2015 Handspinning Fleeces for Sale

The 2015 Nash Island handspinning fleeces are ready! 

NEW this year we have six colored fleeces for sale!  After several years of working to improve the breeding stock on one of the smaller islands we are thrilled to finally be able to offer beautiful dark chocolate brown and dark gray fleeces along with our traditional 'fog-washed' pure white handspinning fleeces. 

Our Romney/Coopworth/Island Descendent fleeces average between 4 - 6 pounds each and cost $12.00 per pound. 

If you are interested in purchasing a Nash Island handspinning fleece please e-mail me at jani@starcroftfiber.com or call 207-852-0295. PLEASE NOTE : If you had previously e-mailed me about purchasing a 2015 fleece, please e-mail me again! (Due to a technical problem with my e-mail all my saved e-mails were erased :(

New Obsession

I have never encountered the obsession for knitting shawls until I saw this (gasp) and tumbled full-tilt into complete obsession. 

I must confess I had previously admired several of the shawls in this book draped across the back of a chair in a sunlit NYC apartment (the image still haunts me.) Perhaps that was the dawning of obsession.  This sweet little book by Kirsten Kapur of Through The Loops has become my constant traveling companion. 

I don't do fussy. I don't do complicated. But from the simple beginning through the rhythmic building of the main body to the grand finale of a touch of lace at the outer edge I am enamored with these shawls. 

In full obsession mode I will be knitting them all, a shawl a month (there are 10 in the book). It's lambing season on the island so while I watch lambs it's  Nefertem on the needles in a hand spun lamb & silk blend shibori hand dyed in indigo. For June I'll be joining the Through The Loops Mystery Shawl knit along, and then perhaps add one more from Kirsten's Ravelry shop to round out the year.

     

I was waiting for a new obsession. I love the thought of a collection of shawls. Perhaps when I'm not wearing them I'll drape them over a sunlit chair to simply admire. 

You can purchase a paper copy of Kirsten's book here, or a digital copy here. Join the June Mystery Shawl knit along here. Check out Kirsten's other shawl patterns on Ravelry.  Oh, and her Blog too!

And if the photos in the book lead you to yearning for more...check out Gale Zuckers blog!!

Calm before the (next) storm

The weather has been a bit difficult. Storm following storm following storm. Finally a brief calm morning to run out to the islands and check on the girls. 10 am launch, snow & wind due at 2 pm.

With temps hovering at +5, it's a bit of a wait for the motor to warm up. With the harbor frozen over, a beach launch on the lee side is necessary. 

A quick sweep of the hard packed snow covered island as dark clouds begin to roll in. 

Despite the white on white camouflage, all sheep are accounted for as they march to the shore for elevensies seaweed snack.  

And back to hot cocoa and warm fire as the first flakes of nor'easter # I've lost count descends. Comforted in the knowledge that all is well on the islands and in awe of those hardy island girls.