I few months ago I was given a Hebredian fleece. It came from the small flock Hebridean sheep that live in the field behind my house. I would like to use more local fibre in my felting, so this fleece is a bit special , but it is also a bit challenging .
First I felted a sample. Firm bouncy and hairy and very brown.
OK so I can felt Hebridean fibre but can I make anything attractive from it ?
I was doubtful.
At Woolfest a couple of weeks ago , I went to the Hebridean Sheep Society stall looking for inspiration. No felting to be seen but there was some rather attractive knitted mittens and purses. I enquired how they were made and was told it wasamix of Hebridean and Shetland wool.
This gave me an idea , maybe combining Hebredian fibres with a less coarse fibre is the way forward. Maybe a could make table centre , using orange Shetland as the companion fibre to the Hebredian.
Why not try the cracked earth technique ?
So a circle of merino prefelt, followed by Orange Shetland fibre , a resist and then the Hebridean Fibres.
Well it has worked. Of course it’s still quite hairy , but I love the contrast of the orange and drab dark brown.
GREAT POST click here to follow blog by email
I hope the shepherd of the flock , will appreciate this table centre as a small gift.
Els
15 Jul 2018Nice test Jane !
And a nice cushion to sit on as a result (or is
it not that big ???)
Do these sheep behind the house 4 horns too ????
(looks peculiar !)
jane_mercer
17 Jul 2018Thanks Els.
I was thinking about using it as a table centre rather than a cushion, although it is big enough for a cushion. You have given me a new idea,now to make cushions!!
The sheep I see only have two horns, but the breed can have four!