tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-91364849086042717622024-03-13T07:10:10.137-07:00Nordic HomecraftWendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12766242181638641862noreply@blogger.comBlogger38125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9136484908604271762.post-35984691444787971072017-07-12T16:15:00.002-07:002017-07-12T16:15:29.111-07:00A Book Review...<br />
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Futura;">The Warp-Weighted Loom</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Futura;">By Hildur Hákonardóttir,
Elizabeth Johnston, Marta Kløve Juulh, Edited by Randi Andersen and Atle Ove
Martinussen </span></div>
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I am always surprised when I read the date on my last blog post. Life has a way of putting up road blocks that take a while to go around. Mine came in the form of a local organization that wanted to bulldoze our old, historic fairgrounds and put up a shiny, new events center. So, I knew I had to get involved. Finally, after a few years of citizen action and lots of turmoil, the issue is resolved. Only time will tell if it is for the good of the community. I can only hope so.<br />
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In the meantime, wonderful things have been going on in the textile world! I recently wrote a review about this book in the <a href="http://norwegiantextileletter.com/2017/06/02/from-icelandic-weaving-of-viking-times-to-contemporary-tapestry/">May 2017 Norwegian Textile Newsletter.</a> Here is that review:<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZcXBWzsc5HE/WWasQGhs7YI/AAAAAAAABA0/SowQMXzq8islJUv_4KjGO3g4rrARf7zGgCLcBGAs/s1600/book-cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1445" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZcXBWzsc5HE/WWasQGhs7YI/AAAAAAAABA0/SowQMXzq8islJUv_4KjGO3g4rrARf7zGgCLcBGAs/s400/book-cover.jpg" width="361" /></a></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Futura;">The Warp-Weighted Loom</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Futura;">By Hildur Hákonardóttir,
Elizabeth Johnston, Marta Kløve Juulh, Edited by Randi Andersen and Atle Ove
Martinussen </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Futura;">(This book can be purchased
through the Vesterheim Museum store.)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Futura;">I love books that turn out
to be more than what you originally expected them to be.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The
Warp-Weighted Loom</i> is one of those books.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Over the years I have seen exquisitely fine fabric that Elizabeth
Johnston has woven on the standing loom at Old Scatness in Shetland.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was able to handle the vararfeldur that
Marta Kløve Juulh had in her possession on the Vesterheim Textile Tour in
2011.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was remarkably soft and lightweight,
fitting into a cloth shopping bag.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After
these experiences, I was really looking forward to this new book.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Futura;">This interdisciplinary book
is a product of the main three authors research and weaving in collaboration
with the Osterøy Museum and The Museum Center in Hordaland and others. It serves
in part as a way to transfer and preserve the skills and knowledge within this
traditional craft, which are truly our intangible cultural heritage.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Futura;">The <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Warp-Weighted Loom</i> is bound in a manner that is reminiscent a bound
book from the Middle Ages with thick cardboard covers and no spine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The section-sewn binding makes this book
incredibly accessible for reading and as a tool for instruction at the loom.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Futura;">The book is written
primarily in English and is divided into 3 sections.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Part 1 is an introduction to the 1000 year
history of the warp-weighted loom told by Hákonardóttir, Johnston and<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Kløve Juulh from their individual countries
perspectives of Iceland, Shetland and Norway.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Part 2 is a practical handbook that includes how to make, operate and
weave on a standing loom.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This section
includes detailed photos, and step-by-step instructions that are written in English,
Icelandic and Norwegian.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It also covers
some of the textiles traditionally produced on these looms, how to reproduce
them and an overview of spinning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Part 3
is dedicated to research on a broad range of topics by several different
authors.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Topics include The Loom in the
Grave, Icelandic Textiles, Finishing Cloth in the Sea, Taatit Rugs, Weaving in
the Dark, Safeguarding an Intangible Cultural Heritage and more.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Futura;">The Warp-Weighted Loom is a
remarkable book on so many levels. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It
undertakes the preservation of women’s history as it relates to weaving and
wadmal production within the North Atlantic cultural heritage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But, more importantly it recognizes and
addresses that the “knowledge of old crafts will be lost, if not maintained;
the only way to do so is to conserve them, promote them and teach them.”
(Sigridur Sigurdardottir p.267)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Futura;">This book is a must have
for any serious weaver or student of Nordic textiles.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is a joy!</span></div>
Wendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12766242181638641862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9136484908604271762.post-12586340947671367112014-02-11T18:05:00.000-08:002014-02-11T18:05:50.184-08:00<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Shetland Textiles: 800 BC to the Present</b></div>
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Winter provides a great excuse for staying inside and knitting...or settling down with a good book. Much to my delight, I just found another gem!<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ilJ44TeQZPw/UvrNMa8sirI/AAAAAAAAA8s/jLbztsujVAg/s1600/Book.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ilJ44TeQZPw/UvrNMa8sirI/AAAAAAAAA8s/jLbztsujVAg/s1600/Book.JPG" height="400" width="301" /></a></div>
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<i>Shetland Textiles: 800 BC to the Present</i>, was recently published in 2013 in Great Britain by Shetland Heritage Publications. Edited by Sarah Laurenson, it is a collection of articles by several textile historians and craftspeople (including Elizabeth Johnston) pertaining to the rich textile history of Shetland.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--j9n38D3pn4/UvrPdsR8pFI/AAAAAAAAA84/BIhx_xkyIuM/s1600/Taatit.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--j9n38D3pn4/UvrPdsR8pFI/AAAAAAAAA84/BIhx_xkyIuM/s1600/Taatit.JPG" height="282" width="400" /></a></div>
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It is filled with fabulous photos and topics that range from Shetland sheep, wool, early textile history, wadmal, 20th century tweed weaving, lace knitting, allovers and contemporary Shetland fiber artists. It also has a number of great old quotes that give such an insight into how yarn and wool were processed in the past. Here is one of my favorites:<br />
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<i>'Dey reckoned at da saftest yarn wis da yarn scoored in Shetland Soda. Dare I tell you whit Shetland Soda is? Weel, you see dey hed a auld iron kettle, at wis come past cookin. An dat was kept as a pee-pot. An dey peed in him, an dey kept a lid upon him. An dis wis whit dey kept ta scoor da yarn in. An dey reckoned der wis somethin in hit at med da yarn extremely saft.' - Agnes Leask</i></div>
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(And I thought the softness of my wool yarn was strictly related to the genetics of my sheep!)</div>
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Although I was unable to find this book in the US, it is easily purchased online from the Shetland Heritage Shop. (Be aware that the shipping from Shetland is not cheap!)<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aFgpXL2Vq7E/UvrR9YUL3jI/AAAAAAAAA9Q/vPdhRE-f50M/s1600/Lace.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aFgpXL2Vq7E/UvrR9YUL3jI/AAAAAAAAA9Q/vPdhRE-f50M/s1600/Lace.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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I hope it keeps raining...I have a lot of reading ahead of me...Wendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12766242181638641862noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9136484908604271762.post-28283362002050998652014-01-24T19:59:00.001-08:002014-01-24T20:05:25.677-08:00<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Mushroom Dyeing in January</b></div>
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I've been a bit lazy and not written any posts for this blog in the last few months. September saw us traveling with Rick Steves Tours to the Baltic, in October I was back in Minnesota for a week for my mom's surgery, and in December we got a new puppy - life has not been the same since! Oh, and then there's work...<br />
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But after attending a recent 'Dye Day', where several local spinners and dyers got together to jointly rent out an art center so we could make a mess in a warm place, I thought it was time to share again.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LK3Od2qr_OQ/UuMjDyO04II/AAAAAAAAA7A/NsrNaoKimsk/s1600/Violet+Hedgehogs+in+basket.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LK3Od2qr_OQ/UuMjDyO04II/AAAAAAAAA7A/NsrNaoKimsk/s1600/Violet+Hedgehogs+in+basket.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Violet Hedgehog mushrooms</td></tr>
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This fall in the Pacific Northwest we had the PERFECT weather for mushrooms. I have not seen a year like this since I started hunting for these fungi! One of the many finds this year was a mushroom known as the Violet Hedgehog or Sarcodon fuscoindicus/Hydnum fuscoindicum (depending on the taxonomy source). Although it doesn't appear every year, this year it was very abundant.<br />
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It's a rather discreet tooth fungi that often grows in large clusters on the ground under salal, evergreen huckleberry, douglas fir and hemlock trees in our region. When I went to identify my first find this year, I was surprised that it was missing from most of my mushroom ID books. I had to head for the mushroom 'Bible' - <i>Mushrooms Demystified</i> by David Arora to find out more information.<br />
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The cap of these mushrooms ranges from 4-18cm, can be a bit depressed and is relatively dry. The color ranges from a violet-black to raisin colored with a lighter colored margin. When you slice into them, the interior is almost black. What helps to make this so distinctive - aside from the color - is the teeth on the underside of this mushroom. When looking for them, they often blend nicely into the duff on the forest floor and unless you know what to look for, they are easy to miss.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ese-Vt-eLXQ/UuMjIs8C7VI/AAAAAAAAA7M/I9LOWMNU1B0/s1600/Violet+Hedgehog+teeth.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ese-Vt-eLXQ/UuMjIs8C7VI/AAAAAAAAA7M/I9LOWMNU1B0/s1600/Violet+Hedgehog+teeth.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Underside of the Violet Hedgehog mushroom</td></tr>
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I was able to collect about 3 pounds of these hedgehogs last fall. I sliced them all up and dried them. My three pounds was reduced to a scant 4 ounces!<br />
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This week, I got out my 4 ounces of dried mushrooms, soaked them in water and sat down with the book <i>The Rainbow Beneath My Feet - A Mushroom Dyer's Field Guide</i> by Arleen Rainis Bessette and Alan B. Bessette. I also reread a post from one of my favorite blogs <a href="http://riihivilla.blogspot.com/2011/11/sarcodon-squamosus-experiments.html">http://riihivilla.blogspot.com/2011/11/sarcodon-squamosus-experiments.html</a> by Finnish Dyer Leena Riihelä (Although she is not dealing with the exact same mushroom I am, they are closely related).<br />
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After all of my reading I proceeded to boil my mushrooms for about 2 hours in water, then I raised the pH of the dye bath with ammonia to about 8 1/2 and boiled them for another 2 hours. (All of the sources I read suggested that in order to extract the blue color from hedgehog mushrooms the pH needs to be in the 8 to 9 range.) I then let them cool overnight in the dye liquor to await 'Dye Day' the following day.<br />
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On 'Dye Day', I added water (and ammonia to keep the pH in the 8 1/2 range) to my dye liquor/mushroom combination and proceeded to bring it up to 185 F. As the dye pot got closer to 185 F, the bubbles on top developed a bluish tinge. At this point I strained out the mushrooms and started to add a sample skein to the dyepot. The dyepot had lost it's blue tinge without the mushrooms in it and was only a dark brown/green. The sample skein stayed about the same color as when I added it to the dye pot. As any reasonable person would do, I panicked! All this work and no blue! After a consultation with some dyer friends, we added the mushrooms back into the pot and much to our pleasure the blue color started to reappear. My sample skein immediately started to turn blue.<br />
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Using a dried dyestuff to yarn ratio of 1:1 (4 ounces of dried mushrooms to 4 ounces of total yarn), I added one skein of my handspun Shetland that was mordanted in a 10% alum, 5% cream of tartar solution prior to dyeing. At about 20 minute intervals I added a second skein and then a third skein to the dye pot. None of the skeins stayed in the dyepot for longer than half an hour. When rinsed, the only color to rinse out was a brown/green color...not any of the blue.<br />
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As a further experiment, I removed some of the dye liquor without the mushrooms to a separate pot, added a small amount of a copper liquor solution I had made following Jenny Dean's recipe in <i>Wild Color</i>. This pot was held at 185 F for about half an hour. The color of this skein was a very light green.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QnT-sI5FgiI/UuMjOkPyfBI/AAAAAAAAA7U/lClfEMQzBSw/s1600/Hedgehog+yarn+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QnT-sI5FgiI/UuMjOkPyfBI/AAAAAAAAA7U/lClfEMQzBSw/s1600/Hedgehog+yarn+copy.jpg" height="281" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blue skeins from the dyepot with hedgehog mushrooms and pale green skein from the dyepot with the copper liquor, mushroom dyepot liquor - but no mushrooms.</td></tr>
