Diary of Color

ABOUT THE LOCAL FIBER

All of the yarns included in these bundles are minimally processed. That means they have not been through carbonization or superwash processes. Evidence of the yarns’ origins in the field or pasture may very occasionally be spotted (e.g., vegetable matter or animal feed!).  The skeins have been scoured and then mordanted with a solution of 8% alum sulfate and 6% cream of tartar in preparation for dyeing with natural materials.

ed note: A heartfelt and massive thank you to Barbara Madley and Kait Hilliard for procuring, scouring, mordanting, and skeining all of these utterly delicious yarns. What a tremendous amount of labor and care they invested! And another impressed thank you to Barbara Madley for writing up these tasting notes. Brava.

CUYAMA LAMB

DK weight 2-ply

100% Wool

This naturally creamy white, bouncy, next-to-the-skin soft yarn is produced by Cuyama Lamb in the coastal foothills of Santa Barbara County.  The fleece comes from their flock of Rambouillet cross sheep that, over generations, have adapted to thrive on the often dry forage in California.  The flock’s primary occupation of eating is carefully managed as a tool for fire fuels mitigation and habit restoration for native perennial plants.  The sheep happily eat the invasive mustards and annual grasses that both crowd out native species and are dense fuel for wildfires.  The flocks can often be found grazing the wildland parks in the Santa Barbara area.

After shearing, the fleece that became this yarn was sent to Mountain Meadow Wool in Wyoming where it was scoured, carded and combed before being spun into this classic 2-ply yarn.  It is a pleasure to work with and takes natural dyes beautifully.

ig: @cuyamalamb

ALPACAS AT WINDY HILL

Heavy Fingering 2-ply

100% Suri Alpaca

This lustrous, silky, loosely spun, white yarn is from the Alpacas at Windy Hill breeding ranch in Somis, CA.  Cindy Harris, the proprietor, specializes in breeding award-winning Suri Alpacas in a rainbow of natural colors.  This yarn was processed by The Good Shepherd Fiber Mill in Colorado which, sadly, is no longer processing fiber.  The fleece was tumbled to remove loose dirt, scoured, carded, pin-drafted and spun into this yarn.  Processing one hundred percent Suri alpaca can be a challenge for mills due to the often long staple length and fine, slippery texture.  Soft and drapey, this yarn takes color beautifully, maintaining a subtle shine even as the halo develops further through the dyeing process.  It is a delight for the eyes and the hands.

ig:  @alpacacindy

RANCHO BORREGO NEGRO

Heavy Worsted Singles

50% wool / 50% llama
A warm and hearty farm yarn in two natural colors, oatmeal and tan, this yarn is bursting with life. It was grown by the happy animals at Rancho Borrego Negro in Fallbrook, CA.  Kathy Lambert dotes upon her small, mixed flock of sheep, llamas, goats and the occasional Alpaca.  Blending the fibers from the variety of animals creates an array of stunning natural colors.  These singles yarns were processed and spun in New Mexico at Mora Valley Spinning Mill.  The yarn is reminiscent of a traditional Icelandic Lopi style yarn, strong and warm. It will similarly become better and better with use.

RANCHO BORREGO NEGRO

DK 2-ply

50% wool / 50% llama

This strong and lustrous two ply yarn is included in two natural colors, cream and oatmeal. It was grown by the happy animals at Rancho Borrego Negro in Fallbrook, CA.  Kathy Lambert dotes upon her small, mixed flock of sheep, llamas, goats and the occasional Alpaca.  Blending the fibers from the variety of animals creates an array of stunning natural colors.  Similarly to the Rancho Borrego Negro singles, this yarn was processed and spun in New Mexico at Mora Valley Spinning Mill.  The yarn is a classic, balanced two ply.  The sheen and strength from the mixed-breed longwool is complemented by the slight halo from the llama fiber.   These two yarns take color beautifully with subtle variation between the two naturally colored bases.