July 2008

As the sheep relish long days meandering open pastures, my days are busy both at the farm and in the studio. Under sunny skies, I am tempted to spend nearly all my time outdoors, yet I still manage to carve out time to play with color and fiber.

I am always pleased to have a new pattern to feature my new yarns. New for this season is a sock designed by Melissa Morgan Oakes, author of 2-at-a-Time Socks, using my Wool & Alpaca Twist. Simple, yet elegant, the Country Garden Sock is a basket weave with a casual roll at the cuff – the perfect comfortable sock for a day in the garden or a weekend in the country. Some of you may have met Melissa when she joined us for booksignings at our spring shows. This is her first pattern designed for my yarn.

I have something new for handspinners – a fresh batch of Upland Wool & Mohair blend, available in both carded roving and pin-drafted sliver. This heathered, oatmeal colored blend drafts smoothly and is perfect for any textured outerwear garments. The high percentage of mohair gives this fiber a luminous glow.

Also fresh from the mill – a batch of sumptuous Cormo wool pindrafted with Culitvated Silk. Each year I reserve a portion of my precious Cormo wool clip to run as handspinning fiber; the blend of Cormo wool with bombyx silk is one of my favorite fiber concerts. Think ahead and spin now for your fall knitting projects!

While on the topic of spinning, Lisa Lloyd’s new book A Fine Fleece has inspired many knitters to venture into the realm of the spindle. I was honored to have my fibers featured in several projects in the book: the Ruby Vest, the Twilight scarf and the Narragansett Bay set. I have a limited number of author signed copies of A Fine Fleece, available while they last.

Lisa has also just published a collection of her designs which appeared in the first seven issues of Wild Fibers Magazine. The Wild Fibers Collection volume one features the Starlight cardigan, Earth & Sky sweater and Patricia, a scarf designed with my Cormo Silk Yarn. Many of the patterns are suitable for my yarns and I have a good supply of the booklets now available.

I hope your summer plans include time to travel, to relax, to spin, to knit, and savor the tranquility of the season.

Best,

Barb