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.
Today Australian and New Zealand wool floods the market; selling to the regular market generally won't even pay for the shearing. Warm synthetics have also become popular. Fleecy jackets and blankets are machine washable, and those who are allergic or find real wool scratchy prefer the man-made fiber. Fortunately, there is still a market for real wool, artisan yarns.
Searching for the perfect yarn led local shepherds to bring in exotic breeds of sheep with great names like Lincoln, Leicester, Romney, Cotswold, and Icelandic. Many of these are heirloom breeds or even endangered ones. You may have noticed some exceptionally shaggy or strangely colored animals as you drive through the countryside.
Each breed has a characteristic fleece, and cross-breeding can emphasize the good points. A shepherd will know their particular fiber and select the small woolen mill that can give them roving (wool washed and combed and ready to spin) they can be proud of. Hand spun yarns are actually spun on a wheel, unlike the commercial brands. A good spinner has a lot of control over the yarn they produce; texture, twist, and diameter are some of the variables. A skillful spinner can produce an even twist unless they are exploring the potential for variation.
Local farmers like to say that their yarns are 'gently processed.' The fibers are never treated with harsh chemicals, unlike wool that is raised in Australia, processed with chemicals in China, and spun in Europe. In fact, they say that many people who believe themselves allergic to wool are really reacting to chemicals used in processing or as dyes.
If you like to buy local and support the arts, check out the sheep farms of the county. It's just like preferring vegetables and meats from the Farm Market. Each fiber comes from a small farm and is unique to its flock. You will find natural whites, greys, silvers, browns, and blacks. A spotted animal will give a variegated yarn. Bright colors are made with natural vegetable dyes.
It is fun to visit a farm and a flock. The process of turning fleece into useful yarn is a lovely one. You might also be able to buy pastured lamb, a tanned sheepskin, or roving to spin yourself. Even the websites of the local farms are fun to read, and of course they make shopping easy. For a real treat, visit the Waterford Store in the charming village of Waterford, Virginia. Walk into the world of authentic home spun, see a spinning wheel in action, and discover why people cherish this ancient art.
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.
Today Australian and New Zealand wool floods the market; selling to the regular market generally won't even pay for the shearing. Warm synthetics have also become popular. Fleecy jackets and blankets are machine washable, and those who are allergic or find real wool scratchy prefer the man-made fiber. Fortunately, there is still a market for real wool, artisan yarns.
Searching for the perfect yarn led local shepherds to bring in exotic breeds of sheep with great names like Lincoln, Leicester, Romney, Cotswold, and Icelandic. Many of these are heirloom breeds or even endangered ones. You may have noticed some exceptionally shaggy or strangely colored animals as you drive through the countryside.
Each breed has a characteristic fleece, and cross-breeding can emphasize the good points. A shepherd will know their particular fiber and select the small woolen mill that can give them roving (wool washed and combed and ready to spin) they can be proud of. Hand spun yarns are actually spun on a wheel, unlike the commercial brands. A good spinner has a lot of control over the yarn they produce; texture, twist, and diameter are some of the variables. A skillful spinner can produce an even twist unless they are exploring the potential for variation.
Local farmers like to say that their yarns are 'gently processed.' The fibers are never treated with harsh chemicals, unlike wool that is raised in Australia, processed with chemicals in China, and spun in Europe. In fact, they say that many people who believe themselves allergic to wool are really reacting to chemicals used in processing or as dyes.
If you like to buy local and support the arts, check out the sheep farms of the county. It's just like preferring vegetables and meats from the Farm Market. Each fiber comes from a small farm and is unique to its flock. You will find natural whites, greys, silvers, browns, and blacks. A spotted animal will give a variegated yarn. Bright colors are made with natural vegetable dyes.
It is fun to visit a farm and a flock. The process of turning fleece into useful yarn is a lovely one. You might also be able to buy pastured lamb, a tanned sheepskin, or roving to spin yourself. Even the websites of the local farms are fun to read, and of course they make shopping easy. For a real treat, visit the Waterford Store in the charming village of Waterford, Virginia. Walk into the world of authentic home spun, see a spinning wheel in action, and discover why people cherish this ancient art.
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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.