Tour De Fleece 2011 - Angora Rabbit

Angora Rabbits are one of the oldest breeds of domestic rabbit.  They originate from Turkey along with the Angora goat.  They were bred for their soft long fur.  I can't quite believe there is a rabbit under there!  Of all the fibres in my sample pack I was least enthusiastic about Angora rabbit.  I found it an interesting spin but personally I did not enjoy it.  I had a nasty allergic reaction to an Angora Mix jumper once, where some fibre got in my eye.  My eye was inconceivably swollen for three or four days before the fibre worked its way out and became apparent as the cause.  It was a beautifully soft, grey and embroidered jumper, I only wore it once!  It was with a considerable amount of trepidation and the sort of willfulness that gets me in to trouble that I set out to spin this fibre, with the attitude of getting it over and done with.  It is a shame because it has some really wonderful qualities.  It is soft, fluffy and the resulting yarn has a wonderful halo.

It has little elasticity so I think it would be useful to explore blending Angora with other fibres.  I can't see me experimenting much with it though.  It is a bit like joining a Gym, it has little appeal to me although I can see why others like it!  It did make me itch, I expected to get hives (seriously), my nose tickles and my eyes don't feel great, however even though my clothes are covered in a layer of white fluff I am not sneezing or as bad as I expected.  I was reading about someone with a severe wool allergy, can you imagine such an affliction?  Rabbit hair I can probably live without, but wool!  Perish the thought!
Edit:  We all went out covered in white fluff today.  The little one had it all over his school trousers and I had it all over my behind!  Not a good look!

Camel - Tour de Fleece 2011 Day 15

I have to own up to having a 'Tour de Fleece' Puncture on Friday.  I think Birthday's and a busy week caught up with me.  Henry had a good last day of work experience for his birthday and then he requested a Barbecue at my parents.  Henry is somewhat of a food connoisseur and likes to try new (to him) foods Oysters, Octopus, Lobster, Rabbit etc.  He has quite adventurous taste.  He had requested 'T Bone Steak - Rare'.  My Dad bought him a whopping 'Black Welsh' beef steak.  Henry really enjoyed it.  So all the frivolities meant I got a bit off track.   Never mind I am back in the saddle and ready to attempt to spin everyday again until the 22nd July.

Day 15's attempt was something new to me.  Camel!  I never used to be a Yarn snob.  However I can see myself getting that way if I'm not careful.  Shiela at Handspinner.co.uk had a very generous offer in June, for subscribers to her Newsletter.  She sent out a Fibre Selection.  The fibres were Camel - Natural 'White' Tops, Angora Rabbit - Natural white, Cashmere Tops - Natural white, Baby Alpaca - Natural white, Kid Mohair 'Super Grade' - Natural white and 'Fine Dehaired Yak wool.  The subtle nuances is fascinating.  I have worked mostly with wool.  I have spun a little silk and some 'Dog hair' in the past.  This was a fantastic opportunity to try something new. 

Camel is something else!  It is so soft and silky and I really wouldn't call the colour white.  I would call it 'Caramel Camel'.  It is beautiful.  I am however very allergic to Angora Rabbit and also cat hair.  I have a feeling I am a little sensitive to camel.  It could be that it has shared space with the Angora though!  My eyes swell and my nose itches when I come in to contact with Angora or some cats.  I used to have a lovely Tom Cat called Buddy, I loved him very much and put up with the sneezes and sniffles, which only got bad if he brushed himself on my face.  I love cats.  I am still going to attempt to spin a little angora though. As I type it is sitting next to me and I can feel a huge sneeze coming on.  The Camel spins into a beautiful soft yarn and feels very warm in my hand as I spin.  I would love a jumper or cardigan made in fine Camel, Oooh Bless Me! I have just had a huge sneeze!  No good wearing a jumper that feels great but makes you sneeze and gives you Hives!  I am going to knit swatches with these fibres and sew them together for a Display.  I may add fine 'Lacey Hair' to the collection - 'Natural Black!'

I am looking forward to spinning Yak the most. 

I was reading last night about Qiviut - which is the fine undercoat of the Musk-Ox.  It is reputably the finest 'wool' in the world.

The wool is stronger than sheep's wool and eight times warmer but finer than Cashmere.  22g of Qiviut Yarn sells for about $42 dollars!  That is a price not to be sniffed at!  Achoo!  Oh Bless Me again!  Hope you are all having a good weekend.  

I am Officially 'Poo Free'!

