Long Thread Podcast: Robin Lynde, Meridian Jacobs

Some shepherds research extensively and choose the breed that best matches their needs. Others come across an animal or a whole flock and everything falls into place—it becomes clear that these are the sheep they’ve been waiting for. Robin Lynde had a farm with a few sheep in the mix, but when a local shepherd decided to sell her Jacob sheep, Robin jumped at the opportunity to own a flock of black-and-white-spotted, two-to-four-horned heritage-breed sheep.

Although the flock lives full-time between Sacramento and the Bay Area, Meridian Jacobs get around—digitally, at least. When Robin started fielding inquiries about visiting the sheep and the farm, she came up with the idea for a Farm Club, which invites members to develop a relationship with the flock, by helping on designated Farm Days, keeping up with their photos and videos, and purchasing a share of fiber as a fleece or as yarn. You can find her photogenic sheep on her webite, social media, and YouTube. “I take pictures of everything,” she says—and with sheep so cute, who could blame her?

In addition to caring for her sheep, Robin immerses herself in the fiber world through writing and designing handwoven projects. She’s held a weekly study group for weavers for years, first in person and now online. She has designed for both Handwoven and Little Looms magazines, with a particular specialty in weaving with wool. She teaches at a number of events and presents at guild events.

Just don’t ask her to go anywhere during lambing, when you’ll find her in the barn with those irresistible Jacobs.

Links

• Meridian Jacobs website
  
• Learn about Meridian Jacobs’s Farm Club and see a photo gallery of activities
  
• Find Robin’s blog on WordPress and the main website
  
• Purchase Meridian Jacobs fleece, yarn, and Robin’s handwovens on their website
  
• The Meridian Jacobs YouTube features videos about shearing, weaving, and other wooly subjects
• Farm & Fiber Knits subscribers can read Robin’s article How to Source Wool Directly from a Farm”
  
• Learn more about Jacob sheep in “Meet the Jacob: Robin Lynde in Black and White (and Lilac)”
  
• Robin’s article on clasped-warp weaving, which appeared originally in Little Looms magazine, is available online
  
• Robin designs frequently for Little Looms, and Handwoven

This episode is brought to you by:

Treenway Silks is where weavers, spinners, knitters and stitchers find the silk they love. Select from the largest variety of silk spinning fibers, silk yarn, and silk threads & ribbons at TreenwaySilks.com. You’ll discover a rainbow of colors, thoughtfully hand-dyed in Colorado. Love natural? Treenway’s array of wild silks provide choices beyond white.

If you love silk, you’ll love Treenway Silks, where superior quality and customer service are guaranteed.

Susan Bateman started the Yarn Barn of Kansas back in 1971. She says, “Since the beginning, it's been important to us to teach the crafts we love—weaving, knitting, crochet, and spinning. Last year, we had nearly a thousand enrollments in our classes. We answered questions in store, by phone, and through email.”

When you order from The Yarn Barn of Kansas, you aren’t just ordering materials. You're supporting a business that can support you when you need help. Visit yarnbarn-ks.com.

Sustainability and regenerative ranching have been a way of life for the ranches of Shaniko Wool Company for decades. They are the first “farm group” in the U.S. to achieve certification to the rigorous international Responsible Wool Standard and NATIVA Regenerative. Shaniko ranches raise Merino/Rambouillet sheep in the Western United States, delivering a fully traceable wool supply that gives back to the Earth and its ecosystems. To learn more, and discover Shaniko’s yarn partners, visit ShanikoWoolCompany.com.