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Clara
queen bee
USA
4363 Posts |
 Posted - 01/05/2011 : 5:59:33 PM
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We hear all this talk about Merino, and perhaps Shetland, Icelandic, and Bluefaced Leicester, but when was the last time someone waxed poetic about a yarn from the hills of Germany?
When I was teaching at Knit Nation this summer, I met a woman who did wax so poetically. She'd come all the way to London, on her birthday no less, so she could be with other knitters and learn more about wool. At the end of the class, she handed me two prototype skeins and began talking.
Fast-forward to a few weeks ago when I received two more skeins, this time as the final, shipping product. For that woman, named Danica, it was the fulfillment of her own dream to produce something truly local. The yarn is from a rare breed called the Coburg Fox, and here's the review.
I hope you enjoy!
Clara
Your friendly Knitter's Review publisher
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pnrichkus
New Pal
USA
7 Posts |
Posted - 01/06/2011 : 05:53:55 AM
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Link for Swatch Mitt not working.
As usual, a treat to get your Review. Keep it up, thank you. And Happy New Year! |
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Clara
queen bee
USA
4363 Posts |
Posted - 01/06/2011 : 07:15:48 AM
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Fixed, fixed, fixed - so sorry! Here 'tis.
Clara
Your friendly Knitter's Review publisher
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juliannking@yahoo.com
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Posted - 01/06/2011 : 07:34:34 AM
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| Thanks for the review. I am currently making a sweater out of a jacob fleece from a pet sheep that is a friend's pet sheep. Yes, it is a little coarser than most would want in a sweater. But like you mentioned in your review, there is so much to learn from different textures. I am loving the "feel" during the spinning of the yarn, and the knitting is different than most sweaters from commercial yarns that are soft. I am happy that I took the plunge and decided to try something different. |
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materavis
New Pal
39 Posts |
Posted - 01/06/2011 : 08:12:38 AM
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| Sounds perfect for mittens thrummed with merino on the inside. They'd be both warm and long-wearing. |
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JulyGrrl
USA
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Posted - 01/06/2011 : 09:18:02 AM
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| Great review. Question: is it a typo where you have written Coburn instead of Coburg a couple of times? |
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mhyarn
New Pal
USA
15 Posts |
Posted - 01/06/2011 : 09:44:35 AM
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Your reviews are so enjoyable to read. Even if they weren't educational - which they are; they make the yarns, tools or whatever so inviting. Thank you for keeping us informed and open to all the parts of the knitting world.
Barb from Marr Haven Wool Farm |
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Luann
Permanent Resident
USA
2610 Posts |
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churchlady
Warming Up
Canada
81 Posts |
Posted - 01/06/2011 : 11:37:56 AM
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This swatch and Clara's description this time has me especially excited. I'm going to have a sober second thought before I order--and think of some pattern ideas for it, even if I change my mind later. The lambs are super cute too
http://www.ansi.okstate.edu/breeds/sheep/coburgerfuchsschaf/index.htm
sorry I'm not good with linking in my posts. Can anyone learn me good?
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churchlady
Warming Up
Canada
81 Posts |
Posted - 01/06/2011 : 11:39:31 AM
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Worked that time-ooops
Sandra |
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lepeterson
New Pal
USA
1 Posts |
Posted - 01/06/2011 : 5:23:44 PM
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Thanks so much for this article. I got back into knitting in a serious (read "obsessive") way when I discovered Marr Haven (and how great to find a posting from Barb Marr here too). When that box came and I opened it to that farm-y smell, I was back home and a kid again--and I was hooked. I've since fallen for the soft yarns and such, but I keep my eyes out for the rustic yarns, the ones that are still close to the hoof.
I'm so glad to learn of this wool and this sheep and the effort to keep it with us on the planet. I'm also very gald for this essay that sings as it extolls variety and diversty in wool--and the special pleasures of the rustics (for lack of a better word). Nice work!!
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LiatMGat
New Pal
USA
5 Posts |
Posted - 01/06/2011 : 7:54:24 PM
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The yarn looks delicious in that bright pink! Gorgeous!
Liat
http://knitfreedom.com |
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mertle
Permanent Resident
USA
1726 Posts |
Posted - 01/07/2011 : 04:12:01 AM
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I sent this review to a dear knitting friend spending a year in Germany. She's about an hour & a half from where this is made and is already planning a road trip! I told her to take lots of pics. Sure would love to go along.
Marilyn
My Bags |
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Kade1301
Permanent Resident
France
1426 Posts |
Posted - 01/07/2011 : 06:23:15 AM
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Just wanted to add for all the spinners here: Coburger Fuchs (which is the German name) is also a wonderful fibre to spin - very easy. And easily available from German fibre suppliers.
And, by the way, a very similar wool is furnished by the French Solognote breed.
So many wools, so little time...
Happy spinning and knitting! Klara
http://www.lahottee.info |
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MMario
Permanent Resident
2201 Posts |
Posted - 01/07/2011 : 07:07:03 AM
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With the resurgence of "artisan" meats and direct to restaurant marketing etc; I think we may see a comeback of the dual purpose breeds - premium meats and the wool done up as designer yarns.
MMario - I don't live in the 21st century - but I play a character who does. |
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lacylaine
Seriously Hooked
USA
989 Posts |
Posted - 01/07/2011 : 08:37:31 AM
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What a frustration! I will finally, after several years, have the discretionary income to buy yarn but will have significantly less time and energy to knit it up. My current stash, small as it might be, is still more than I can knit in a year.
Still, now that I am knitting mostly Continental, my speed has improved. What a happy type of dilemma, though! So much nicer than wanting yarn and having no money (not for sweaters, anyway!).
Thanks for the great review. I do like my spending, when possible, to actually support individual/small business efforts as opposed to large conglomerates.
Melanie
"Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might." Ecclesiastes 9:10
2010 FO: two pair felted clogs, two chemo caps for Mom 2011 FO: BYOB (market bag), Hedgerow Mitts
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KnittingKittens
Chatty Knitter
USA
161 Posts |
Posted - 01/08/2011 : 1:40:51 PM
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Es gefällt mir sehr gut-Deutsch Wolle!
I am very pleased-German wool!
Schön ist, was gefällt.
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
I love the "crunchy" wools! |
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MargieR
New Pal
48 Posts |
Posted - 01/12/2011 : 3:10:56 PM
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Has anyone tried felting this wool? It sounds like it might be great for felted bags and outerwear.
"If there was a military solution to terrorism, Israel would be the safest nation on earth." Bill Maher |
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Clay2Yarn
New Pal
USA
1 Posts |
Posted - 01/12/2011 : 4:53:30 PM
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Clara,
As always, I enjoyed your review.
Do you think Foxen Sheep would work for knitting Guernseys?
Kim |
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Clara
queen bee
USA
4363 Posts |
Posted - 01/12/2011 : 7:57:31 PM
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I haven't tried felting it yet, but I DO think it'd be lovely for Guernseys. Of course I'd swatch first, and wash the swatch, to make sure that you liked the stitch definition all the way from start to finish...
Clara
Your friendly Knitter's Review publisher
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Foxy Foxen Sheep
