Something Older, Something New

 It's been a few weeks since our last blog...you'd think we were on holidays or something!  Not the case just busy and getting busier...gardens are growing, baby chickens, turkeys and ducklings are growing, alpaca baby growing...speaking of which the baby is a boy not a girl as first announced. And we have new product arriving,  hence the title of "older and new".  I will be showing and telling you things in the next weeks, regarding new arrivals and upcoming events.  But today I am featuring our authentic barn boards and our newly arrived handcrafted yarn bowls!

Barn Boards and Various Baskets

Motifs and Plain Authentic Barn Boards

Yarn Bowl

These bowls are not only practical but gorgeous pieces of pottery!  Designed to hold your ball of yarn, keeping it clean with easy access ...they certainly could be used to "hold" for other items.  I personally think it will be a great base for a gift basket!  These bowls are locally crafted and are for sale at our store for only $ 30.00.

Yarn Bowl

Various designs of Yarn Bowls

Yarn Bowl with Yarn

As always the store is open Thursday thru Sunday 10-5 pm.  Come in and see our selection of natural fibres and handcrafted items as well we have farm fresh eggs and local meats.

How to Wash Fleece

With our shearing all done for the Alpacas, Goats and Sheep, washing the fibre is the next step.  Just a quick aside as the fleece is being sheared from the animal it is skirted, sorted and picked quickly.  Of course some things still manage to find their way deep into the fleece and will get pulled out later.  If you have animals you shear and don't know how to start the process of using the fibre you have, here is where to start!

10  Easy Steps to Washing Fibre

What you need to remember about washing fleece is consistency in temperature and NOT to over manipulate the fleece...other than that it is a very simple process.

Here is what you need! The fibre, a netted bag, soap, we use a sodium lauryl sulfate(Orvus Wa paste is great), a sink or tub of some sort and though not needed a spin dryer works wonders and really speeds up the drying process!

Netted bag and Orvus Soap

sinks

Unwashed Alpaca Fleece

Step 1:  Fill sink with warm water....use enough water to cover bag of fibre.  If you are washing WOOL, and this applies to WOOL only...you use HOT water...you do this to get the lanolin out of the wool.  Make note of the temperature of your water for all fibre.  You want it to stay as close to this temperature as possible each time you fill the sink.

Step 2: Add a handful of soap to the filling sink.

Orvus soap...note it will turn clear when heated

Step 3: Add fibre; which is in netted bag.  Let bag soak for 15-20 minutes...tops...you must monitor the temperature of the water!!! Do not let the water get really cool.

unwashed fleece in netted bag

Step 4:  Drain water and repeat as necessary...you want the water to be relatively clean

another washing is needed

Fleece in soap and water

Step 5: When the water is clean enough fill the sink with only water to rinse the fibre.



Step 6: Drain the sink and hold the bag up to let water pour out... DO NOT RING OUT THE ACCESS WATER BY HAND!!!!!!  That would be a MANIPULATION!





Step 7: While still in netted bag put fleece in spin dryer for about 1 minute....if you do not have a drier you must let the fibre drip.....but only until water stops dripping


Spin dyer...fleece in bag

Step 8: Remove fibre from bag

wet compacted fleece

Step 9: Pull fibre apart.....this is IMPORTANT...if you do not, the fibre will not dry properly and may also "wet felt" during the drying period

pulled apart wet fleece

Step 10:  Place the fibre on a airy drying area



Remember....consistent water temperature.....do not handle the fibre too much ....and pull fibre apart after spun or dripped dried and before drying process.  You will see how the fibre "gains" size when you pull it apart and after it has dried from being washed compared to prewashed size.

Washed Alpaca Fleece, note the difference between washed and unwashed

Solar Dyeing...Let the Summer Heat Do the Work!

Looking for an interesting way to dye yarn?   This is an easy "Do It Yourself" way to dye using the heat of the sun.  Each skein will be unique, the colours will vary in each batch, and the colour will sometimes be solid or more variegated, this is not a precise colour method of dyeing.

First here is what you need:
black plastic garbage bags
large mason jars (also gallon freezer ziploc bags will work but it’s not quite as easy to fill)
citric acid or white vinegar
acid dyes
protein fibre(wool, locks, silk)

Mason Jars

large measuring cup for pouring water into jars
plastic spoon or measuring spoon for dye
wooden skewers


Once you have everything ready....start with filling a couple large dye pots with water and a few tablespoons of citric acid then bring to a boil.  Measure out your fibre, usually 2-4 oz bundles is a good size(to fit in a mason jar) and soak these bundles in water.