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What I have concluded (which may or may not be accurate) is that the brown/green color that rinsed off and remained in the dyepot with the mushrooms may potentially be the brown spores of these mushrooms. There appeared to be some oxidation occurring in the dyepot (with mushrooms) when it was in the simmer temperature range and oxygen was being introduced to the solution. At no other time did the surface of the dye liquor turn blue. In my dyepot, I was only able to extract the blue dye when the mushrooms were in the pot.<br />
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I am looking forward to mushroom season next year in hopes that I will find more of these wonderful mushrooms. I have also saved the mushrooms used in this dyepot (they are still a really dark blue-black) with the hope that I can extract more dye from them in the near future! <br />
<br />Wendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12766242181638641862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9136484908604271762.post-11826671720879003612013-07-26T22:45:00.002-07:002013-07-27T07:50:42.866-07:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b>Finnish Travels - Pt.3</b></div>
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As someone that has spent her life making textiles, I would have to say that I am in love with my tools. Tools are such an important part of the process of knitting, weaving and spinning. They can even make a difference in the quality of the finished product. Not to mention that a beautiful, well made tool is a joy to use! <br />
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This post will mostly be a photo essay of some of the amazing textile tools I came across in the Ostrobothnian region of Finland.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-S6_PpaJ7r3o/UfNSfUovGFI/AAAAAAAAA5I/A71ufg9zeg0/s1600/spinning+wheel+in+vasa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-S6_PpaJ7r3o/UfNSfUovGFI/AAAAAAAAA5I/A71ufg9zeg0/s400/spinning+wheel+in+vasa.jpg" width="353" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Painted spinning wheel at the Ostrobothnian Museum in Vasa</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IZHJjSd21Ew/UfNS0GeQWoI/AAAAAAAAA5Q/hRje8WsXAC4/s1600/Spinning+wheels+at+Stundars.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IZHJjSd21Ew/UfNS0GeQWoI/AAAAAAAAA5Q/hRje8WsXAC4/s400/Spinning+wheels+at+Stundars.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Several spinning wheels at Stundars Museum in Solf</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wc-xN_YNHgI/UfNTNB5ybLI/AAAAAAAAA5Y/FH4U-7lBgQo/s1600/Spinning+wheel+Korsnas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wc-xN_YNHgI/UfNTNB5ybLI/AAAAAAAAA5Y/FH4U-7lBgQo/s400/Spinning+wheel+Korsnas.jpg" width="308" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spinning wheel in the priests house at the Korsnäs Hembygdsförening in Korsnäs </td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zq3nyMvmE5Q/UfNUx-XtvlI/AAAAAAAAA5k/jVRBA9m_p2I/s1600/upright+wheel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zq3nyMvmE5Q/UfNUx-XtvlI/AAAAAAAAA5k/jVRBA9m_p2I/s400/upright+wheel.jpg" width="207" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This upright wheel was on display at the Ostrobothnian museum in Vasa. The sign said it was an early 18th century wheel from the town of Karijoki. It was the only wheel of this type that I saw in the local museums. I would like to have had a closer look at it. Based on my own experience with upright wheels, this appears to be missing its flyer. The distaff also appears to be in an unusual location.</td></tr>
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I was really awed by the painting and chip carving used to create a number of spinning tools. Here are several images that are from the Ostrobothnian Museum in Vasa.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_z0HyCTXlv8/UfNYAh3qy9I/AAAAAAAAA50/xWazREv32vg/s1600/Vasa+Distaffs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_z0HyCTXlv8/UfNYAh3qy9I/AAAAAAAAA50/xWazREv32vg/s400/Vasa+Distaffs.jpg" width="346" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Distaffs and a lazy kate from the late 1700's at the Ostrobothnian Museum in Vasa.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9ccCAkLoYv4/UfNYV5wPLvI/AAAAAAAAA58/Y79KCplFzsE/s1600/Vasa+pieces.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9ccCAkLoYv4/UfNYV5wPLvI/AAAAAAAAA58/Y79KCplFzsE/s400/Vasa+pieces.jpg" width="372" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The lazy kates in this image date from the early to mid 1700's. Note the beautiful pulleys used for a counter balance loom.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7EKjsa6F2AI/UfNZBkFVYdI/AAAAAAAAA6E/l_l0_PnLO-k/s1600/Rigid+heddle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7EKjsa6F2AI/UfNZBkFVYdI/AAAAAAAAA6E/l_l0_PnLO-k/s400/Rigid+heddle.jpg" width="395" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This display at the Ostrobothnian Museum in Vasa included several unique distaffs as well as a rigid heddle for band weaving that came from Voitby in Mustasaari.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9HA5SStwDDo/UfNZ5rc_KJI/AAAAAAAAA6Q/T3rjW1RLwa8/s1600/special+distaff.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9HA5SStwDDo/UfNZ5rc_KJI/AAAAAAAAA6Q/T3rjW1RLwa8/s400/special+distaff.jpg" width="205" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This exquisite, carved distaff at the Ostrobothnian Museum in Vasa was made by Anders Andersson Bäck from Kronoby as an engagement present for his future wife while he was working at sea as a ship's carpenter.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8zDuGQY13K0/UfNas2Vsh_I/AAAAAAAAA6Y/oCnVWLZTqQs/s1600/Lazy+Kate.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8zDuGQY13K0/UfNas2Vsh_I/AAAAAAAAA6Y/oCnVWLZTqQs/s400/Lazy+Kate.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I loved all of the detail carved into this lazy kate and the one behind it that I saw at the Korsnäs Hembygdsförening in Korsnäs. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-U6IOhggvFXw/UfNbUQ-3kgI/AAAAAAAAA6g/K2dpP6DnRAk/s1600/clock+reel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-U6IOhggvFXw/UfNbUQ-3kgI/AAAAAAAAA6g/K2dpP6DnRAk/s400/clock+reel.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This skein winder/counter is also known as a 'clock reel'. This too was located at the Ostrobothnian Museum in Vasa. It is the first one I have seen with a clock face painted on it!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GypNdXTGSRo/UfNcB4o71xI/AAAAAAAAA6o/cLs6isoDRCM/s1600/Pulleys.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GypNdXTGSRo/UfNcB4o71xI/AAAAAAAAA6o/cLs6isoDRCM/s400/Pulleys.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This pulley on an old counter balance loom at Stundars in Solf caught my eye. I am in the process of restoring an old 19th century American counter balance loom and was impressed that such care went into making this small part.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6a4whe3d5hg/UfNcrZsm-2I/AAAAAAAAA6w/N0CGXz7WrYk/s1600/antique+pulley.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6a4whe3d5hg/UfNcrZsm-2I/AAAAAAAAA6w/N0CGXz7WrYk/s400/antique+pulley.jpg" width="168" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On a visit to a Vasa antique store shortly after our visit to Stundars in Solfs I came across this loom pulley. I couldn't resist bringing it home. It is a real treasure for me to have! </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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A short note/observation: I was surprised to find several very old, carved and painted distaffs, loom parts and spinning wheel parts in the local antique stores. While visiting my relatives in Molpe, I was pleased to see that they had a spinning wheel in the entrance of their home. They told me that it was quite common for people to have one in their homes. However, most people do not know how to use them.Wendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12766242181638641862noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9136484908604271762.post-85484805736884627142013-06-27T20:51:00.002-07:002013-06-27T20:51:33.161-07:00<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Finnish Travels - Pt 2</b></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oiWUjim02Rk/UczmxeakqrI/AAAAAAAAA1c/HdcHuenW7VU/s800/Blankets.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oiWUjim02Rk/UczmxeakqrI/AAAAAAAAA1c/HdcHuenW7VU/s400/Blankets.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blankets on display at the <span class="st">Korsnäs Hembygdsförenings</span> </td></tr>
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As a weaver, I was really excited and surprised by all of the wonderful weaving that I saw in the Korsnas region of western Finland. Even though the <span class="st">Korsnäs Hembygdsförenings museum is a tiny regional museum it is filled with surprises around each corner. There are several rooms with coverlets and blankets that have been hung to show off their range of color and weaving style. Several are woven in plain weave and several are woven in monk's belt.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--JosA2K6SkA/UczognxH8-I/AAAAAAAAA1s/a_07j29lKhg/s800/Woven+blankets+in+the+Korsnas+Museum.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--JosA2K6SkA/UczognxH8-I/AAAAAAAAA1s/a_07j29lKhg/s400/Woven+blankets+in+the+Korsnas+Museum.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More woven coverlets and blankets at the <span class="st">Korsnäs Hembygdsförenings</span></td></tr>
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<span class="st">A display in one of the rooms that focused on the history of seal hunting in the region suggested that some of the coverlets would have been used for decorative purposes on top of a sheep skin 'blanket'. A close look at the 'blanket' showed the seams where several skins had been sewn together. The 'blanket' was displayed fleece side down.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ig-bqnMvMHg/Uczpw154N-I/AAAAAAAAA18/9YSR6ILhUhM/s800/Bed+seal+hunting+display.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ig-bqnMvMHg/Uczpw154N-I/AAAAAAAAA18/9YSR6ILhUhM/s400/Bed+seal+hunting+display.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Monk's belt coverlet on top of sheep skin 'blanket'.</td></tr>
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<span class="st">Several of the coverlets were displayed as curtains on the box beds. In the displays I saw, the curtains were often woven in monk's belt patterning.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FGx8T3Dahik/UczrgTjSz9I/AAAAAAAAA2M/NdSI6ZkurWI/s800/Bed+Curtains.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FGx8T3Dahik/UczrgTjSz9I/AAAAAAAAA2M/NdSI6ZkurWI/s400/Bed+Curtains.jpg" width="262" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bed curtain on box bed displayed at the Ostrobothnian Museum in Vasa, Finland.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<span class="st">While visiting the city of Vasa, I had the opportunity to also go to a few antique shops. Much to my surprise, I found one of the old monk's belt coverlets for sale. After picking the moths off of it, I brought it home (it also did a stint in my freezer for good measure). The piece was obviously woven after the use of aniline dyes came into use. The ground appears to be a mix of a florescent yellow two ply cotton yarn and a red single ply cotton yarn. The pattern is a bright Barbie pink handspun singles wool yarn. The blanket was woven in two narrower panels and then stitched together by machine. ...If you saw me on the street, you would find that I always wear shades of brown, olive or blue with lots of gray mixed in, so it was quite a shock to me that I really liked this bright coverlet!</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NpDex2UTBOk/UczvKnzoxjI/AAAAAAAAA2c/Gid0-qXrL-4/s800/IMG_1325+email.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NpDex2UTBOk/UczvKnzoxjI/AAAAAAAAA2c/Gid0-qXrL-4/s400/IMG_1325+email.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Monk's belt coverlet from antique store in Vasa. Actual block size is about 1/2" square. </td></tr>
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<span class="st">The sett on this colorful coverlet is about 60 epi with close to 50 pattern picks per inch and 50 ground picks per inch...and I thought that I did fine weaving on my coverlet patterns at 32 epi! Each of the two panels was woven 25" wide and 65" long with a tiny 1/4" hem on the ends and a bit less for the center seam. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pAOafgMdNxk/Uczx0FY3xCI/AAAAAAAAA2s/VwZjUeoSUlw/s800/IMG_1318+email.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pAOafgMdNxk/Uczx0FY3xCI/AAAAAAAAA2s/VwZjUeoSUlw/s400/IMG_1318+email.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Weaving from the Bengt Carlson farm in Molpe</td></tr>
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<span class="st">The other woven treasure I returned with was an single panel of a monk's belt coverlet or bed curtain given to me by the wonderful folks we stayed with, Bengt Carlson and Greta Bj</span><span class="st"><span class="st">ö</span>rkqvist. The ground appears to be a black two ply cotton with a sett of 60 epi. The red and green part of the pattern is a single ply handspun wool while the yellow and white accents are a two ply commercial cotton. The picks per inch in the pattern are about 50 ppi for both the pattern the ground. The piece measures about 26 1/4" wide and 73" long with a tiny hand stitched hem on each end. However, at some point this panel had one of the long sides turned over about 2" and was then hand hemmed. Perhaps for use as a decorative valance for a bed? (There is no evidence of fading on the back side which would suggest it had been used for a window valance). </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CHwsNKMZCec/Ucz4QS3KeGI/AAAAAAAAA28/1aJrDlRSLn8/s800/IMG_1326+email.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CHwsNKMZCec/Ucz4QS3KeGI/AAAAAAAAA28/1aJrDlRSLn8/s400/IMG_1326+email.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My two woven treasures from Finland</td></tr>
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<span class="st">While at the </span><span class="st">Korsnäs Hembygdsförenings I also noticed the woven runners on the floor. These weft faced wool rugs have colored patterning that was quite unique to </span><span class="st">Korsnäs. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ls5Pkhk9olc/Ucz48Dg2gNI/AAAAAAAAA3E/PsD_9-z6ka0/s800/Rug.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ls5Pkhk9olc/Ucz48Dg2gNI/AAAAAAAAA3E/PsD_9-z6ka0/s400/Rug.jpg" width="277" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="st">Korsnäs woven rug</span></td></tr>
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<span class="st">Band weaving also played an important part of the textile production in the area. These bands were woven on a rigid heddle loom. They were used for decoration on the both the folk costumes and household textiles in the region.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rY1JImbOnY8/Ucz67q03BgI/AAAAAAAAA3g/xraTlXuYXNA/s800/Woven+bands.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rY1JImbOnY8/Ucz67q03BgI/AAAAAAAAA3g/xraTlXuYXNA/s400/Woven+bands.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Woven and tapestry crochet bands at the <span class="st">Korsnäs Hembygdsförenings</span></td></tr>
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<span class="st"> </span><br />
<span class="st">While visiting Stundars Open Air Museum in Solf, we had
the opportunity to watch some of the local crafts people do demonstrations.
