborn, Michigan. Until recently, I thought spinning was an art form that wasn’t popular anymore. But then, I attended my first fiber show, and realized that I am not alone in pursuing this art form. Wisconsin, Michigan, Maryland, and New York, all have amazing fiber shows😃
Thank you for all you share wit( us! The process of spinning could have been very technical and historical. You made it personal in such a loving and thoughtful way it will remain with us for years to come. We love your broadcasts and are amazed at all the crafts you share. Valium is not as relaxing as your broadcasts!
I just started knitting so watching this video makes me think about the time and effort that goes into producing this beautiful yarn, that's further used to create even more beautiful things. Such a cozy video!
I wanted to write something about how peaceful your video made me feel. but that not quite the right word to describe it. so I just want to say "thank you" for making videos and sharing with us!
Thank you for articulating what we spinners cherish about spinning wool into yarn or thread. It is a magical, spiritual, meditative practice that is difficult to communicate to others who have not yet fallen in love with this beautiful work. Blessings to you Rajiv! 🙏💖🧶🐑
Rajiv, I am such a fan of your work. The peace and pleasure you said in another video that you get from the solitude and calm of ironing is the same feeling I have when taking a bath. Please reconsider your stance that a person should take a video or a film into the bathroom. A long, hot bath is a precious chance for time alone with your thoughts. I know you could do a wonderful video on the joys of a well-appointed bathtub.
That was the most beautiful thing I've seen and heard in a long time. I opened it to watch a video about wool, and received a piece of Rajiv's heart. Thank you for the beautiful sharing.
🫶 couldnt sleep... super anxious. Watching your videos are calming. Thankyou for making them, even though 99.9999% of us probably won't have the opportunity to spin wool
This was so wonderful to watch. In such a quick paced world, full of rage baiting and 20 second meaningless videos, this was so enjoyable to experience. Thank you ❤
The opening sequence with the sound of the waves melding into the sound of the spinning wheel. So relaxing and magical. ♥️ I’ve been waiting for this spinning video ever since you found that spinning wheel and shipped it to New York many many videos ago! I LOVED this one. ♥️
Thank you ;-) This is maybe the video that is the most sentimental to me...I wanted to get it right, and was very lucky to have such a skilled videographer (Luke Rosen) film this footage.
Oh my, your story is so touching. I can totally understand you with the spinning and gifting the hat. I once did something similar, but with a Collage. Labor of love. And, when a dear friend of mine died 6 Years ago (today), I was in deep sadness. I then learned how to hand spin. And spinning kept me sane, kept me going. And I spun beautiful wool, and I knit a scarf for my daughter out of it. She was 3 back then, so not an age where I could be sure she would keep it safe, but anyways. It's still there, and someday she'll understand the whole process of creating it ☺️
thank you for sharing your lovely memories. I love making things for my Grandchildren, as I did for my Children and have taught them how wonderful a gift made by hand, has lots of love put into it.
Rajiv... not to sound all Millennial here, but I 👏🏼 can't 👏🏼 even. 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼 Your videos are just such a delight. And you make this look so effortless, but we all know there are years of dedication and practice behind every one of those seemingly nonchalant gestures. This past spring I acquired four sweet Finn ewes - they were all born in January and their fleece is already so thick that they're getting an extra shearing in a couple weeks, because I know it won't be able to wait til next spring. This video came up in my feed just as I was debating whether to process the impending influx of lambs' wool myself, or take the lazy (and expensive) way out carting it all down to the wool mill. That's settled then, I'm goin' for it!! Thanks again for treating us all to such lovely videos. You're a treasure!
Spinning yarn is a perfect accompaniment to your telling of this yarn (story). Please please spin us more of your life's yarns, while at the wheel. I love it.
