Laura and I were awakend this morning around 3:00 am by the loud roar of the wind as it howled through the trees surrounding our house. We sat up and listened as the wind pounded the house with small twigs it was trimming from the tops of our trees. The two wind chimes on our porch were in constant motion playing an eerie tune that was somewhere between Handel’s Water Music and an electronic jam session by Massive Attack. Suddenly Laura heard a crash outside and immediately dressed for a barn trip to check on the llamas. When she returned she gave me the bad news that a large limb had blown off of one of our trees and was blocking the road. It looked like I was going to have a couple of hours of chain saw work once daylight arrived–still a few hours away on one of the shortest days of the year. Since all of the llamas were safely tucked into the barn and I couldn’t work on the fallen tree until daylight we decided to go back to bed and finish our nights sleep. 
We had just gotten back to sleep when we were awakened by the sound of a chain saw and flashing red lights tracing a path across the wall of our bed room. Apparently the county sheriff and our local road crew had decided they could not wait until daylight for us to reopen the road. After about 30 minutes of constant chain saw work they had the road reopened and had saved us hours of work with our light weight chain saw. At least we had gotten to see our tax dollars at work. Our local government really does a great job taking care of our county roads We certainly owe them a nice cup of Java the next time we see them.
Barbara Albright. Potter Craft 2007, Hardcover, 192 pages, $32.50
In The Natural Knitter, Barbara Albright takes readers on a rich journey through the joys of all-natural fibers–materials that can make an incredible difference, both in your knitting and in the health of our planet. From the animals and plants that produce the fibers to the artisans who work with them, The Natural Knitter presents the first-ever all-encompassing look at the world of natural knitting.
Tempted by the versatile and beautiful yarns produced from the fibers of llamas, sheep, cashmere-producing goats, and angora bunnies–as well as from cotton, hemp, linen, and silk–some of the most renowned designers in the textile industry have contributed patterns to this collection. There are more than twenty wonderful projects in all, and each highlights the softness, drape, and quality of the fiber used–from Norah Gaughan’s “Architectural Rib Pullover” in cashmere and wool yarn and Vicki Square’s “Uma Sweater” in silk yarn, to clever designs like Debbie New’s “Cast-Off Clothing” in hemp yarn and Barbara Albright’s “Lilliana’s Organic Cotton Poncho and Drawstring Pouch” design for organic cotton yarn. Meet the entrepreneurs who are creating beautiful products that are also non-toxic and earth-friendly, using plant-dyed fibers and unique processes. For the adventurous, step-by-step instructions are included for dyeing yarn naturally at home.
Lavishly illustrated and thoughtfully detailed, The Natural Knitter offers a thorough and engaging picture of the natural fiber industry–and a beautiful palette of designs for readers to knit, savor, and enjoy.
Shannon Okey. Interweave Press 2006, Paperback, 128 pages, $21.95
Knitters who want new worlds to conquer can reach for this guide to handspinning their own designer yarns. A rundown on equipment introduces the drop spindle, supported spindle, niddy-noddy, McMorran balance, and yarn meter, while the following sections include choosing wool and other fibers, presenting knitting patterns suitable for handspun yarn, and in-depth profiles of real urban spinners. For crafters who want to experiment with spinning but don’t want to sacrifice too much of their knitting time, there are lots of ideas for jazzing up a thrift-store cardigan with handspun trim or knitting a boatneck pullover in a combination of commercial and handspun yarns. Methods for incorporating beads and threads into yarn and a technique for dyeing yarn in the dishwasher are also featured.
Traci Bunkers (Editor). Interweave Press 2003, Paperback, 32 pages, $9.95
Here are step-by-step instructions and illustrations that explain how to make yarn from scratch using handspindles-simple tools used to turn wool into yarn. Designed to appeal to the beginning spinner, tips and hints are provided that illustrate how easy, enjoyable, and relaxing spinning can be. This manual also includes complete instructions for five simple, appealing projects: a woven sleeve, a knitted bunny bag, a knitted baby hat, knitted fingerless mittens, and a crocheted hat.
Priscilla A. Gibson-Roberts. Nomad Press 2006, Paperback, 176 pages, $14.95
Knitters are discovering the pleasure and satisfaction of spinning their own yarns. Master craftsman Priscilla Gibson-Roberts guides readers in the fast-track, low-cost, high-quality approach to spinning. No spinning wheel required.
Carol Kroll. Dover Publications 1981, Paperback, 48 pages, $6.95
ou can master the timeless craft of spinning with this clear, easy-to-follow manual. Everything you need to know from set-up to finished product in order to create distinctive yarns for use in knitting, weaving, crocheting, needlepoint, embroidery, and macrame. Author’s preface. 33 illustrations, 10 black-and-white photographs. Bibliography. Sources of Supply.