Barbro Sandin was using the rigid heddle loom to weave traditional patterned bands. These particular bands are used to wrap around the waist of skirts for the women's folk costume and to hold up aprons and pockets.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_o8Un2LwaWw/Ucz6K3RIDhI/AAAAAAAAA3U/uyszs7P9bpk/s800/Band+weaving.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_o8Un2LwaWw/Ucz6K3RIDhI/AAAAAAAAA3U/uyszs7P9bpk/s400/Band+weaving.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Barbro Sandin demonstrating at Stundars</td></tr>
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<span class="st"> </span><br />
This women's ikat, weft faced wool skirt from the <span class="st">Korsnäs folk costume would
have been wrapped with a three meter handwoven band around the waist. The band
was finished with decorative wrapping and tassels.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JH6FkkE-_l0/Ucz8PjOAybI/AAAAAAAAA3w/otxbV6m2UgQ/s800/tassels+&+skirt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JH6FkkE-_l0/Ucz8PjOAybI/AAAAAAAAA3w/otxbV6m2UgQ/s400/tassels+&+skirt.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="st">From the folk costume collection at Brage in Helsinki, Finland</span></td></tr>
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<br />I can only say that I am thrilled that my sister, who accompanied me on this trip, showed great forbearance as I slowed my pace to that of a snail as we explored all of these wonderful places! <br />
<br />Wendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12766242181638641862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9136484908604271762.post-13504648475903487562013-06-06T18:43:00.001-07:002013-06-06T19:30:36.426-07:00<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Finnish Travels - Part 1 </b></div>
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<b><span class="st"> The Korsnäs Hembygdsförenings</span></b></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JbUfk9yxEG4/UbEyvt5nXrI/AAAAAAAAAzI/1iXsifg5JDc/s1600/Museum.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="242" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JbUfk9yxEG4/UbEyvt5nXrI/AAAAAAAAAzI/1iXsifg5JDc/s400/Museum.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="st">The Hembygdsförenings </span><span class="st">located in Korsnäs, Finland</span> </td></tr>
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<span class="st">From very early in my life I have had an intense interest in my family history. Like most Americans I'm a 'mutt'. However, a quarter of my ancestry comes from the Swedes that populate the western coast of Finland. The only problem was that aside from a few bits of oral history, some old photos and an worn wooden butter box</span><span class="st">, all traces of</span><b><span class="st"> </span></b><span class="st">those </span><span class="st">origins had disappeared.</span><b><span class="st"> </span></b><span class="st">It wasn't until recently after much research and the help of some wonderful people I met five years ago, that I was able to reconnect with my Swedish-Finn roots.</span><b><span class="st"> </span></b><span class="st"> The journey has been remarkable to say the least!</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-34ACHIkmI-A/UbE3Lnp6QjI/AAAAAAAAAzY/tp1da-8Itqc/s1600/Oldest+sweater+in+the+collection+-+Korsnas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-34ACHIkmI-A/UbE3Lnp6QjI/AAAAAAAAAzY/tp1da-8Itqc/s400/Oldest+sweater+in+the+collection+-+Korsnas.jpg" width="262" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oldest mans <span class="st"><span class="st"></span></span><span class="st"><span class="st"><span class="st">Korsnäs sweater in the museums collection</span></span></span></td></tr>
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<span class="st">My great grandfather emigrated from Molpe, Finland in the </span><span class="st"><span class="st">Korsnäs region of Ostrobothnia in western Finland. </span></span><span class="st"><span class="st"><span class="st">Korsnäs is known for a very unique type of textile that is often a combination of knitting and tapestry crochet. They have a wonderful little museum in the town center of </span></span></span><span class="st"><span class="st"><span class="st"><span class="st">Korsnäs known as the </span></span></span></span><span class="st"><span class="st"><span class="st"><span class="st">Hembygdsförenings</span>. Volunteer Inga-Britt Mannfolk</span></span> graciously opened the museum for us on a Sunday so that we could see the incredible collection of textiles that it housed.</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AMqiKhCGVic/UbE4A4ji8AI/AAAAAAAAAzk/tYO0MJ_R11Q/s1600/Sweater+with+bands.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AMqiKhCGVic/UbE4A4ji8AI/AAAAAAAAAzk/tYO0MJ_R11Q/s400/Sweater+with+bands.jpg" width="207" /></a></div>
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These sweaters are typically made by using a tapestry crochet technique for the top and bottom of both the sleeves and the sweater body. It's a very durable technique that withstands wear quite well. The body of the sweater is then knit, often with three woman working together on the 'lice' patten. The knitted body stretched allowing for expansion as a person aged. These sweaters were first made in the mid 1800's for men and latter were adapted for woman.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kEM2KNKogU8/UbE5Ky5BRmI/AAAAAAAAAz0/jmtHoTWSV_o/s1600/Sweater+with+cap.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kEM2KNKogU8/UbE5Ky5BRmI/AAAAAAAAAz0/jmtHoTWSV_o/s400/Sweater+with+cap.jpg" width="237" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="st"><span class="st"></span></span><span class="st"><span class="st"><span class="st">Korsnäs sweater with cap</span></span></span> </td></tr>
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The tapestry crochet technique was also used on a wide range of other textiles. The museum had a sizable collection of small bags that were used for money or tobacco from the entire <span class="st"><span class="st"></span></span><span class="st"><span class="st"><span class="st">Korsnäs region</span></span></span>.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-auUjvtgeIi8/UbE50kvmU3I/AAAAAAAAAz8/k3ZyKZAjVls/s1600/Korsnas+money+bag.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-auUjvtgeIi8/UbE50kvmU3I/AAAAAAAAAz8/k3ZyKZAjVls/s400/Korsnas+money+bag.jpg" width="218" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Money bag from <span class="st"><span class="st"></span></span><span class="st"><span class="st"><span class="st">Korsnäs</span></span></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ff74E8UuOlc/UbE6JAlRNtI/AAAAAAAAA0E/StwMjMKP9sY/s1600/Tobacco+bag.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ff74E8UuOlc/UbE6JAlRNtI/AAAAAAAAA0E/StwMjMKP9sY/s400/Tobacco+bag.jpg" width="276" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tobacco bag from <span class="st"><span class="st"></span></span><span class="st"><span class="st"><span class="st">Korsnäs</span></span></span></td></tr>
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This technique also lent itself to a number of different styles of bands for use with trousers, dresses and blankets.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Mmx-b72v80Y/UbE630BiauI/AAAAAAAAA0Q/SVmubIUyrLM/s1600/Band+for+edge+decoration.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="207" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Mmx-b72v80Y/UbE630BiauI/AAAAAAAAA0Q/SVmubIUyrLM/s400/Band+for+edge+decoration.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Decorative band for a sleigh blanket</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-v6yKchCX6qQ/UbE7DXzgM8I/AAAAAAAAA0c/-E2HUUGikqM/s1600/Blanket+with+band+edge+and+woven+bands.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-v6yKchCX6qQ/UbE7DXzgM8I/AAAAAAAAA0c/-E2HUUGikqM/s400/Blanket+with+band+edge+and+woven+bands.jpg" width="276" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sleigh blanket woven in monksbelt with tapestry crochet edge, additional tapestry crochet bands and rigid heddle bands</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PKbw72ipNAE/UbE7_iTXU3I/AAAAAAAAA0s/_tOM7SAB8r0/s1600/Breast+plate.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PKbw72ipNAE/UbE7_iTXU3I/AAAAAAAAA0s/_tOM7SAB8r0/s400/Breast+plate.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Breast plate</td></tr>
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This unique 'breast plate' for a man would have been worn in the v area inside of a mans vest.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ISgjr-D1IPM/UbE8cgjtdtI/AAAAAAAAA00/NPSTjH37VUw/s1600/Wrist+warmer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ISgjr-D1IPM/UbE8cgjtdtI/AAAAAAAAA00/NPSTjH37VUw/s400/Wrist+warmer.jpg" width="362" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wrist warmer with decorative fringe</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BPTmMObI-ac/UbE8wQFhqpI/AAAAAAAAA08/i1aAxm9evoU/s1600/Hat+and+mittens.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BPTmMObI-ac/UbE8wQFhqpI/AAAAAAAAA08/i1aAxm9evoU/s400/Hat+and+mittens.jpg" width="247" /></a></td></tr>
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The caps that I saw as well as one pair of socks used the combination of knitting and tapestry crochet. The mittens however were knitted only with patterns that emulated the tapestry crochet patterns. I was pleased to see several pairs of mittens for sale in the lobby of the museum along with patterns for sweaters, mittens and hats.<br />
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If you are interested in learning more about the history of these textiles as well as how to make them, I would strongly recommend the book, 'Decorative Crocheting' by Marketta Luutonen, Anna-Maija B<span class="st">äckman and Gunnar </span><br />
B<span class="st">äckman. It was published in 2003 by </span><span class="st">österbottens hantverk rf in Vaasa, Finland. The text is in English (as well as Swedish and Finnish) - thank heavens...my Swedish is atrocious! </span><br />
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Wendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12766242181638641862noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9136484908604271762.post-9165014432916768562013-04-10T11:22:00.002-07:002013-04-10T11:24:05.030-07:00<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>"A Legacy of Shetland Lace"</b></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5tG7jYokiYw/UWWoewoR5KI/AAAAAAAAAyI/2n3nJFrzjps/s1600/IMG_0991.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5tG7jYokiYw/UWWoewoR5KI/AAAAAAAAAyI/2n3nJFrzjps/s400/IMG_0991.JPG" width="303" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Published by <a href="http://www.shetlandtimes.co.uk/shop/product.php?productid=202&cat=29&page=1">The Shetland Times Ltd</a>, Lerwick, 2012</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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Elizabeth Johnston of Shetland sent me this lovely book this past winter. Most books that are available about Shetland lace are written by writers that are not from Shetland. This book is actually the work of the Shetland Guild of Spinners, Knitters, Weavers and Dyers that was founded in 1988. It's purpose is to preserve and further Shetland's traditional textile heritage.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gxThhrFKQko/UWWq2ZuMYjI/AAAAAAAAAyQ/uU_5dCjkz78/s1600/IMG_0993.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="347" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gxThhrFKQko/UWWq2ZuMYjI/AAAAAAAAAyQ/uU_5dCjkz78/s400/IMG_0993.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
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This knitting book has all of the things that I most love about knitting books. Not only does it have good patterns, it also has clear directions at the beginning of the book for finishing and grafting. All of the pattern designers, including Hazel Tindall, have interesting bios so that we get to know who these Shetland knitters are. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lEg03Sz15J8/UWWr_uN-hUI/AAAAAAAAAyY/WiRTK8TSjPU/s1600/IMG_0996.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="176" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lEg03Sz15J8/UWWr_uN-hUI/AAAAAAAAAyY/WiRTK8TSjPU/s320/IMG_0996.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
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The Shetland Guild of Spinners, Knitters, Weavers and Dyers logo is used to
indicate the difficulty level of each pattern using one to five spinning
wheels - five being the hardest.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bumxnn8dzYk/UWWsnBAYhhI/AAAAAAAAAyg/JKRJp1U6Ue4/s1600/IMG_0994.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="166" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bumxnn8dzYk/UWWsnBAYhhI/AAAAAAAAAyg/JKRJp1U6Ue4/s400/IMG_0994.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Knitting Advise</td></tr>
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Throughout the book you will find tidbits of knitting advise from these masters written in <i>their</i> native English. It brings the reader just that much closer to being in Shetland to be able to read all these little gems of wisdom. It's a book that I highly recommend!</div>
Wendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12766242181638641862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9136484908604271762.post-76059049843900044032013-03-11T19:39:00.000-07:002013-03-11T19:39:16.824-07:00<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Shearing Day at Whoamule Shetlands</b></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--5GujpNGt38/UT6UD6L1hOI/AAAAAAAAAvA/GTwLT0ryvik/s1600/Skirting+the+Fleece.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--5GujpNGt38/UT6UD6L1hOI/AAAAAAAAAvA/GTwLT0ryvik/s400/Skirting+the+Fleece.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Skirting Fleece</td></tr>
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Chris and Jerry Lubinski of Clinton, WA on Whidbey Island let me photograph their shearing day recently. If you'd like to see the whole story, follow this link to my other blog...<a href="http://thesheepbarn.blogspot.com/">http://thesheepbarn.blogspot.com</a></div>
Wendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12766242181638641862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9136484908604271762.post-24007137230146100812013-02-26T20:48:00.001-08:002013-02-26T20:48:17.636-08:00<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>In search of bed rugs and boat rya...</b></div>
