Pinky Swear

Last year I got a beautiful Mohair fleece at the Rhinebeck Wool and Sheep Festival.  When I saw this fleece, I marveled at how thick and formed each lock was.  When I pulled the locks apart, the bubbly crimp was like kid mohair.  It was silkier than traditional mohair, which usually leaves me itching.  I realized that I have been purchasing fleeces without processing them and as a result I have a stockpile of spongy, soft, amazing locks sitting on the shelf of my studio.  Like so many fiber addicts before me, I made a vow not to purchase any more wool until I dyed and spun some of my bounty.

So it begins.

I started with an amazing teeswater from the famous Natalie Redding at Namaste Farm.  What a joy to spin up the big thick and lofty locks.  The dye soaks up easily and there is no vegetable matter, which makes for a soft yarn.  Spinning from the lock kept all the texture in the little curls.  I love it.

I wanted a similar feeling from a yarn spun with an airy mohair fleece.  Excitedly, I dyed one pot neon pink and green, another in minty greens and the last, purples and pinks.  

To prep the fiber, my picker would prove to be the best tool for the job.  I liked the way the wool looks when I pull the locks apart.  The picker mimics what I do with my fingers, only faster.  

I can add other fibers such as angora, merino, threads and sparkle to add interest.  I opened up the fibers and blended all the different parts while not combing out all the cute curly “Q’s”. 

I posted my first video (shot by my mom Gail Hadani) demonstrating how I pick and  corespin this yarn.  Check it out!