the Possum is here!!

I have been trying to get my hands on some New Zeland Brushtail Possum fiber for several years now. I had initially found someone willing to sell me 5 kilos minimum. I tried to find some other takers, but couldn't and 5 kilos (11lbs) was more possum then I could handle. I'd probably still be buried in it! Just recently I attempted to find a source for the fiber again and was successful. My 1 kilo arrived today and I just gave some of it a bath! 

It is drying in a pillow case out in the back yard! Luckily it was a sunny, hot day here in Texas. Simba the cat was very interested in the box of Possum fur. It has a very animal smell and he needed to make sure it wasn't a potential challenger to his kitty kingdom. He wouldn't want to have to share his treats with anyone and had a moment of serious concern that might be the case. After some serious sniffing and investigating, he seemed satisfied that it wasn't going to crawl out of the box and go for his food. Just to be certain though he did do some marking on all edges of the box. 

I am excited for the fiber to dry so I can get busy exploring the possibilities of Possum fluff! I blended a sample with some yak and woolen spun it and BOY WOW!! 
Soft and springy and a soft grey halo like angora. The possum fiber has a thinner micron at it's tips and is thicker in the center, it can be as thin as 1-2 microns at it's tips! It doesn't have that pokey effect that angora can when it's next to the skin. In fact, I find angora unwearable because of that itchy poke!

Although I love how it looks. Possum is also exceptionally insulating because it is hallow and traps warm air inside. It is a short fiber and an awn hair.  Marsupials only have awn hair, unlike many of the other fiber animals which have down, awn and then guard hairs. Awn hair is for insulation and protects the down layer. Apparently it is also not a big piller and is so warm it needs to be blended, rather then used alone which is unwearable it is so warm!


The Brushtail Possum is not native to New Zealand. It was introduced in the 1830's when it was farmed for it's pelt. It was a popular fur quality and the animal thrived in there, where it has no natural predators. When fur coats went out of fashion, the possum, which was now well established with it's population kept under control by the fur trade, was left to run rampant. In the last 40 years it has decimated the balance of wild life and plants in New Zealand. The kiwi bird is almost extinct due to the possum, as well as many native plants and trees. They also spread diseases, in particular bovine tuberculosis to livestock. The irony is as these little critters overrun New Zealand they are protected in their native land Australia. I'm sure there isn't a New Zealander who wouldn't send every last one of them back home, but until they figure out how to do that, using the fiber is a way to keep the population under control and to help create a balance where there isn't one. It also provides jobs for furriers and trappers. Does that justify that they are killed to get the fur? There are many things killed for fur and food, at least this is a positive environmental impact in doing so. 
The Brushtail Possum also looks nothing like our North American Opossum! 

Lucky Cat Hat hits Winterfair!

Lucky Cat Craft had it's debut at Winterfair 2010. It was so much fun and there was a great response to the hats and hair accessories. Below are some photos of hats and hat making and the booth. 

I met so many interesting people, made some new friends, and got to play dress up with anyone willing to try on a hat!
I can't wait for next year. I have been contemplating getting more hats up on etsy as well as starting on straw hats for summer. 

The biggest supirise was that no one bought the peacock hat- everyone tried it on and it got the most 'ooooohs & aaaaaahs'. Why do I still have it? I don't know! 
The movers come tomorrow and I meet them in Texas on the 6th. I will probably need a month to get organized and set up. Then hats and yarn and crafting fun...

Handspun novelty yarn Greenies & the Angry Red Rooster

Sunday was a day of productive spinning. l'd like to introduce the fruits of the day- Greenies and The Angry Red Rooster.

Greenies is a mix of Merino, Alpaca, manufactured yarns, some other random things and Vintage Grosgrain bows. All spun into fun on my Ashford spindle. First l spun the singles and then got the silly idea to wet finish it to set the twist and keep the singles, but l didn't like where that was going so l stopped half way and set it to dry in the very high tech yarn drying machine. 

l plyed the singles (after some untangling) and was happy with the outcome. l really like the little grosgrain attachments- l cut and folded the ribbon into bows and made several stitches through the center. l left long tails of thread and used that to spin them into the singles. 
The Angry Red Rooster is also Merino, Border Leicester and manufactured yarn with goose feathers l dyed myself. l spun a singles slub yarn encasing the ends of the feathers as l went along. 

lt is a fun mix of yellow, red and orange with a little silver and white for fun. There is also a sparkle purple chainette yarn plyed in for added excitement.

l'm not sure it's next to skin soft with the feathers, but it will sure make an awesome something or other. 
Interested in doing the making? l will have these lovelies for sale on Etsy any day now. 

Want more info on how to spin them? Leave your questions in the comment section.

How to Spin the Super Fuzzy Encasement Yarn

I got out my Wendsleydale locks (anyone else think of Wallace & Grommet when they say that?) and started spinning a super fuzzy encasement yarn. I love this stuff- it really shows off the characteristics of the Wendsleydale and makes an amazing novelty yarn.
The spinning technique is an encasement and is best done on a spindle or a bulky flyer/wheel. It is no fun getting this stuff through a small orifice. First choose 2 pre-spun or commercially spun singles or plyed yarns, figure out which direction is the best to spin in based on what you are using. l choose to spin S twist because this would tighten the twist on my single while loosening the twist on the 2 ply- this ended up creating a balanced novelty yarn.

Start by pulling apart the locks into a fluffy, lofty pile.







Spin on your 2 yarns and hold them like you are plying them with both in your left hand.

With your right hand grab your pile of locks and begin catching them in the middle of the 2 cabling yarns. Let the yarns cable together catching the locks, pull the locks forward with the twist, letting them catch and twist as they go. Don't force them on or over twist them, it looks best when they are uneven and some lock ends are loose and free. 

Spin as much as you'd like or can fit on your spindle/bobbin.

Remove and get to work knitting or weaving! Wait until after your project is done before wet finishing and do so with care! You don't want to felt or pill the finished fabric.
If you spin a novelty yarn inspired by these instructions please send me pictures or a link and I will post them here! I think I am going to try dyeing some locks, imagine the color effect if you used multi colored locks... or what if cabled this yarn onto a binder in a boucle technique creating loops or bobbles or coils???
I <3 novelty yarns!!!

Sunday in the Garden

Andrew and l got up early this morning and went over to our friend's house for a walk in the woods. She has 67 acres and we tromped through a bit of it looking for wild geraniums, ferns and other interesting wildflowers. We were able to find lots of what we were looking for and even some new ones to add to our shade garden of local wild flowers. 
 Andrew went out and brought me back a surprise- 3 lilac bushes for the front of the house!! We also planted the Christmas plants from Aunt Sally. Finally we will get some landscaping around the house.

 It will really make a difference when they have grown and filled in. Will be a couple of years yet though! 

Tigerman was found in the sink looking for a drink. He knows he's not supposed to be in there so he gave me a dirty look!! 
That's Milo with the bright blue eyes. Tock is posing in the flower bed. He's cross-eyed. 

After hiking, digging, planting, mulching, and watering we are exhausted! We've got a fire going- it is going to be cold tonight getting down into the 30's! Burrrr! Maybe the last fire for the season?!?!?