Dyes

Next add dye to your  mason jars and then add your 2-4 oz. bundle of either wool or locks...again amount will depend on the thickness of the fibre you are using, i.e. you could put more silk in a jar than wool.  Adjust your dye to the "bulk" of your fibre.

Dyes with Jars

Once the jar is filled with fibre pour the boiling water into the jars.  Using a measuring cup adds in your accuracy of getting the liquid into the jars.  Fill the jar about a 3/4 of the way (it will depend on how much fibre you have in the jar...so a bit more or less).  Once that has been done...push the bundle down using a skewer, if there is room at the top add more of your citric acid solution.

Yarn Solar Dyeing

Mason Jars filled with Yarn Solar Dyeing

Now put the lids on the jars and put the jars outside to set, do this when the sun is strongest!.  Put the jars in an area that gets the most direct sunlight.  If I need to “force” some extra heat, put a black plastic bag under the jars or if it isn't as hot as it was predicted that day you can put the jars IN a black plastic bag, and tie the top.. this will create some extra heat.
For Solar Dyeing to work you must reach at least 185 degrees F.  for at least 30 minutes...longer is better (3-4 hours). During this time the dye is adhering to the protein in the fibre.
When the dyes are set, the water-which was at first the color of your dye- will be clear, and your fiber will be dyed. Remember this technique creates a variance in colour in each skein and jar.    A way to create a tye dye look is to put your dry fibre in first then add the dye colour then more fibre more dye colour and repeat and at the end add your citric water.  The water will then filter down.

Solar Dyed Yarns

Solar Dyed Yarns Drying 

I was really pleased with how my yarns turned out!  The colours are great and it was quite simple!  I hope you find the instructions and pictures easy to follow.  I found the original article on Jazzturtle's How to Do it.

Felting, Fibre, Turkeys and Eggs

Another rainy day on the farm!  Which is good and bad....good for the gardens...bad for haying!

Rovings for spinning or felting

Today is just an update day....we have been shearing, shearing and shearing...and are almost done.  We did something a little different this time,  I kept some Alpaca fibre separate for those of you that enjoy felting.  It is something that I am quite enjoying.  You can felt in many different ways, such as Nuno felting...adding layers of fibre such as merino to silk to create a wearable items, i.e. a scarf, Needle felting, where you can create free standing objects ..animals are very common..."statues" you would almost say, Wet felting where you take wool and create sheets of felt and Resist felting where you use cardboard or plastic to create a form.  So as you see fibre doesn't just have to be made into a yarn for knitting and crocheting but it can be used in it's raw state as well to create other items.  I have both yarns and fibres.  We have Alpaca, Llama, Mohair, Merino, Wool, and Cashgora here for sale plus a few other specialty bits and pieces.

Turkeys from 2013

In other news the baby turkeys have arrived and we have more coming this week.  And although it is only June we do start to take orders for Thanksgiving as much as we don't want to rush the seasons, if you want a turkey you need to book early.  Last year we couldn't meet the demand!  Something else I want to mention and for those of you who have been here you know our turkeys when old enough get to be outside in a secure area in the sun and locked away at night.  It's a good turkey life!

We also have farm fresh eggs!  Nothing compares to farm fresh eggs!  The colour is brighter and the taste richer...enhanced.

We still have kids for sale...the boys have been wethered now.  We have a Nigora, Jake who is all black, and two Pygora/Nigerian Dwarf crosses, Louie and Jerry as well as Mick our Olde English Babydoll.

As always the store is open Thursday thru Sunday 10-5 pm or by appointment.

And don't forget if you are interested in booking a farm tour...give me a call at 705-778-2070

Our New Yarns Have Arrived!

Spring has hit the store walls and the colour is just bursting! 

Elmlea Farm Store

We have a beautiful array of colours, both dyed and natural.  There are 2 ply and 3 ply.  Mohair, Wool blends as well as Alpaca, Mohair and Alpaca, Mohair and Wool blends.  
Of course we have our pure Alpaca yarn as well as wool and numerous other specialty blends!  

New Colours

Drop by and see what we have to offer! We are open Thursday thru Sunday, 10am-5 pm or you can call for an appointment.  We take Visa&M/C or cash.  

Alpaca Corner, Hand Spun or Dyed

Mohair Blends

Knitting with Mohair and Mohair Blended Yarn

Happy Monday Everyone!

