Yummy goats!

I don't mean yummy as in curried goat with rice and peas. I'm talking yummy as in goat fiber yummy. Is there anything more beautiful than a freshly washed mohair (cashgora) fleece? The color and sheen of this fiber isn't to dye for. I have no intention of attempting to alter its marvelous color. I plan on blending it with a coarse or scratchy fiber for balance. I love the silver grey color! My favorite fleece so far.

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Fiber frenzy!

Fiber, fiber, fiber! It's becoming an addiction. No matter how much I have I still find myself eyeing more. From rovings and hand dyed and painted to raw fleece (wensleydale, shetland and alpaca so far), I just can't get enough!

Here's my latest purchase, two pounds of superfine Alpaca. (maybe cria Alpaca???) Just purchased this from a woman on Ravelry. Its lovely!




To top things off, I've also got a 1 pound 4 oz beautiful moorit Shetland fleece soaking in my bathtub right now (also courtesy of that evil Ravelry). Oh, pray for my strength come spring which is typically shearing season!

Wensleydale laceweight!

Wensleydale single
Originally uploaded by beingv

Watch out world! My singles are getting thinner and thinner! I think I've finally hit laceweight! Yippee! Too bad I don't have my sock knitting machine anymore - I could make tons 2 ply of sock yarn... But then again, who has time for socks when there's so much fiber to be spun!

Taking fiber prep to the next level

What a day. I picked and fluffed my nearly dry Wensleydale fleece all day. I must say, for a first fleece, its pretty awesome! Clean, fluffy, no felting. I did good.
Here's a pic of my home made fleece and yarn dryer:



To top a near perfect day off the postman rang with a huge box. My drum carder. I didn't realize it was so big. I am even happier now! After ripping the packaging to shreds and dealing with peanut cleanup I immediately begain carding fibers and created this lovely batt. My better half named it, "Children's Joy". I think the name fits.

Wensleydale goodness

This luscious, soft, curly lock fleece arrived at my door today from Carlson Farm. Wenslydale sheep are prized for their curl and extreme luster and are utilized for everything from socks & outerwear, to felting, weaving and doll hair. Fleeces from Sherry Carlson of Carlson Farm range from $15 to $24 per pound for adult vs. sheep up to 2 yrs old which produce a finer fleece. I couldn't wait to stick my hands in the bag and feel the incredible softness. The natural lanolin from the sheep does wonders for your hands too. I'm taking the long weekend to bathe this fleece and prepare it for dyeing and spinning. I can't wait to get started!