Each step, from processing the mohair, a wonderful gift from my little spinner's herd, Chloe, Belle and Harmony (angora doe goats), to creating the final project are all done by hand as practiced for centuries. Everything is kept as natural as possible, using only vegetable based soap for washing. I prefer to leave items in the colors offered by the fiber animal. Blending mohair with certain wools or other animal fibers I may acquire for projects lends a variety of color to projects. If a specific color is requested I can try to create it using natural dyes acquired from plants found plentiful in my area like pokeberry, black walnut, lichen, marigolds, goldenrod, eucalyptus, onion skins, and more.

The same desire to keep things as natural as possible applies to caring for my angora goats, which has proven so far, to be essential in raising healthy and happy animals. Healthy, happy goats produce beautiful, healthy mohair.

Since everything is done by hand you can imagine the time and energy that goes into this process. A true labor of love.

I view each piece as a representation of the beautiful animals that offer the gift of their fiber. And through meditation and prayer while working/creating, I attempt to embrace and keep the spirit of God’s gift to man alive, lending something more to the final project.

"And all the women that were wise-hearted did spin with their hands, and brought that which they had spun, both of blue, and of purple, and of scarlet, and of fine linen. And all the women whose heart stirred them up in wisdom spun goats' hair." ~Exodus 35:25-26~

Here you see, a throw rug just cut from the loom. I used handspun llama fiber for the weft and rug cotton for the warp.

I spun the llama's different colors together to create a variegated yarn and you can see how wonderful they wove. The texture, not only pleasing to the eye, but so soft to the touch, was a great joy to watch come together with each pass of the shuttle. A true example of how animal and wo/man, working together, can create such beauty.

My husband surprised me with a Triangle loom he built himself. To commemorate the hard work and time he put into this wonderful gift I chose a special project, something just for me. I had been saving the first clippings from my angora goats (kid mohair) for an heirloom piece. I thought what better use for this exceptionally soft fiber than a shawl which would remind me always of the joys these furbabies offered me, even long after their life here has ended, and perhaps something I can pass down after I have gone.

This fiber/fibre has proven to be very comforting in more ways than what it represents, the wonderful memories of my angora goats. I suffer with Fibromyalgia and one of the symptoms is that my skin often feels as if it has been burned, very similar to a sunburn. Clothing can really be very irritating as it rubs against me. But this shawl, so soft and warm, offers soothing relief and warmth.

To obtain color for the stripes I dyed some of the mohair in a bath of black walnut hulls. I used no mordant and obtained, as you see, a very nice brown/tan. No matter the color, or the natural source I use to when dyeing the mohair always retains its luster as well as its softness. It never ceases to amaze me the innate beauty of this fiber.

For inquiries regarding made to order items such as handspun mohair, mohair/wool blend and cotten handwoven, knitted or crocheted items for the kitchen including placemats, table runners, napkins, distowels, dishcloths and rugs or clothing and accessories including shawls, handbags and baby blankets, booties and stuffed animals email me

I also offer mohair fibre at varying stages from raw to handspun yarn as well as other services, spinning, weaving, knitting and crocheting demonstrations and lessons. The fee, as above, depends on the service.

If you would like to read more on how I got started, and fell in love, with natural fibers, I invite you to visit my Fiber Adventures page.

Natural Paths

© 1996-2005 myrrhsea
All articles found on this site were written by me. Please do not use without my permission.
I also created most of the graphics. Please keep that in mind if using them. Thank you and Peace.