I thought it was in Massachusetts that you spent your summers. ? I’m from Massachusetts and saw your tier video explaining and showing the camp you went to. Unless I misunderstood what you were saying. ? Anyway, I have always wanted to spin. I retuned to crocheting and knitting a few years ago, and there began my love for real WOOL! I would not knit or crochet with anything else. I’m enjoying your video very much. It’s as beautiful as a movie! I hope I can take the time to learn to spin one day soon. There is a local group of spinners that I can join. Thanks for sharing. You really inspire me. Truly, Cheri Blessed Baubles RUclips
You have such an enchanting voice, listening to you sing while knitting was just perfect. What a lovely video, thank you for sharing your appreciation and experience spinning wool
“Behold the lilies of the field they toil not , neither do they spin” you are a lily of the field and a joy… what a lovely peaceful video, so beautifully crafted and gently woven together and a beautiful Misty swimming scene at the beginning, tied it all together. Just beautiful ❤❤❤
In my youth I found that spinning wool was very meditative and calming and times spent doing so reduced my stress, corrected my breathing and renewed my joy. Your explanation is spot on and very accurate and makes me long for those times again
I want to say so much, but I am at a loss for words. I think you were born in the wrong time. You are such a beautiful, unique and mesmerizing human being. I LOVE your videos. Thank you so very much for what you do. This world needs so many more people like you. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
Another thought for you, in Slavic traditions, you have to keep your head clear and thoughts positive when spinning and weaving, or embroidering, because they really do go into what you make ❤ it's wonderful that you knew that intuitively, sometimes the crafts teach us right?
Absolutely. After reading your comment, I think I realize how my time at the wheel always pushed me to positive thoughts. If I was upset, I'd get up and do something else.
A delightful video to watch with my coffee early on a Saturday morning. It’s both relaxing and motivating at the same time to get me psyched up for whatever I end up working on today… be it repairing a stained glass window, restoring a 90 year old Art Deco bandsaw, or making a chair. Thanks for all the work you do to produce these didactic gems.😊
It was so symbolic to open this beautiful video with you walking out of the ocean and then telling us about your near-death experience. Where does someone get unspun wool and a spinning wheel? You have inspired me once again, thank you.
We love your videos!! You’re truly a renaissance man! I would love to see you do a technique that predates knitting and crochet called Nålbinding. I’ve taught myself a few stitches, but there’s a lot to learn. It would be fantastic to seek out and do a show learning this technique.
I loved spending this time with you while embroidering 😊 thank you for sharing your joy for spinning I bought my first raw fleece recently and will be thinking of you while I process and spin
This is absolutely beautiful, amazing and so interesting to me! It is a dream of mine to own and care for farm animals and to harvest fibers from sheep or rabbits to then spin into yarn just like in your video. The process seems so therapeutic and precious...Thank you so much for sharing your process and craftmanship with us all 💜
I'm a fiber artist (needlefelting) and I own three merino ewes and I really appreciate that your method of washing and carding wool are different than mine - it reminds me to never stop learning! Also, if I wasn't so busy with all the piano lessons and letter writing and hand sewing that you have inspired me to do, I would definitely take up spinning :-)
Oh Rajiv, your reminiscing of your long ago summer and of your first love has me in tears. Storytelling is one of your many gifts. Love this meditative ode to spinning.
Thanks for watching.
Connected to earth and the cycles of life 's seasons. Certainly labor intensive and rewarding. Thank you for another wonderful reveal of your incredible life.
You are a magical being!
I wanted to write something eloquent. But, right now I chose to say: "Thank God You Exist." ❤️
I think that perfectly sums up how we all feel about Rajiv. There is such a beauty to him.
The way that you're singing + spinning + talking about your gay childhood crush while passing on an ancient tradition is healing my heart in a way I didn't know it needed
✨
As someone who has been spinning for more than six decades, I have to tell you how much joy this video and your previous one has brought to me. There are many young spinners today, but most are working with commercially prepared fiber. I get the most enjoyment from beginning with raw fleece and seeing that you truly know how to do each step of the process, touches my soul to its very depths. Thank you.
I have an antique loom that was my aunt’s. One time she made placemats and entered them in the fair. They told her she couldn’t enter store-bought items 🤦🏻♀
I am a 6 year spinner, and I prepare fibre that I buy from farmers. Tons of poo balls and vm, but I really like the feel of the fibre with some lanolin left in it. I am in Ontario
The opening sequence of the ocean looks like the beginning of a film I'd like to watch. Beautiful.
Luke Rosen, who shot this, has a filmmaker's eye! I'm sure he's going to do some great things in his career 🙂
Yazzz!! Such an epically poetic vision of a world 🌎 of love to come ❤❤❤❤❤
Another beautiful video ! Years ago, I was knitting a blanket for my niece who was expecting her first baby. The baby was still-born, I finished the blanket with tears and loving thoughts of them and of the heartache they were experiencing. She still cherishes that little blanket and has two more beautiful children since. So I easily identified with the thoughts and feelings that go in to making something like that.