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My sister and I are planning a trip to Finland this spring in search of our 'roots'. Although I truly am an American mutt, 1/4 of my ancestry is Swedish-Finn...and for reasons I can't explain, I have always had a very strong interest in early Scandinavian textiles. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nhvHv_ZrJDs/US1hD1wrPjI/AAAAAAAAApI/5xIf1uQcShg/s1600/rya.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="260" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nhvHv_ZrJDs/US1hD1wrPjI/AAAAAAAAApI/5xIf1uQcShg/s400/rya.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Reproduction of a 'proddy' rug that is on display at <a href="http://www.stundars.fi/?lang=en">Stundars Museum</a> in Korsholm, Finland</td></tr>
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Unbeknownst to my poor sister, I have already started my search for museums in the Ostrobothnian region of western Finland that have interesting 19th century household textiles. Much to my delight I came across the website recently for the <a href="http://www.stundars.fi/?lang=en">Stundars Museum</a> in Korsholm, Finland. Even better, their artifact of the month was a 'proddy' rug.<br />
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I had never heard of a 'proddy' rug before. However, when they started describing this textile that was woven in two sections with a hemp warp, rags for filler and a pile made out of wool fabric strips and wool and cotton yarn, I started to get excited!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lLAKr95t7AI/US1jMauaXzI/AAAAAAAAApk/-_UyyJ1iG7Q/s1600/Rya+made+with+rags+.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lLAKr95t7AI/US1jMauaXzI/AAAAAAAAApk/-_UyyJ1iG7Q/s400/Rya+made+with+rags+.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rag rya that is part of the collection at the <a href="http://www.nedreberg.no/english/about/">Nedreberg Farm</a> near Stryn, Norway</td></tr>
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While in Norway in 2011, I had the opportunity to see some interesting ryas that had a pile made out of rags. The back or ground, like many of the Norwegian ryas (rya is the Swedish name for these rugs) was a twill weave with colored stripes. These ryas were designed to have the pile side facing down and the woven 'back' facing up. The pile would trap the air, not unlike our down comforters and create a very warm bed coverlet. (The owner of the farm however, told us that the children slept under this rya with the pile side up because the wool rags tickled their noses.)<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Toz19Lv5wdk/US1l-6clezI/AAAAAAAAAqA/Xyr1NdpNOk0/s1600/Detail+Rag+coverlet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Toz19Lv5wdk/US1l-6clezI/AAAAAAAAAqA/Xyr1NdpNOk0/s400/Detail+Rag+coverlet.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Detail of rag rya from <a href="http://www.nedreberg.no/english/about/">Nedreberg Farm</a></td></tr>
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The 'proddy' rug at <a href="http://www.stundars.fi/?lang=en">Stundars</a> also captured my imagination because of it's history. Museum founder and curator, Gunnar Rosenholm, ..."During his expeditions in the region in the 1950's, he (saw) a rag rug in a seal-hunting boat in Replot. His research showed that in the 18th century only farmers and people of rank could afford rag rugs, so called proddy rugs, with pile made from wool yarn. Crofters had rugs made from rags. Still in the 1880's, crofters used the proddy rug as a bedspread. The rag rug was used in much the same way as a skin rug but sometimes the rag rug was more practical. A skin rug would turn stiff and cumbersome once it had become wet. This is why fisherman preferred proddy rugs in their boats well into the 20th century, and why the last rugs were found in the archipelago."<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gmtutSFAdO4/US1r2ZKirKI/AAAAAAAAAqc/T8jDCpxF31Y/s1600/Scan.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gmtutSFAdO4/US1r2ZKirKI/AAAAAAAAAqc/T8jDCpxF31Y/s400/Scan.jpeg" width="265" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Batrya on a bed in a rorbu (fishermans cabin) at the <a href="http://www.lofotmuseet.no/modules.php?op=modload&name=Sections&file=index&req=viewarticle&artid=53">Lofoten Museum</a> in Storvagen, Norway</td></tr>
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The proddy rugs got me thinking about the batryas (boat rye) that are found on the west coast of Norway. They have several nice examples on display at the <a href="http://www.lofotmuseet.no/modules.php?op=modload&name=Sections&file=index&req=viewarticle&artid=53">Lofoten Museum</a> in the Lofoten Islands. The batrya has a woven ground with a pattern in it, but the pile is made of plied wool yarn. They were woven for the same reasons that the proddy rugs were woven. When the fishermen went out on the fishing grounds and spent the night in their boats, these rya kept them warm and dry, were relatively easy to wash and did not deteriorate in the salt water like a skin would.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Qd_756QhDQM/US1tqX4YJPI/AAAAAAAAAq4/SoNiP1jrkA8/s1600/Scan+1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Qd_756QhDQM/US1tqX4YJPI/AAAAAAAAAq4/SoNiP1jrkA8/s400/Scan+1.jpeg" width="265" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Detail of the front and back of a batrya at the <a href="http://www.lofotmuseet.no/modules.php?op=modload&name=Sections&file=index&req=viewarticle&artid=53">Lofoten Museum</a>.</td></tr>
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In Shetland, a more decorative bed rug version of the rya is found in the form of a 'taatit rug'. The ground is woven on a loom like the other bed rugs in Scandinavia, but the knotted pile is then looped onto the ground after it is removed from the loom with a needle, and then cut...in some ways like the rya 'kits' that are available today from Finland. Unlike the modern Finnish rya which is purely decorative, the taatit rugs were functional bed rugs.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zbo07-j4m20/US12KZp9VeI/AAAAAAAAArw/YV3tuuftQoc/s1600/Taatit+rug+-+Shetland+Museum+Textile+Collection.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="271" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zbo07-j4m20/US12KZp9VeI/AAAAAAAAArw/YV3tuuftQoc/s400/Taatit+rug+-+Shetland+Museum+Textile+Collection.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Taatit Rug in the collection of the <a href="http://www.shetland-museum.org.uk/">Shetland Museum</a></td></tr>
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One of my favorite versions of the batrya dates back to Viking times in Iceland in the form of the 'varafeldur', a woven shawl that was used as currency. The pile in this case was made of locks of the sheeps fleece knotted around the spun wool warp yarns. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CPgCQApRMMo/US1-sasqKOI/AAAAAAAAAsM/peYnAgI4MLc/s1600/fell+detail.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CPgCQApRMMo/US1-sasqKOI/AAAAAAAAAsM/peYnAgI4MLc/s400/fell+detail.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Detail of the 'varafeldur' woven by Elizabeth, Marta and Hildur</td></tr>
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A few years ago Elizabeth Johnston (Shetland) along with Marta Klove Juuhl (Norway) and Hildur
Hakonardottir (Iceland) wove a 'varafeldur' in Iceland using the old viking
methods on a warp weighted loom. They used the fleece from local
Icelandic sheep. The finished varafeldur is a remarkably soft, light
weight textile that would keep any fisherman warm.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_5XJ7RslQ7U/US1zOcmTM0I/AAAAAAAAArU/sujD3rZT2CU/s1600/Fell.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_5XJ7RslQ7U/US1zOcmTM0I/AAAAAAAAArU/sujD3rZT2CU/s400/Fell.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Marta Klove Juuhl with woven 'varafeldur'</td></tr>
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Although I didn't have the privilege of seeing this piece woven, I did get to handle the finished piece. This weaving technique is quite rare. The only place I have seen it demonstrated was by the interpretive staff at the <a href="http://www.lofotr.no/index.asp">Lofotr Borg Viking Museum</a> in the Lofoten Islands in Norway several years ago.<br />
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So as I plot 'my version' of our trip to Finland in search of our roots - I guess I'll also have to take a detour to the <a href="http://museo.vaasa.fi/w/?lang=3&page=278">Ostrobothnian Museum</a> in Vaasa to see the original 'proddy' rug. It would be a shame to just see the reproduction and not the original...I do hope my sister ends up falling in love with these Scandinavian bed rugs like I have!<br />
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<br />Wendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12766242181638641862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9136484908604271762.post-47413098933890143362013-01-24T09:31:00.004-08:002013-01-24T09:33:02.837-08:00<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>More on sweaters and ponies...</b></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-E8RZLzTHKj4/UQFviXGuO6I/AAAAAAAAAnk/0eSJ4NEj9Qw/s1600/BN2A7213.jpg.scaled1000.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-E8RZLzTHKj4/UQFviXGuO6I/AAAAAAAAAnk/0eSJ4NEj9Qw/s400/BN2A7213.jpg.scaled1000.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here are photos and commentary from the blog of the pony owners with an exhortation to 'Not try this at home." This link was kindly sent to me from Elizabeth Johnston in Shetland.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://shetlandponyeverything.posterous.com/please-do-not-try-this-at-home%20%20">http://shetlandponyeverything.posterous.com/please-do-not-try-this-at-home </a></div>
Wendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12766242181638641862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9136484908604271762.post-51015776917953670652013-01-22T13:51:00.002-08:002013-01-22T13:51:37.554-08:00<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Shetland Ponies with Fair Isle Sweaters promote Tourism in Scotland</b><br />
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Who can resist these beauties! <b><br /></b></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gWK6LOfjDn4/UP8JEkjtSGI/AAAAAAAAAnI/ojuwt5k-3AQ/s1600/article-2266196-17116387000005DC-871_634x408.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="256" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gWK6LOfjDn4/UP8JEkjtSGI/AAAAAAAAAnI/ojuwt5k-3AQ/s400/article-2266196-17116387000005DC-871_634x408.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2266196/How-turn-pony-jumper--combine-Shetlands-favourite-exports.html">http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2266196/How-turn-pony-jumper--combine-Shetlands-favourite-exports.html</a></div>
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Wendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12766242181638641862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9136484908604271762.post-56025300809798513542012-12-20T18:53:00.000-08:002012-12-20T22:58:33.605-08:00<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Inspiration...</b></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Rtffw-qjKLw/UNO7QhAGNTI/AAAAAAAAAfc/FNJdUoKDIZ4/s1600/Flock+Sweater.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Rtffw-qjKLw/UNO7QhAGNTI/AAAAAAAAAfc/FNJdUoKDIZ4/s400/Flock+Sweater.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My flock sweater</td></tr>
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After watching Martha and Elizabeth knit their allovers in October, I decided it was about time to get back to work on my 'flock sweater'. I'd set it aside a few years ago after I finished the sleeves. I'd run out of black and needed to spin some more, all the bobbins on my wheel were full...you know the drill...So it went into what my husband fondly refers to as the 'Great Hall of Unfinished Projects' - we all have one. Mine really isn't all that large, it's just that DH finds the whole concept rather odd, but then he doesn't knit (or spin or weave or...).<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5qTSX5iCPFo/UNO9GZ28m0I/AAAAAAAAAf4/zBHPbtZ_Tr0/s1600/Buttercup+again.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="252" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5qTSX5iCPFo/UNO9GZ28m0I/AAAAAAAAAf4/zBHPbtZ_Tr0/s400/Buttercup+again.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'Buttercup'</td></tr>
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All of the colors in my sweater have a corresponding face that goes with them. Most of the browns in the sweater come from different shearings from different years from Buttercup, a now 8 year old Shetland ewe. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2NaY9epP0qQ/UNO-LyJ8L0I/AAAAAAAAAgE/ZncuTDMKWI8/s1600/Ylletro%CC%88ja+Shetlands.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2NaY9epP0qQ/UNO-LyJ8L0I/AAAAAAAAAgE/ZncuTDMKWI8/s400/Ylletro%CC%88ja+Shetlands.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ylletroja Shetlands</td></tr>
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An advantage to raising Shetland sheep is the wide range in the fleece colors 'on the hoof'. That diversity made the planning of the colorway for my sweater a lot of fun.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oSHaQ5tjaEU/UNPAx86-mOI/AAAAAAAAAgw/_6OxJS1fCZE/s1600/Poetry+in+Stitches.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oSHaQ5tjaEU/UNPAx86-mOI/AAAAAAAAAgw/_6OxJS1fCZE/s400/Poetry+in+Stitches.JPG" width="288" /></a></div>
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As for the design, I headed for one of my favorite knitting books, <i>Poetry in Stitches</i>, by Solveig Hisdal (published in 2000). Solveig is the designer for the Norwegian knitwear company, <a href="http://www.oleana.no/News.aspx?lang=2&cc=11">Oleana</a>. She has won numerous awards for her knitwear designs. On a warm summer night in Oslo before the theater starts you can see numerous woman dressed in Oleana sweaters and matching silk skirts stroll by - her designs have become the contemporary version of the bunad or folk costume in Norway. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KhQwNFJ_G9g/UNPC38t8Z0I/AAAAAAAAAhM/RbqyGdSmHYo/s1600/Solveigs+Sweater.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KhQwNFJ_G9g/UNPC38t8Z0I/AAAAAAAAAhM/RbqyGdSmHYo/s400/Solveigs+Sweater.jpg" width="302" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Solveig Hisdal sweater design from <i>Poetry in Stitches</i></td></tr>
