Wednesday, January 3, 2018

Wistful Wednesday: Crazy Project

I have one project that has been on my “mental list” for a number of years.   A long time ago, my friend Susan gave me a milk can that was painted to match my then blue kitchen.  What ever do you store in a milk can?
Mate Cap Misty Moses
G’Day Mate, Captain, Miss Misty and Moses
We had four Sheltland Sheepdogs “Shelties”  I did all my own grooming, they got bathed in the bathtub and dried with a blow dryer…and brushed, and brushed some more the girls would help…I would wash and they would dry and brush.   One day I started collecting the fur….it ended up in the milk can.  Years later I can still smell freshly washed Shelties in that old milk can.  That fur has been waiting. 
I talked with a friend Bruce…we will card that fur soon and mix it with some roving to prepare it for spinning. 
So what was the one thing I asked for as a Christmas Gift?  Roving from Punkin’s Patch…I requested Maisie and Daniel…and got some Henri too.  Far Guy took care of all the details!
On my list
Maisie ( white with a touch of meaness), Henri ( beautiful softer grey/brown) and Daniel the (soft warm cream color)
IMG_7515
My old spinning wheel may see some action yet.  We know it works.
I am certain that whatever I spin will not be perfect yarn…and thats okay with me…I hope to eventually make a lap robe.
Last spring a very kind neighbor brought me her dogs coat…Kodi sheds all at once…she is an Akita. I still have that fur too upstairs in an old pillowcase.
I have all the raw materials…and I look forward to a carding lesson from Bruce in the next month or two.
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22 comments:

Cynthia said...

That's a beautiful wheel and I'm so excited for you to learn. I have spun for over 40 years, wool from my sheep, Sassafras and Jessica, and angora rabbits, but never from dogs. Can't wait to see how it turns out for you. I see you are jumping right in their on your word for the year!

Cynthia said...

"In their"? Time for coffee!

Sallysmom said...

Ok, now. This post brought tears to my eyes thinking about your sweeties & their fur.

Pauline Persing said...

The family joke is that Henry takes a lot of naps so he has the energy to make and shed his hair. He is a mixed breed and seems to have inherited some extra hair producing and shedding genes. But he is a wonderfully loving dog.

thecrazysheeplady said...

That's a beautiful wheel!

Gemma's person said...

Love this idea immensely. Looking forward to the finished product.

DJan said...

This is so cool! To have a blanket made up of old friends is a great idea. :-)

Tired Teacher said...

Enjoy the process of carding, spinning, plying. . .but be careful it may be addictive.

MTWaggin said...

How fun and yarn isn't supposed to be perfect - that is why the lumpy cool stuff in the store is so high priced!

Mac n' Janet said...

Quite a challenge. I didn't know you could use dog fur. When I clean house I often comment that I collect enough cat fur to make a new cat.

Kansas Kay said...

A great project! I look forward to hearing about it.

Rita said...

Oh wow! That is such a personal and inventive idea! I mixed some of Karma's fur into paper pulp for a couple of cards for my BFF Ruby when she was alive. She was a notorious critter person, too--LOL! No one would ever have guessed if you didn't tell them. That's how it will be with your blanket/throw. How exciting to learn carding and spinning! I look forward to hearing all about it. :)

Red said...

You're always off on a new adventure. That's what keeps you young.

Becki said...

what a wonderful idea. I can't wait to hear about your carding lessons and see what you create with your new yarn.

Joy@aVintageGreen said...

Wonderful project, looking forward to reading about your carding lessons and seeing what the combined wool and fur will turn into. Hugs.
Joy

Bonnie said...

How creative and exciting!

Karen said...

That will be so cool! Too bad you weren't closer, I have hand carders and two drum carders. I remember at one point collecting some dog hair, but probably threw it out eventually. I haven't worked any wool for years. There's a spinning wheel in the attic too, although not as attractive as yours. Can't wait to see how your project turns out!

Jo-Anne's Ramblings said...

Reading this made me smile

Granny Marigold said...

I didn't know anyone ever used ( or could use) dog hair for spinning. Should be very interesting.

Linda Reeder said...

Oh, that is a wonderful project! My mother-in-law was a spinner and a weaver, but I don't think she ever worked with dog hair.

Shirley said...

Very cool that you can combine your dog hair with the roving from some Very Famous Sheep! (I'm a fan of Naughty Maisie) Will be fun to watch your progress.

Sam I Am...... said...

I would love to have wheel and learn to spin....good for you. Just be careful not to get that dog yarn wet as you know what that smells like! LOL! Good luck!