My mother always saved rain water to wash wool that she then carded by hand and turned into cozy quilts. I still have one that she made with my Dad when they were in their late 80s.❤️💕❤️
Rajiv
You are great story teller.
That blue eyed boy is so blessed to have received such an amazing gift from you.
Beautiful story! My Grandma spun wool from a neighbour's sheep in Saskatchewan. As a little girl I visited my Grandma often and one time asked her and she let me try her spinning wheel, one minute at the most, but she was very willing to teach me to card the wool. I am likely now my Grandma's age and I still have her carders and sewing machine! Thank you for bringing back these wonderful childhood memories! Elaine
The sound of that wheel is wonderful. If I could learn to spin I wouldn’t need blood pressure medicine😊
this video is a modern relic, a spiritual revelation... so deeply human that I'm sure any person from any time period could find joy and peace watching this. thank you Rajiv, your videos are such a blessing and balm to my life and I so appreciate you.
What a treasure you are, Rajiv. You spun such love and care and meaning into this video with your teaching, songs and nostalgia for a summer long gone by. This video embodies what I love so very much about you…you imbue your life and the objects you create with such depth of meaning and great value. That meaning is what we, who flock to you, are longing for. I’m so grateful for you and your wisdom and inspiration ❤
I came for the wool spinning, but I stayed for the thirst trap walk out of the ocean.
That afternoon was unexpectedly foggy...it's almost never like that. It was sort of eerie....
I adore this. As a knitter, I can appreciate the joy found in this quiet and meditative process. Thank you for your in depth look into these valuable, artistic endeavours!
Thank you for watching.
I'm friends with one of your former teachers from Wexford - Lorie Hollingsworth. This is a charming video - open/honest/romantic. My wife is a fibre artist (sheep to shawl as they say). She spins, weaves, knits and lately has taken up tapestry work. We BOTH found your video to be beautiful and inspiring - well crafted from beginning to end.
Aw, please say hi to Ms Hollingsworth for me. She was a fantastic teacher.
@@rajivsurendra She's (Lorie's) a lovely person and friend. Best of luck to you Rajiv - your are an inspiration !
In Belgium in the region of Verviers (Wallonia) there was a wool spinning factory that would use the water of the Vesdre river to wash the wool. The Girls who were handling the fleeces were known in the area for their soft hands because of the lanolin. The factory doesn't exist anymore but i remember my mother knitting with yarn from there. The yarn had the same name as the river: 'Vesdre'.
Wow Rajiv, thank God you are still with us. What an immense loss it would have been if this world hadn't had a chance to know you.
Thank you Rajiv for sharing your innermost thoughts and teaching a lot about spinning the wool which I didn't know.
Love works in mysterious and unique ways in our lives and its hard to put into words.
I am straight but I can relate to what you experienced. Mine was unconditional and loved just for what the person was and not based on material things, social status etc.
One can't force love or happiness in others. Its a journey, process that the other side has to experience too.
Everyone should experience true unconditional love and passion in some form or the other. It could be a human, animal or nature.
Rajiv, Whatever that you're looking wrt love, I wish from the bottom of my heart that you realize and enjoy that true love in this life.
Keep doing what gives you joy. You are touching other people's life in positive ways. You are a blessing in plain sight.
Thank you sweetheart and have an amazing weekend.
Thanks for your lovely message. Looking back I can see now that when I thought about him in all those quiet hours at the spinning wheel I came to that realization that I didn't need him to love me back, it was wonderful that I could just love him...and I was very grateful for that. He was -- he is -- such a good and gentle person.
I love all your videos, but this is near to my heart. I am a long time spinner--about 25 years. I love to see you doing this "lost art" and introducing it to your followers. If I may pass along a wee bit of advice, though, using laundry detergent is not good for wool. Most detergents have ingredients to break down protein such as stains and dirt. Wool is protein. It will damage your fiber. Using a wool washing soap or even a mild olive oil soap would be better. Many folks , myself included, use original Dawn dish soap. In the long run your wool will be better for it. Please keep up the good work and all of your interesting videos. Thanks so much. :)
Thank you for this tip! I've always used Tide, but I will try Dawn next time.
