Homestead Wool and Gift Farm, Animal Friendly Homespun Handspun Yarn

Alternative Fiber Guide!

**Please note that we have done our best to briefly research the fibers we are using in our new yarns--if you need additional info, please email or use the links below to continue gathering your info!!

TUSSAH SILK! A naturally organic silk, the Tussah or wild worms live naturally and their silk is gathered after the moth hatches. The silk is beige to brownish toned but there are many varieties and shades of wild silk. Tussah is stron and resilient--a gorgeous fiber!

FLAX! Flax fiber is taken from the stem of the flax plant--the fiber is soft, lustrous and flexible. It is stronger than cotton but less elastic. Through the ages flax has been used for weaving linen fabrics and creating lace...

COTTON! Once cotton fiber is processed to remove seeds, traces of wax and protein, the fiber is almost purely cellulose. The natural arrangement of the fiber is what gives cotton strength, durability and absorbency. When a cotton boll is opened, the fibers dry into a flat, twisted ribbon like shape and become kinked together and interlocked--this form is ideal for spinning into yarn....

CORN FIBER! (aka Ingeo or Corn Silk) Corn fiber is made from the yellow kernel of corn. Yarn spun from this fiber is machine washable, tumble dry low or line dry/flat dry. If dyed, a slight dye run-off may occur with first washing. The yellow kernel of corn is put through a simple process to make a plant sugar. The sugars are fermented in a process similar to making yogurt. Following a purification process, the yellow corn is transformed into small, opaque and white pellets which is taken to a textile mill to be spun into Ingeo fiber. Ingeo is anti-pilling, hypoallergenic and odorless. Thank you www.fieldsoffiber.com for the info!!

Recycled Silk Threads! Consists of new silk fabric and thread scraps from sari manufacturing facilities, usually in India. Most factories throw out or burn fabric scraps, but silk is so beautiful, what a shame that would be! The scraps are collected and sent to co-ops, generally in Nepal to be spun into amazing yarns (many times by women working to support their families) or sold to crafters/spinners to be incorporated into felting and spinning projects.... Any Recycled Silk yarns on our site are spun here at the farm!

RAMIE! Ramie is one of the oldest fiber crops and the fiber is removed from the stalks of the plant. Unlike other 'bast' crops, Ramie requires chemical processing to de-gum the fiber. After the fiber is extracted from the bark/stem of the plant (by hand or machine), the final material is washed, dried adn de-gummed to extract the spinnable fiber. Ramie is one of the strongest natural fibers, even when wet--it is known for its ability to hold shape, reduce wrinkling and for its silky luster.

TENCEL! Tencel is made of wood pulp cellulose, manufactured byt not synthetic. Tencel begins with cellulose processed wtih a non-toxic, recyclable dissolving agent, most of which is recycled back into the fiber manufacturing process. Tencel is naturally biodegradable and short staple length fibers can add a cotton-like look to fabrics and the longer filament fibers give teh finished item more silk-like qualities. Tencel feels like silk, drapes beautifully, is resistant to ripping, breathable, absorbent and resilient. According to the Tencel manufacturer, this fiber is now being used by 'top designers, DKNY, Calvin Klein, Ann Taylor and has gone mainstream, appearing in Lee jeans and even the LL Bean catalog.' *I find Tencel to be a treat to spin and it is very similar to silk, although mucho shinier!

VISCOSE! Viscose is a man made fiber that is naturally based--it provides excellent drape, brilliant luster and a soft feel.

As the sheep discover new fibers for me, I will add the info here so keep an eye out! We plan to expand this line of yarns as we go--wheeee!

***As with our woolen yarns, unless otherwise specified, we recommend hand washing and drying your finished items flat--just to be safe. Some manufacturer recommendations vary--I am just a chicken and prefer to play it safe!! ***

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