I Want a Bedspread Made of Cashmere!

I know, I know...that would be a little expensive right? But a girl can dream...as she gazes off into the distance...hhhmmmm..... Cashmere goat fiber comes from the soft undercoat of these particular animals and is super lightweight, soft and warm with out the bulk. While doing some reading on the cashmere goat I found out that the fiber is also called pashmina which is a Persian word for wool (you think I would have already known that considering how much time I spend with regular wool). This pashmina wool was used to make shawls in Kashmir centuries ago, wouldn't we all love to own one of those? I think I will start saving up my money to buy some spun cashmere and knit one myself. Wait a minute, maybe I should buy a cashmere goat and spin up the wool myself, I do live in the mountains and these goats come from the mountains. (excitedly dances around the room!) Slow down, I am getting ahead of myself here. Maybe I should just buy the wool and knit it! Now all I need is money, time and a cool pattern. Any thoughts on where to buy some of this fabulous wool at a fabulous price? I know, I am rambling...not sure how to get on track here. My brain got all jumbled up thinking about cashmere this morning and see what happens...I make no sense. But seriously, if anyone knows a great source for this wonderful fiber I would love to hear from you! If you have any other comments drop me a note!
...slinks off to sulk in the corner until some cashmere appears out of nowhere......Anne

P.S. photo was taken from an online source... honest...I did not go out and buy a goat!

Kylemore Castle County Galway Ireland

Kylemore Castle located in Connemara, County Galway, Ireland is the photo in the previous post. My sister and I visited this gorgeous castle while in on a trip to Ireland in 2008. It was built for a wealthy Englishman in 1868 and used as a private home. In 1920 it was bought by Irish Dames of Ypres a Benedictine Order of Nuns that were originally from Belgium and fled there during World War I. The abbey is now home to girls boarding school called Kylemore Abbey International Girl's School although we found out while on our visit there it will be closing soon. We did not tour the inside because of a time crunch if I remember correctly. Trying to circle the island in two weeks meant we had to keep on the move. The castle is set up against a beautiful hillside with gardens, lakes and woodlands. This is also the region where Connemara marble is found which is a lovely green marble. It is used to make all kinds of items such as beads, pendants, candle holders, crosses and so much more! A gorgeous stone that is unique to the Connemara region. If you ever get to Ireland make sure to stop here. The photo is a beautiful lake where the castle/abbey is located. Enjoy... Anne

St.Benedictine

Help me out Anner. This lovely spot we stopped at was run by the St.Benedict and/or Beneditine Nuns right. This is the most surreal place that I have ever been to in my life. We never went in but took photos from the lakeside. Just breathless. Tess

Hallowed or Haunted

Kathy once told me the story of the Raven but I cetainly enjoyed reading it. It is a great story.
I had the privilege recently to help Kathy on a project at the Benedictine Health Services of Minneapolis. What I found was exactly as Kathy described. A facility that truly focuses on respect, acceptance and hospitality. I was impressed and inspired that evening by love and attention and most definitely the respect given to clients.
Respect, acceptance, and hospitality.........something to think about in our everyday lives.
And does wisdom perhaps appear on earth as a raven?...... I believe so. Margie

Pagosa Springs Fiber Festival

Tess mentioned the Pagosa Springs Fiber festival that we attended last May. I thought I would go ahead and post a couple of photos of our fun filled weekend. It was kind of a small festival but that seemed to give it tons of character (right Tess?). Pagosa Springs is a gorgeous mountain town that is always fun to visit! It seems we drive through the area quite often and I am still amazed at just how beautiful the countryside is. After a good dinner at Kip's Grill and Cantina then a few microbrews later at Pagosa Springs Brewery we were in full on "chillin" mode. The next morning we got up and headed to the festival. Like Tess mentioned, we saw a lot of spinning, fiber, sheep, alpaca and even a Scottish Highland cow which are pretty interesting looking.
And look at that alpaca...don't you just want to just take that little cutie home? The gals and guys that spin and work with different kinds of fibers were amazing! We met a neat gal from Salida Colorado area that made handwoven items that were exquisite. I think if I have time to go to this festival again I would do it. A very relaxing environment and plenty of camping in the nearby National Forest makes it an easy and fun weekend. Plus, if we had time we could have hiked, mountain biked, dipped in the hot springs or rafted down the San Juan River! Maybe next time? Anne

Beaded Bangle (BB Bling)

I created this on a whim this week when I was home unexpectedly with the flu. I had seen something similar in a store - looked at the price tag and thought 'I can make that'. A common refrain in our family. I call it BB Bling. Click the photo to enlarge for detail.

I had the large very light green beads around since last summer. I found them in a dollar bin at a favorite bead store in Marquette Michigan. The store owner didn't even know what they are - and I sure don't. They are a stone, probably not a 'gem' of any kind. They just looked like they had potential. So I combined them with bronze freshwater pearls, rhyolite (the green, one of my favorites), and bronze filigree hearts. Each bead is wire wrapped on a bronze chain. I believe that my materials cost is about $3.00!! As it turns out, this bracelet perfectly matches a wool paisley sweater that I own! And I wore them to work the next day. You can do this too - just drop a comment if you need help! Kathy

Baltic Top Roving

Last summer Anner and I went to the Pagosa Wool Festival in Pagosa Springs, Co. We learned a bit more about spinning, primarily wool from sheep, alpaca, and Llamas. We got to see hand looms, spinning wheels, and some drop spindles. I bought a drop spindle and I tried it out. There is definitely an art to it.
Well, my friend Marilyn said that her Mom could help me spin my roving so I gave it to her and she spun a wonderful yarn out of it. I told her to keep it so she used it in one of her rugs.
This time I am going to have Marilyn spin it on her Mom's spindle (Navajo Spindle). Once she is done plying it, I will knit a hat for my co-worker who is originally from the Phillippines. Stay tuned for the end product. The pattern is "fair argyle cap" by Erda Kappeler. You might be able to see it but if not, I will post it when i get it done. If you cut and paste All New Homespun Handknit and go to page 4, that is the hat. I might add that Anner has tested different natural dyes on some of her yarns. This summer I would like to collect a bit more for her so she can do some more dying on the natural fibers. Tess

All New Homespun Handknit