@@rajivsurendra - In a pinch, use shampoo for any protein-based fibre. The cheapest shampoo will do and won’t damage the fibre. This is valid for clothing made out of protein-based fibre as well.
If you’re worried about felting and/or shrinking, remember that temperature differences are more conducive to shrinking and felting than anything else. That’s actually quite useful to know if you want to use singles instead of plied yarn. You can ’shock’ the singles by rinsing in warm/hot water, then dunking the skein in cold water. Keep a good eye on the individual yarn strands, you don’t want them to felt together. But you do want the individual fibres within the strands to slightly felt.
The rythmic sound of that spinning wheel is wonderful.
The first time I ever saw someone spinning yarn was when my grandparents took us to a fancy brunch near their home in Attleboro, MA. I still remember the name of the place was “The Lord Fox” and it was magical to me. There was live Colonial music, the woman in period dress spinning, and in a nearby shed you could watch a man blowing glass into items you could buy in the giftshop. My mother bought a small green glass pitcher and a Colonial white cotton round ruffled cap for me.
My grandparents were Swedish and my grandmother grew up on a sheep farm. She would tell stories of how, when it was snowing and very cold, they would sometimes bring the lamb into the house to warm it by the fire.
I have her mother’s (my great grandmother’s) spinning wheel. I’ve never tried to spin yarn on it but this video inspires me!
My great- great grandmother spun. She was Welsh, living on the island of Anglesey off the Welsh coast. It was a cottage industry, and thrived up until the industrial revolution. Then when cotton superseded wool, they migrated to the large cotton mills in Bollington in Cheshire, to work in the terrible conditions of the cotton mills.
Rajiv, I lost my spinning wheel in the last flood we had. By the time I found it it was beyound repair. The sound of you spinning and the quiet mindfulness of your storys; especially of your first love, make me yearn for my old friend. ( the Spinning Wheel). If only more people could be as aware of the value of hand craft as you are, I feel there would be much more beauty in life. Cheers from Australia, Muffy.
That’s awful 😔
Get another and spin again!
Thank you for sharing your beautiful stories and singing while spinning the wool. I sat sewing my husbands trousers, listening to you ❤ Geraldine north Wales UK
I’m in awe of how yarn is spun, from the point of shearing the fleece from the sheep to the comprehensive process of pulling and cleaning, to the spinning with the wheel to result into a ball of yarn. Your Vlogs are amazing in every detail from the settings around you, to You the Artist, and the subject of the creative content. If RUclips gave out awards, your Vlogs should win the Oscar(s) ✌🏽
You have a beautiful soul, Rajiv. I'm very grateful for your content.
What a sweet and poignant story. I too think about all the moments and memories I had while I spun the wool when I use what I’ve scoured and combed and carded and spun. It does make me appreciate everything I wear. It slowed my purchasing of disposable clothing. I purchase less and use things longer and reuse and repurpose.
The sound of my wheel or my supported spindle is beautiful and calms me in ways a non spinner can’t know.
Thanks for sharing your sweet story. ❤
Every Saturday is made more special because of you. Thank you for sharing.
I am weeping, everything about this film was so well crafted, the sounds of the ocean, the rhythmic sound of the spinning wheel and the gentle sound of your voice telling us your love story both about the boy and the process of cleaning, carding and spinning the wool. The cinematography of the ocean and the tones of the layers of wood in the spinning scene with the golden glow coming through the window illuminating the scene, just beautiful. Oh to recieve the gift of tge hat ... priceless gift of pure love.
This is a lovely video and fills me with appreciation for traditional craft, for what a garment is, and what it means. I am a knitter - I make hats for the homeless in my community and as I'm knitting, I think thoughts of caring for people who have no homes, and I try to make a hat that will be very warm, but will also somehow provide the comfort of the emotional caring I put into it - I see that all through your video. Thank you for such lovely content and for sharing your knowledge in such a meaningful way.
This is the most gorgeous story about a first love. Had me tear up. I remember what it’s like falling in love with someone who can never return it, who is of the same sex as yourself. The pain is heart wrenching, there is nothing you can do, it isn’t their fault either. But it’s real none the less. Thank you for bringing light in such a beautiful way. This story you shared matters. But I know you know that.
Spinning, singing, and story telling. A beautiful way to spend a half hour. Thank you!
