Withers Wool

01/14/2023

Cleaning a Fleece

Part of the entire ‘Farm to Fashion’ process for Withers Wool and Farm’ is cleaning the fleeces. Once a fleece is shorn you lay a fleece out to skirt it - remove junk wool, stains, second cuts and vegetable matter. (Image 1) We then put the fleece in a tumbler to shake out unwanted items. (Image 2) Then there is a series of soaking, washing, and rinsing - numerous times- to clean the fleece. (Image 3) Finally you lay the fleece out to dry. I am going thru this process for a number of fleeces so thought I would share it. And once you have a clean fleece it can be turned into a batt or roving suitable for spinning.

For our followers on Facebook this is being cross posted to the Withers Wool page for the last time. As noted in previous posts, if you follow us on Facebook switch to Withers Wool and Farm.

01/08/2023

Needle Felting - Coasters

Withers Wool and Farm has a Lexi Feltloom (see the first picture). It has hundreds of needles (see the second picture) that allows you to quickly needle felt fiber. Most recently I have been doing a lot of experimentation on making coasters (see the third picture). A large issue here is figuring out how to best (and precisely) cut the desired shape for the coaster. Another thing I am working on is how to bond cork to felt (e.g. for the bottom of a coaster). And I am also using a steam press for different effects. I have figured out the steps to make a very nice coaster and will soon produce a number of them that will be available in the shop.

(For those who follow us on Facebook this post will be shared with the Withers Wool Farm group and the Withers Wool page. A reminder for all who used to follow us on the Withers Wool page. I have lost the ability to manage that page and Withers Wool and Farm is the page to now follow.)

01/04/2023

Blue Yarn and Woven Shawl

The next Fiber Art Studio Tour date is Saturday 14 January. The theme color is blue. Attached is a picture of three blue yarns and a handwoven shawl with streaks of blue. (Many more of both in the shop.) come visit Withers Wool and the other fine vendors on the 14th.

This will be cross posted on the Withers Wool page. For those who follow Withers Wool on Facebook I will be switching to using Withers Wool and Farm on Facebook as I have lost the ability to manage posts on Withers Wool and Facebook will not respond to my requests.

12/14/2022

Crazy Carding

Many say the most important piece of equipment to have on hand when creating beautiful yarn is a drum carder. And crazy carding is the perfect way to make unusual and creative yarns. Attached is a base of wool with mohair locks, ribbon, and washed (but Uncombed) fiber laid on top. Over that I put another base of wool to make a sandwich and then ran it thru the carder. The second picture shows the result. I also sprinkled some Angelina (glitter) on.

You too can make something like this and/or any batt you desire. Come to Withers Wool on Saturday 17 Dec 10 to 3 and make your own batt!

12/09/2022

Set up for free form knit/crochet meet up

All set up for the free form knit and crochet meet up at Withers Wool (6401 Woodbine Rd, Woodbine, MD) this Saturday 10 Dec 12 to 2.

We will discuss a variety of items, share projects anyone brings, and have an exercise for anyone who cares to participate.

12/02/2022

Free Form Knit and Crochet Meet-up

Join us Saturday, 10 December, from 12 to 2 at Withers Wool (6401 Woodbine Road, Woodbine, MD) for a casual forum on Free Form Knit/Crochet where we will explore what it is (and isn’t), planning a project, design elements, joining techniques, things to keep in mind and resources to draw upon.

If you are mildly curious or wildly committed, all are welcome to join in, share, and be inspired.

There will be an exercise in getting started. For those who are interested in working the exercise, consider bringing an assortment of knitting needles, crochet hooks, and 3-5 yarns of varying textures/weights and color (scrap yarns, sparkly, fuzzy, smooth yarns, yarns you like but haven’t yet figured what to do with). A scissors,, a blunt tapestry needle and safety pins would also be useful. You are also welcome to bring a project you may have already started and wish to share.

The pictures show a few examples of free form knit/crochet in progress.

11/21/2022

Black Yarn for Black Friday

Withers Wool will be open the Friday (and Saturday) after Thanksgiving. A number of new skeins of yarn have been added to the inventory recently and the yarns somewhat rearranged to try to better showcase their colors. Attached is a picture of some black yarns that we have.

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone!

11/15/2022

Alpaca Festival

I could not resist posting this picture from the Maryland Alpaca and Fleece Festival. Once each day the alpacas are taken around all the vendors. A very nice festival and thanks for all who stopped by.

11/14/2022

This Saturday, 19 November, Withers Wool is part of the monthly Fiber Art Studio Tour (FAST). A post front the FAST page follows.

Also, a reminder that Withers Wool will be having a Beginning Spinning Class on Saturday 19 November from 12 to 2. If you are interested in taking the class, go to www.witherswool.com/classes to get more info and register for the event.

It’s so true! We are your knitting community! We are a small community of Maryland Indie Fiber Artists and farmers, yarn and fiber dyers & producers. We open our doors in unison each month.

November is Saturday 11/19/22
from 11am till 4pm.

And it’s so true- You are our community too! We love to see you each month; we enjoy all your creativity with our yarns and fibers. You are the reason we do what we do and make what we make!

Our shops, studios, tour-stops are:
in Mount Airyyarn in Highland
in New Market
in Barnesville
in Frederick wool in Woodbine

This month we’re highlighting the color Cranberry and spirit of Community. Come see what we’ve made.

Thanks Karen of Avalon Springs Farm for the picture above.

11/12/2022

Panoramic View

This is panoramic view of the setup at the Howard County Fairgrounds for the Maryland Alpaca and Fleece Festival this weekend. The show is 9-4 Saturday and Sunday.

11/07/2022

The Right Spinning Wheel Makes All the Difference

This is a short discourse on spinning wheels and a reminder about the spinning class at Withers Wool on 19 November.

The spinning wheel you use can not only have an effect on the yarn you spin, it can also greatly impact your engagement and pleasure in spinning. Withers Wool has a variety of spinning wheels: Majacraft Rose and Little Jem, Schadt Matchless, Spinolution Mach III (the picture is of the Spinolution Mach III) as well as two electric wheels - Ashford e2 and Spinolution Firefly. I love the Spinolution Mach III and the Ashford e2 whereas Kathy loved the Majacraft Little Jem and Rose; she would use the Mach III but only tolerated it and I’m the same for the Majacraft Rose and Little Jem. And I like using the Ashford e2 for some types of spinning (e.g. core spinning) while Kathy rarely used it.

I’m mentioning this for two reasons. First, if you are thinking about purchasing a spinning wheel, you are welcome to come to Withers Wool and try the wheels we have and see how they feel. Second, if you are a beginning spinner, know that the wheel can make all the difference. You could struggle with one wheel and have an enjoyable experience with another. So if you have struggled with picking up spinning, I invite you to take the class on the 19th and try using one of the wheels we have.

I invite all spinners out there who read this to weigh in with their comments about various spinning wheels!