New readers

Two weeks ago I published a reel on Instagram and for some reason it went viral. As I write this it has over 2 million views and nearly 90000 likes. It has also resulted in nearly 18000 new followers on Instagram. Some of you new readers may have found your way here to the blog and I thought I’d introduce myself to you.

First of all: Don’t forget to enroll in tonight’s live talk with me and Christiane Seufferlein!

Enroll here (replay)

While I’m happy my work has been so well received I’m also quite overwhelmed by the attention. I have the ambition to reply to every comment on Instagram, but the feed has gone through so fast and it has been impossible for me to keep up with the pace. Just know that I want to read all your comments, but it’s a bit hectic at the moment.

About me

So, I’m Josefin Waltin, a Swedish spinner, spinning teacher, course creator, blogger and youtuber. I have been spinning for the past 12 years.

Knitter

I have been a knitter since I learned to knit in school at the age of 10. I knit my first sweater at 12, in lilac mohair yarn, aboat neck and penguin sleeves. The sweater of my dreams back in 1985.

Spinner

12 years ago I talked about wool with a knitting friend, Anna. I was shocked when she told me she had heard that around 97 per cent of Swedish wool was burnt, dumped or otherwise wasted. Many sheep owners didn’t know what to do with the fleece. At the same time we imported tons and tons of New Zealand merino. Then and there Anna and I decided to learn how to spin, to be able to take care of a fraction of the wool that would otherwise be wasted.

On our first spinning lesson we got a box of newly shorn wool in our laps, from sheep that were grazing outside the door of the barn we were sitting in. We got a suspended spindle in one hand and a pair of hand cards in the other. Little by little I learned how to prepare my wool from the shorn fleece.

This is the foundation of how I spin and teach spinning today. I don’t buy yarn, I spin it. I don’t buy commercially prepared fiber, I prepare it myself. To feel the connection to the fleece that once grew on a sheep I want to have my hands in every part of the process. This way I get to know the wool. I allow it to tell me how it wants to be spun.

Youtuber

When I started spinning I was quite fascinated by the whole process from raw fleece to yarn and garment, and I still am. To document the process I made a YouTube video that spread far and wide. I called it Slow fashion – from sheep to sweater. I really loved showing my craft and the beauty of making in a video format. Since then I have made 70+ YouTube videos. They are mainly in a documentary style, focusing on the beauty of spinning rather than teaching the craft.

All my videos are shot outdoors in nature. I want the setting to be peaceful and inspiring and I think the setting in nature helps express that.

Blogger

That first video made me want to express my craft in other media too, so I started this blog back in 2018. In the beginning it was somewhat disorganized, but after a couple of years I found my rhythm and way to express myself. Now I write every week, mainly about spinning and preparing wool for spinning. Sometimes in a more tutorial way, sometimes documentary. When I feel like it I write in a poetic style to honour the craft that is so deeply rooted in my heart.

There are over 300 posts in this blog. Browse around or use the search function if you are looking for something special. I’m sure you will find a post or content you like. If not, you are always welcome to suggest new topics.

Make sure to subscribe to the blog if you don’t want to miss anything. You can also check out my official Facebook page, I link to my blog posts there too. My private Facebook page will remain private though.

Webinars

Every now and then I host live breed study webinars. This is when I talk about the fleece from a Swedish or Scandinavian sheep breed from a spinner’s perspective. I walk the participants through the breed, the wool characteristics and show how I prepare, spin and use the yarn from the breed. It is a lovely time for me to spend some time with my readers and I keep these occasions close to my heart. I have done around ten so far, all of them paired with a blog post. about the breed, and hopefully I will be able to arrange another one before the summer.

Spinning teacher

In 2016 my family and I decided to stop flying. We took the train to Austria where I have family, a trip of around 25 hours and 6 changes. To have something to do on the train I learned how to spin on a supported spindle. I really fell in love with the technique and the mindful, rhythmic process. I made a couple of tutorial-style videos about spinning on a supported spindle.

One day a friend asked me to teach a class in the technique. And so I did. And I did it again. Ever since then I have loved teaching spinning. When I teach I grow as a person, as a spinner and as a spinning teacher. I strive to guide every student into becoming confident in their spinning. When the course is over I want them to leave with something more than just new skills, I want them to feel the spinning in their hearts.

I teach mainly spindle spinning techniques and the process from raw fleece to finished yarn. One of my favourite courses is the five-day course A spindle a day, where the students learn four different spindle techniques in five days at Sätergläntan craft education center. There are still one or two seats left for this summer’s course!

Course creator

I also have an online spinning school You can find lots of both free and paid courses here. For the past three years I have published a five-day challenge just after the new year. I also offer courses in supported spindle spinning, in how to get to know your fleece, short lectures and much more.

Knitting designs

I won’t go so far as to call myself a knitting designer, but I have designed some knitting patterns. All of them are created for handspun yarn: The Heartwarming mitts, Selma Margau Sweater and Cecilia’s Bosom friend. You can find them in Spin-Off magazine.

Co-author

A few years ago I was contacted by Sara Wolf, an American who was writing a book at the time. She asked me if I wanted to contribute to it. We started a collaboration that ended in her putting me as a co-author of her book Knit (spin) Sweden! It is sort of a journey companion for knitters who travel to or just enjoy Sweden. She makes an excellent overview of the history of knitting in Sweden as well as a guide to where to find yarns from Swedish sheep breed. My contribution in the book is an overview of wool from Swedish sheep breeds and how I have experience them as a hand spinner. I have sent my handspun yarns to Sara in the U.S. who has shared her thoughts about the yarns from her knitting perspective.

Patreon

A lot of what I do and share is for free – blog posts, YouTube videos, webinars and some of the courses in my online spinning school. If you enjoy what I do, please consider becoming a patron at Patreon. That way I can keep offering things for free for those who can’t afford my paid courses. If you become a patron you will get access to patron-only goodies like previews of videos, course discounts and a monthly video postcard.

Once again: Welcome all new readers

and happy spinning!