It was so nice to hear you sing "Rowan Tree" and the others-- folk music of the British Isles is a passion of mine. I also love the sound of the spinning wheel. It reminds me of the sound of my antique treadle sewing machine, such a happy sound.
Seeing you spinning brings back memories of when I was a kid. I saw someone demonstrating spinning once while I was on holiday with my parents. After that, every time I saw a bit of sheep’s wool stuck on a fence, I would collect it. I hoped that I would somehow be able to spin it by hand (literally by hand!). Of course I failed but, even now, whenever I see wool stuck on a fence, I have to resist the urge to collect it!
Oh Rajiv! One of my favourite videos of yours such a long time. It was so lovely just sitting with you, spinning, listening to you recount precious memories. What a treat to not have everything edited with aggressive cuts...pacing everything at break-neck speed. The space to sit with you, the space to listen and reflect was just delightful. Longer form suits you!! And to top it off I feel like i learned so much, what a joy. Deeply, thank you. 🙏
This was such a lovely reminder of all the fiber work did for 30 years. From raising the sheep and llamas to all the carding and spinning. Lots of gorgeous dyed colors for yarn to knit or weave or to make felt with. It was some of my favorite pastimes. I even had an angora goat for mohair and an angora bunny. Thanks for sharing your life Rajiv! You inspire me!!!💜
I started spinning & weaving when I was about 50 years old & discovered I had a natural talent for spinning especially-who knew?! except God of course! But my hand spun yarn waits for very special projects for very special people who recognize the value of it. I’ve spun raw wool in the past for local sheep-to-shawl competitions, but I don’t enjoy the mess of it & having to clean my wheel afterwards, so now I only spin processed wool. It’s one of the most relaxing experiences once you get the hang of it. I am looking forward to having more time to do it when I retire next year 😊. Thanks for explaining the process so well for others so they can appreciate hand spun & hand woven garments. I’ve only sold a few simple scarves woven with store yarn a long time ago b/c I quickly realized the labor & material costs for woven garments would be sky high. It’s more enjoyable for me to just to give them as gifts. But I made high quality cotton tea towels & dish towels that I’ve been using for over 12 years that have never worn out! It’s amazing!
Near death experience (NDE) and first love...WoW.
This video couldn’t have been even more perfectly timed. I was able to watch while I sat down to spin on my first free weekend in a long time. Many thanks to you, Rajiv. Your videos bring me such joy!
Thanks for watching! Happy spinning 🙂
My best medicine: time with Rajiv. Thank you for showing, thank you for sharing such an intimate story. Ever thankful he saved you.. and I wish he could’ve loved you back. This momma is sending you some of her best love. 🌿❤🌿
Rajiv, for all of the many wonderful trips made from Minnesota to visit Toronto in the spring back in 80's I
regret that I wasn't aware of
your beloved Black Creek
Pioneer Village!😢. However, through your wonderful videos I feel as if I've truly experienced it, probably in more detail, than those missed opportunities!
Not only are you an accomplished artist, craftsman & musician but you are a remarkable historian as well! 😊
Oh my heart is so full after watching this! 💗 What a treasure the RUclips algorithm has gifted me this morning to come across your beautiful Channel. This was the most soothing and ALSO very pertinent vlog for me! I have a small amount of raw fleece from Newfoundland and I’ve recently bought a spinning wheel so seeing your process here was magic and I feel like I can do it. Thank you so so much for your gentle energy. 🙏🏼 💖
You are delightful. I was touched deeply by your words and your narrative. Thank you.
Thank you once again for a beautiful and inspirational video! I to learned to spin while working at a historic village in Dearborn, Michigan. Until recently, I thought spinning was an art form that wasn’t popular anymore. But then, I attended my first fiber show, and realized that I am not alone in pursuing this art form. Wisconsin, Michigan, Maryland, and New York, all have amazing fiber shows😃
Simply beautiful. Made me teary in a happy way. Thank you for your beautiful way of letting us into your warm soul.
Thank you for all you share wit( us! The process of spinning could have been very technical and historical. You made it personal in such a loving and thoughtful way it will remain with us for years to come. We love your broadcasts and are amazed at all the crafts you share. Valium is not as relaxing as your broadcasts!