Rachel Brown. Knopf 1983, Paperback, 336 pages, $45.00
This big, beautiful book with 435 illustrations is the clearest and most comprehensive ever published on the subject–explains everything the expert or beginner needs to know on how to weave, spin, and dye.
Madelyn van der Hoogt. Interweave Press 2000, Spiral-bound, 112 pages, $19.95
Beautiful works of fabric art are easily achieved using the magical hand weaving techniques presented in this exciting new book—the second in the Tradition in the Making series.
Author Sigrid Piroch expertly guides readers through everything they need to know about the art of hand weaving, including the history and heritage of this timeless art, how looms work, what tools and equipment to use, the basics of good technique, how to plan projects, analyzing cloth, reading and drawing patterns, and designing fabric for practical and art purposes. She then guides the weaver step-by-step through more than 10 gorgeous projects, including mug rugs, a scarf, napkins, pillows, towels, and clothing.
Betty Linn Davenport. Interweave Press 1987, Paperback, 120 pages, $24.95
The rigid Heddle loom is a very good way to learn the basic concepts of weaving prior to moving to a multi-harness loom. This book provides a good hands on introduction to the rigid heddle loom. This is a great book for anyone who is curious about rigid heddle weaving.
Alden Amos. Interweave Press 2001, Hardcover, 480 pages, $39.95
Alden Amos shares his deep knowledge of wheel mechanics, spinning fibers, wheel construction, and yarn, as well as a wealth of spinning history and traditions. Every aspect of handspinning is explored, including dissolving lanolin, washing fleece, rotating wheel position, and choosing types of wool. Also discussed are various hand positions, which can result in everything from smooth, fine thread to funky, bulky yarn.
Laura’s Review
This is one of the most comprehensive books on handspinning that I have ever read. The author goes into great detail on many subjects including how spinning wheels work, and how fiber “works” during spinning and plying, and how to best employ various techniques. While the author does tend to use some lame humor and has some strong opinions (the one that seems to draw the most ire is his adamant opinion about single treadle vs double treadle wheels), the book still contains mountains of information that are great for reference. This may not be a beginner’s book, unless one is very technically minded. But intermediate and advanced spinners or those wanting a depth of knowledge in one place will find this book invaluable. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it.
Deborah Chandler. Interweave Press 1995, Hardcover, 232 pages, $27.95
Since it’s first printing a decade ago, Learning to Weave has become the standard text book for both teachers and self-taught weavers. All you need to know is here including warping, reading and designing drafts, and the basics of weave structures. Warping back to front is included as well as updated resource lists.
Laura’s Review: If you want a single book that is comprehensive but will not overwhelm the novice, this is it. I use it for reference again and again. As I expand my weaving repetoire, I am sure I will continue to consult this text. For example, I had always wondered how double weave worked; it sounded like a trick of smoke and mirrors to me. Then after I read the section on double weave, the explanation was so clear, that the method was obvious and the mystery disappeared. This book has given me that “ah-hah” sensation on several occasions. If you must learn from a book rather than a class, start with this book. It is destined to be a classic, if it is not already.
Left: Winter Wood. Blend of browns, grays and lighter colors. TEMPORARILY SOLD OUT.
Middle: Dark Brown. TEMPORARILY SOLD OUT.
Right: Driftwood Blend of black, white, gray and brown. Makes a soft tweedy yarn with a lot of character. ($12 per 4 oz ball).
Left: Natural White, silky and lofty, $12 per 4 oz ball.
White, not shown. Not quite as silky as above, but lofty and soft for spinning or felting projects. ($10 per 4 oz ball).
Middle: Michele, a beautiful honey cinnamon with white flecks. Silky and fine. ($12 per 4 oz ball).
Right: Tia, honey and white natural blend. One of my favorites. Soft and lofty. ($12 per 4 oz. ball).
Winter has been a little late coming to Farmhouse Fibers but it came in with a fury yesterday. Yesterday morning Laura and I headed to Bloomington, Indiana (about 20 miles away) to pickup bread and bagels from Panera Bread. We thought we had a few hours before the weather hit, but by the time we arrived in Bloomington it was snowing heavily and the roads were already covered with a slippery layer of snow.
We were both surprised when I turned into Panera’s parking lot and the car got half way through the turn and decided to continue in a straight path toward the mediun divider. I was only going a couple of miles per hour, but it was still pretty scary. Needless to say, we were having second thoughts about our Saturday morning road trip.
We walked through the heavy snow into Paneras and loaded up on coffee, bagels and bread and headed back toward Martinsville before the roads got much worse. Once we had the car tucked safely back in the garage we ate a quick breakfast and headed out to the barn to check on Lewis and the other llamas. They were obviously much smarter than we had been because they were all snuggled in the comfort of the cover of the barns.
