Loudoun County, Virginia, is the most populous county in the state, the richest, and perhaps the most beautiful. In the east, it's a dense mixture of residential and business development. In the west, it's an area of pretty homes and small farms. Perhaps one of its best kept secrets is the number of people who raise sheep and market hand spun yarn Loudoun County style. Anyone who loves to knit and wants a new perspective on their craft should get to know a shepherd.
A lot of small Western Loudoun farmers raise sheep. These animals require less room than cattle, making them suitable for small acreages. They are easier for women to handle, too, and women are traditionally the ones who practice home arts. Sheep provide meat and wool, both of which can be used at home or sold at market. A ewe often has twins or triplets and can be sheared over and over. This used to make small flocks 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.
Maybe you would like to visit a farm and see a flock. While there, you can buy pasture-raised lamb, a tanned sheepskin, roving, or already spun yarn. If you would rather shop online, there are a surprising number of websites to browse through. One charming outlet for roving and yarns is the Waterford Store in Waterford, Virginia. Once you encounter the fascinating world of authentic hand spun yarn, your life will be richer.
A lot of small Western Loudoun farmers raise sheep. These animals require less room than cattle, making them suitable for small acreages. They are easier for women to handle, too, and women are traditionally the ones who practice home arts. Sheep provide meat and wool, both of which can be used at home or sold at market. A ewe often has twins or triplets and can be sheared over and over. This used to make small flocks 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.
Maybe you would like to visit a farm and see a flock. While there, you can buy pasture-raised lamb, a tanned sheepskin, roving, or already spun yarn. If you would rather shop online, there are a surprising number of websites to browse through. One charming outlet for roving and yarns is the Waterford Store in Waterford, Virginia. Once you encounter the fascinating world of authentic hand spun yarn, your life will be richer.
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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.