Friday, October 6, 2017

Pixies to make you Smile


Gorgeous Kerry Hill Lamb welcoming Spring
Photo Courtesy of Peter Bond


Time for a new blend to get out in the world of spinning !   This time it is all about Kerry Hill sheep who are as cute as a button and have the added bonus of having great fleece to spin as well !

The Kerry Hill breed (or in Welsh: Dafad Bryniau Ceri) is from Powys, on the English/Welsh borders, and it derives its name from the village of Kerry, near Newtown. There are records of this distinctive breed in this area dating back to 1809, and the first Flock Book was published in 1899. Registered Kerry Hill Sheep can be found throughout the British Isles, Ireland, Denmark, Germany and the Netherlands. It is a cute sheep, with a black nose and sharply defined black and white markings on the head and legs. The fleece handles very well and is amongst the softest of the British wools. The breed crosses well with Hill and Long wool breeds to make crossbred ewes. Though still not very numerous, the breed was removed from the records of the Rare Breeds Survival Trust watchlist in 2006.

The Kerry Hill is a medium-sized breed of sturdy build, an average ewe weighing about 55 to 65 kg (121 to 143 lb) and a ram a little more.. The face is white with black markings on the nose and around the eyes, with black, wool-less ears set high on the head. The legs are white with black markings. The fleece is fine and white, with a Bradford count of 54 to 56 and a staple length of 10 cm (4 in). An average fleece weighs about 2.75 kg (6.1 lb).

The fleece has been used in cottage industry spinning for a long time and due its fineness and easy handle. In short: it spins like a dream and has great stitch definition when knitted up. The fleece is exceptionally white and lofty.

The locks are pretty dense but they separate very easily. When you spin the yarn worsted it will have a subtle shine, good loft and excellent insulating properties.
Woolen style will produce a more matte yarn with even a greater air trapping quality, which equals to a fabulous insulating yarn. Kerry Hill is great for everyday garments from sweaters, socks to hats and blankets.

 This particular Kerry Hill “harvest” is about 26micron BUT because of the added angora bunny and cashmere together with a lush pearly tencel it feels much softer and close to skin wear, like a 19 to 20 micron.

And how can you possibly resist these cute little lambs???? !!!!







A proud Kerry Hill ewe with her babies












I have blended the Pixie blend, yes that’s the name I called it…couldn’t resist. Although the origin of the Kerry Hill Sheep are in the gorgeous Welsh Countryside, the Pixie blend Kerry Hill Sheep are from Ireland so I HAD TO call it PIXIE. Well, better let you see what I have been up to with the dye pots. I wish you could feel the tops through your screen ! Pm me if you would like to give some of these tops a good home. Enjoy looking and have a fun weekend !

Please don't hesitate to contact me at any time if you have any questions okay? Always happy to enable. All my contact details are to be found at the end of this week’s blog entry. 

Pixie Tops   

Kerry Hill Sheep, Angora bunny, Cashmere, Tencel

100+gram tops AU$24

Amazing to spin.



the natural Pixie tops in all their yumminess



Dr Finkelstein




Wolf man -2left-







Undersea Gal-sold-








Shock





Sally






Rose Quartz





Pumpkin Jack




Oogie Boogie-sold-




Mrs Plum




Mr Hyde-sold-




Mayor of Halloween Town




Lock




Harlequin Demon-2left-







Creature Under The Stairs



Clown with the Tear Away Face



Behemoth-SOLD-



Bat Kid



Barrel-sold-




Acorn-sold-






Dates to put in your Calendar !!

EXCITING NEW DATES COMING SOON !






Landscape dyes 


100g tubs   AU$11 
250 g tubs AU$26








Want to dye your own with easy to use acid dyes? I have been selling these Landscape dyes at my workshops and shows for a long time :  They are extremely easy to use and come in great shades.
Just contact me with the name of the colour you are after and I will get right back to you.



How To Order:


1. You can email me on ixchel at rabbit dot com dot au or ixchelbunny at yahoo dot com dot au
2. Message me on facebook or 
3. Message me on www.ravelry.com  where I am Ixchelbunny.

I will email you right back with all your order details and payment methods.


Any questions? Any custom orders for yarn or dyeing fibre? : Please don’t hesitate to ask! Always happy to enable.


Thank you so much for your help and support !


 RABBIT ON !
((hugs))
Charly
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