Dalton and Issabeau

This is my Aussie with HIS cat a blue lynx point siamese

Newfy sweater

This sweater is a blend of Jacob wool and Newfoundland hair. The hair was collected from a black Newfoundland using the standard brushing method. Newfoundlands being a water breed have a coat that is water resistant. The natural oils that make this breed such a wonderful water rescue dog can also hold odors if not regularly groomed. Newfoundland's that you are planning to use as a fiber source should be groomed very frequently to prevent the oil from building up in the coat. The wool and dog hair fibers were processed by Zeilingers fiber mill. The fibers were washed then carded together making a roving with a very soft hand. The roving was spun with a nice 2ply sport weight yarn in mind. The sweater design is a simple one with three cables running down the front and a rolled crew neck. The design for was very petite woman. The vertical cables help create the illusion of height. Design work tends to get lost in sweaters designed with fibers that create halo's. Such fibers are mohair, angora, dog hair, some long wools and other exotic fiber depending on spinning methods used. It is very important to keep this in mind when planning a sweater made from these fibers.

Spinning to save a Breed

This blanket was made of 100% dog hair (australian shepherds). I asked volunteers from ARPH (Aussie rescue) if they could please send me the hair from dogs that were either in rescue awaiting a home or that had found forever homes. The response was amazing. I recieved hair from all across the US and even Canada. I spun the hair into 2ply yarn and knitted this blanket. The blanket was raffled at their National Breed show that year to raise money for rescue. There are 2 articles published in national magazines about this blanket. It appeared in Aussie Times, and Spin Off

spinning with dog hair

Many people get grossed out by the fact that I spin and use the hair from my dog for garments. The most frequently asked question is does it smell. The hair I use does not. I use hair from clean well kept dogs, however I am sure there are people out there that do not practice proper grooming edicate. I can not speak about their hair, or their personal odor. When spinning I prefer hair from freshly washed, undercoated dogs. The method to remove the hair is a force air dryer (no heat) This method only removed the dead undercoat and nothing else. It in NO WAY hurts the dog. My second method of collection is daily brushings. The second question asked is what if I'm allergic. I have never met a person allergic to hair (because we are covered in it) What they are allergic to is the dander from a pet. Once the fiber is removed and washed, the allergins are gone. This Vest, Sock, and hat set are made from aussie hair and won first place in shepherds lead at the Harvest Wool and Sheep show in Salem NJ