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The pattern I used for my sweater in her book was knit in red, blue, green, gold and black. I have been able to adapt it really well to the natural Shetland colors. But the thing that really excites me (again and again) about her pattern design and color choice is the fact that they are often inspired by old textiles.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Zs3vEX0c67E/UNPDwe63U_I/AAAAAAAAAhY/ekjMcQ9NC6g/s1600/Bunad.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Zs3vEX0c67E/UNPDwe63U_I/AAAAAAAAAhY/ekjMcQ9NC6g/s400/Bunad.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Woolen bunad bodice form Hallingdal from <i>Poetry in Stitches</i></td></tr>
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Museums contain a wealth of old textiles that are often ignored. Solveig Hisdal has used these old textiles and artifacts as inspiration for her designs. She's able to see in a way that most of us do not and create a thoroughly modern textile that honors the spirit of these old pieces. Her book not only includes her own sweater designs, but also photos of the old pieces that have inspired her. Many are textiles, but she has also included photos of architectural details of old buildings, old paintings of bunad, flowers and the landscape.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Zw6VB87666Q/UNPHudgjJhI/AAAAAAAAAiE/6bSL2dOnCN8/s1600/Christmas+Sweater.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Zw6VB87666Q/UNPHudgjJhI/AAAAAAAAAiE/6bSL2dOnCN8/s400/Christmas+Sweater.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My Christmas sweater</td></tr>
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Many years ago, I found this sweater in a little shop in Stillwater, Minnesota. I fell in love with it immediately. At that time I had never heard of Oleana or Solveig Hisdal. (To this day, you still have to work really hard to find her work in the US - not so in Norway!) The price was dear, but I have never regretted buying it. Each year I pull it out of the closet in December and remember again why I love her work so much.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sL6JOxrlfnU/UNPI4XCYKhI/AAAAAAAAAiQ/yWyLPQPwnFU/s1600/Oleana+design.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sL6JOxrlfnU/UNPI4XCYKhI/AAAAAAAAAiQ/yWyLPQPwnFU/s400/Oleana+design.jpg" width="291" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A few pieces in the 2012 Oleana knitwear collection</td></tr>
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Each year <a href="http://www.oleana.no/News.aspx?lang=2&cc=11">Oleana</a> continues to put out new designs. They continue to offer new pieces in their lines that now include home furnishings as well as women's wear. As time changes, so do the materials that they are using. My Christmas sweater was all wool. Today, you will find more wool/silk blends and alpaca fibers, much as you would in other contemporary women's wear, but the essence of her designs remain the same.<br />
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I'm happy to be back knitting my 'Flock sweater'...inspiration comes in many forms....Thank you Martha and Elizabeth!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ON0UNdqOO1k/UNPL3u9AnXI/AAAAAAAAAi8/0MnA2MC8dHQ/s1600/Martha%27s+allover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ON0UNdqOO1k/UNPL3u9AnXI/AAAAAAAAAi8/0MnA2MC8dHQ/s400/Martha%27s+allover.jpg" width="330" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Martha's newly finished allover</td></tr>
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<i>For more information about Oleana, click on this <a href="http://www.oleana.no/Video/?cc=21&lang=2">video link</a> to watch their 2006 video about the company. Although the video is in Norwegian, it will give you a chance to meet the owners of Oleana - Signe Aarhus and Kolbjorn Valestrand - as well as the companies designer, Solveig Hisdal. It includes a factory tour of Oleana (they've chosen to make their sweaters entirely in Norway), their employees annual trip abroad as well as a fashion show that they held at the Nordsik Museum, in Stockholm, Sweden.</i>Wendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12766242181638641862noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9136484908604271762.post-17220731578368315722012-11-17T16:55:00.001-08:002012-11-17T23:26:11.148-08:00<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Fair Isle for Handspinners Class</b></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uSSRxz8LS2s/UKgx3u4nd_I/AAAAAAAAAe8/MEDFDajcIAU/s1600/IMG_5222.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uSSRxz8LS2s/UKgx3u4nd_I/AAAAAAAAAe8/MEDFDajcIAU/s1600/IMG_5222.jpeg" /></a></div>
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<b>Elizabeth Johnston</b> of Shetland and <b>Martha Owen</b> of North Carolina, recently visited the NW to teach traditional techniques for Fair Isle knitting. Elizabeth started the class by informing us that it was not a dye class or a spinning class or a knitting class, but rather a color class...and off we went! <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yXPkFTuvTjI/UKglTF0rB-I/AAAAAAAAAdI/WwIYPmxNZfc/s1600/Dyed+fleece.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yXPkFTuvTjI/UKglTF0rB-I/AAAAAAAAAdI/WwIYPmxNZfc/s400/Dyed+fleece.jpg" width="308" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Natural colors of Shetland fleece (gray and light moorit) just removed from a dye bath containing cochineal and onion. Other dye pots contained onion skins for yellow and green and logwood for blue and purple. Several colors of fleece were dyed to get a large selection of colors.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gKe4UKYzaOs/UKgmqFMB2II/AAAAAAAAAdQ/gyc9HoihE_o/s1600/Break+in+lock.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gKe4UKYzaOs/UKgmqFMB2II/AAAAAAAAAdQ/gyc9HoihE_o/s400/Break+in+lock.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Shetland sheep in Shetland are shorn in the summer after the rise or
natural break that occurs in the process of the shedding of their
fleeces. If you look closely at this photo you can see where the old
lock ends and the new fleece begins toward the cut end of the lock. </td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-t53IY6I_4EA/UKgngJjsabI/AAAAAAAAAdY/obNeun98Y0c/s1600/Dyed+fleece+samples.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-t53IY6I_4EA/UKgngJjsabI/AAAAAAAAAdY/obNeun98Y0c/s400/Dyed+fleece+samples.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Two dyed locks of Shetland fleece just out of the dye pot.</td></tr>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bHcbwz6fcFo/UKgnyKQGyhI/AAAAAAAAAdg/VmWqnWNFyl4/s1600/holding+fleece.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bHcbwz6fcFo/UKgnyKQGyhI/AAAAAAAAAdg/VmWqnWNFyl4/s1600/holding+fleece.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="381" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bHcbwz6fcFo/UKgnyKQGyhI/AAAAAAAAAdg/VmWqnWNFyl4/s400/holding+fleece.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Holding the lock firmly in your hand, the end with the break needs to be pulled off at the rise area or break in the fleece before it is ready to work with.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4QW-UjJssbw/UKgog-8oCuI/AAAAAAAAAdo/kMYs8sCCQJg/s1600/Fleece+tips+removed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4QW-UjJssbw/UKgog-8oCuI/AAAAAAAAAdo/kMYs8sCCQJg/s400/Fleece+tips+removed.jpg" width="302" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dyed locks that have had the ends pulled off at the break or rise location.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nKvGZVeQm3I/UKgp-yQORVI/AAAAAAAAAdw/egfBcFOCDv0/s1600/Preparing+a+rolag.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nKvGZVeQm3I/UKgp-yQORVI/AAAAAAAAAdw/egfBcFOCDv0/s400/Preparing+a+rolag.jpg" width="248" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Once the tender ends are removed from the fleece it is carded into rolags, either by hand or with a drum carder. This is the time that the dyed fleece can be mixed with other colors or light or dark natural colored fleece. The color possibilities at this point are endless.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sSPrJknjlKs/UKgqu-1KPLI/AAAAAAAAAd4/oGkwiMAaIug/s1600/Drum+carding.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sSPrJknjlKs/UKgqu-1KPLI/AAAAAAAAAd4/oGkwiMAaIug/s400/Drum+carding.jpg" width="301" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Elizabeth Johnston</b> demonstrates the use of the drum carder for color blending as well as for creating a lofty, woolen style yarn.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YQOiRIae3a0/UKgrVfPY4BI/AAAAAAAAAeA/aVVy-4amgt8/s1600/Martha%27s+long+draw.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YQOiRIae3a0/UKgrVfPY4BI/AAAAAAAAAeA/aVVy-4amgt8/s400/Martha%27s+long+draw.jpg" width="277" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Creating a lofty, woolen yarn for Fair Isle knitting requires the perfect rolag as well as the perfect spinning method. Here teacher <b>Martha Owen</b> demonstrates her 'long draw' spinning technique. Once the single yarn is spun, it is then <i>under-plied</i> for an <i>unbalanced</i> two plied yarn...just what 'they' tell you never to do. The finished yarn is strong, light and airy...done in the style of the traditional Shetland production spinners. </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WnaKrtp6hCE/UKgtN07DogI/AAAAAAAAAeI/G1fBwB0zGnk/s1600/Denise+Mor.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WnaKrtp6hCE/UKgtN07DogI/AAAAAAAAAeI/G1fBwB0zGnk/s400/Denise+Mor.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Student Denise Mor with her dyed fleece and carded rolags ready for spinning.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sAKrddhhRfI/UKgtghVWuZI/AAAAAAAAAeQ/gOP-h-NFnVw/s1600/Spun+yarn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="175" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sAKrddhhRfI/UKgtghVWuZI/AAAAAAAAAeQ/gOP-h-NFnVw/s400/Spun+yarn.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Denise's spun yarn ready to be knit into a traditional Fair Isle pattern.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JCUfyP2nSnw/UKgtz2F3qjI/AAAAAAAAAeY/4C7yljGbQbY/s1600/Work+in+progress.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JCUfyP2nSnw/UKgtz2F3qjI/AAAAAAAAAeY/4C7yljGbQbY/s400/Work+in+progress.jpg" width="341" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of 'Fair Isle for Handspinners' students knitting in progress.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ly1_RcXTlJg/UKguKjsIq_I/AAAAAAAAAeg/x7gYruOX9HM/s1600/Finished+bag+on+raw+locks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ly1_RcXTlJg/UKguKjsIq_I/AAAAAAAAAeg/x7gYruOX9HM/s400/Finished+bag+on+raw+locks.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A finished project on top of the raw Shetland locks that the class started with.</td></tr>
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I'm looking forward to working with the wonderful stash of dyed and undyed fleece that I came home with after this class. Wendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12766242181638641862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9136484908604271762.post-18861709865575505752012-10-20T00:04:00.001-07:002012-10-20T13:58:07.237-07:00<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Vacations...and Manx sheep...</b></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HUaPJUXjdS0/UII0haKAxRI/AAAAAAAAAak/idQyj3BB8nQ/s1600/Knockaloe+beg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HUaPJUXjdS0/UII0haKAxRI/AAAAAAAAAak/idQyj3BB8nQ/s400/Knockaloe+beg.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Knockaloe Beg Farm, Patrick, Isle of Man</td></tr>
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We just got back from our vacation. As usual, we choose a place that was windy, rainy and required a ferry ride. This time we headed for the Isle of Man, a relatively unknown island that lies in the Irish Sea between Dublin and Liverpool. We have friends that live there half the year (she's half Manx) and back in the 1860's, my husbands great-grandfather emigrated from the island. Nowadays it's known both as a tax haven and for it's insane motorbike races in the summer - the TT's.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YwZQVKczT-I/UII53ReNn8I/AAAAAAAAAa8/-3lbilikmZk/s1600/Maughold+parrish+church.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YwZQVKczT-I/UII53ReNn8I/AAAAAAAAAa8/-3lbilikmZk/s400/Maughold+parrish+church.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Maughold Parrish church, IOM - Several preserved Viking heads stones can be found in the church yard.</td></tr>
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Historically, IOM is like many of the outer regions of the UK. It is fiercely independent and nationalistic. It also has one of the oldest parliaments in the world due to early colonization by the Vikings. And it has some really unusual sheep that have been on the IOM since it's earliest days...the <a href="http://www.manxloaghtansheep.org/">Manx Loghtan</a> (or Loaghtan). <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vTpAuHv8Zzg/UII6mPEDZ-I/AAAAAAAAAbE/ZsLIs1LXC7o/s1600/Holly.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vTpAuHv8Zzg/UII6mPEDZ-I/AAAAAAAAAbE/ZsLIs1LXC7o/s400/Holly.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'Holly', the pet Loghtan ewe at Knockaloe Beg Farm</td></tr>
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I try not to overwhelm my DH with too many fiber related things on our trips. To get part of my sheep 'fix', I book us into B&B's on working farms. Tourism these days is much more lucrative than sheep farming, even when you have 600 head of breeding ewes like the farm we stayed at. The majority of their ewes were 'mules'...in this case Scottish Blackface or Swaledale sheep crossed with Bluefaced Leicesters. They raise lambs primarily for meat with the wool destined for the carpet wool market. In the pasture behind the barn were some pet sheep - most were bottle babies. One was a Loghtan Manx named 'Holly'.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-z3aB2LFvvMk/UIJFwiFPXiI/AAAAAAAAAcI/24gR6yvQRYk/s1600/Loaghtan+ewe+and+lamb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-z3aB2LFvvMk/UIJFwiFPXiI/AAAAAAAAAcI/24gR6yvQRYk/s400/Loaghtan+ewe+and+lamb.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Loghtan ewe and lamb at Cregneash</td></tr>
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The <a href="http://www.manxloaghtansheep.org/">Manx Loghtan</a> is an old breed that has been on the IOM for hundreds of year. It's heritage is not known, but it is thought to be in part related to the Northern Short Tailed sheep that the Vikings left on all of the islands that they visited including Shetland, Faroe and Iceland. Unlike the Shetland and Icelandic sheep, the Loghtan population dropped to a very small number of animals in the 1950's. Through a dedicated group of people it is now classified on the watch list of the Rare Breeds Survival Trust.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Pp2lr-2T1n4/UII_ktaVbEI/AAAAAAAAAbc/FAXA48Q16Oo/s1600/Loaghtan+ram.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Pp2lr-2T1n4/UII_ktaVbEI/AAAAAAAAAbc/FAXA48Q16Oo/s400/Loaghtan+ram.jpg" width="290" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Loghtan ram at Cregneash</td></tr>
