Washing wool: in this case, Florida Cracker
If you are on my mailing list, you’ve already seen this, because it is, in essence, the newsletter I e-mailed out this morning—but one reader has asked whether there’s a way to post it elsewhere, and this is the best option I can think of it for responding to that request. Another reader asked about … Read more
Textile legacies: In this case, Cat Bordhi’s
There is a problem with textile legacies–that being, we have no reasonable way to preserve, and be able to build upon, the substantial individual and collective work if it has not been captured in, for example, the published form of a book. Even then, parts of those accomplishments become inaccessible as the books go out … Read more
Fourth of July: Thinking about knitting and historiography
I’m knitting a shawl using natural white and indigo-dyed Finnsheep wool. It’s an exceptionally simple pattern with garter stitch stripes and an edging of an extremely simple lace: *yo, k2tog* across in one row, followed by three plain garter rows. There are some increases at each end of two of the plain rows. On the … Read more
Coloured Sheep: A Colour Genetics Primer
I wrote this commentary as one component of my May newsletter, which was sent to my mailing list yesterday. I’m posting it here as well so people who are searching for information on Coloured Sheep: A Colour Genetics Primer by Irina Böhme and Saskia Dittgen will be able to find it more easily. Spring and … Read more
First thoughts about Florida Cracker sheep and wool (from February 2019 newsletter)
The Florida Cracker breed isn’t included in The Field Guide to Fleece or The Fleece & Fiber Sourcebook because when Carol Ekarius and I were working on those books these sheep were being included in the Gulf Coast Native population. 2007 – we started the book project(s)—in this same year, the Florida Cracker Sheep Association … Read more
Shave ‘Em to Save ‘Em: Rare wools initiative
Record-sheet-vertical-2up-printer UK-2019The Livestock Conservancy has initiated a wool-oriented rare-breed project that warms my heart every time I come in contact with suppliers and fiber folk who are participating in it. Called Shave ‘Em to Save ‘Em (also known as #SE2SE), it encourages people to discover rare-breed wools and to use them. It also provides incentives … Read more
2019 Rare Sheep Breeds lists
This is the updated list of rare sheep breeds, combining those listed by The Livestock Conservancy (U.S.) and the Rare Breeds Survival Trust (U.K.). Click here for the list. If you’re interested in watching the shifts in breed status, I have been developing spreadsheets tracking listings of rare breeds of sheep by The Livestock Conservancy … Read more
May newsletter: Considering hand carders
If you subscribe to my newsletter, you’ve already received this discussion, along with extra links to upcoming workshops. Although as I put this together, I added a couple of update sentences. _________________ Considering Carders I just spent two pleasant days hanging out at Shuttles, Spindles, and Skeins in Boulder, Colorado, with a bunch of other … Read more
Reading list: The Lambs, by Carole George
My apologies for the long interlude between posts. Sometimes we just need to hunker down and focus on the core activities, and that’s the way it’s been around here for a while. The question has been what would impel me to write a new blog post, other than clearing out of the local impediments. Then … Read more
So, what’s with “primitive” and sheep or wool?
For the past week, I’ve been holed up in a studio four hours’ drive from home catching up on a few things. I’m not caught up, but I’m ready to see how the new blog platform works. I’m still hampered by the complications with my photo library that took place last year, and while I have … Read more