Deyaneria on February 15th, 2013
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Deyaneria on February 11th, 2013

karakul

 

 

The Karakul may be the oldest breed of domesticated sheep. Archeological evidence indicates the existence of the Persian lambskin as early as 1400 B.C. and carvings of a distinct Karakul type have been found on ancient Babylonian temples. Although known as the “fur” sheep, the Karakul provided more than the beautifully patterned silky pelts of the young lambs. They were also a source of milk, meat, tallow, and wool, a strong fiber that was felted into fabric or woven into carpeting.

The Karakul is native to Central Asia and is named after a village called Karakul which lies in the valley of the Amu Darja River in the former emirate of Bokhara, West Turkestan. This region is one of high altitude with scant desert vegetation and a limited water supply. A hard life imparted to the breed a hardiness and ability to thrive under adverse conditions, which is distinctive of the Karakul sheep to this day.

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With a growing interest in the fiber arts in the United States, there has been an increased interest in the Karakul sheep. It is a specialty breed that is finding its niche as part of the cottage industry. The fleece is seen in a variety of natural colors. In its native region the colors are called by the following names; Arabi (black), Guligas (pink-roan), Kambar (brown), Shirazi (grey) and Sur (agouti). Occationally individuals are white or pied. This is partially due to its multiple uses: fur, fleece, and meat, along with the qualities of hardiness and adaptability. Today there are small farm flocks scattered throughout the U.S.

 

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The ewes are very protective and attentive mothers, resulting in a high lamb survival rate. The Karakuls posses a strong flocking instinct and can be run either on open range or in fenced pastures. They do not herd well; they are likely to scatter or fight a dog trying to herd them.

The Karakuls differ radically in conformation from many other breeds. They are of the fat broadtailed type of sheep. In their large tail is stored fat, a source of nourishment, similar in function to the camel’s hump. The narrow appendage below this fat sack is often recurved, giving an S shape. Karakuls are medium-size sheep. The rams will weigh between 175-225 pounds and the ewes range from 100-150 pounds. They stand tall, with a long, narrow body. The top line is highest at the loin with the rump long and sloping, blending into a low set broadtail. The head is long and narrow, slightly indented between the eyes and often exhibiting a Roman type nose. The long ears are always pointing downward and slightly forward and vary from a long U shape to small V shape, or may be entirely absent. The long neck is carried semi-erect. The legs are medium to long, and light in bone. Rams can be polled or horned; horns vary from short to large outwardly curved spirals. Ewes are generally hornless. Wattles are not unusual.

 

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The Karakul is distinguished by its colored fleece, which is due to a dominate black gene. Most lambs are born coal black with lustrous wavy curls, with the face, ears, and legs usually showing smooth, sleek hair. As the lamb grows, the curls opens and loses its pattern and the color generally begins to turn brownish or bluish gray, getting grayer with age. Other colors include a wide range of shades; silver blues grays, golden tans, reddish browns, white with flecks of other colors include a wide range of shades; silver blues, grays, golden tans, reddish browns, white with flecks of other colors and occasionally pure white. Many adults have a double coat, a fine down undercoat, covered by a coat of guard hair. The best have a fleece as glossy as their lamb coat. But there is a great variability in the fleece type of both coats, from “horse tail” coarse to silky soft. The Karakul produces a lightweight, high-volume, strong fiber fleece that, at its best is long and lustrous, usually with no crimp. Considered long-stapled (average 6″ to 12″ per year), the fleece lacks a high grease content. It is easily spun, with little preparation. It produces a superior carpet yam, is often used for rugs and saddle blankets, outer garments and wall-hangings, and has an excellent felting ability. It is the wool from which the art of felting evolved.

 

Next week I go into the story of the wool of this primative exciting breed.

Information from: http://www.karakulsheep.com/

Pictures courtesy of Pine Lane Farm Karakul Sheep 

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Deyaneria on February 8th, 2013
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Let the hilarity ensue!!!!

 

 

 

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Deyaneria on February 4th, 2013

Saturday was my birthday. The big 4-o.  He told me to take saturday off. The first place he took me was a ….a new LYS called The Yarn Barn in Bangor, Me. This actually is an amazing feat, since we don’t have many options ( we had only 2 and one had left last year).  Where he bought me quite a haul. A sweaters worth of yarn , keychair stitch fixer, a new book (Finish-Free Knits by Kristen Tendyke) and some dpns sock holders.

 

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Then we went to Lowes and bought new shelves for the shop. I know it probably seems silly to get excited about storage but I love storage:) The green things on the right are folding crates…..How cool is that!!!!

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The shelves were promptly assembled the next morning….Picture sans the hubbys legs but I guess I had to add kitty butt on the lower left hand side.

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We went to mall so I could use my birthday coupons at sears for some new yoga pants, then we went to eat at our favorite mexican restaurant called Miguels. They offer amazing food and awesome vegetarian and vegan options.  Some more trolling around The Christmas Tree Shop and home ….where my children had made me a birthday cake put decorations and everything…..this was huge suprise to me.  There were gifts to open here too.

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It was a lovely birthday and I got more than I could ever dreamed of.

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Deyaneria on February 1st, 2013
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Deyaneria on January 29th, 2013

No…. I’m not carding the sweater after blocking it……whew…… just wanted to get that confusion out of the way.

 

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 I’ve been steam blocking and pulling into the correct measurements.

 

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Here is a unblocked sleeve.

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Looks much better blocked. Amazing the difference it makes.

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Since I block on the wrong side I had to show you the right side. Gorgeous!!!!!

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I was busy carding after the blocking was done.

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I made some Gaia batts.

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 On the right the Sea Mist colorway has been run through once on the the left it has been run through 3 times. This is the norm for this particular colorway

I had to add this…..

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Like my February backdrop for FFF????

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www.thefiberofmybeing.bigcartel.com

http://www.emilyreviews.com/2013/01/the-fiber-of-my-being-yarn-giveaway-128.html

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Deyaneria on January 21st, 2013

My Slippery Slope sweater is almost done at least with the knitting part. I have one more sleeve to knit.

 

Front of Slippery Slope

Front of Slippery Slope

 

 

Back of Slippery Slope

Back of Slippery Slope

First Sleeve of Slippery Slope

First Sleeve of Slippery Slope

 

I’m unsure of the look of this sleeve though it doesn’t look much like the schematic. I’m a bit concerned as I’ve never done this much seaming on a sweater before. I checked my pattern over and over to see if I did anything wrong.

 

 

See what I mean???

See what I mean???

 

I hope to have some answers by our FFF Video this week.

 

 

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Deyaneria on January 18th, 2013
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Deyaneria on January 15th, 2013

What a great fibery, exhausting weekend!!!!

 

yarn, silk blanks and fiber braids ...oh my!!

yarn, silk blanks and fiber braids …oh my!!

 

close-up 1!!!!!

close-up 1!!!!!

close-up 2!!!!!

close-up 3!!!!!!!!

close-up 3!!!!!!!!

Oh the fibery joy!!!!!

 

To add to that fibery joy I’ve been featured on Emily’s Reviews. There is a contest going on over there for a great skein yarn dyed by me!!!!  The colorway is called Venus just in time for Valentine’s Day!!!!

 

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438 yards of fingering weight superwash merino, nylon, and gold-tone stellina

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