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Loghtan is the Manx word for 'mouse brown'. At one time this breed had primarily white animals with some additional colors, but over the years the moorit or brown color has been selected for. The males typically have four to six horns while the females can have two or four horns. The largest flock that we saw was at <a href="http://www.gov.im/mnh/heritage/museums/cregneashvillage.xml">Cregneash</a>, a folk museum on the south end of IOM.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6b6nRbCCmjQ/UIJAb9vTHcI/AAAAAAAAAbk/my7UJoxW43k/s1600/Loaghtan+ewe.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6b6nRbCCmjQ/UIJAb9vTHcI/AAAAAAAAAbk/my7UJoxW43k/s400/Loaghtan+ewe.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Loghtan ewe at Cregneash</td></tr>
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The wool and yarn that is produced from these animals is not something that you would typically find in your corner yarn store. It is not particularly soft. However, the throw that I purchased at Cregneash that was woven from Loghtan wool from the flock of Cilla and George Platt on the north end of IOM, has a wonderful depth of color. The fulling and brushing process done at a Welsh mill produced a really nice hand and character. It reminded me that we often forget the value and use for fiber that is not ultra soft like merino wool or cashmere. To be able to market a wool or meat product is often the best insurance in preserving a rare breed of sheep.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VbAjNGLhNhg/UILT802rw_I/AAAAAAAAAck/JRLTqSgz9RQ/s1600/Loghtan+wool.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VbAjNGLhNhg/UILT802rw_I/AAAAAAAAAck/JRLTqSgz9RQ/s400/Loghtan+wool.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Loghtan throw and wool</td></tr>
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Lately I have been purchasing breed specific wool yarns, in part to educate myself on the extraordinary variations among sheep breeds. It's one thing to see the photos of the animals and fiber in books like <i>The Fleece and Fiber Sourcebook </i>by Deborah Robson and Carol Ekarius. It's another thing to actually knit with these fascinating wools. One of my favorite companies is the Cornish company <a href="http://www.blackeryarns.co.uk/">Blacker Yarns</a> . They do a number of breed specific yarns that are constantly changing. They also do small lots of yarns for farms in the UK under the name of The Natural Fiber Company. The skein of Loghtan yarn I purchased from Cregneash was processed by this company.<br />
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Help preserve our sheep breed diversity by choosing a wool for your next project that is not merino.Wendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12766242181638641862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9136484908604271762.post-34441891439401594592012-10-04T18:29:00.001-07:002012-10-04T18:29:44.263-07:00<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Class Openings for 'Fair Isle for Handspinners'</b></div>
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Just three more weeks until <b>Elizabeth Johnston</b> and <b>Martha Owen</b> arrive to teach 'Fair Isle for Handspinners'. We have had two students cancel out of the upcoming October 26-28, 2012 class, so we now have two openings available. If you are interested, check out my March 30, 2012 blog posting and send me an email. It should be a wonderful class! All of the wool we will be using is raw Shetland wool that has come from the Wool Brokers in Lerwick!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5m8qera8iw4/UG43VcH1A9I/AAAAAAAAAaM/G4ALOXOxMMI/s1600/Martha%27s+visit+to+Shetland+3:09.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5m8qera8iw4/UG43VcH1A9I/AAAAAAAAAaM/G4ALOXOxMMI/s400/Martha%27s+visit+to+Shetland+3:09.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Martha visiting Elizabeth in Shetland in 2009.</td></tr>
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Wendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12766242181638641862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9136484908604271762.post-39138518947836467172012-09-18T22:17:00.003-07:002012-09-18T22:17:39.473-07:00<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Cunningsburgh Agricultural Show</b></div>
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A few years ago a friend twisted my arm into volunteering to manage the sheep barn at the Whidbey Island Fair. The previous 'superintendent' of the barn decided that after 30 years she deserved some time off. So I stepped into a 'job' that included hiring the sheep breed and fleece show judge, putting together educational displays and even doing some barn maintenance.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1ZpfCZsudBk/UFlLIMO1rvI/AAAAAAAAAYc/XOCXfsF87Eg/s1600/Champion+Shetland+Yearling+Ewe.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1ZpfCZsudBk/UFlLIMO1rvI/AAAAAAAAAYc/XOCXfsF87Eg/s400/Champion+Shetland+Yearling+Ewe.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Franna Pitt exhibiting her Champion Shetland Yearling Ewe at the 2012 Whidbey Island Fair ( See <a href="http://thesheepbarn.blogspot.com/">The Sheep Barn Blog</a>)</td></tr>
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Our county fair is stretched out over 4 days with another day prior to the fair set aside for the local veterinarian to examine all of the sheep that will be exhibited at the fair for good health. When the fair is done, we all go home happy, but exhausted.</div>
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<b>Elizabeth Johnston</b> in Shetland recently sent me several photos that a friend of hers took at the local agricultural fair in <b>Cunningsburgh</b>.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-beZI-71yLmQ/UFlMlNuQoyI/AAAAAAAAAYk/xw8wN-0usWc/s1600/ewe+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-beZI-71yLmQ/UFlMlNuQoyI/AAAAAAAAAYk/xw8wN-0usWc/s400/ewe+1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shetland ewe</td></tr>
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The <strong>Cunningsburgh</strong> <strong>show</strong> is an
agricultural show on Shetland that is held annually on the second Wednesday in August. The
first show was thought to have taken place in 1935. However, unlike our local county fair, it is held entirely outside in a field for just one day. It seems that this is not atypical in the UK. We attended a fair a few years ago in Masham in the Yorkshire Dales that set up temporary pens for the sheep right in the town square.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NyCUNkf-e1c/UFlOTfNXarI/AAAAAAAAAYs/4dIf5b3msNc/s1600/judging+cattle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NyCUNkf-e1c/UFlOTfNXarI/AAAAAAAAAYs/4dIf5b3msNc/s400/judging+cattle.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Judging cattle</td></tr>
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Here too for the Cunningsburgh show, temporary pens and rings are set up for the day. The show accepts entries from anywhere in Shetland, unlike some of the
other Shetland Shows which only serve a specific area. Like our fairs they include exhibits in both animals, hobbies and food items.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BHiLb0GtONs/UFlPEy7s_gI/AAAAAAAAAY0/JfU_AGI5c-g/s1600/shetland+collie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BHiLb0GtONs/UFlPEy7s_gI/AAAAAAAAAY0/JfU_AGI5c-g/s400/shetland+collie.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shetland collie</td></tr>
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What I love about these photos is the opportunity to see the Shetland sheep that are being exhibited at this local agricultural show.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nRn8MYgbTRw/UFlQLLeapiI/AAAAAAAAAY8/y6ij3sz-Y0g/s1600/ewe+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nRn8MYgbTRw/UFlQLLeapiI/AAAAAAAAAY8/y6ij3sz-Y0g/s320/ewe+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shetland ewe</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ba1Vxylxekw/UFlQXDNUpMI/AAAAAAAAAZE/Et7QjMuCO_w/s1600/ram.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ba1Vxylxekw/UFlQXDNUpMI/AAAAAAAAAZE/Et7QjMuCO_w/s400/ram.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shetland ram</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Dfluigss1Mo/UFlQkbJH8aI/AAAAAAAAAZM/IZLNLEStrmU/s1600/good+black.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Dfluigss1Mo/UFlQkbJH8aI/AAAAAAAAAZM/IZLNLEStrmU/s400/good+black.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shetland 'black' sheep</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shetland sheep with interesting facial markings</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TQYt3MsJcrM/UFlRI4ALZVI/AAAAAAAAAZc/R5FmZJ92_b0/s1600/lamb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TQYt3MsJcrM/UFlRI4ALZVI/AAAAAAAAAZc/R5FmZJ92_b0/s400/lamb.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shetland ram lamb</td></tr>
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Not a bad way to run an agricultural fair, although is looks a bit cooler than our fair (that by the way was held the same time in August)!</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QAsGqUOZpXI/UFlT16-wnGI/AAAAAAAAAZ0/V6BNjwU6r3o/s1600/ponies.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QAsGqUOZpXI/UFlT16-wnGI/AAAAAAAAAZ0/V6BNjwU6r3o/s400/ponies.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shetland ponies</td></tr>
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<a href="http://www.cunningsburghshow.com/?page_id=2"><b>Cunningsburgh Show</b></a></div>
Wendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12766242181638641862noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9136484908604271762.post-16609518293016930562012-09-09T10:11:00.001-07:002012-09-09T10:11:26.045-07:00<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Sea Shanties,Wooden Boats and more Allovers...</b></div>
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<b>Elizabeth Johnston</b> in Shetland sent me photos this week of some of the 'allovers' she's been knitting this summer. I set the photos aside so I could post them at some quiet moment later. Then, off we went to see <a href="http://www.tomlewis.net/">Tom Lewis</a> sing sea shanties at the <a href="http://woodenboat.org/festival/">Wooden Boat Festival</a> over in Port Townsend, WA.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shanty singer and song writer - Tom Lewis</td></tr>
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Tom Lewis originally hales from Belfast, Ireland, but has been living in Canada for the last 30 years. He retired after 24 years in Her Majesties Royal Navy serving on diesel submarines and now preforms traditional sea shanties as well as writing his own original <a href="http://www.tomlewis.net/lyrics/last_shanty.htm">songs</a>. Shanties were the working songs used on the big sailing boats of old. They provided the rhythm to the jobs of hauling on the lines and helped to alleviate the boredom of these tedious jobs.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-P_ttZseLtM8/UEw-aXauJ9I/AAAAAAAAAXM/DiCdOEA33ys/s1600/adventuress.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-P_ttZseLtM8/UEw-aXauJ9I/AAAAAAAAAXM/DiCdOEA33ys/s400/adventuress.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Schooner 'Adventuress'</td></tr>
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After listening to all of the wonderful music and seeing the tall ships in the harbor at Port Townsend it is easy to image what the harbor in Lerwick, Shetland must have looked like in an earlier century, filled with tall ships from the Baltic, Scandinavia and Britain. I could also imagine the diversity of knitwear that came and went from Shetland on these ships, not to mention the subtle influences this busy port had on the pattern development that evolved into the knitted 'Allover'. <br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GWuH63tLRAI/UEw4kGWIpmI/AAAAAAAAAWs/Rr2r8vg7yLI/s1600/2+vests.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GWuH63tLRAI/UEw4kGWIpmI/AAAAAAAAAWs/Rr2r8vg7yLI/s400/2+vests.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
'Allover' custom orders that were knitted by Elizabeth Johnston<br />
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Patterns continue to evolve at the hand of the knitters today. Elizabeth uses her own patterns in her bespoke knitting. The allovers she recently finished were custom orders and have already been shipped off to their new owners. The black and gray vest in the photo above is Elizabeths pattern 'Selkie' or seal. The colorway is new - one that the customer got a hand in choosing. It included yarns dyed with madder (red) as well as some dyed with onions skins (yellow).<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iw6rMSKnnCU/UEzH2tp5s2I/AAAAAAAAAX8/YKLRvbJ7TW8/s1600/njuggle+vest.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iw6rMSKnnCU/UEzH2tp5s2I/AAAAAAAAAX8/YKLRvbJ7TW8/s400/njuggle+vest.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Close up of 'Nyuggle' vest</td></tr>
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The second vest is a pattern she has titled 'Nyuggle' - which is a mythical pony in Shetland. This pattern included yarn that was been dyed with lichens as well as some dyed with onion skins. The matching hat is modeled by her 6 year old granddaughter. It features a small silver spinning wheel charm on the back.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-c795kspa_aI/UEzJ9P1VdMI/AAAAAAAAAYE/uPGYo6ShBS0/s1600/+njuggle+hat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-c795kspa_aI/UEzJ9P1VdMI/AAAAAAAAAYE/uPGYo6ShBS0/s400/+njuggle+hat.jpg" width="378" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'Nyuggle' design hat with spinning wheel charm</td></tr>
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Wendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12766242181638641862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9136484908604271762.post-79028779382600342972012-08-05T19:48:00.003-07:002012-08-05T21:22:19.781-07:00<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>An 'Allover'</b></div>
