I will probably also talk about about Halloween (originally an Irish holiday and still a legal one here) in terms of its place in the agricultural year and the importance of “the last harvest” in a traditional life style.  If there is time, I’ll go into some of the traditions of feasting during October in general (the slaughter month in most of Europe) and how the turnip (later transformed into pumpkins) because the symbol of making it through the Winter months (hint, without them as regular crops, most animals could not be fed through the Winter).

Looking forward to seeing everyone tomorrow on the Preparing for the future show – I’ll be on the second hour (3 to 4pm EST/7 to 8pm Irish/UK time – we are off daylight savings already).

To listen to the live radio stream

- click here-

While mostly aimed towards work clothing and harsher climates, will touch on hot climate gear as well and some of the more unusual garments you can make at home.

We’ll may even talk about hand-knit swim suits and why every man needs a good, warm robe…

A special page on clothing preps has been put up and you can follow along by clicking here

To listen live to the Back to the Dark Ages Segment on the Preparing for the future show (3 to 4pm EST/8 to 9pm Ireland/UK)

 - click here

[complete show is 2 hours long (2 to 4pm EST/ 7 to 9 pm UK/Ireland)- this is a live link and will open to whatever is currently playing on the Just Measures Radio Network]

Tonights show will be a warp up (hopefully with questions from the chat room) of previous sections on the making of textiles: including Knitting, Spinning and Weaving.

I then hope to move on to the larger topic of what to do with the fabric once you have made it, otherwise known as home sewing.  You can see the quick guide to what you need for home sewing I put together for the show by clicking here.

You can listen live this presentation, during  the the second hour of the Preparing for the Future show tonight (Monday Sept Fifth) at 3 to 4pm EST or 8pm to 9pm UK/Ireland.

Click here for live radio stream

I’m going to concentrate on sewing by hand, or at least without electricity, though I’ll touch on the wonders of modern sewing machines; because while we have them, they are wonderful for so many things.

I’ll also talk about basic sewing notions and supplies; and some inexpensive ways to start collecting them now, so they will be there when you need them.

This weeks show will focus on the topic of Weaving and you can click here to view the weaving resources page and follow along with the show.

I’ll start out with talking about small looms and off-loom weaving and take questions from the chat room as we go along.  If we have time, we will go into more complex forms of weaving such as using multi-shaft table and floor looms to create fabrics.

As always, we will talk about why weaving is an important 2nd stage prepping skill as well as a fantastic hobby to pursue.

To download the show archive (I’m in the second hour)

click here -

The Back to the Dark Ages segment is on from 8 to 9pm UTC in the UK and Ireland or 3 to 4 pm EST in the US, archives posted each week after the show.

Next week: A review of Weaving and the other crafts we talked about an a possible introduction of a few new ones – stay tuned!

 Preparing for the Future show – (Back to the Dark Ages is 2nd Hour Segment)

Show Archives for Last Week’s Show (the 8th) and Last Nights show (15th) can be downloaded

HERE

This weeks show will continue to review spinning as a survival art (and as a hobby) with a segment on fiber preparation, especially wool.  I’ll go over all the steps from shearing to final yarn finishing and touch on other fibers such as linen and cotton.

I’ll also talk about home fabric production as a self-reliance skill and explain why Mahatma Gandhi encouraged all of his followers to learn spinning and weaving as a protest against foreign production being forced on his people (sound familiar?).

In the second half-hour, we will do a basic introduction to weaving: what is weaving, its importance as a second tier survival skill and a short review of different sorts of looms.

I’ll also be taking questions throughout the show, so be sure to join us in the chat room.

Next week I’ll continue to talk about weaving, going more in-depth on the pros and cons of various sorts of looms for getting started.  This week will just be an introduction to one of the oldest of mankind’s fiber arts.

Drop Spindles with carded wool

Hi everyone! This weeks show will be on Monday during the second hour of Kelee’s Preparing for the Future program.  Same time (3 to 4 EST or 8 to 9pm Ireland/UK) but a different night from now on.

Since Friday’s show failed to archive, we will start off with a 1/2 hour recap on the topic of knitting!  Including a newly revised list of knitting prep essentials and nice to haves, listed here on the site.  We’ll briefly go over why knitting is an important second stage prepping skill, how knitting is not a gender determined activity and share a bit more about combat knitting.  I’m also happy to take questions, so please either join us in chat at Just Measures Radio or e-mail before the show.

To listen to the live show click here – this is a live feed and will play whatever show is live on the network, when you click on it.

Its Me! Spinning on a flax wheel

The second half of Monday’s show will be an introduction to spinning and fiber preparation.  Since this can be a very large topic, I’ll just start going over the basics, concentrating on what spinning is and why it is another important skill to include in your second stage prepping skill set.

For a list of Spinning Information and Resources Click Here

I’ll touch on simple tools you can make at home (drop spindles and wool combs) and some more complex ones (spinning wheels, drum carders) that are useful if you can obtain them.

I’ll also be working on another list of simple preps to go in the resources section, along with links to recommended books and web resources.

This topic will probably take more than one show to cover fully, but we can get started on it during Monday’s program.  The following week, Monday 15th, I’m hoping to do an introduction to weaving and spinning catch up if needed.

So, don’t forget to tune in tonight if you can, and if not hopefully this time the show archives will record instead of just pretending too.

This weeks guest spot on the  Preparing for the Future Radio show, for Friday August 5, 2011 (3pm EST) will be an over view of the many uses of knitting, both as a hobby and as an often neglected survival art.

Link here for Live Broadcast (feed is live radio stream and will be whichever Just Measure’s show is on when you click).

Sorry no archives, recording did not work – but we’re on again Monday – our new regular night!  Same Time, Same Station, we’ll review the knitting topic for those who missed it and move onto spinning – hopefully with archives too!

Old Fashioned Knitting Workbook-19th Century

I’ll be talking a bit about the history of knitting, why Preppers should learn to knit, sources for basic knitting patterns, and even a special section on combat knitting (or knitting during wartime).

Combat Knitting

I also plan to do a quick over-view of common types of knitting yarns and fibers.  The pros and cons of each, especially when intended for home-steading or prepping.

Sheep Shearing

Also, some brief notes on how traditional knitting is not gender specific, in fact the first knitting guilds were founded by men!

US Service Men perform Combat Knitting

I will also talk about knitting as hobby that is both useful, portable and relieves stress (important in a crises)

Knitting Socks in the Good Old Days

And the importance of knitting for babies and small children, stressing knitting as an easy way to keep both children and adults warm enough during a harsh winter.

The Knitting Lesson

I’ll also be happy to answer questions from the chat room and via the phone if Kelee has that part worked out by Friday!

Call or send in your questions!

If you have questions you’d like to see answered during the show please post here or contact me before the show.

Two Welsh Ladies Knitting

Knitting in the Old Days