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.
Now, however, the world's market is flooded with wool from Australia and New Zealand. Synthetic fibers have also become popular with people who like the easy-care nature of man-made and who may be allergic to wool. Selling wool as a commodity won't even pay for the shearing. Turning to direct sales of artisan wool has helped local shepherds stay in business.
For this market, shepherds have turned to different breeds than were found in the county in former days. Some farms have heirloom breeds that are in danger of dying out. These exotics have names like Cotswold, Corriedale, Lincoln, Icelandic, Leicester, and Romney.
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.
It's nice that there are enough people who want hand spun yarns or the raw materials for them to support this cottage industry. Even the yarns spun by a small mill are special. Described as 'gently processed', these yarns have very little in common with the kind that comes from Australia, is processed with harsh chemicals in China, and is shipped to Europe to be mass produced. In fact, people who think they are allergic might simply be reacting to chemicals or artificial dyes used in commercial yarns.
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.
Go online and get an overview of the county's sheep farms. You can order from the websites, but if you want a closer look, visit a farm and a farm store. In the charming village of Waterford, the Waterford Store is an outlet for the roving and yarns from a local flock of Lincoln/Corriedale sheep. In fact, you might even see the owner's spinning wheel in action.
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.
Now, however, the world's market is flooded with wool from Australia and New Zealand. Synthetic fibers have also become popular with people who like the easy-care nature of man-made and who may be allergic to wool. Selling wool as a commodity won't even pay for the shearing. Turning to direct sales of artisan wool has helped local shepherds stay in business.
For this market, shepherds have turned to different breeds than were found in the county in former days. Some farms have heirloom breeds that are in danger of dying out. These exotics have names like Cotswold, Corriedale, Lincoln, Icelandic, Leicester, and Romney.
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.
It's nice that there are enough people who want hand spun yarns or the raw materials for them to support this cottage industry. Even the yarns spun by a small mill are special. Described as 'gently processed', these yarns have very little in common with the kind that comes from Australia, is processed with harsh chemicals in China, and is shipped to Europe to be mass produced. In fact, people who think they are allergic might simply be reacting to chemicals or artificial dyes used in commercial yarns.
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.
Go online and get an overview of the county's sheep farms. You can order from the websites, but if you want a closer look, visit a farm and a farm store. In the charming village of Waterford, the Waterford Store is an outlet for the roving and yarns from a local flock of Lincoln/Corriedale sheep. In fact, you might even see the owner's spinning wheel in action.
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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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