Yet another beautiful insight into your life and thoughts. Thank you, Rajiv, for sharing this with us.
I just started knitting so watching this video makes me think about the time and effort that goes into producing this beautiful yarn, that's further used to create even more beautiful things.
Such a cozy video!
I wanted to write something about how peaceful your video made me feel. but that not quite the right word to describe it. so I just want to say "thank you" for making videos and sharing with us!
Precious, precious soul. You are a gift, Rajiv. Thank you. 🙏🏼
Thanks for watching!
Thank you for articulating what we spinners cherish about spinning wool into yarn or thread. It is a magical, spiritual, meditative practice that is difficult to communicate to others who have not yet fallen in love with this beautiful work. Blessings to you Rajiv! 🙏💖🧶🐑
Rajiv, I am such a fan of your work. The peace and pleasure you said in another video that you get from the solitude and calm of ironing is the same feeling I have when taking a bath. Please reconsider your stance that a person should take a video or a film into the bathroom. A long, hot bath is a precious chance for time alone with your thoughts. I know you could do a wonderful video on the joys of a well-appointed bathtub.
That was the most beautiful thing I've seen and heard in a long time. I opened it to watch a video about wool, and received a piece of Rajiv's heart. Thank you for the beautiful sharing.
🫶 couldnt sleep... super anxious. Watching your videos are calming. Thankyou for making them, even though 99.9999% of us probably won't have the opportunity to spin wool
This was so wonderful to watch. In such a quick paced world, full of rage baiting and 20 second meaningless videos, this was so enjoyable to experience. Thank you ❤
How do you come across these evocative traditional songs? Great taste in everything: art, music, fashion, hobbies. You are a true Artist!
What an awesome life you are living
The opening sequence with the sound of the waves melding into the sound of the spinning wheel. So relaxing and magical. ♥️ I’ve been waiting for this spinning video ever since you found that spinning wheel and shipped it to New York many many videos ago! I LOVED this one. ♥️
Thank you ;-) This is maybe the video that is the most sentimental to me...I wanted to get it right, and was very lucky to have such a skilled videographer (Luke Rosen) film this footage.
@@rajivsurendra it was worth the wait. 🥰
Oh my, your story is so touching. I can totally understand you with the spinning and gifting the hat. I once did something similar, but with a Collage. Labor of love.
And, when a dear friend of mine died 6 Years ago (today), I was in deep sadness. I then learned how to hand spin. And spinning kept me sane, kept me going. And I spun beautiful wool, and I knit a scarf for my daughter out of it. She was 3 back then, so not an age where I could be sure she would keep it safe, but anyways. It's still there, and someday she'll understand the whole process of creating it ☺️
Thank you for being so generous with your teaching, stories and time.
So pure in so many ways, thank you.
thank you for sharing your lovely memories. I love making things for my Grandchildren, as I did for my Children and have taught them how wonderful a gift made by hand, has lots of love put into it.
Rajiv... not to sound all Millennial here, but I 👏🏼 can't 👏🏼 even. 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼 Your videos are just such a delight. And you make this look so effortless, but we all know there are years of dedication and practice behind every one of those seemingly nonchalant gestures.
This past spring I acquired four sweet Finn ewes - they were all born in January and their fleece is already so thick that they're getting an extra shearing in a couple weeks, because I know it won't be able to wait til next spring. This video came up in my feed just as I was debating whether to process the impending influx of lambs' wool myself, or take the lazy (and expensive) way out carting it all down to the wool mill. That's settled then, I'm goin' for it!!
Thanks again for treating us all to such lovely videos. You're a treasure!
Spinning yarn is a perfect accompaniment to your telling of this yarn (story). Please please spin us more of your life's yarns, while at the wheel. I love it.
I thought it was in Massachusetts that you spent your summers. ? I’m from Massachusetts and saw your tier video explaining and showing the camp you went to. Unless I misunderstood what you were saying. ?
Anyway, I have always wanted to spin. I retuned to crocheting and knitting a few years ago, and there began my love for real WOOL! I would not knit or crochet with anything else.
I’m enjoying your video very much. It’s as beautiful as a movie!
I hope I can take the time to learn to spin one day soon. There is a local group of spinners that I can join.
Thanks for sharing. You really inspire me.
