Fresians and Divas

What a week it has been !! Made it back safe and sound after our couple of days away on the Gippsland Coast . We were hoping to relax and have some sunny time with nice walks along the coast and watching the boats go by. What we got was wetter than trawlermen on the Northsea and thunderstorms that rivalled a New Years Eve Fireworks lasting the WHOLE time we were there. I love a good fireworks as the next person but having it going on non-stop was a bit much.  I can only say how grateful I am for my warped sense of humour, which, I have to admit, was starting to wane a bit towards the end of our mini “holiday”. 

 Nevertheless, We came back  to more or less sunny conditions (who knew!!) and it was straight back in the dyeroom and studio for me to get the Outlander adventure done and posted AND start prepping the February clubs which will be ready to send early next week. Can’t forget the update of this week either, so I was certainly a busy bee. No rest for the wicked they say.

To start this update off I am going to tell you something about a Dutch sheep breed that almost faced extinction in the 1970s : The Dutch Zwartbles. It would have been a shame to lose this breed because I think it is supercute with it’s black and white markings on its face. 
Luckily, the breed was saved and is now increasing in numbers and there are even breeders in Ireland who have these beauties on their farms. The Zwartbles origins come from the most Northern part of The Netherlands in the province of Friesland where they had to be able to withstand lots of cold, wet and icy weather and that’s where their dense fleece comes into play: it keeps the animal nice and warm. The zwartbles is a result from a cross between the Dutch native sheepbreed called “shorttailed Friesian” and the Hairy Drenthe Sheep.
The Dutch Zwartbles was originally a meat and milk breed and a producer of super nice black wool. The dense fleece of the Zwartbles is very springy and is a deep black with the occasional brown sun burnt tips. 

The staple tends to be a bit blocky, medium long and displays a very nice crimp. The staple is fairly open and varies in micron from about 23 to 35microns. The wool is very easy to spin and you can choose whatever spinning technique you like. It does have an extra bit of bounce to it so keep that in mind. When knitting your zwartbles yarn you will notice that it is crisp and therefore enhances your stitch defenition and weave structures, but it also has a very nice springiness to it so it is a good durable yarn. It’s great to use it for hats, gloves and jumpers.

Have a look at these cute Zwartbles sheep. Especially the lambs are just too cute !

Cute zwartbles lambs enjoying some sun

busy Zwartbles mum

remember the two lambs you saw in the previous two photos? Well, they are all grown up now!

keeping watch

"I’m ready for my Portrait now …"

Not only Zwartbles tops are on offer on this week’s blog but also some very fluffy DIVA tops!

Have a fun weekend !!

Please don't hesitate to contact me at any time if you have any questions okay? Always happy to enable. All my contact details are to be found at the end of this week’s blog entry. Have fun !!!

DIVA Tops   

Superfine 15micron merino,Cashmere, Angora Bunny, Suri, Silk and Glitz

100+gram tops     AU$24
Fabulously soft to spin and work with.

Zen with a Twist-sold-

UFO-Sold-

Swan Lake-SOLD-

Sun Spots-sold-

Stormy Sea-sold-

Rainbow-sold-

Pumpkin Harvest-sold-

Mushroom Faeries-sold-

Moss Monster-sold-

Monster Mash-sold-

Icy Heather-SOLD-

Honey Blossom-sold-

Green Ivy-sold-

Honey Bee-sold-

Friesland-sold-

Berry Wine-sold-

Dutch Zwartbles Sheep Tops   

A cute Rare sheep breed with super lofty fleece
100+grams tops AU$20

Zwartbles top -sold-

Dates to put in your Calendar !!

March

Healesville spinners talk ..date to be confirmed later

April 18th

Monday 10am-2pm

Grandvalley Spinners and Weavers Spin in
Tapscott Hall, Corner Cambridge and Montrose rd, Montrose

May

Date to be confirmed later

Victorian Hand Knitters Guild Show Coburg Town Hall

THE extra ordinary super fluffy yarny event in Melbourne !!! I will be there with lots of hand dyed tops for spinning and felting and happy rainbow yarn and sock yarn, some extra special art yarns and much much more!!!! As well as some amazing Lair of the Bearded Dragon spindles and bowls that are pure magic to spin with !

JULY

Friday July 15th- Sunday 17th, 9am-5pm

Bendigo Sheep and Wool Show

THE event of the year !!!! Not to be missed!! I will be there in the Flower (Power Bunny) Shed again with heaps of new goodies, hand dyed and hand spun, IxCHeL new blends and rare sheep breed adventures and much much more ! Including a world first of something AMAZING AND FUN!!!!! Shhh not telling ! but it is AWESOME !!!!

August

Date to be confirmed

Black n Coloured Sheep Show in Cranbourne

Landscape dyes 

 100g tubs   AU$11 

Want to dye your own with easy to use acid dyes? I have been selling these Landscape dyes at my workshops and shows for a long time, just never thought to put them on my blog. 
They are extremely easy to use and come in great shades. 
Just contact me with the name of the colour you are after and I will get right back to you.

Have a creative week!

Please don't hesitate to contact me at any time if you have any questions okay? Always happy to enable.

All my contact details are to be found at the end of this week’s blog entry.

Have fun !!!

How To Order:

1. You can email me on ixchel at rabbit dot com dot au or ixchelbunny at yahoo dot com dot au
2. message me on facebook or ravelry where I am Ixchelbunny.

I will email you right back with all your order details and payment methods.

Any questions? Any custom orders for yarn or dyeing fibre? Please don’t hesitate to ask! Always happy to enable.

Thank you so much for your help and support !

 RABBIT ON !

((hugs))

Charly