Loudoun is Virginia's most populous county, so it may surprise you that hand spun yarn Loudoun County style is even available. Those who want to support the local arts community and who loves to knit, crochet, weave, or macrame should get to know their local shepherds.
Most people who didn't inherit a farm don't own a lot of land in expensive Loudoun. Sheep are perfect for small landowners, and they are small enough for the women who keep traditional home arts alive to handle. Sheep provide both meat and wool, to use on the place or sell. A flock grows quickly, since ewes usually have twins or even triplets. Sheep used to be called mortgage lifters because even a small flock could be profitable.
Unfortunately for many small landowners, Australia became a major producer of wool. At the same time, synthetic fleeces have greatly reduced the need for sheep's wool. People who are allergic to wool or find it too scratchy prefer the new, soft, warm fabrics. Raising artisan wool is one way for small farmers to keep their sheep and make money again.
For this market, shepherds have turned to different breeds than were found in the county in former days. Some farms have heirloom breeds that are in danger of dying out. These exotics have names like Cotswold, Corriedale, Lincoln, Icelandic, Leicester, and Romney.
Those who spin wool say that every breed has a unique fleece. Shepherds choose both their sheep and the small mills that turn the fleece into roving (ready to spin fibers) carefully. The roving is then spun by hand on spinning wheels that look just like the one in Sleeping Beauty. A talented spinner can control the twist, diameter, and texture of the yarn they make; a lot of hand spun yarn is uniform in all of these aspects.
In this machine age, it's surprising that people still spin yarn from their own sheep. Even those who send their yarns to small mills for spinning take pride in offering a 'gently processed' fiber. Compare that to a yarn that was grown in Australia, processed with chemicals in China, and spun in Europe. Loudoun County's farm yarns may work well for those who thought they were allergic to wool but are reacting to the chemicals used in processing or dyeing.
Think of it like hand-pressed olive oil, home made wine, or vegetables from the farm market. These wools are all from small producers, each one unique to the flock and the farm. The shepherd can tell you what makes their particular yarn special. It might be the natural color, the durability, the density, or the softness. As a locally-grown tomato will have a better flavor, local yarns have their own characters.
Go online and get an overview of the county's sheep farms. You can order from the websites, but if you want a closer look, visit a farm and a farm store. In the charming village of Waterford, the Waterford Store is an outlet for the roving and yarns from a local flock of Lincoln/Corriedale sheep. In fact, you might even see the owner's spinning wheel in action.
Most people who didn't inherit a farm don't own a lot of land in expensive Loudoun. Sheep are perfect for small landowners, and they are small enough for the women who keep traditional home arts alive to handle. Sheep provide both meat and wool, to use on the place or sell. A flock grows quickly, since ewes usually have twins or even triplets. Sheep used to be called mortgage lifters because even a small flock could be profitable.
Unfortunately for many small landowners, Australia became a major producer of wool. At the same time, synthetic fleeces have greatly reduced the need for sheep's wool. People who are allergic to wool or find it too scratchy prefer the new, soft, warm fabrics. Raising artisan wool is one way for small farmers to keep their sheep and make money again.
For this market, shepherds have turned to different breeds than were found in the county in former days. Some farms have heirloom breeds that are in danger of dying out. These exotics have names like Cotswold, Corriedale, Lincoln, Icelandic, Leicester, and Romney.
Those who spin wool say that every breed has a unique fleece. Shepherds choose both their sheep and the small mills that turn the fleece into roving (ready to spin fibers) carefully. The roving is then spun by hand on spinning wheels that look just like the one in Sleeping Beauty. A talented spinner can control the twist, diameter, and texture of the yarn they make; a lot of hand spun yarn is uniform in all of these aspects.
In this machine age, it's surprising that people still spin yarn from their own sheep. Even those who send their yarns to small mills for spinning take pride in offering a 'gently processed' fiber. Compare that to a yarn that was grown in Australia, processed with chemicals in China, and spun in Europe. Loudoun County's farm yarns may work well for those who thought they were allergic to wool but are reacting to the chemicals used in processing or dyeing.
Think of it like hand-pressed olive oil, home made wine, or vegetables from the farm market. These wools are all from small producers, each one unique to the flock and the farm. The shepherd can tell you what makes their particular yarn special. It might be the natural color, the durability, the density, or the softness. As a locally-grown tomato will have a better flavor, local yarns have their own characters.
Go online and get an overview of the county's sheep farms. You can order from the websites, but if you want a closer look, visit a farm and a farm store. In the charming village of Waterford, the Waterford Store is an outlet for the roving and yarns from a local flock of Lincoln/Corriedale sheep. In fact, you might even see the owner's spinning wheel in action.
About the Author:
Find a summary of the benefits of using hand spun yarn Loudoun County shops sell and more info about a reputable yarn shop at http://rosecottagenva.com now.
Aucun commentaire:
Enregistrer un commentaire