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image: http://pages.rapha.cc/stories/the-merino-miracle The downloadable Merino wool card is available here. Merino wool is arguably one of the most recognized breeds of sheep today. “Made with Merino” labels are used on products to add instant value. Merino wool has become synonymous with soft, against the skin comfort. But there…
Read Moreimage from Content.time.com As hand spinners, dyers and felters, we have the distinct privilege of working with any type of fiber we can get our hands on. It’s like cooking from scratch. You know exactly what is in…
Read Morepicture courtesy of sheepshow.com Breeds of sheep can be classified in several different ways. Examples being, classed by their suitability for meat production vs wool production, topography of the area they originated or the type of wool they produce. For Ashland Bay’s purposes,…
Read MorePart 2 from felt artist Janice Arnold Finding inspiration:Trying to describe inspiration is complex! It begins with embracing every moment of the present with a sense of wonder and innocence. In this mental state I find inspiration in unexpected places. Sometimes it is a literal thing I see- like a pattern created by light or…
Read MoreWe have a fantastic treat on the blog today, part 1 of a 2 part series from felt artist Janice Arnold. Janice Arnold takes handmade FELT to extremes. The daughter of a cartographer, she learned scale as a second sense. Her work ranges from intricately executed pieces to elaborate environments in refined textures from luminous…
Read MorePeople have been spinning wool fiber into yarn for thousands of years, and the hand wash care of these yarns have been long understood. Then along came the synthetic yarns and machine washable garments that fiercely competed with wool. In the 1950’s the wool industry developed a process by which wool could withstand machine washing…
Read MoreWe have a special treat on the blog today! Head on over to Decorotation where Brett shows us how to turn a couple skeins of Thick n Thin and a branch into a gorgeous wall hanging. Be sure to check out her other interior design posts for some extra inspiration. http://www.decorotation.com/diy-wall-hanging-if-you-can-tie-a-knot-you-can-do-this/
Read MoreWhile the Blue Face Leicester wools (ecru BFL, Superwash BFL, BFL/silk) and, of course, Merino wool (in 21.5 and 19 micron) continue to be in the top ten performers for the ecru fiber division, Falkland wool top, Polwarth wool top, and Corriedale cross wool have had a significant gain in interest in 2014. With the…
Read MoreA few weeks ago, we talked about pattern redos on the blog. Here I will talk about a super simple fix to a shawl or scarf that just doesn’t sit right. I recently finished a pattern for this beautiful shawl with our Tahoe yarn. Although I don’t usually wear shawls, the pattern was so intriguing;…
Read MoreWhen this new yarn arrived last year, I was first in awe of the natural, beautiful, silvery grey color. Then, I could hardly wait to put a skein in the dyepot to see what magical colors would appear! The superwash merino and yak soak up the dye while the silk shimmers and shines. With a…
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