A shop update! With an entirely new to the shop fiber, coopworth! Also an answer to a question at the end of the post.

Fibers: BFL, Shetland, Polwarth, Perendale, Coopworth, Corriedale, Jacob, Rambouillet, and Dorset

Colorways: Rusalka, Springtime, Fiddler’s Green, Sparrow’s Wing, Cupcakes, Sunburst, Spring Flowers, A Heady Brew, Stonework, Waterfall, Soft Tidepool, The Tide Turns, Moose, Walnut, Garnet Shadows, The Salmon of Knowledge, Crocus, Bluejeans, Shadows of the Green, and The Shore at Fife.

Handspun Yarns: Snowstorm, Rust, Sandstorm, Midnight Magic, Across the Sea, and Sunrise

Question: Diane asks – A question related to the protein fibers – do you know how the presence of the medula (sheep) vs a hollow core (alpaca) effects the dye take up? I’m assuming there are just fewer sites for the dyes to attach to but didn’t know if that was a simplistic explanation.

Answer: Not simplistic at all. The big difference is that alpaca scales are much shorter and less numerous than on wool. This provides less binding locations, but also makes the fiber less likely to felt and feel more silky.

That’s all for now, more coming!

~The Gnome

Fibers/Yarns: Phouka, Romney, Tunis, Wensleydale, and Perendale!

Colorways: Asters, A Meeting at Midnight, Across the Garden, Bryophyta, Chestnut, Chai Tea, City Sunset, Coreopsis, Dogwood, Evergreen, Frog Hop, Gold Mine, Goldenrod, Heart of the Fire, Indian Corn, Iris, Land and Sea, Luna Moth, Moose, Pocket Change, Rhubarb Cobbler, Saffron, Squash Vine, The Flame Rises, Swamp Thing, The Flickering Flame, The Lawn Needs Mowing, Tidepool, Vinca, Waterfall!

Also, the Exmoor Horn Mule is here. I’ll start dyeing it shortly. Also there will soon be a full report on Rhinebeck and the Adventurous Backpacking Trip.

That’s all for not!

~The Gnome

As always the shop is here

More blogging soon. Things are a bit hectic here as suppliers and such are changing.

~The Gnome