Alpaca Merino Yarn Skeins

$ 16.00

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• Lovely undyed alpaca merino yarn skeins, which are blended with just enough Merino wool to give this lace weight yarn a little elasticity. It comes in undyed black and three subtle color variations created with dyed in the wool Merino. Elegant and very soft for special knitting projects
• -design: 2-ply (the best structure for lace knitting or weaving), semi-worsted spun
  -size: lace weight, varies a little between colors, but approximately 24 wpi 2800 yds per pound
  -suggested needles: 0 to 3 (US) lace 4 to 7 (US)
  -length: approximately 275 yards/251
  -meters weight: varies slightly between colors, 1.5 to 2 oz./ 42-56 grams
  -gauge: varies between colors, 8.75 sts. To 10 sts. per inch on sizes 1 (US)
  -care: yarn is pre-washed. hand wash warm with low agitation, lay flat to dry or can be dry cleaned.
• -fiber source: hand selected alpaca fleeces from Dark star Alpacas, Buttonwood Alpacas and Alpacas at Sunset Acres, Clarke County, Virginia and Merino from Black Sheep Farm, Waverly farm and Mere laur Farm in Loudoun County, Virginia
  -fiber content: 80% alpaca and 20% Merino wool.
  
  Alpaca is a fine camelid fiber, a hair fiber actually, that is very soft. Blending a very Fine wool from Merino sheep adds some memory and body so your project won't continue to grow or stretch out of shape over time.

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Farm Field Day: Merino Nov 3rd

$ 20.00

Saturday, Nov 3^rd noon-4:00pm
14605 Chapel Lane, Leesburg, Virginia 20176

You have probably worn Merino wool...probably knit with Merino yarn, but have you met a Merino sheep? Please join us at Black Sheep Farm in Leesburg, Virginia and get acquainted.

• farm tour and breed talks by shepherd Martha Polkey
• sheep shearing
• goat cheese tasting from Georges Mill Farm Artisan Cheese
• lamb cooking demo by Olwen Woodier, chef and cookbook author
• wine tasting from Fabbioli Cellars
• natural dyeing demonstration
• three Merino focused classes (two sessions offered for each class,12:30 or 2:30). Class fee $45 each which includes materials). Registration required, form here.   

make a felt flower pin or a trivet/potholder with local felt artist Laura Linton. This introductory felting class will teach you the basic wet-felting process, some embellishing techniques—and start you on a fiber adventure limited pretty much only by your imagination. 12:30 session will create a flower pin; 2:30 session a trivet/potholder. Limit 12 students. Registration form for classes here 

fine spinning Merino with Caroline Hockenberry of Fibernate. Merino is considered the Holy Grail of fine spinning, and can be a challenge. In this hands-on class, learn techniques for creating a lace weight 2-ply yarn with roving provided by Black Sheep Farm’s own Merino flock. Discover how take-up and twist effect your yarn, and the proper wheel adjustments necessary for the best results.  We'll experiment with methods of drafting to reduce hand fatigue when spinning fine singles, and plying techniques will be demonstrated. Limit 8 students. Registration form here

learn a new extra stretchy cast on from Kathy Reed, Solitude Wool partner and Certified Knitting Teacher. Learn tips and tricks for executing a slipknot-based extra stretchy cast on ideal for beginning hats and gloves (includes lace tam pattern for Alpaca/Merino yarn). Limit 10 students. Registration form here

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Clun Forest Yarn

$ 28.00

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• about this wool

• The robust Down type wool of Clun Forest sheep makes a great cushiony, elastic and insulating yarn. Woolen spun to accentuate the loft and warmth of the short staple wool, this is a 3 ply, balanced, round yarn great for knitting. Good for garments, throws, accessories, etc!  Comfort yarn. See the Eleanor Mittens by Alexis Miranda in the 2018 Fall issue of Knitscene
• -design: 3-ply, woolen spun size: worsted weight, 12 wpi
  -suggested needles: 6 to 8 (US)
  -length: approximately 185 yards/169 meters
  -weight: 3.8 oz./ 107 grams
  -gauge: 4.5 sts. per inch on size 7 (US)
  -care: yarn is pre-washed. hand wash warm with low agitation, lay flat to dry or can be dry cleaned.
• -fiber source: hand selected fleeces from Shepherds Knoll Farm, Phoenix, Maryland and Meadow Brook farm in Warrenton, Virginia  
  -fiber content: 100% Clun Forest wool. 
  
  

   

  A breed from the Welsh border area of Britain, Clun Forest is a heritage breed in the US. Raised for meat and valued for their ability to grow well on pasture alone, they also grow a high quality, Down type wool that has robust crimp and elasticity. Clun fleece is fairly fine, with a short staple. Biggest problem with this wool can be breaks due to nutritional stress. Check fleeces carefully.

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