Maryland Sheep and Wool was 6 weeks ago, really, only 6 weeks. Then we were worried about Covid-19 and our fiber friends and favorites paying their bills. Now we are still worried about those things, but I know for me racism is in the forefront of my mind and actions. I urge you to educate yourselves about systematic racism and do the work to become anti-racist.
MD S&W held a virtual festival, encouraging fiber people to support their favorite vendors. They were not the first to hold a virtual even and there seems to be virtual events every weekend with vendors, lectures and classes. For some reason the Maryland weekend kicked off some shopping for me. Since fiber events started getting canceled, I started saving back a percentage of every check I make from fiber work to spend with small fiber businesses. My income was cut in half, but that’s still more than many folks I know.
I had a list of dyers I’ve wanted to buy from (not necessarily Maryland vendors) and I shopped.
I just finished spinning the last 8oz of my Nest BFL, so I needed to replace it with more than that (it’s a fiber rule). I bought 16 ounces across three colorways, that all work together. For once I’m not thinking about drafting together, these will either be plied or kept as singles. BFL makes the best singles.
I was also able to score a bag of Nestlets, a bag of eight 1-ounce bumps in colors that go well together. It’s Nest’s version of Into the Whirled’s Odds and Ends or Hello Yarn’s Patchwork kits. At Nest, you can choose mixed fibers or superwash Merino painted fiber, and they also have semi solid bags. This will be a random relaxing spin to become a 2-ply.
Hilltop Cloud is located in Wales (but magically gets here in the same amount of time as US shipments) so I feel quite justified shopping for more than just one thing when I head to their site.
Hilltop Cloud has beautiful colors, but it is their interesting blends that keep bringing me back.
I bought three different fiber/blends, the are L to R in the photo below.
50% Romney/25% Linen/25% Silk. Are you drooling? I’ve really enjoy spinning fiber blends with linen in them, Sometimes I’m disappointed when the wool in the blend is Merino because I don’t feel like I can finish it as aggressively as I want to. I like to whoop my linen. Finding this blend with Romney was so exciting, I’ll be able to whack my yarn in finishing without pilling or messing with the surface of my yarn.
75% BFL/25% Camel. This fiber is destined to become holidays gifts for two friends who are so worthy I will spin and knit for them. I will draft together the purple and one of the green/blue/purple braids, the second braid I will randomly spin and ply. If I decide to make hats I will make 2-ply yarns for stockinette, if cowls, then 3-ply for a little texture.
100% Cashmere. Who really cares how I spin this? I want it touching my skin, now. I will likely spin it woolen, with a little extra ply twist, and finish it aggressively to help it bloom. I want it to drape like crazy in some sort of neck accessory, so either knitter or woven it will be a more open fabric.
I bought this yarn to write about dyed in the wool yarns for knitters. Spinners look at this and think, that looks like a lot of the yarn I spin, but knitters see magic.
Dyed in the wool is a method of dyeing before a fiber is spun into yarn.
Fully Spun is one of the few dyers who do these type of yarns in different weights. She has sock/fingering through bulky.
I had a hiccup with my order and let me tell you, Brooke’s customer service is beyond excellent. Other small businesses could take lessons from her.
Yesterday I found out she also dyes fiber, how did I miss that? I’ll be going back.
Yarn Hero is another dyer that makes dyed in the wool yarns in a variety of weights, she does sock, sport and DK.
Yarn Hero also dyes fiber, I could not resist this bright Merino/Tencel blend. I love the colors, plus the bonus with this level of brightness is I’ll be able to see my fibers better in front of the tv at night (#oldeyes).
Yarn Hero dyes sliver on the the regular too, right now her her shop is full of it. Sliver is a carded prep, great for woolen drafting, and learning to spin.
#BLACKLIVESMATTER
Along with educating yourself, and doing the level of protesting you feel like you can, here are some other ways to support.
If you would like to donate money a great place to start is with
Neighborhood Fiber Company’s Momentum Fund. I also donate to my local bail fund, the NAACP, and the Southern Poverty Law Center.
When you spend money, consider shopping at Black-owned companies.
For spinning fiber these include:
Neighborhood Fiber Company, Abstract Fiber Company, Snerb Yarn and Fiber Studio, Alex Creates, Hopkins Fiber Studio, Heavenlyknitchet, and Melanated Boho Bae.
BIPOC in Fiber is an online directory that will help you find Black, Indigenous, People of Color to buy yarn and fiber from.
I hope you are finding some peace and contentment in your spinning.