Fiber Arts
Our selection of yarns and handcrafted fiber arts are sourced from our herd of East Friesian sheep and/or our alpacas. Raw fiber is processed at a mill in Harrisburg, PA and then hand dyed and crafted at Locust Hollow.
Wool: The Natural Fiber
For centuries wool ruled economies, making individuals and towns wealthy. Wool ceased being profitable with the advent of man-made materials; however, it is making a comeback due to its wonderful properties and its seemingly endless possibilities for creative projects.
Properties of Wool
Natural Insulator:
Keeps warmth in even when wet and protects against heat.
Anti-Microbial:
Resistant against bacteria.
Sustainable Material:
Wool grows back on the sheep every year, and the harvesting of it does not hurt the animal.
Products made from wool will naturally decompose at the end of their life or can often be upcycled and turned into something else interesting.
Wool Care Instructions
Fine wool products can last many years with proper care.
Washing: Wash wool products by hand in cool water, using the same temp for both washing and rinsing. Never put in a dryer. Lay flat to air dry.
Storage: Wool moths are the nemesis of wool. To ensure that your wool products have a long life, precautions do need to be taken.
When a wool product is not actively being used, keep it stored in a sealed plastic bag. Vacuum bags are best. Keep all woolens sealed in bags or in cedar chests, especially in summer when moths are most active.
Moth balls or natural moth deterrents such as wormwood and lavender can be stored with the wool.
Wool Processing