| Fiber types [message #43046] |
Fri, 01 July 2011 21:38  |
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Well, I'm coming to the tail end of a rather long trip to Alaska (mostly cruise/tour, some self-arranged time), and I'm really excited to get home and play with the Qiviut I got there. It's made from the undercoat of a musk ox, and is some of the softest stuff I've ever had the pleasure of getting my hands on. The one I got is a lovely deep blue, and the qiviut is spun 50-50 with silk.
Anyone else find new type of fiber, blends, etc. or unusual favorites?
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| Re: Fiber types [message #43058 is a reply to message #43048 ] |
Sat, 02 July 2011 11:04  |
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I actually went to the Large Animal Research Station in Fairbanks, AK the other day and met (from a distance, as they are -not- known for their good tempers!) their herd of musk ox. They had raw and roving versions of the qiviut as well, which was seriously tempting... but I have enough projects I'm in the middle of already.
I'll see about snagging a photo of it, but it's in the box of stuff we shipped home rather than have our luggage continue becoming increasingly over-weight. I actually like the silk blend better than the 100% qiviut, because the silk gives it this fantastic sheen. My plan at the moment is to make the Mobius Scarf out of the book that actually turned us on to the material in the first place, called Arctic Lace. Really, though, I'm just looking forward to playing with it.
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| Re: Fiber types [message #43073 is a reply to message #43071 ] |
Sun, 03 July 2011 01:46 |
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Oooooooo
What's the camel and yak feel like? Is the mongolian cashmere different from more common cashmere?
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| Re: Fiber types [message #43094 is a reply to message #43073 ] |
Sun, 03 July 2011 08:59 |
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| Mori-neko wrote on Sun, 03 July 2011 01:46 |
Oooooooo
What's the camel and yak feel like? Is the mongolian cashmere different from more common cashmere?
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I bounced a little when I saw the sampler for sale, it's true. 
I haven't worked with the camel yet, but I've spun yak/silk before. It feels very, very soft, almost cottony. Downy. Just . . . incredibly warm. The different staple lengths between the camel (short) and the silk (long) takes some getting used to. Spinning cashmere and silk is the same thing.
Diane, yep, that's the camel you're looking at. I don't know how they do when knit up, but I suspect you have to treat them very gently. I have one skein of yak/silk I've been holding onto, petting, naming. . . . *g* The camel, from what I've felt of it, feels very similar.
Mongolian cashmere is just from Mongolia. I think regular old cashmere (hee, as if cashmere can be regular!) can be from anywhere. Like, maybe one has a standard or something, or the goats are fed certain things. (Like the difference between silks.) I'm not sure, honestly, but Mongolian cashmere usually has a higher price. Heh. Maybe we're paying for the name? 
The shop where I got the sampler is now out of business. (Aaahhh!!) But I also like this shop for fancy fibers; they may be willing to spin things for you if what you want isn't up as yarn. (Not affiliated with them, blah blah blah. I haven't shopped at *this* incarnation of their Etsy store, but an older one, and I was pleased with their service (they package things up nicely and ship quickly) and products. My first yak/silk was from them.)
Looooove the fancy fibers. But they are expensive. *makes them last*
Smooshes!
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