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Every now and then I am reminded that although I speak English, I speak American English that is influenced by my upbringing in the Midwest and my current life in the Northwest. It's not until my good friend Karran (who is part Manx and part English) starts talking about her mum's cottage on the Isle of Man that I have to step back and remember that the English language is much broader than my version.<br />
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So it was a few months ago when <b>Elizabeth Johnston</b> and <b>Martha Owen</b> started talking about the '<b>allovers'</b> they were knitting. Both of them have been traveling a bit this year...Martha especially. New grandbabies in distant places have beckoned to both women, so off they have gone with knitting needles in tow. (Can you imagine a plane trip <i>without</i> knitting needles?!)<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KTtOHQIHfO8/UB8ja1V11bI/AAAAAAAAARI/c7lzeB7REu4/s1600/july+2012+download+475.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KTtOHQIHfO8/UB8ja1V11bI/AAAAAAAAARI/c7lzeB7REu4/s400/july+2012+download+475.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Martha walking in the Lake District, England in her Shetland 'allover' jumper</td></tr>
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So, I had to ask (because obviously I wasn't paying attention when I read parts of Ann Feitelson's book "The Art of Fair Isle Knitting"). What's an <b>'allover'</b>? Allover is the Shetland term for Fair Isle knitting. In fact in the early 1900's no one talked about Fair Isle knitting, but rather about knitting an allover - a garment with patterns all over it. Ann interviewed one knitter who felt that the term 'Fair Isle' knitting was a bit discriminatory since many of the patterns used have been developed by Shetlanders from islands other than Fair Isle.<br />
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The allover that Martha is knitting is based on a Shetland allover she wore on her travels this spring to stay warm. Except in the case of her knitting allover project, she handspun and dyed her own yarn in 'Martha colors'. (I have yet to see the allover that Elizabeth is working on.)<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ICnoShO_HTY/UB8qzvcgnTI/AAAAAAAAARg/UBKe_u0wQDo/s1600/july+2012+download+354.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ICnoShO_HTY/UB8qzvcgnTI/AAAAAAAAARg/UBKe_u0wQDo/s400/july+2012+download+354.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Martha Owen knitting her own allover based on a Shetland allover</td></tr>
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Unlike traditional Shetland allovers which are made for Shetland wool, Martha has several sheep represented in hers....white - Romney/Corriedale and dyed colors - Corriedale (from her sheep), black - a blend between Shetland and Wensleydale (from those places), and grays - Shetland from Shetland. I can just imagine the hand of this sweater - so soft and silky!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0VvtwJhe8Nc/UB8savrhEXI/AAAAAAAAARo/kVYVq7I3DvI/s1600/allover+detail.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0VvtwJhe8Nc/UB8savrhEXI/AAAAAAAAARo/kVYVq7I3DvI/s400/allover+detail.jpg" width="387" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Detail of Martha's allover</td></tr>
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Last I talked to her, she was finishing up the torso, planning on adding the sleeves and then plotting her next allover. I don't seem to be going as fast with that new set of 000 double points and the Estonian gloves with all the yarnover braids...oh well. I guess I should have tried harder to find a pattern for my 1's!<br />
<br />Wendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12766242181638641862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9136484908604271762.post-79068566639970485072012-07-14T23:51:00.001-07:002012-07-14T23:51:58.206-07:00<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Ornamented Journey</b></div>
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A friend in Minnesota recently forwarded a link to a blog she thought was quite wonderful. The blog is written by an Estonian woman, <b>Kristi Joeste</b>, who works at the University of Tartu's Viljandi Culture Academy in the department of Estonian Native Crafts.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-l_ZZrdFKWJU/UAJbK-oGVUI/AAAAAAAAAQU/GXQ5mDPT6-g/s1600/prod_thu_4853.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-l_ZZrdFKWJU/UAJbK-oGVUI/AAAAAAAAAQU/GXQ5mDPT6-g/s320/prod_thu_4853.jpg" width="309" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Book - <b>Ornamented Journey</b> by Kristi Joesti</td></tr>
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Kristi has also published a book called <b>'Ornamented Journey'</b>. It is coauthored by a childhood friend, <b>Kristiina Ehin</b> whose
background includes studies in folk song, ethnography and folklore. Originally published in Estonian, it has just recently been translated into English. (I had to order it from the UK, since it hasn't made it to the US yet.) <br />
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What is so unique about this book, aside from the fact that it is filled with exquisite photos of both new and traditional Estonian gloves, is that it is filled with stories. Ehin has written a series of short stories to help us visualize the women that originally knit these gloves and the lives that they lived. Although it is not filled with knitting 'recipes' for all of the photographed gloves, it does include a section of instructions that will allow the reader to use the instructions along with the photos as a jumping off point for knitting their own gloves. <br />
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And so I jumped...or at least I jokingly suggested to some knitting friends that we ought to try making a lovey pair of 120 year old Mulgi mittens with a Russian cross design that Kristi showcased in her May 7, 2011 blog post.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7oNhc9nXBMg/UAJfuUhWAXI/AAAAAAAAAQg/Nqe8in6FXnc/s1600/_IGP4367+veeb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7oNhc9nXBMg/UAJfuUhWAXI/AAAAAAAAAQg/Nqe8in6FXnc/s400/_IGP4367+veeb.jpg" width="288" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">120 year old Estonian mittens</td></tr>
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My friends thought that it was a great idea...a new knitting challenge. The catch was however, that these mittens were knit on 000000 needles...Now I've knit on 0000 needles to make a pair of sjonaleister, a type of Norwegian folk sock last summer (well maybe not the whole pair yet). They were a challenge to use, but I was shockingly unprepared for the 000000 needles when they came in the mail. Their diameter was not much bigger than a pins diameter.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1Np3WZxgzM0/UAJhuSw15JI/AAAAAAAAAQo/lpkmtFg5pWU/s1600/Fine+needles.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1Np3WZxgzM0/UAJhuSw15JI/AAAAAAAAAQo/lpkmtFg5pWU/s400/Fine+needles.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">000000 knitting needles with swatch sitting on a moorit colored shawl that was knit with size 2 needles</td></tr>
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I did a tiny swatch of 20 stitches by 10 rows (1 inch x 1/4 inch). The yarn that seemed to work was a Shetland 1 ply cobweb yarn by Jamieson & Smith. Too bad my eyes didn't work as well as the yarn did! At this point I decided that this 120 year old pair of gloves must have been knit by someone with very young eyes. Mine needed lots of extra magnification to get as far as I did. I was really impressed that Kristi was able to reproduce this pair - especially since it took her 60 hours to do it. Somehow, I can't imagine that these were very relaxing hours...<br />
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I've decided to head back into her lovely book and find a pair of gloves that can be knit on size 1 needles...they seem like giant needles after my little diversion with the 000000 needles!!!Wendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12766242181638641862noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9136484908604271762.post-74406805533890526492012-06-29T19:18:00.003-07:002012-06-29T19:19:29.850-07:00<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>The Art of Wool Grading</b></div>
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If you own sheep, they need to be sheared at least once and often twice a year, depending on the wool growth of the particular breed of sheep that you raise. Once shorn, you end up with big bags of fleece that need to be shirted. (Skirting is the process of removing all of the unusable wool- primarily the belly wool, the 'tags' or dirt and manure encrusted wool often from the very rear end of the sheep and the strip of wool down the center of the back that is often damaged by the weather.) Once this is done, the wool that is left needs to be graded or sorted.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-okVa1A8JJGk/T-4PYH1QHNI/AAAAAAAAAO4/Be0wmgJgxPA/s1600/Martha:Oliver+Henry+4:4:12+email.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-okVa1A8JJGk/T-4PYH1QHNI/AAAAAAAAAO4/Be0wmgJgxPA/s400/Martha:Oliver+Henry+4:4:12+email.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Martha Owen</b> from the John C Campbell Folk School, North Carolina visiting with Shetland wool grader, <b>Oliver Henry </b>in the Lerwick warehouse of <b>Jamieson & Smith, Ltd </b></td></tr>
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With Shetland wool, the fleece is sorted into five different grades. The grades range from 'Super Fine' all the way up to 'Rough'. Each grade of wool has it's own specific uses. 'Super Fine' can be spun into delicate lace weight yarn for fine lace shawls while 'Rough' is best suited for carpets.<br />
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With the older, more primitive versions of Shetland sheep you would probably find all five grades on one sheep. From an evolutionary point of view, each grade had it's purpose. The 'Super Fine' grades would be found surrounding the jugular vein areas on the neck of the animal. It's downy character would have been extrodinarily insulating in the very worst of weather!<br />
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Wool classified as 'Rough' would most likely be found on the britch or hind quarters of a sheep. On an island known for it's gale force winds, sheep tend to stand with their backsides facing into the wind for weather protection. This 'Rough' wool would serve as a bit of a wooly wind breaker.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-E1UMxNRJ76I/T-5bllTiodI/AAAAAAAAAPE/uyDqqtv7c7A/s1600/Jamieson_and_Smith_SWB_07.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-E1UMxNRJ76I/T-5bllTiodI/AAAAAAAAAPE/uyDqqtv7c7A/s400/Jamieson_and_Smith_SWB_07.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Jamieson & Smith</b> LTD in Lerwick, Shetland</td></tr>
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<b>Martha Owen</b> had the chance to visit with <b>Oliver Henry</b> in the warehouse of <b>Jamieson & Smith, Ltd</b> in 2011. Jamieson & Smith have been in existence in one form or another since the late 1940's. Oliver came for a summer job in 1967 and never left. Oliver grades Shetland wool for Jamieson & Smith which purchases 80% of the Isles annual wool clip. The company also produces extremely high quality Shetland yarn that can only be purchased in Shetland or through the internet <a href="http://www.shetlandwoolbrokers.co.uk/">http://www.shetlandwoolbrokers.co.uk/</a><br />
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I personally understand the concept of wool grading from a visual perspective. However, when <b>Elizabeth Johnston</b> of Shetland came to teach in 2010 along with Martha Owen, I had the opportunity to watch her grade a local fleece. She essentially closed her eyes and placed her hand into the fleece and 'felt' the wool in her hand. From that short 'squeeze', she was able to tell what grade the wool was in that particular portion of the fleece. In much less than a minute she had graded the entire fleece. I was in awe of her abilities. It is definitely an acquired skill (which I have yet to acquire)!<br />
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Here are some links with more information about:<br />
<a href="http://www.shetlandwoolbrokers.co.uk/">Jamieson & Smith</a><br />
Their book - <a href="http://www.shetlandwoolbrokers.co.uk/Knit-Real-Shetland-print-version">Knit Real Shetland</a><br />
<a href="http://www.shetlandwoolweek.com/">Shetland Wool Week</a>Wendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12766242181638641862noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9136484908604271762.post-31387711237747106922012-06-14T16:32:00.001-07:002012-06-17T15:52:15.132-07:00<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit; text-align: center;">
<b>Card Woven Halter for Shetland and Icelandic Stallions</b></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10pt;">When I first met <b>Elizabeth
Johnston</b></span><span style="font-size: 10pt;"> several
years ago, she was working as an Iron Age interpreter at Scatness in
Shetland. From my point of view at that time, she was a weaver who just
happened to spin and knit. Most of you however know her as an exceptional
Shetland knitter and spinner.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10pt;">Last week she sent me these great
photos of a new weaving project - a tablet or card woven halter for a friends'
horse. She had the chance to model it on both a Shetland and an Icelandic
stallion.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qSaan6v-2Gw/T9plmzq0HqI/AAAAAAAAAMU/tSuDnsFD_o0/s1600/BN2A2797.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qSaan6v-2Gw/T9plmzq0HqI/AAAAAAAAAMU/tSuDnsFD_o0/s400/BN2A2797.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Indy Ping-pong : Shetland stallion</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Indy Ping-pong with card woven halter</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: 10pt;">Elizabeth made this halter using an
ancient weaving technique called tablet or card weaving. In this case she
has handspun and hand dyed all of the yarns she used in the weaving.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sQfYqvvf14w/T9px9Mg95SI/AAAAAAAAANU/KX0xxCODrKE/s1600/BN2A3140.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sQfYqvvf14w/T9px9Mg95SI/AAAAAAAAANU/KX0xxCODrKE/s400/BN2A3140.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Detail of card woven halter - note that this pattern imitates the look of a knitted object</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: 10pt;">Card weaving dates back to the
Celtic Bronze Age in Scandinavia with the earliest findings in the second
century A.D. The earliest known cards from this area were made of wood.
