I know all you cashmere-savvy readers are thinking, "Why are we looking at bags of raw cashmere in December? The Cloud Harvest is months away!"
You're absolutely right! Of course you are. After all, if you've been following this blog for any length of time, you know a LOT about cashmere goats!
Well, after the harvest winds down in Spring, goats can still look a bit scruffy. I often run the combs over them a time or two just to help them look tidy and feel good - I think it must feel good to get fresh air and sunlight down to their skin after being covered in dense cashmere plus a topcoat for several long months.
Whatever residual cashmere I comb out is discarded immediately - too much guard hair, VM, dirt, or matting.
But this past Spring, I thought it might be worth experimenting. Maybe put some aside for a "spare time" project. Clean and wash a little of it to see if it could be used for crafty felting...cashmere stones? Cashmere landscapes? Cashmere buttons?
So I put some aside.
I put some aside, and then forgot all about it.
Yesterday in the ongoing Plod Toward A Comfortable Home, I moved a box of ornaments (yay, ornaments! great timing!) from a chair, and discovered an even bigger box beneath. This one held several bags, each containing handfuls of raw fiber.
Oh. Oh, right. I put the fiber aside in case it could be useful and then forgot it was there. In a box. Under another box. On a chair that no one could sit in because of the boxes. Yes.
So yesterday during my two-hours-total-achieved-by-many-brief-sessions of cleaning, I assessed all that fiber. Some was discarded, and some was put aside temporarily to make a stuffed chew toy for Piper today. Probably something as simple as a sock stuffed with cashmere and tied shut with a piece of twine. Simple, yet luxurious - ha!
The rest of the fiber is now sorted into labelled samples in general "problem" categories: VM, guard hair, etc. I thought you might find the color variation interesting:
Now if I do experiment with it this Winter, the process will be much more organized and educational. And it may even help with the sorting decisions I make while I'm combing the goats next Spring.
Because in case I haven't mentioned it...
the goats are definitely putting on that cashmere glow again.
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Good Morning Quinn, My daughter woke me up early on her way to the city to work so I decided that I would catch up with my friends. I have enjoyed reading your blog and yes you can fall asleep with ice packs. I know I have done it. I enjoy reading about your goats. It makes me think of growing up on the farm. Have a Merry Christmas. Take care. Hugs and Prayers from your Missouri Friend Shirley
ReplyDeleteHmmm - maybe winter will be a good time for me to also sort out all the alpaca fibre I have in bags in the "craft" room...
ReplyDeleteLots of VM, dirt and matting there too... sob!
How cool is this...I learn more about goats all the time. Merry Christmas, Quinn - glad Piper benefits from the goats, as well! XOXO
ReplyDeleteQuinn, Your winter looks like its going to be fun.
ReplyDeleteI don't have goats, but I am learning.
I can't wait to see what you make with all of that. What a great idea to try and use it somehow!
ReplyDeleteThat sounds like a very fun toy for Piper! And the goats look beautiful. I'm looking forward to hearing what you do with the rest of the cashmere!
ReplyDeleteWhen winter deigns to arrive, I'm thinking felted boot liners or pads. I've got a room full of bags of fleece and, sometime, in January, will send it to be made into blankets.
ReplyDeleteI look forward to seeing your boot liners, Sandra! I've been looking for replacements for my old Sorels with their plain old grey felt liners, but sadly have not found any made in Not China. I may buy plain too-big rubber boots and make my own liners by knitting gigantic socks and felting them. If I had fleece like yours, I'd felt it first and then sew liners - much quicker and easier on the hands!
DeleteI'm thinking draft
ReplyDeleteproofing snakes for inside the exterior doors.
Or for windowsills if yours are as drafty as mine.