Out on a hike in the woods of Maine, I've sometimes come across beautifully colored lichens, some this vibrant greeny-yellow.
Dyed-to-order in 4 ounce quantities. Please allow up to 5 business days before your order is shipped out.
*Please note that these are hand-dyed in small batches and colors may vary slightly from braid to braid.
ABOUT EACH FIBER BASE:
BFL: Part of the English Longwool Family, the Bluefaced Leicester (pronounced "Lester") breed was developed in the early twentieth century. With a micron count of 24-28, it’s fine enough to wear next to the skin and durable enough to wear well. The staple length is between 3 and 6 inches, which makes it a great fiber for beginning spinners. It is also moderately feltable. Our base is a 50/50 blend of brown and white fiber.
75% BFL wool / 25% tussah silk: The silk adds luster & strength to this go-to wool. The BFL in this blend is a white.
50% baby camel down / 50% tussah silk: Pure luxury! With a micron count of 16 to 18, and a staple length of 1-3 inches, baby camel down can be as soft as cashmere. For a fiber that is so soft and fine, it is strong for a luxury fiber. Camel down doesn't tend to felt easily, but it can be achieved. Silk adds luster and strength. Not an easy blend for a new spinner as it is short and slippery.
60% Merino / 40% Mulberry Silk: Merino is a fine wool, great for next to the skin garments. Fine crimp makes for elasticity in a handspun yarn. This is also a great blend for wet felting. Merino typically has a staple length of 2-4 inches. Mulberry Silk is also known as Bombyx silk or Cultivated Silk. It is produced from the silk worms of the Bombyx Mori Moth. Their diet consists of Mulberry leaves.
70% Merino / 15% Yak / 15% Silk: a luxury blend, for sure! Fine Merino is great for next-to-the skin garments. Yak down can be as fine as 13 microns! It is extraordinarily soft, very warm, with a bit of elasticity. Tussah silk adds shine and strength. Great for spinning and wet felting.
80% Organic Polwarth / 20% Silk: Named for a county in southwestern Australia, the Polwarth breed was developed by crossing Merino rams with Merino/Lincoln ewes. This is a fine-wool with a micron count between 23-25 and a staple length of 4-6 inches. This isn't necessarily a "beginner" fiber for spinning; however, it is a great introduction to fine wools as it has a generous staple length. Silk adds a bit of shine and strength. Given the fineness of the wool, this would wet felt well, too.
60% Southdown / 20% Shetland / 20% Silk: a PortFiber custom blend! A great blend for spinning for socks, mittens, hats, and everyday sweaters. Southdown is the breed from which all other down breeds were developed. It brings softness and bounce to this blend. The natural brown Shetland adds a variegated look. Neither of these wools have a ton of luster, which is where the silk comes in! Expect a staple length of 2-4 inches and a micron count between 28 and 31. This fiber is not ideal for wet felting.
80% Superwash Merino / 10% Cashmere / 10% Nylon: Merino and cashmere make this a lusciously soft fiber. Merino is a fine wool great for next to the skin garments. It has a lot of crimp, which means elasticity in a handspun yarn. Merino typically has a staple length of 2-3 inches, making it more difficult to spin for beginners. Cashmere, also a very fine fiber, is known for its softness, lightness, and warmth. Nylon adds strength and since this is a superwash fiber, you can wash it in a machine with out it felting or shrinking. (Though, we still recommend hand-washing your handmades.) Not ideal for wet felting or needle felting projects.
Targhee: A domestic wool, the Targhee breed was created in Idaho in the 1920s by cross breeding Rambouillet rams with Corriedale and Lincoln/Rambouillet ewes. The resulting wool produced from these sheep is soft (this particular top is between 23 and 24 microns), with a staple length around 4 inches. As a finer wool, it wears quite well and the natural bounce will lend itself to cozy, and resilient fabrics. It's got a more matte look to it, not a lot of luster. Will wet felt well.
50% Yak / 50% Silk: Luxury, luxury! Yak down can be as fine as 13 microns! It is extraordinarily soft, very warm, with a bit of elasticity. Silk adds shine and strength. This is an amazing choice for next to the skin garments. Not an easy spin for beginners. Not particularly feltable, but can be done with time and patience.