As you may have noticed there has been a theme to my last few posts.  I am hoping that by "teaching" everyone a few extra things with regards to different yarns and crafts that you may want to try your hand at creating!  I am looking outside and thinking I can't wait to be able to find a few hours; later on as Spring progresses and the farm "clean up" is done and sit outside and make a few things while enjoying the warmth of the sun.  Yes I am positive we WILL have warmth...soon!

Angora Kid

Also everything that I am showing you, you can find at the store.  Today I am talking about Mohair and knitting with it.  As you may remember...Mohair starts here with an Angora Goat just like our newest member of the family, Macy!  I have Mohair and Mohair blends in a beautiful array of colours!  Remember the store re-opens May 1st but you can certainly arrange a time to stop by just by calling 705-778-2070.

Here is an article by: The Halo Effect: Tricks and Tips for Knitting with Mohair

Posted by Ashley Little on Jan 27, 2014 in Knitting 

The soft halo effect that mohair yarn creates can add instant softness and elegance to any knitting project, but there are a few things to keep in mind when knitting with mohair. Here are a few mohair tips, plus a few of our favorite mohair yarns and patterns to knit.

About mohair yarns

Mohair fiber comes from the angora goat (not to be confused with the angora rabbit that produces angora fiber). You’ve probably also noticed mohair labeled as kid mohair. This mohair comes from a kid — a baby goat — and is both finer and softer.

A few things to keep in mind when working with mohair:

Drape

Mohair’s soft texture allows it to drape beautifully. Keep it in mind for wraps, scarves or any other type of accessory that calls for a luxurious, elegant drape. You’ll see many examples of this in the patterns below.

Ripping mohair

Mistakes happen and sometimes we need to rip our project. Because of the long, delicate fibers, ripping mohair can be a challenge. Be sure to rip your work out slowly, gripping the yarn as close to the work as possible when you rip.

Texture

Mohair creates a beautiful drape, so why not leave it at that? Don’t go too insane with the texture of your stitches. You don’t need to add any fancy cables or special stitches to the design because mohair is already making a statement on its own.

If you’re a fan of lace knitting, consider mohair for your next lace project. Its airy texture goes hand in hand with a lot of beautiful lace patterns.

Mohair patterns to try

Mohair is versatile enough to work well in many different kinds of knits. Check out these Craftsy patterns for inspiration and ideas for your next mohair knitting project.

Photo via Craftsy member irissch

Sequined mohair lace vest

Have you ever worked with Artyarns before? The sequins and beads of their mohair is already attached, so you can knit up your project without worrying about attaching them as you go. This lace vest uses just two skeins of Artyarns Beaded Mohair and Sequins for a vest that’s loose but also slightly clingy because of the mohair fibers.

Get the Sequined Mohair Lace Vest pattern.

So ...You Think You Know Alpaca Yarn!?

Today I would like to talk about Alpaca Yarn.  It is a beautiful light weigh fibre with wonderful attributes, but there are some misconceptions, so to address this I am posting an article from "Knit Picks" that gives a nice brief history on the animals and on the fibre/yarn.
In the article it talks about blending the yarn for larger scaled knitted items.  The store offers you all that is needed to start knitting, from knitting needles to Alpaca, Merino, Mohair yarns.

The Elmlea Farm Store reopens on May 1st, 2014!  If you would like to get started on any project sooner or need fresh eggs please feel free to call me to arrange a time to drop by, the number is
705-778-2070.
Enjoy your weekend!

by Knit Picks Tutorials on December 11, 2009 

Alpaca

Hailing from South America, the alpaca belongs to the camelid family that also includes camels, llamas, guanacos and vicunas. They are a docile breed whose fleece spins into luxurious yarns. More than three quarters of the world’s alpaca population resides in Peru.¹ In centuries past, the alpaca was an incredibly valuable animal, even more so than precious gems! Clothing created with alpaca was restricted for use by royalty. The alpaca has been domesticated and is treated as one of Peru’s national treasures. England has the double decker bus, the U.S. has Mt. Rushmore, and Peru has their alpacas. What a diverse definition of treasure!

Alpaca fleece is a “protein fiber”. This doesn’t mean knitting with it will make you stronger, it merely indicates that the fiber comes from an animal- namely, the alpaca. Alpaca fiber is strong, warm, and comfortable. Each fiber is hollow which makes it incredibly lightweight. Even the most delicate alpaca garments are warm for this reason. Perhaps alpaca’s greatest feature is that it can be worn next to the skin comfortably. The explanation for this is the behavior of the scales on the exterior of the fiber itself. They all lie flat in the same direction, making for a smooth surface. Less expensive than cashmere and with the strength of mohair, alpaca is highly desirable and functional. As with most natural fibers, alpaca needs to be handled with care when it comes to water exposure. Be sure to read and heed the washing instructions on your yarn or sweater.

