This is a very special sweater for my best friend Lisa. It is the first garment I have made for her using fiber from her own pet "Dottie" the sheep. The wool was spun in a medium weight 2ply. I had planned on weaving a rug with the fiber, because the raw fleece had quite a bit of kemp (a harsh hair like fiber within the softer wool fibers). Lisa expressed a wish for a wearable garment. I tried to discourage her thinking that this was not a "next to skin" yarn, but in the end compromised on a outer wear garment. Wanting the sweater comfortable, and wearable I went with a simple garter stitch on size 13 needles, using 2 strands of the 2ply wool. I made the collar and cuffs using one strand of wool and one strand of red merle Australian shepherd hair (2ply). The dog hair has a nice loft and in person almost gives the appearance of "fur" on the sweater. Lisa says there is no itchy feel to the sweater when wearing. Rene' her Great Pyrenees is hoping next year for Christmas he can supply the fiber for "mommy's" sweater
