Fiber Arts
We went to the Fall Fiber festival and Sheepdog Trails at Montpelier this weekend.We did not get as much time to watch the dogs put through their paces with the sheep but we did see some and those dogs are amazing to watch.
Colby and I were drawn there by our desire to work with the wool fibers our sheep are currently growing. We want to sheer it, prepare it, spin it and create beautiful things with it.
We saw sheep sheering demonstaration. I am certain we can do this with our ewes. Only we have hand sheers and not electric one. This scottish blackface was sheered in just a couple minutes.
The alpacas are tempting! Of all the fiber I handled the baby alpaca for me was the finest, the pinnacle of luxury.
I had my own little pack animal to haul my loot out of there.That bag contains 5 ounces of alpaca fiber for felting my homemade goatmilk soaps. Mmmmmm. Luxury.
Speaking of luxury. I bought 1.2 pounds of mohair, hand spun, dyed with natural english walnuts.I have never had this fine a yarn to work with. It is fabulous!
For those who may not know mohair is the fiber from angora goats. The goats this fiber came from are from Virginia not too far from me down in Charlottesville. I like the idea of keeping things simple and processed and provided close to home.
This big bundle looks like a giant dredlock. It really doesn't look pleasing to the eye at all. It is fantastic to the hands and a close eye inspection.
I couldn't wait to get started. Can you see how fine the yarn is when cast on my wooden crochet needle? This is the most amazing fiber I have had a chance to work with. I am making myself a shawl. This is the kind of luxury that will spoil you if you give in to the urge to use what nature provides.
Next spring when we sheer our ewes I will be spinning and crocheting and knitting with my own wool.
Who knows, I may even have my own alpacas and angora goats by this time next year.
I already got me an angora rabbit from a nice lady at the show.
His name is Peter. Peter Rabbit. Hopefully he will sire me quite a few lovelies for harvesting their fibers. These animals grow a super thick coat. They thrive in cold temperarures. He will be clipped periodically and his fibers processed and stored away until we have enough to actually process a 10lb batch.
Steve asked if I wanted a spinning wheel for Christmas.
Sigh.
He knows me well.
I am living my dreams.
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Angora Rabbits , Goats , Sheep0 TrackBacks
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Angie, I just wrote a long comment and lost it. Pooh.
You might want to learn to weave, too. If you get a spinning wheel - that's a natural progression.
Steven is getting so tall!
I can't believe Steven is such a real kid now So big.
Thanks for sharing your lovely dream of a life with us.
Peter has got to be one of the most interesting color combination of rabbits I've ever seen. If this was a survivor show you would be my first pick for my team. Unfortunately, I would be your last, lol.
Nooze rec'd home spun/sewn angora slippers when she was a baby. They were made by an old family friend from up in Maine.
I still have them packed away - for when she gets older. If you have any ideas on proper storage, I would greatly appreciate them!
This post spoke so loudly to me I had to comment- even though I've lately taken a vow of lazy silence and spend most of my time lurking around the neighborhood. I'm felting a couple hours a day now, working with raw fibers, blending various wools and silk. I love it- it's one big sensuous free for all.
And I knit and weave. The one thing I'm not doing is spinning. It's possible Steve might want to be in touch with me because there's a mint condition Ashcroft spinning wheel in my closet I've been thinking of selling at a reasonable price...
and, btw, that plant? Rich just moved to a new job, new office and the plant went with him- it's enormous and healthy. Seriously- it was what? 3 inches in a mixed arrangement? It's now in a 14 inch pot, stands about 3 feet by 4 feet in a window over looking the Chicago river. We named it after my mother and about once a week I ask, "How's Janet?" and smile and think of you. I'll have him snap a picture with his phone...
Hey,
Ok I am usually a lurker and your blog is kind of my guilty pleasure. I posted earlier this spring about the bees. I am curious as to how they are doing are you getting a ton of honey?
Thanks for joy you share in life!
Bea
I love this post! That's EXACTLY what I want for Christmas too! A spinning wheel!
I also wanted to ask what you meant by the haul of mohair fiber for your goatmilk soaps? How do you incorporate fiber into your soaps?
Love your blog! You're on my list, btw.
Alpaca is one of my favorite fibers to work with. The yarns end up light and soft, and it spins pretty easily. I have a number of friends with Alpaca, they make wonderful guard animals for the rest of your livestock. When you do begin to spin, you will want to start with a fiber with a longer staple, the short stapled wools can be frustrating for a beginner. Spinning is a lovely, soothing thing to do on a nice rainy day.