A family of natural color 3-ply yarn, all about 600-700 yards per pound. This is light to medium worsted weight yarn that is great for knitting.
Left: Smokey, (140 yard skein, $14.00).
Middle: Sassafras, (140 yard skein, $14.00).
Right: Pinata, (140 yard skein, $14.00.)
(Shown with woven scarves from Pinata and Sassafras and Pinata hat. White accent is 2-ply Winter white llama yarn.)
Left: Super Silky Kona Black, jet black light sportweight at 1050 yards per pound. (200 yard skein, $12.00).
Middle: Black Walnut color fingerling weight at 1700 yards per pound. (275 yard skein, $15.00).
Right: Soft black fingerling weight at 1600 yards per pound, (275 yard skein, $15.00).
Two colors of single ply yarn are twisted to create this bi-color 2-ply yarn.
Far left: Tan and white, sportweight at 920 yards per pound. (230 yard skein, $16.00).
Second from left: Gray and dark brown tweed, sportweight at 900 yards per pound, (275 yard skein, $17.00).
Second from right: Gray and white, sportweight yarn at 950 yards per pound, (230 yard skeins, $16.00).
Far right: Slate Gray sportweight, 950 yards per pound, (230 yard skein, $16.00).
Dark brown 100% llama with the sparkle of Angelina! Light sport weight yarn 2-ply yarn at about 1000 yards per pound. (275 yard skein, $20.00)
If you have visited our site in the past you probably noticed that the site has gone through a significant makeover. We have re-created the site in Wordpress. Using Wordpress will enable Laura and I to provide a more up-to-date and better organized site.
We hope that you enjoy the new site.
Fred
We are finally offering our custom blend Lla-Moh-Bun for sale online! This is a special yarn for your special projects. It is about 47% Silky Llama, 47% Kid Mohair, and 6% Angora Bunny. This yarn has an especially silky feel to it, with extra high luster. The Angora Bunny will add a bloom to the yarn as you work with it. We are very excited about this yarn. It is the culmination of effort between Yellow Wood Llamas and Timbre Ridge Farm, who provided the kid mohair and angora bunny. Spinderellas in Utah worked with us to have the yarn custom blended and spun. We invite you to try some for that next special project!
Left: Black pure llamas fiber “Shania” is a 2-ply, worsted weight yarn, at about 560 yards per pound. This yarn is very drapey and soft with a fine silky feel. (150 yard skein, $16.00)
Right: Snow white 75% llama 25% Merino wool. This is a sportweight, 2-ply yarn that is soft and lofty and would be great for any projects including a sweater. It is a nice knitting weight yarn at 950 yards per pound. (100 yard skein, $7.00)
Other skein sizes available.
The variability of the yarn is part of its hand spun allure! This yarn is a fairly heavy worsted weight at about 500 yards per pound. Skein sizes vary and can be ordered by the yard.
Far Left: “Michele,” popular color of honey-cinnamon with flecks of white.
White silky Llama, fine and soft.
Third from Left: Driftwood, a blend of black, gray, muted white and flecks of brown. Each skein is a little unique due to the random blending. A very pretty tweedy look, and silky feel.
Top: Tia, a pretty light honey and white blend. One of our favorites! Very lofty and soft.
Right: Dark Chocolate Brown. This yarn is very fine and spins up a little finer than the others. Soft and fine.
Special order only. (Yarn is $4.00 per ounce).
A light sportweight of 1050 yards per pound. Available in colors (left to right): Plum, Hibiscus, natural white (undyed), Lily (middle), Avocado (top), Lucerne (bottom).
Dyed colors: (200 yard skein, $13.50).
Natural White: (200 yard skein, $12.00)
Far right is Light Fawn Alpaca/Silk blend, (200 yard skein, $16.50).
From left: Phantom Red Baby Alpaca, 100% alpaca, light sportweight at 1050 yards per pound. (200 yard skein, $16.50)
Second from left: Phantom Red Alpaca blended with 20% tussah silk. 1050 Yards per pound. (200 yard skein, $16.50).
Top: Light Fawn Peruvian Acooyo alpaca blended with 20% tussah silk. 1050 yards per pound. (200 yard skein, $16.50).
Far right: Phantom Red 100% alpaca, 2-ply heavy worsted weight, about 560 yards per pound. (150 yard skeins, $17.00).
Not shown: Phantom Red 100% alpaca, 2-ply heavy worsted weight, about 650 yards per pound. (140 yard skeins, $15.00).
Llama and Alpaca Roving
Left: Curry red 80% llama/20% wool, very consistent fine roving. ($10 per 4 oz ball).
Middle: almost black and white twist; spin it different ways to get different effects! Fine and fun to use. ($12 per 4 oz ball).
Right: Phantom Red alpaca. From our favorite farm alpaca! ($12 per 4 oz ball).
