fleece « Blonde Chicken Boutique

Cleaning a Mohair Fleece

By Tara, on May 8th, 2009%

Today I’m cleaning a fleece from an angora goat. Or a mohair fleece. I’m never sure what to call it!

The goat breed is angora – but the finished fiber is called mohair.

So, yeah, I’m cleaning that.

This particular fleece comes from Rammings farm and while beautiful and strong it is quite dirty.

While I’ve become more experienced with washing sheepy fleeces, this is my first time washing a goat fleece, so I did a little research.

My fleece is still soaking, so I’m certainly not an expert, but here are the best resources I’ve found:

Very detailed information all about mohair fiber, including the correct ph balance and water tempature at Fiber2Yarn. A much more succinct guide at the Colored Angora Goat Breeder’s Assocation. Lots of fleece information from Spinderella.

The main points of concern (although I really recommend reading all of those articles – so full . . . → Read More: Cleaning a Mohair Fleece

LocalSpun – Fleece Transformation

By Tara, on March 13th, 2009%

The LocalSpun series is my attempt to share the process from fiber (on the animal) to finished yarn. Each is just a glimpse into a moment in the life of yarn and yarnmaker.

Remember these shy little Jacob’s from Rammings Farm?

Well, I bought one of their fleeces, brought it home and stretched it out on an old clean sheet in the middle of my living room (too cold outside!)

I was pretty amazed at how clean this fleece felt. Unlike the Coopworth, it wasn’t greasy at all ! In fact, it didn’t seem to have any lanolin! Since it didn’t feel sticky, I decided to test out washing it in just water and salt – no soap!

I split up the fleece into 3 different pots for washing. The pots were filled up with water and placed on the stove (I’d do this in my washer, . . . → Read More: LocalSpun – Fleece Transformation

Local Fiber – Rammings Farm

By Tara, on March 2nd, 2009%

A fun visit to a local farm. . . . → Read More: Local Fiber – Rammings Farm

Winter Manifesto #2

By Tara, on February 13th, 2009%

This winter, I promise to snuggle in with fiber.

Through knitting: Leyburn socks (am now about to turn the heel in the first)

Twist & Shout (nearly done – working on 1st sleeve)

spinning:

And admiring fleeces: (Jacob fleece – dyed)

(see the first part of my Winter Manifesto here)