Northern Virginia is a major business and residential area. About forty miles west of DC, however, small cottage industries raise sheep and offer hand spun yarn Loudoun County style. If you like supporting the arts and buying regional products, you should get to know a shepherd.
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.
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 unique kind of fleece which makes a special sort of yarn. The usual practice is to send the fleece to a small mill where it will be washed and combed (carded). When the fiber is ready to spin, it is called roving. Unlike commercial yarns which are spun by machine, hand spun is done with a real spinning wheel. A talented spinner can produce an even yarn, uniform in twist, texture, and diameter. Hand spun is usually denser and more durable than commercial yarns.
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.
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.
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.
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 unique kind of fleece which makes a special sort of yarn. The usual practice is to send the fleece to a small mill where it will be washed and combed (carded). When the fiber is ready to spin, it is called roving. Unlike commercial yarns which are spun by machine, hand spun is done with a real spinning wheel. A talented spinner can produce an even yarn, uniform in twist, texture, and diameter. Hand spun is usually denser and more durable than commercial yarns.
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.
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.
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