You know that saying: “when life hands you lemons, you make lemonade”? One bag of Pygora I sent in had both bits of black and white fleece in it. I called it “Salt n Pepper”. It came back from the mill sort of looking like salt and pepper, but with some neps in it. More neps than someone spinning for lace would appreciate. Sigh….what to do? Here’s a photo story of my Salt n Pepper project:
First I created a blend of 50% S&P Pygora with 50% dark chocolate Merino. Here’s part of the batt, the hand-pulled roving, and then the skein. I spun this fiber approx twice as thick as I normally do, using a long-draw draft. The result is 85 yds of two ply yarn weighing 1 ounce. It came out light and lofty as I had hoped. What to make with such little yardage? A Calorimetry, of course! I’ve just finished knitting and will post a photo of the finished item next…..I am extremely happy with the results: a very soft yarn, with hints of tweediness! Neps be damned!
I’ve never seen a calorimetry (I was aware of the scientific term, of course) before – quite creative, as was your blending of the fibers. Though I have no skills in weaving or knitting, I really enjoy reading about your exploits.
I just read your recent blog about salt and pepper. A great idea. I am interested in pygora fiber and am currently researching keeping a couple of goats myself. Do you have any advice?
Cinda…have you checked the PBA website for a breeder near you? I think I saw your post on Ravelry in the Pygora group – so have an idea where you are located. I would recommend you getting in touch with Jill Gallagher. She’s been breeding Pygoras forever (she’s one of the original Pygora goat breeders). Also you can check with Lisa Roskopf (Hawks Mountain Ranch) – always has a wonderful selection of goats for sale – check out her webpage, kids are being born right now!
My advice? Get at least two – they are a herd animal.
Are you a fiber person? Handspinner? Would you enjoy more of a kid mohair sort of fiber or more like cashmere or somewhere in between? A goat with a type B fleece is the ultimate for a handspinner (but that is my opinion!). All Pygora fiber has to be dehaired. You can do this yourself – expect to spend approx 16 tedious hours per fleece. You can send it to a mill: expect approx 50% yield loss. Goats with type A fleeces usually need shearing twice per year. Type B’s and C’s typically once per year.
Hope that helps!
Do you have woolcombs?? Great for getting out a goodly amount of neps. And you can blend on them too.
Oy, will I ave to bring the whole Fibertorium to SOAR?? I hope there is room for both of us plus our stuff!! Wheel, combs, carder, fibers, spinning stool, kniddynoddy, lazy kate…AIIIIEEEE!!!!
Mardi! Yes, I have fiber combs that my mom bought for me – truly a great gift! But, cough, I have POUNDS of this stuff….and I really like the way the calorimetry turned out so will make several batches and see how well they sell ….soft…..fluffy…….nice!
Oh, and am flying SWA – TWO checked bags! So yeah, bringing lots of stuff!!!!!