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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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