While there are 2 breeds of alpaca, Huacaya and Suri, the former makes up a whopping 95% of the population.² Differences between the two are numerous and as you may have guessed from the percentages, the Suri is harder to come by. Suri qualities include fleece that grows downward like human hair in wavy or curly locks with a silky texture. Huacaya fleece is coarser and grows straight outwards, at a right angle to the skin of the alpaca.

YES SURI, BABY, YOU’RE SUPERFINE!

When alpaca fiber is processed, it is evaluated and sorted into one of several categories based on its micron count (in layman’s terms: the softness quotient). Micron count is a technical measurement determined by studying a sample of alpaca fleece and calculating the average diameter of the shaft of each fiber. Baby alpaca might have a micron count in the high teens whereas superfine alpaca would fall in the mid-twenties. The lower the number, the finer the fiber. *Please note that baby alpaca is a classification group, meaning it doesn’t always come from young alpacas. It merely refers to any fibers from an alpaca’s fleece that fall within said micron count. While fibers become coarser as an alpaca ages, it is possible for older alpacas to continue to produce fibers that fall in the baby alpaca micron count range.

Yarn Classification	Average Micron Count	Average Fiber Length
Baby (finest)	21-23	>=64mm. (2½ in.)
Superfine	25-26.5	>=65mm. (2½ in.)
Suri	26-27	>=68mm. (2¾ in.)

Yarns sold by Knit Picks fall within these measurements.

If all of this jargon confuses you, then you might relate better to the methods used by Peruvian women who hand sort all of the fibers and determine their classification based on how they actually feel.³ The finest and softest feeling fibers are tagged as baby alpaca, and so on for fine and superfine yarns. Fiber from various parts of the animal can have different feels.

SMOOTH OPERATOR

Knitted garments made of alpaca have some interesting properties. You should know that alpaca yarn is pretty stubborn when it comes to elasticity. It’s not that it won’t give, it actually has a tendency to be too generous. If you knit dense stitches and patterns or hang heavy embellishments on it, it will become distorted with no hopes of regaining its youthful figure. This is due to the aforementioned smoothness of the fibers. Since the scales lie flat in the same direction, the plies or strands of an alpaca yarn slide past each other instead of clinging and gravity can take its toll on the fabric. Gravity, as we know, can sometimes cause an undesirable elongating effect. So make those 100% alpaca projects light and airy, or use a blend for greater resilience and elasticity.

Speaking of which, all blends happen for a reason. There are ways to make alpaca yarn work for every project and that is by blending it with complimentary fibers. Blended yarns are not created arbitrarily. Wool, for instance, is a highly crimped fiber and therefore offers some elasticity. Since alpaca fibers contain only shallow waves, mixing in some wool makes an otherwise unyielding yarn a little more forgiving.

---

¹“A Shaggy Business” The Economist. Vol. 377, Issue 8455, p. 38. 12/3/2005.

²Quiggle, Charlotte. “Alpaca: An Ancient Luxury” Interweave Knits. Fall 2000.

³Lavan, Cindy. “Evaluating Alpaca Fleece” AlpacaNation – Alpaca Industry’s Central Marketplace. June 2002. http://www.alpacanation.com/articles/AlpacaFuture_Oct02.asp

Fibre Package for sale

HAPPY EASTER

A long weekend without snow, FINALLY!  We are busy on the farm with spring clean up as is everyone one of you I am sure.  Luckily we haven't had too much concern with excess water, but we are certainly thinking of those of you who do.

I would like to say "thanks" to those of you who dropped by to see me in Maynooth last Saturday, as always it was great fun and good to see friends and meet new people.  The store is almost ready for May 1st!  until then you can call and make an appointment to drop by.  It is so much easier for you to shop since we have the VISA and MASTERCARD option.

Patrick Old English Babydoll Southdown

Being Easter, Patrick wanted his bunny ears and not to be out done so did Lucy!  So it's the Easter Sheep and Easter Goat!  What a pair these two are!  Speaking of Goats.  I have a "fibre package" for sale.  That would be 4 wethered goats for $ 200.00.  Two of the boys can be seen in the picture with Lucy.

Lucy  the Pygora goat

Have a great long weekend.  We have eggs available if you are running short for Easter!  Give me a call 705-778-2070.