Yarn Dyein'

I bought two skeins of locally produced wool yarn at the State Fair this summer and I am finally getting around to working with it. I dyed it a rich golden yellow using tumeric (from the spice cabinet). I love how it turned out and can't wait to knit myself up something.

The Spinning Continues

Sorry folks, it's been a long time since our last post. We have had a few ups and downs earlier this year and we are still moving toward a more self sustainable lifestyle (we just haven't had much time to blog about it).

But I wanted to share how good I am getting at spinning all this angora wool! I am quite proud. I am actually getting large enough skeins where I can finally start making knitted items. I also found the secret to spinning pure angora yarn - a really lightweight drop spindle. The tension is perfect and does not break the fiber while spinning. I tried spinning it on a larger drop spindle with not much luck.

Sheared and Feared

I'm so glad I am finally getting around to writing this post. I have been busy working at the best company in the world so I let time escape me.

Anyways, I sheared the Angoras last weekend. Their hair was starting to mat so I figured it was time for the dreaded "shave and a haircut". I think I was dreading it more than the rabbits were, one being that the girls had no idea it was coming, and secondly, I was terrified I was going to cut too close or one would jolt and my scissors would meet their skin. It took me two sittings to do both rabbits, but thankfully I took my time and no blood was spilled.

Now I have a few ounces of fiber to felt and spin. I scored a sweet deal on an antique spinning wheel a few weeks back. The thing is in great condition, all I need is a drive band and a crash course. I am attending the Waukesha Spin In on Saturday and hope I can get schooled then.

Bunny Love

Denali (left) and Acadia (right) have officially made themselves at home. I am so excited to see the amount of wool these two will yield.

We were originally going with two black does, but then Urban Abode offered me her opal doe. The two colors will give me more variation with my spinning. 

My first skein of yarn

I am so proud! I made this superwash merino skein from a beginning spinning kit I got off Etsy. The whole process went rather smoothly, it took me a bit to get the tension and spin right with the drop spindle. This yarn turned out kind of bulky, and I love it.

My only fault was that when I was dying the yarn in the microwave, I melted the plastic container and some of the plastic wrap that the directions told me to use to set the dye into the fiber. So I had to pick out bits of melted plastic out of my yarn! Faulty directions or user error? I am going to have to research some different dying methods.

Fiber Production

It is all going to start with an Angora rabbit.

I love to knit. I think it is a great hobby and also an essential skill for anyone who is trying to be self-sufficient. I am self taught and have lately had the courage to try more gutsy patterns to take myself from novice to advanced (thank you Ravelry).

But now I want to take it another step further. I want to spin my own yarn, and not only that, I want to produce and harvest my own fiber. I can't raise a flock of sheep in our condo, but I sure can raise an Angora rabbit. Jake and I had entertained the idea before but were never that serious about it. Honestly we actually just joked about it. But that farming itch is getting harder and harder to scratch and we are tired of just dreaming and need to take action.

I did a search online of breeders in my area and found a nice little backyard operation in Green Bay. I contacted Kristen of Urban Abode and learned she had a litter of German Hybrids (an even mix of German and French Angora) that would be ready in March. I learned that the Hybrids are great if you are looking for ease of care as well as great fiber production. Kristen says the mindset behind crossing the two breeds is to combine the depth of color of the French Angora breed with the incredible production abilities of the German Angora. As an adult, the Hybrid can be expected to provide 5 or more ounces of fiber three to four times a year.

After viewing the Hybrid kits, I decided to purchase a little black doe from Kristen. Even better, I'm not actually purchasing her, I am bartering for her. It just so happens Kristen needs my graphic design expertise's to get a website groomed for her urban homestead operation. Design services for an Angora rabbit? Um..... hell yeah!