Wattwurm (Arenicola Marina) Throw- Pt. 1

Laying out layers of white merino roving.



Adding raw locks.



More Jacob Hoggett fleece in a meandering pattern.



The finished layout.



When I've visited the North Frisian Island of Foehr...

...I've been struck by the strange beauty of the mud flats (watt) at low tide.

The tideland on this lovely little island is rich in biodiversity...

...and the wattwurm (lugworms in English...sadly, not as lovely!) can make up nearly a third of the biomass of such beaches!

After these worms feed...

...they produce large castings which are easily seen on the surface of the flats.

The image of these odd casings is the inspiration for this throw...

...but I didn't have the heart to call it what it is...

..."The worm poo throw"!! Giggle.

I laid out perpendicular layers of white wool roving...

...folding in the edges to make a nice rectangular shape.

I then began to lay out sections of my lovely Jacob Hoggett fleece...

...dipping each piece in soapy water to help it adhere and felt properly.

As I added more and more locks...

...I allowed myself to dream of the sea...the gulls...and the breeze. Sighhhhh.

Next time: the finished throw.

Finger Lakes Mini-Vacation- Final Post

Ithaca Farmer's Market on a beautiful, cool Spring day.



One of the floral stands.



Mushrooms growing!



Delicate Spring blooms.



Before my felting blog threatens to become a travel blog...

...I'll end with our visit to the wonderful Ithaca Farmer's Market.

This market is a cooperative with 150 vendors who live within 30 miles of Ithaca, New York...

...and we found many wonderful things there to buy (or desire!). :)

Being that we were traveling and without cooking facilities...

...we had to pass on the gorgeous fressssh eggs, mushrooms and flowers. :(

I did buy some lovely jam, honey, apples, parsnips and cheese, though...

...and drank the best cup of hot cider I've had in years!

People who live close to a thriving market like this are lucky...

...I'm keeping my fingers crossed that this locavore movement keeps growing and soon spreads to my neck of the woods!!

Finger Lakes Mini-Vacation- Part 3

48-inch precarding picker with large, jagged teeth...ominous-looking, isn't it?!?



60-inch carding machine with a plethora of rollers.



Tape condenser...pencil roving is the endpoint of this interesting machine.



Spinning mule...used to fill bobbins with yarn.



Being the curious little fiber artist that I am...

I was thrilled when I was able to arrange a visit to the Fingerlakes Woolen Mill in Genoa, NY.

Our hosts, Jay and Suzanne could NOT have been more generous with their time...

...or more informative!

Jay took two whole hours out of his (very) busy life to take us through their mill, machine by machine...

...answering my (many) gearhead questions and explaining the function and history of each piece of equipment.

It's amazing how many steps and processes are needed to turn raw fleece into pencil roving...

...and then later into plied yarn in evenly weighted skeins.

Believe me, it is a LOT more time-consuming and intense a process than you might imagine...

...and one that requires total concentration on the part of the mill operator.

Jay and Suzannes's machines date from 1925-1946...

...and many were later modified to use electricity.

Rather like a working museum...

...the mill uses and preserves this unique collection of antique, yet fully functional machines...

...with Jay and his wife serving as 'caretakers for future generations'.

And as if running a mill wasn't enough of a job by itself...

...they also raise rare Hog Island sheep, chickens, and were tapping Maple trees for sap while we were visiting, as well!!

The Fingerlakes Woolen Mill has wonderful processed fiber and yarn for sale...

...both from their own special breed of sheep, and from other fleece sources.

Look for them at the Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival this May...

...or this Fall in Rhinebeck!

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P.S. For those of you who know me well...

...and know how very much I LOVE the color orange...

...check out this wonderful article about ORANGE SHEEP in Devon!!!

Finger Lakes Mini-Vacation- Part 2

One of several chalkboards at the Moosewood Restaurant...note all of the
'moose-erabilia' below!



Me in the inner sanctum...now what should I order?!?



Cream of broccoli soup, salad with ginger/miso dressing and pomegranate Italian soda!



Three cheese ravioli.



Nearly 25 years ago, as a fledgling vegetarian...

...I bought the original Moosewood Cookbook.

