Other Artisans

Here are what some others are doing with the wool, roving, or yarn from My Little Sheep:

Susan loves to knit “scrappy socks” that change colors and patterns so they are delightfully mis-matched by design, although fit the same.  She prefers to use the single strand yarn from My Little Sheep throughout.  She explains, “The wool is so warm, and the thicker wool makes the socks so much more cozy than super wash yarn.  Since I’m a Birkenstock gal, these are perfect.  I made the leg with lots of extra stitches so they are really slouchy like bobby socks from my teen age years.  All things being equal, this is the perfect sock yarn and I am so happy to have discovered your Babydolls”.

Susan was happy to share her process:  Cuffs and toes are of natural off-white Babydoll wool yarn.  Then she makes many little balls of each hand-dyed yarn.  When one is used up on a sock, she simply grabs another color.

She knits with 2.5mm needles to get a fairly tight gauge.  Ends are woven in as the colors change since she says that is easy to do at the time.

She uses markers to help keep her row count.

An added benefit is that when one sock wears out, Susan just knits another to replace the one.  (I’m sure the sheep would approve of that!)

As Susan enjoys wearing her cozy scrappy socks, I’m sure they also bring smiles to others as they help brighten those dreary winter months.

Susan can be found on Instagram as @cattylonglegs

Erin purchased some white Babydoll roving from my Etsy shop, and then spun, dyed, and knit it:

She wrote, “I love the Rye socks I knit myself – spongy and comfortable. I also knit a toy bird (Bluebird of Happiness) and a toy bunny (Henry’s Bunny) from the leftovers.”

Isn’t it inspiring to see what Erin creatively did with a little leftover yarn? And oh…that gorgeous color! Don’t you just want to squeeze that little bunny? Thanks, Erin!

Evelyn started with natural white handspun yarn.  She thought it would be interesting to continue using “primitive” methods as she developed her piece.  She dyed part of the yarn using black walnut hulls over a camp stove outside, and then used a vinegar wash to set it. The first picture shows the dyed yarn contrasted with the natural white as they hung drying.

 

Evelyn played around with several ideas for the yarn before deciding on this amazing piece of her own design.  How is this for versatility and class?

Then she entered her scarf and took first place in the American Heritage-Fiber Arts contest sponsored by the Missouri State Society Daughters of the American Revolution (MSSDAR).  Congratulations, Evelyn!

Susan is a talented artist that I had the privilege of meeting when she bought several lambs from my flock.  Willow, Tansy, and Mr. Cloverfield enjoy Susan’s loving care and reciprocate by providing wool for their friend’s one-of-a-kind creations.  Sometimes they even get to model her artwork!

This felted wool lamb made by Susan is very special to me and has an honored spot in my dining room:

Susan also used some Babydoll wool yarn I’d spun and dyed, transforming it into a very appropriate hat–three little sheep grazing on their own grassy hilltop.  Susan says that this hat with the three little sheep now have a new home in Oxfordshire, England!

Although multi-talented, Susan mainly focuses artistically on felted wool.  If you would like to see more of her art, you can visit her Etsy store at HeartfeltHandworks Etsy Shop  and if you would like to visit Susan’s World including her “lambkins” here is the link to her website and blog:  heartfelthandworks.blogspot.com    Thanks, Susan, you inspire me!

Luann purchased some yarn from my Etsy site, and it arrived on beautiful spring day when the air was scented with crab-apple blossoms. Luann was enjoying her favorite first taste of spring–fresh chives from her garden which she chopped and sprinkled on roasted potatoes.

In her blog, she wrote that the yarn seemed to fit the theme of the day.

Luann described the Babydoll yarn as being “lofty, soft-yet-hearty”. She felt the yarn would be ideal for Maine Morning Mitts, a pattern she has used for 5 or 6 other mittens.

After completing, Luann wet blocked the mitts by tossing them into a sink full of cool water and some Soak wool wash. She says that, “although the yarn was puffy to begin with, it really bloomed in the bath.” The following picture shows the difference the soak made.

The mitts were given as a gift to her son’s teacher, who should enjoy having toasty hands this fall when Luann’s crab-apple trees are silently releasing their leaves.

Thanks, Luann, for sharing your experience and delightful mitts!

Anna did not make something of Babydoll fiber, she made something for Babydoll fiber. This is a picture of Anna with her camera-shy “Baab”. He is modeling the coat Anna made for him as a 4-H sewing project:

Didn’t she do a great job!!! I was trying to imagine all the “fittings” along the way and wondered if Baab ever held still for them?

Anna and her brother are two of my youngest customers so far. Although sometimes parents purchase Babydoll lambs with their children in mind, Anna and Jarod are creatively earning the money for their own little flock!

I’ve thoroughly enjoyed getting to know Anna, Jarod, and their very wise parents who give them so much encouragement and help.

Thanks Anna (and you too, Baab)!

Tamera has a daughter who wants her own Babydoll sheep someday, so Tamera decided to buy some fiber with intentions of dyeing and spinning it. But then her son’s girlfriend, who needle felts, offered to give her a lesson. Tamera liked the felted lamb Susan had made (shown earlier), so the two referred to that picture on a cell phone as they worked. When Tamera discovered her little lamb was most content to sit, she was pleased to learn that lambs DO sit that way sometimes. Although his nose and mouth don’t show up in this picture, he does have them. I would guess he’s grinning.

Since this cute little lamb is Tamera’s very first needle felting project, won’t it be exciting to see what she does in the future!!!

Pamela is a self-taught needle felter who got her introduction to the craft at a fiber fair at the historical Mission Woolen Mill in Salem, Oregon. Sitting with her granddaughter on her lap, they made a one dimensional kitty using a cookie cutter as a pattern. Pamela was intriqued enough to buy a starter kit, and soon was making three dimensional figures on her own. Over the past 4+ years, Pamela has also experimented with various fibers. She recently purchased some Babydoll Southdown wool from my flock and thought the ideal first project with it should be a Babydoll Southdown sheep!

Since Pamela is experienced with various fibers, I asked if she would share her impression of how Babydoll wool compares for needle felting. This was her response:

“I definitely have my favorites now. Your Babydoll Southdown is right up there on the top of my list for quick felt-a-bility. I love the loftiness and organic feel of this wool and could see it successfully being used as core wool in all types of soft sculpture. Because of its springyness, it grabs onto itself making wrapping it around a wire armature much easier than when using sleeker fibers. It will make wonderful snowmen and sheep when ‘winter white’ is needed. All in all, I can see your fiber being used as an all purpose wool for many different felting type projects.”

To see more of Pamela’s creations (she has a wonderful variety!) just visit her Etsy shop: all4fiberarts

Thanks Pamela!

(If you would like your creation shared here, please write me.)

Next:  Why Wool?