One of the greatest archaeological finds relating to this type of weaving was
from the Oseberg ship found in Norway dating back to A.D. 850. Here a
tablet loom with 52 threaded cards, a partially woven band and a number of
other card-woven bands was found in the tomb of Queen Asa.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tablet loom in the Oseberg ship find from A.D 850</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: 10pt;">The pattern on the card woven bands
is determined by a number of factors including how the cards are threaded, the
number of cards used and the sequence that the cards are turned in, to create
each new weaving shed. The variation can range from simple to endlessly
complex. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10pt;">Although today, we have a limited
use for these bands, historically woven bands were used for reins, bridles,
saddle girths, cloth edging as well as being used for tying and attaching all
manner of things. They were the decorative forerunner to zippers, pins,
elastic and Velcro.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4sirC7bYRyU/T9pzGjDF-BI/AAAAAAAAANk/mWwrjFYKXx0/s1600/BN2A3043.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4sirC7bYRyU/T9pzGjDF-BI/AAAAAAAAANk/mWwrjFYKXx0/s400/BN2A3043.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Haakon - Icelandic stallion with card woven halter</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-f14H1calPLs/T9pzXIButoI/AAAAAAAAANs/aI4dbfqcooA/s1600/BN2A3083.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-f14H1calPLs/T9pzXIButoI/AAAAAAAAANs/aI4dbfqcooA/s400/BN2A3083.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Note chevron pattern that is woven into the halter</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: 10pt;">For more details on the
weaving and dyeing of this halter as well as links to the horse owners website,
go to Elizabeth's blog <a href="http://www.shetlandhandspun.blogspot.com/">http://www.shetlandhandspun.blogspot.com/</a>
.</span></div>
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<br />
<br />
<br />Wendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12766242181638641862noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9136484908604271762.post-74477037881309433412012-05-31T10:05:00.001-07:002012-05-31T10:05:52.381-07:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eWZQcgvShHQ/T8ehNPk3o4I/AAAAAAAAAL4/OCZV7KL6SOE/s1600/nice+markings+2012+%283%29+email.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>More lamb photos from Shetland...</b></div>
<br />
Here are several more wonderful photos of Shetland lambs taken by <b>Elizabeth Johnston</b> on Mainland, Shetland in the last few weeks.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Cp11v2dzqOA/T8egUXmXqZI/AAAAAAAAALo/NdbmqG9DHQI/s1600/white+ewe+and+lamb+2012+email.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Cp11v2dzqOA/T8egUXmXqZI/AAAAAAAAALo/NdbmqG9DHQI/s400/white+ewe+and+lamb+2012+email.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Elizabeth</b> wrote, "The white ewe and lamb spotted the open garden gate and got in for a nibble before being chase out." </td></tr>
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<img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ocAVCxRv5Sw/T8eg0gmRUQI/AAAAAAAAALw/0chGkQ1ASw0/s400/nice+markings+2012+%284%29+email.jpg" width="400" /> </div>
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If you look carefully, the moorit ewe to the right is horned.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hVFzXXeYwQc/T8eh9JNVo2I/AAAAAAAAAMA/OMqQvVVYJxI/s1600/nice+markings+2012+%283%29+email.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hVFzXXeYwQc/T8eh9JNVo2I/AAAAAAAAAMA/OMqQvVVYJxI/s400/nice+markings+2012+%283%29+email.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These lambs have some really nice markings.</td></tr>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LU4TNny_3qU/T8eiXa7uLOI/AAAAAAAAAMI/xM32Zu5sWi4/s1600/moorit+ewe+and+black+lambs+2012+%281%29+email.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LU4TNny_3qU/T8eiXa7uLOI/AAAAAAAAAMI/xM32Zu5sWi4/s400/moorit+ewe+and+black+lambs+2012+%281%29+email.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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A moorit ewe with two black lambs. </div>
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I always love seeing these photos, in part because of what these Shetland sheep from Shetland look like, but also for the scenery. I suspect that the edge of this pasture is fenced due to a rather sharp drop off down to the sea.</div>Wendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12766242181638641862noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9136484908604271762.post-79277114050257739862012-05-27T13:29:00.000-07:002012-05-27T13:29:24.356-07:00<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Lamb Photos From Shetland</b></div>
<br />
<b>Elizabeth Johnston</b> finally had the chance to send me some photos of the new colored lambs that she's seeing in the pastures around her area on Mainland, Shetland. Between the wind, rain and heavy mist, it's not been good weather to take photos in - for her or the photos.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-n3NSBV95988/T8KKRclEvgI/AAAAAAAAALE/r9FlfH62kLI/s1600/black+ewe+and+lambs+2012+%282%29+email.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-n3NSBV95988/T8KKRclEvgI/AAAAAAAAALE/r9FlfH62kLI/s400/black+ewe+and+lambs+2012+%282%29+email.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This ewe was seen while <b>Elizabeth</b> and some students made a local farm visit in search of some fleece.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Yf8qx0Rwuz0/T8KK8FvZ7KI/AAAAAAAAALM/ohu0vi_5sPc/s1600/black+ewe+and+lambs+2012+3+email.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Yf8qx0Rwuz0/T8KK8FvZ7KI/AAAAAAAAALM/ohu0vi_5sPc/s400/black+ewe+and+lambs+2012+3+email.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Elizabeth</b> noted, "The ewe in these was not well after she had her lambs
so they have been giving the lambs some bottles for extra feeding, so 2
of my visitors got to feed them. There is one ewe and one ram lamb and
they are both all black except for one which has a grey nose. Last year
she had 3 lambs and was fine."</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-925aHcY-fUA/T8KLgEDqnzI/AAAAAAAAALU/f7symBHI_fg/s1600/black+twins+2012+%284%29+email.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-925aHcY-fUA/T8KLgEDqnzI/AAAAAAAAALU/f7symBHI_fg/s400/black+twins+2012+%284%29+email.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
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And finally, my favorite photo with the lovely old stone wall in the background... <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZNgGo21XlnI/T8KMRV9a2nI/AAAAAAAAALc/LAdXGP-i1eg/s1600/black+ewe+and+lambs+2012+%281%29+email.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZNgGo21XlnI/T8KMRV9a2nI/AAAAAAAAALc/LAdXGP-i1eg/s400/black+ewe+and+lambs+2012+%281%29+email.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Elizabeth</b> commented -"In the dull photo with the one twin standing on
the mothers back - the lambs were playing, climbing on the ewes back and
jumping off again. A few times they were both standing on her back but
they move so fast I could not get the photo taken in time. So one on at a
time was the best I got."</td></tr>
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More lamb photos coming soon...<br />
<br />Wendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12766242181638641862noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9136484908604271762.post-10779530641353680312012-05-20T14:45:00.000-07:002012-05-20T14:45:00.432-07:00<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>A matter of blocking...</b></div>
<br />
I started knitting when I was about 9 years old and until recently I never made the effort to block my work. Although I'm not old enough to retire, I am old enough to get solicitations to join AARP...so that's a fairly long time. Blocking has always seemed like too much of a bother...<br />
<br />
As a former professional weaver, it never would have occurred to me not to finish my weaving once it came off of the loom. I can't remember how many times I've told students that your work it not done until it's been washed, fulled and ironed. Somehow this just never seemed to apply to my knitting hobby...until a few years ago when I was listening to <b>Elizabeth Johnston</b> giving essentially the same comments regarding knitting as I used to give regarding weaving. The light bulb finally went off!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uSdSG9pD9Xg/T7le1iHGZFI/AAAAAAAAAKU/oAmfalJylzU/s1600/Blocking.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uSdSG9pD9Xg/T7le1iHGZFI/AAAAAAAAAKU/oAmfalJylzU/s400/Blocking.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Elizabeth's hat and lace shawls in the background</td></tr>
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During the class on knitting Fair Isle in 2010 held at the Nordic Heritage Museum in Ballard, WA, <b>Elizabeth</b> showed us some techniques for blocking a hat she had knit. She used a plastic colander to get the shape of a head and later, after it had dried she steamed the hat edge back into shape so that it fit more snugly onto the head. It turns out that blocking was all about getting your knitting to look good and do what you wanted it to do. Another light bulb went off...<br />
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Several years ago, I knit a wool sweater for my husband. He had tried it on several times and kept asking me to knit it a bit longer each time. I was getting close to the end of this project and was getting anxious to be done with the whole thing, so I decided that it was indeed long enough - for me. Unfortunately he never wore it much after that because...you guessed...it was too short for him. <br />
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After <b>Elizabeth's</b> blocking demonstration I went home and dug out his sweater from the back of the closet. Next I found my wooly board or 'jumper board'.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2cR10BmE58M/T7lguXUVCtI/AAAAAAAAAKc/naEtXxZfor4/s1600/Jumpers+on+jumper+board+P05489+-1952.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2cR10BmE58M/T7lguXUVCtI/AAAAAAAAAKc/naEtXxZfor4/s400/Jumpers+on+jumper+board+P05489+-1952.jpg" width="391" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'Jumper boards' in Shetland - Photo #P05489 taken in 1952 from the Shetland Museum Photo Archives</td></tr>
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I washed up his sweater, spun the water out and put it on the wooly board. To stretch the sweater lengthwise, I then laced a long piece of yarn through both sides of the bottom of the sweater and then around the bottom of the board. I did this several times to create an even tension along the bottom of the sweater. At this point I started to tighten my yarn and stretch down the bottom of the sweater. I managed to stretch the sweater almost four inches longer than it had been originally.<br />
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The sweater sat in the corner for a few days drying. As I impatiently unlaced my piece of yarn to see if this 'experiment' had actually worked, I was thrilled to find out that my husband's 'too short' sweater was now just right! And best of all it stayed this way, at least until the next time I washed it. He's even taken to wearing it again! Now I can't imagine knitting anything without blocking it after it's finished and washed. I wonder what took me so long...<br />
<br />Wendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12766242181638641862noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9136484908604271762.post-88951451304336241152012-05-11T13:21:00.000-07:002012-05-11T13:21:48.395-07:00<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Ram photos from Shetland</b></div>
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<b>Elizabeth Johnston</b> was out earlier this week taking photos of sheep. It's always a treat to see the sheep that form the beginning of the Fair Isle knitting experience.<br />
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It's lambing time in Shetland and the rams have been separated from the rest of the sheep. They have formed their own little flock. Here are some of the photos <b>Elizabeth</b> sent me and a few of her comments:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-geEefQmkano/T61tVgZ-wQI/AAAAAAAAAJs/Go9hQNKJsJk/s1600/rams+2012+email.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-geEefQmkano/T61tVgZ-wQI/AAAAAAAAAJs/Go9hQNKJsJk/s400/rams+2012+email.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-family: inherit; text-align: center;"><i>"It was a really windy day when I got them all in the same place to take a photo so I sat in the car and zoomed the camera. I was blown all over the place if I got outside."</i></td><td class="tr-caption" style="font-family: inherit; text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-A-mOY6G5e04/T61unq7u5ZI/AAAAAAAAAJ8/v3fk1LKJdaw/s1600/rams+-+good+fleece+email.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="301" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-A-mOY6G5e04/T61unq7u5ZI/AAAAAAAAAJ8/v3fk1LKJdaw/s400/rams+-+good+fleece+email.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="font-family: inherit;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>"I
love the photo of the one with the black eyes. He looks as if he has a
good fleece."</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-m-DqzXe3PGk/T61uEARofYI/AAAAAAAAAJ0/lQ2Hjf5tHCs/s1600/Rough+old+style+ram+email.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-m-DqzXe3PGk/T61uEARofYI/AAAAAAAAAJ0/lQ2Hjf5tHCs/s400/Rough+old+style+ram+email.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="font-family: inherit;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>"The black ram - the old style one - has a real rough fleece
but good for rug wool. I wouldn't want to go in to the park with him
either. His temperament is probably as bad as his fleece. His face is
beautiful though and those horns..." </i></td></tr>
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Because I raise Shetlands here in the US, I'm always interested in how a real Shetlander defines terms like 'old style' in relation to the fleece description. Here is what <b>Elizabeth</b> had to say:<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><span style="font-family: inherit;">"OK, old style, I probably mean real primitive, unaltered. Those huge horns, and it is a small animal, if you saw it next to those other rams, he is visibly smaller. The size is small, but mostly it is the fleece. That white front is long and hairy, similar to the strip down the middle of the back. The fleece has an outer guard hair. The fleece might have some soft wool but most of it will be rough. This type of fleece would be used for outer wear, not to wear near the skin. The garment will be quite waterproof and will probably not felt and so not shrink. And temperament is as rough as the fleece. They can be real nasty to work with...He is gorgeous, but his fleece is fairly useless for us nowadays."</span></i></span></div>
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The last photo in the group got me really excited. It turns out that one to the rams in the group Elizabeth was photographing had four horns! I've never seen any four horned Shetlands in the US, but do know that they exist. Here is the photo and her comments about this rare style of ram:</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-W67wiIguCBo/T61yj5PhMrI/AAAAAAAAAKI/bPPNBO0999U/s1600/4+horned+ram+email.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-W67wiIguCBo/T61yj5PhMrI/AAAAAAAAAKI/bPPNBO0999U/s400/4+horned+ram+email.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>"They are rare, but when one arrives sometimes they are kept, just because they have arrived. I don't think anyone is breeding for them. And in fact I don't think they produce 4 horned lambs. I did say to Oliver at the Wool Brokers that I had seen one and he could name about 6 or 7 others he knew of lately. They don't have a particular type of fleece. <br />They are not really an animal that you want. The rams need a strong skull for rutting and these do not have strong skulls. The weight of the 4 horns can pull at the skull joins and they are prone to fractured skulls."</i></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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When the rain stops, <b>Elizabeth</b> has promised to go out and photograph some of the new colored Shetland lambs. I can't wait!!!</div>Wendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12766242181638641862noreply@blogger.com1