Truly, Cheri Blessed Baubles RUclips
You have such an enchanting voice, listening to you sing while knitting was just perfect. What a lovely video, thank you for sharing your appreciation and experience spinning wool
My antique spinning wheel has been neglected lately, you make me want to get back to her and start spinning again!
“Behold the lilies of the field they toil not , neither do they spin” you are a lily of the field and a joy… what a lovely peaceful video, so beautifully crafted and gently woven together and a beautiful Misty swimming scene at the beginning, tied it all together. Just beautiful ❤❤❤
In my youth I found that spinning wool was very meditative and calming and times spent doing so reduced my stress, corrected my breathing and renewed my joy. Your explanation is spot on and very accurate and makes me long for those times again
Beautiful story and process. Your voice is very calming.
Stunning video Rajiv. I love the sound of the spinning wheel, takes me back to childhood at my grandmother's. Thank you.
We can only understand by doing the process , and you are a great teacher
Life as art, art as life.............
I've gotten interested in doing exactly this literally yesterday!
Thank you Rajiv
I want to say so much, but I am at a loss for words. I think you were born in the wrong time. You are such a beautiful, unique and mesmerizing human being. I LOVE your videos. Thank you so very much for what you do. This world needs so many more people like you. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
Another thought for you, in Slavic traditions, you have to keep your head clear and thoughts positive when spinning and weaving, or embroidering, because they really do go into what you make ❤ it's wonderful that you knew that intuitively, sometimes the crafts teach us right?
Absolutely. After reading your comment, I think I realize how my time at the wheel always pushed me to positive thoughts. If I was upset, I'd get up and do something else.
A delightful video to watch with my coffee early on a Saturday morning. It’s both relaxing and motivating at the same time to get me psyched up for whatever I end up working on today… be it repairing a stained glass window, restoring a 90 year old Art Deco bandsaw, or making a chair. Thanks for all the work you do to produce these didactic gems.😊
I love this unique channel. Thank you.
You are a treasure. Thank you for your videos.
You have an old romantic soul. It is so beautiful and peaceful to listen to! I also love spinning and the peace it gives!
It was so symbolic to open this beautiful video with you walking out of the ocean and then telling us about your near-death experience. Where does someone get unspun wool and a spinning wheel? You have inspired me once again, thank you.
Your love story was so beautiful and personal. Thank you for sharing!
Touching storytelling. Gives perspective of weavers, knitters, crocheters who put their souls into projects for loved ones.
Thank you for this very relaxing, beautiful video and for your recollecting of that magical summer.
Wow… not only are you talented but sure do have such lovely voice dear. listening to your stories then the melodious song that was sung simply. ❤
Your wheel has a beautiful chatter. What a soothing video.
Thank you Rajiv!!
Each story is like a puzzle being solved about the simplicity of life.
Beautiful, in every way. And it seems like you're a good swimmer now too.
Amazing! Thank you for sharing your experiences and your beautiful story of your summer ❤
We love your videos!! You’re truly a renaissance man! I would love to see you do a technique that predates knitting and crochet called Nålbinding. I’ve taught myself a few stitches, but there’s a lot to learn. It would be fantastic to seek out and do a show learning this technique.
Beautiful story and lesson. Thank you Rajiv.
I loved spending this time with you while embroidering 😊 thank you for sharing your joy for spinning
I bought my first raw fleece recently and will be thinking of you while I process and spin
Very peaceful and enjoyable video. Thanks 😊😊
This is absolutely beautiful, amazing and so interesting to me! It is a dream of mine to own and care for farm animals and to harvest fibers from sheep or rabbits to then spin into yarn just like in your video. The process seems so therapeutic and precious...Thank you so much for sharing your process and craftmanship with us all 💜
What a lovely film you’ve made! I am so happy the algorithm recommended you. You are a beautiful soul. 🥰
The most calming video that I've ever watched
I'm a fiber artist (needlefelting) and I own three merino ewes and I really appreciate that your method of washing and carding wool are different than mine - it reminds me to never stop learning! Also, if I wasn't so busy with all the piano lessons and letter writing and hand sewing that you have inspired me to do, I would definitely take up spinning :-)
You are a gentle soul. I wish you well.
I have been waiting for this. Well done. So sweet. A story that can change minds forever.
That machine makes a beautiful sound! Very relaxing and calming. I could listen to that sound for a while. 🌸🌸🌸🌸