My Photographic Blog Debut

My kids and partner were a bit alarmed until I explained, however they still think I am very weird.  I have read this interesting article at the link below:

http://www.pioneerthinking.com/beauty/hair/shampoo/jc_shampoo.html

here is another interesting link:

http://www.natural-forces.com/essays/poofree.htm#why

It explains all about going 'Poo free'.  Tonight I washed my hair with a solution of Bicarbonate of Soda and a solution of vinegar to rinse.  I must admit so far so good, my hair and scalp feel very clean and fresh and my hair is very soft.   (There is a slight whiff of Vinegar about me though!)  I thought I rinsed for ages in the shower.  My Great Grandmother used to rinse her hair with beer, but I think that is a waste.

I hate having my photograph taken but thought this blog post would be a bit dull without pictures and I wanted to illustrate my point that without 'Shampoo' your hair can still look clean an shiny.  Mine is still a bit wet in this picture though!  ( Any Ginger Jokes...I really have heard them all before!)

I reminded myself of 'Cousin Itt' From the Adam's Family.  Itt Looks  'Poo Free' too.

 For Anyone following the Tour de Fleece, I have been spinning Rainbows again today.  Honest Guv!

Tour De Stuffed Marrow and chips! 2011

My life just isn't complete without this family tradition.  Every year for as long as I can remember we have 'Stuffed Marrow and Chips' at least once a year.  There are many things in my life that would not be 'Everyone's Cup of Tea' and this is another of them.  Sadly this is not a homegrown marrow, but my courgettes look promising.

 The Marrow was stuffed with a Minced beef and vegetables in gravy.  I cooked it on low all day in the slow pot.  It has to be served with chips, homemade of course!  It also has to have lots of salt and vinegar.  I have also stuffed marrows with vegetarian lentil casserole mixture.  I think it is delicious but the rest of the house eat it under sufferance.  They like the chips though.
I will be spinning later to make some more 'Scrappy Beard'.

This is my Day 12 Effort, I started a second bobbin of 'Rainbow Scrap' yarn

Work experience update;  Quote: "I have had the most stressful day of my life today!"  He worked with older children who try to be naughty, where as he thinks the littlies try to be helpful.  He also did two hours in the office cutting out stuff!  He never wants to go in an office again and I think the teaching career may be over before it even started.  I just thought 'Hmmm welcome to the real world'.  My Mother told me there would be days like these!   Character building stuff.  What doesn't kill you makes you stronger.  It has made me think of all the jobs I have done in the past that I have hated.  I have worked in McDonalds and hated it, cleaned toilets and hated it, worked in several factories and hated it, worked in a Supermarket which was ok, worked in social care which had it's ups and downs and for the last ten years (and a little bit more) have taught children with emotional and behavioural issues, some days I love it and other days are tough.  I only work three days a week for now, which helps.  The hardest job I have ever had though is 'Mom'.

Tour De Fleece Day 11 (12.7.11)

'In The Sky' back on Tour!  I plied the 'Rainbow Scraps' with 'Old Man's Beard' and made 'Scrappy Beard'!  I had 110 winds around my Niddy Noddy and I think that is about 170 metres.  It weighs 89g.  I will plod on and make more.  I think I will knit a swatch and see how it felts, I think it would make a nice bag or felted slippers.  It wouldn't be everyone's 'cup of tea' but I like it!  I am delighted that bowl of foul water turned into something fairly pretty.

Lord only knows what he is playing at!  He thinks he looks cool!  I think much more of that Tom Foolery and I would be sewing trousers!  It's a good job his Mother loves him!

Pink Tie Number 2.  He had another great day working with Reception children, aged 4 and 5.  He was reading 'The Three Billy Goats Gruff' and making paper airplanes.  He seems very happy and is getting quite a little 'Fan Club'.  One little kid made him a one winged paper plane, we are not sure how he managed that!  I am just delighted it is going well.  Tonight he asked me if I could buy a lollipop for every child in the school for his birthday on Friday.  That is probably a tall order!  I think I will be busy baking cookies on Thursday though to be shared in the Staff Room.

Tour de Fleece Day 10 - Day of Rest.

Well I think he looked very smart for his first day of 'Work Experience'.  (Which probably explains how scruffy he usually looks!)  This is Henry.  We were both a bit nervous this morning.  He was more than reluctant to have his photograph taken.  He is working in a primary school for the week and he understands kids can have crawlers so has his hair in a pony tail.  He was complemented on how smartly he presented himself.  He doesn't enjoy school and I would really like him to do well on work experience.  He is a kind, considerate fella.  He really enjoyed himself and said the children liked him, so he is looking forward to tomorrow.  Phew.  I was a worried Mom all day!  He has a collection of pink ties he wants to show off this week.

    It was a lovely sunny morning and I didn't want to go to work! 

I took another lovely rice salad for lunch, it helps if I have that to look forward to!  It was rice with smoked salmon, peppers and homegrown peas and beans, squibbed with fresh lemon juice.  Two weeks to go and I break up for six weeks.  Very exciting.

It is a 'Tour de Fleece Day of Rest'.  I need to finish my bag for my Jolly Holidays!