Hi, I'm new to this forum and would like to know if anyone out there spins or weaves. I am from Western Maine (in the shadow of Mount Washington in New Hampshire)and have been spinning and weaving for years. I am curious about trying out some new fibers and was wondering if anyone has spun dog hair, musk ox, reindeer, Scotch Highland's or other odd and unusual fibers. P.S. My favorite woman in the Bible is Mary Magdelene because through Christ she turned her life completely around and can be a great role model for women who think there is no hope.

-- Janice in Maine (kenjan@nh.adelphia.net), November 17, 2001

Answers

I can't remember where I saw it but a women was spinning and making swimming suits out of dog hair. They were beatiful but I take it, it was just for suntaining in. Dosn't seem like they would work very well in the water but then again who knows,LOL. Anyway she said they don't smell like dog tho everyone thinks they will and she is getting alot of money for them!! I think one swimming suit top was like 250.oo. Yea I know some people just have to much money!! If I knew some of them I would be making them as fast as I could go, LOL. You have a good day

-- Teresa (c3ranch@socket.net), November 17, 2001.

Hi Janice, I'm new too but mostly a lurker. I have an Elderly lady friend who spun dog hair for another lady in Alaska. Turned out beautiful. Ursala, my friend then crocheted the dog hair into a pillow cover. She is also interested in knowing if other fibers can be used such as milkweed or maybe dogbane? Let us know if you find any info about this.

-- Jean (jat@ncis.net), November 17, 2001.

I've spun the combings from my Great Pyrenees when they are shedding. Since the underfluff and the guard hairs are mixed, it looks like a combination of Angora bunny fur and kid mohair. I've spun buffalo sheddings but not much as I had only a tiny bit. I have a friend who has alpacas. She gave me nearly a pound (!!!)and it's very nice to handle and spin. The sample of quivut I had was unbelievably soft but I can't afford more for a whole project.

-- marilyn (rainbow@ktis.net), November 17, 2001.

We spin and weave mohair. We have done so for twenty years. You can see our web site at Singing Falls My wife Alexandra has spun many fibers but she specializes in mohair. Glad to meet you via www.

-- oxman (singingfalls@tymewyse.com), November 20, 2001.

I am new to this forum..but thought I would jump in on this one. I spin (for about 10 years now) and do a little navajo weaving. I do alot more knitting with the yarn I spin. I have 7 angora rabbits, one angora goat and 4 sheep for fiber. (and lots of other animals) and have spun dog hair. I liked the description above of it being like angora and kid mohair mixed. Thats a good description of most of it. I have short haired dogs..so don't have a ready supply. Wish I did. Guess I need to get a guardian dog for those sheep ...huh????

-- Jenny (auntjenny6@aol.com), November 22, 2001.