Becoming a vegetarian back then was considered a much more 'alternative' kind of choice than it seems to most people today...

...and I remember adding dry milk powder and cheese to nearly every recipe at first, in order to reassure my mother that I was getting enough protein!! Giggle.

Of course, we now know so much more about nutrition than we did in those days...

...but cookbooks from the Moosewood Restaurant and former Moosewood chef and author Molly Katzen have been a mainstay of my collection ever since!

I now own copies of The Enchanted Broccoli Forest, Pretend Soup, Honest Pretzels, Still Life With Menu, Sundays at Moosewood and New Recipes from Moosewood Restaurant...

...and all of these books are like beloved friends...

...food-stained, dog-eared, reassuring and familiar, and all still in regular use!

Ten years ago I went on my first 'pilgrimage' to the restaurant itself, and the food was absolutely amazing...

...so you can imagine my excitement when I realized that we'd have time for, not one, but two meals there last week!!!

You know how it is sometimes when you plan and anticipate an event...

...and then the reality ends up disappointing you somehow?

Well, this was NOT one of those times!!!

The restaurant was bright and full of friendly servers (and customers!)...

...and the food was fresh, colorful, beautifully presented and perfectly seasoned.

If you ever have a chance to visit Ithaca, New York for fun or on business...

...please make sure that you take the time for a meal in this iconic restaurant!

You won't be disappointed!!

Next time: a visit to a FIBER MILL!!!!

Finger Lakes Mini-Vacation- Part 1

Glass furnace where liquid glass is held at 2200 degrees F (1200 degrees C).



The glory hole.



Yours truly blowing a glass Easter ornament.



My instructor adding a hanging loop prior to placing it in the annealing oven.



I spent five days last week in the Finger Lakes region of New York state...

...and boy, did I have a wonderful time!

My best friend and I made quite a few stops on our brief trip...

...and I'd like to share some of them with you.

We started in Corning, New York by making blown glass ornaments for Easter...

...and if you haven't ever seen this done, it's truly magical!

The glass is held at unimaginable temperatures...

...where it behaves like a rather viscous liquid.

My only contribution to the making of my ornament was in the blowing...

...and, in fact, I ruined the first one that I tried because, as they jokingly told me, "I'm too full of hot air!" Grin.

Glass at these temperatures would crack if it's cooled too quickly...

...so it's held overnight in an annealing oven...

...where the temperature is slowly reduced from 900 degrees F to room temperature.

While we were in Corning, we also visited The Corning Museum of Glass...

...where we saw lots of gorgeous modern art glass, antique examples of glass through the centuries, and even learned how glass is used in industrial
and scientific ways.

Next time: My pilgrimage to The Moosewood Restaurant!

More Fun Presents From Friends!

Wonderful fiber supplies from my friend, Deb.



Raw locks from a Cotswold/Babydoll cross wether's first shearing.

For those of you, like me, who do not raise sheep...

...think castrato for the word 'wether'...sans the beautiful voice! :)



My new pet...making friends.



Love at first sight!



I recently received some lovely thank-you gifts...

...and I thought that I would share them with you.

Deb sent me a wonderful assortment of hand-dyed wool and raw locks...

...and Chrissy knitted me a sweet angora owl!

I have to confess that I really enjoy making projects with gifted supplies...

...even more than with things I purchase myself!

I think it's because I can feel the love and care that is stored within each fiber...

...and I know that as I transform them, I'm continuing the 'chain of love'!! :)

Raw Locks Bedroom Rug- Part 2

Wetted out and partially felted rug.



'Boingy' Jacob Hoggett locks.



The finished piece...hanging to dry.



My new bedroom rug 'in situ'.



Working with raw fleece takes a bit of stamina...

...and it's also a pretty dirty undertaking.

I make a point of washing my hands carefully and often while I work...

...and I keep the dirty waste water well away from food preparation areas.

When I'm finished with each project, I clean my sink and equipment with bleach...

...and I've made sure that my tetanus booster shot is up to date, just in case!

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But, all that being said...

...I just love the beautiful, earthy smell of raw wool while I work!

And nothing beats the sensual pleasure of stepping out of bed each morning...

...and sinking my toes into this wonderfully-textured, soft, thick, cloud of wool!!