~~*  Black Sheep Newsletter............Issue 127............Spring 2006  *~~

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THE HOMESTEAD: A Bedspread for a Queen, the Daunting Project

 

Mohair, the Diamond Fiber

That's the phrase that the Mohair Council of America utilizes to promote the fiber of the angora goat that it markets. It's a great catch phrase and I believe appropriately describes some of the virtues of my favorite of animal fibers. Absolutely glistening when light shines on it (because it such a smooth fiber), it is silky in texture and strong. (It is said that strand for strand it is stronger than steel!)

 

For some time I've been talking about a large mohair bedspread I was weaving from hand spun mohair yarns. I finally completed it and here is the story of the weaving in pictures.

 

Though it has been said that hand spun mohair makes for a frail warp and that mohair is best mixed with another fiber, I have found that 100% mohair makes a fine warp. After double plying my warps (NEVER, but never, use a single ply mohair yarn for a warp!) I utilize corn starch in water as sizing to smooth out and add strength to those warp yarns. The sizing tames those hairs that want to fray as they move against heddles in the loom. It works amazingly well.

 

This project, a king size bedspread sent to Hong Kong, began innocuously that day I received my customer's first email. She asked if I would weave a king size bedspread from ivory colored mohair. She'd once slept under a mohair bedspread when on a trip to Morocco and wanted one ever since.

 

Could I do it? The task seemed monumental to me at first. It would be a bedspread measuring 10' x 10' and woven entirely from hand spun yarns. Formidable task? You bet. A challenge and one I was willing to take? You bet, again. So, she placed the order that day.

 

The following is a compilation of pictures that show from beginning to end the sequence of events that transpired to make her dream come true. It is said that pictures say a thousand words.

 

I hope the pictures show you the beauty of my favorite animal fiber - mohair, The Diamond Fiber. Be sure to check out BSN's website to see these photos in authentic color.

THE PROJECT UNFOLDS

 

 

The first of several mounds of carded mohair prepared by Stanley. A special blend of olive oil and soy bean lecithin is added to very hot water. Then a mist of the solution is sprayed on the picked mohair locks. This acts as a natural 'hair conditioner' and prevents the carding machine from damaging the squeaky clean fleece as it is carded into heavenly cloud like mohair batts.

 

 

The initial step after washing and drying approximately 20 pounds of ivory colored yearling mohair was to first pick the mohair and then card into batts; after the batts were ready for me, I began to spin. These are finished skeins for both warp and weft.

 

 

This shows mohair yarn (double ply) on the warping board for the first section of the weaving, the 5' x 10' middle panel of the bedspread. I have only just begun to place yarn onto the board in this photo.

 

I have made the "chains" that keep the warp yarns in order so that I can sley the yarns into the heddles and reed of the loom in an orderly fashion.

 

The 40 inch Loomcraft loom

I was so glad to come to this point in the project. The main panel in the bedspread was 5' x 10' feet and done. I had completed weaving the second panel. This, the third and last (like the second) was woven 2 1/2' x 10' feet. Soon I would be joining all three panels together.

 

My friend Connie Hubbard helped me complete the bedspread once I joined all three pieces. She (an expert crocheter, knitter and self-taught hand spinner) crocheted the entire border with a lovely scalloped edge. She used the same hand spun yarn that is the warp of the piece.

 

This picture shows how Connie attached her crocheted border to the weaving. Before cutting the warp fringes, the weaving had to be reinforced with zig zag stitching done on a sewing machine. The zig zag is a necessary step to assure that the edges of the bedspread remain strong. The zig zag also keeps the warp in place. Note how very lacy and delicate this edge looks. The crocheted border seemed a perfect way to finish the bedspread.

 

Connie then crocheted some lovely "gimp" to cover the two seams. If it were not for her help, I may have cried a few times! Thank you, Connie Hubbard, for your friendship and good workmanship, which I believe finished the bedspread more than satisfactorily.

 

Soft, warm, plush - with the lasting beauty of mohair. Note in the background the city lights of Hong Kong with the Bank of China in view. My customer says that there is a zoo between her apartment and the bank building. Sometimes she can hear the chatter of monkeys from down below. Thank you David V Bartlett for the images from Hong Kong!

 

This is Horton, a very important member of the family. He is shown here with his toy sheep. Note the texture of the woven bedspread. I purposed to allow the tail spun "tendrils" of mohair to escape the weave of the bedspread (per my customer's request.) She wanted plenty of "texture" and plenty of mohair loft!

Extra Images of the Moyer Bedspread Project

 

Loom Shots

 

 

 

 

 

Horton's Critique

 

 

 

From deep in the woods of Umpqua National Forest, USA; to the bustling heights of Far Eastern commerce - mohair the diamond fiber!

 

This month old angora goat kid will be sporting long curly locks of mohair in a few months. By then she'll be wanting to be rid of it and we will gladly accommodate her. Natural, sustainable, renewable luxury!

 

 

 

Alexandra Scribe

Homestead Home

 

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