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| Castlemilk Moorit Sheep (photo:RBST Caledonian Support Group) |
The February clubs were posted already! Woohooo! And I am preparing the March clubs already! I don’t know about you but I feel that the months are going by so quick they seem like hours! Lol The March club is going to be the last of this club “season” but not to worry: sign ups for the new clubs starting in April have already started: more info on it below. I am posting teasers and photos on my ixchelbunny Instagram and facebook pages and also on the Ixchel Ravelry page. So, if you want to see more photos and extra bit sof fluffy stuff I am working on , please follow me on Instagram or facebook !
This week was very exciting because Paul and I did a roadtrip all the way to Bendigo to pick up a truckload of Australian spun yarn, exclusively spun for me. It was really funny to see the tags on the huge 3 kilo cones saying “Charly Yarn” ! I cannot wait to offer you all this exclusive amazing sock yarn blend that the magicians of Bendigo Woollen Mills and myself have come up with: a special thanks to Colin and Kris for their amazing support and expertise to make this awesome yarn !!! I was very lucky to get a special woolen mills tour as well from Kris and Kai and was especially awestruck by the machines that tirelessly spin yarn and add just the right amount of twist and ofcourse their huge dye machinery that make my dye room look pale in comparison: I could only dream of pots that hold 60 kilos of tops or yarn……More on this amazing Australian collaboration later when the skeining and hand dyeing has started !
Apart from the yarn adventures: There are some serious rare breeds adventures underway and the first one is for tonight already : Castlemilk Moorit from Scotland. In the nearby future get ready for a fantastic new Seaweed eating sheep blend from North Ronaldsay AND something immensely cute from Switzerland: yes: the Valais Blacknose sheep.;
For tonight’s blog :Castlemilk Moorit sheep, message me on Facebook, Ravelry (where I am ixchelbunny) or email me : ixchel at rabbit dot com dot au. I will try and message or email you right back, but please know that after the blog goes live there is an avalanche of messages and emails hopping my way. Remember that I always look at the time stamp of the messages: so it is a first come first serve. Have a fun read and enjoy tonight’s fluffy offerings !
Big hugs,
Charly
Castlemilk Moorit sheep have some Manx Loghtan sheep and mouflon sheep breed ancestry and have retained the interesting mouflon markings of white underbelly, lower jaw, knee, eye markings (‘spectacles’) and a white rump patch. They are also feisty and pretty fast!
Once clipped they look totally different – almost like deer – as they revert to the dark brown colour for a few weeks, until the growing fleece bleaches back to fawn at the tips. At one point in the early 1970s Castlemilk Moorits were reduced to only around 12 individuals and could easily have simply ‘disappeared’. However, those few remaining were rescued in two groups, including six ewes and two rams which were taken to Cotswold Farm Park. All of today’s Castlemilks, which include around 700 registered females, are descended from these two small groups.
In the past couple of years the breed has been downlisted from the ‘Endangered’ to the ‘Vulnerable” category on the RBST watchlist – a big success.
As with everything the way that you scour and process the fibre is very important. The fleece of the castlemilk moorit ranges from 28 to 32 microns and the staple length is about 6 cms. The outer edges of the staple are often bleached by the sun and the locks often have a pointy tip. I find it very easy to spin. It reminds me of Manx Loughtan but definitely finer and softer. It is not that easy to get hold of this quality fibre so I only have a limited amount, but it is oh so worth it !
Have a fun snaffle !!!
Miracle Max
Mme Butterfly
McClelland Gallery, McClelland Drive , Langwarrin, (Melways Ref 103E3),
This week was very exciting because Paul and I did a roadtrip all the way to Bendigo to pick up a truckload of Australian spun yarn, exclusively spun for me. It was really funny to see the tags on the huge 3 kilo cones saying “Charly Yarn” ! I cannot wait to offer you all this exclusive amazing sock yarn blend that the magicians of Bendigo Woollen Mills and myself have come up with: a special thanks to Colin and Kris for their amazing support and expertise to make this awesome yarn !!! I was very lucky to get a special woolen mills tour as well from Kris and Kai and was especially awestruck by the machines that tirelessly spin yarn and add just the right amount of twist and ofcourse their huge dye machinery that make my dye room look pale in comparison: I could only dream of pots that hold 60 kilos of tops or yarn……More on this amazing Australian collaboration later when the skeining and hand dyeing has started !
Apart from the yarn adventures: There are some serious rare breeds adventures underway and the first one is for tonight already : Castlemilk Moorit from Scotland. In the nearby future get ready for a fantastic new Seaweed eating sheep blend from North Ronaldsay AND something immensely cute from Switzerland: yes: the Valais Blacknose sheep.;
For tonight’s blog :Castlemilk Moorit sheep, message me on Facebook, Ravelry (where I am ixchelbunny) or email me : ixchel at rabbit dot com dot au. I will try and message or email you right back, but please know that after the blog goes live there is an avalanche of messages and emails hopping my way. Remember that I always look at the time stamp of the messages: so it is a first come first serve. Have a fun read and enjoy tonight’s fluffy offerings !
Big hugs,
Charly
Castlemilk Moorit Sheep
Castlemilk Moorit sheep are the cutest most feisty little things. The Castlemilk Moorit sheep breed take their name from the Castlemilk estate in Dumfriesshire, where they originated in the early 1900s. They were originally bred to provide meat, wool to make clothing for the estate workers, and also to prance around the parklands of the estate. They are graceful, elegant sheep with fine, kemp-free wool, which is mid honey brown (moorit is a Scottish word for brown) at the base and bleached to a fawn colour at the tips.Castlemilk Moorit sheep have some Manx Loghtan sheep and mouflon sheep breed ancestry and have retained the interesting mouflon markings of white underbelly, lower jaw, knee, eye markings (‘spectacles’) and a white rump patch. They are also feisty and pretty fast!
Once clipped they look totally different – almost like deer – as they revert to the dark brown colour for a few weeks, until the growing fleece bleaches back to fawn at the tips. At one point in the early 1970s Castlemilk Moorits were reduced to only around 12 individuals and could easily have simply ‘disappeared’. However, those few remaining were rescued in two groups, including six ewes and two rams which were taken to Cotswold Farm Park. All of today’s Castlemilks, which include around 700 registered females, are descended from these two small groups.
In the past couple of years the breed has been downlisted from the ‘Endangered’ to the ‘Vulnerable” category on the RBST watchlist – a big success.
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| Cute Castlemilk Moorit lambs 4th barrier island from the top right of the picture |
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| lambs with their mum |
As with everything the way that you scour and process the fibre is very important. The fleece of the castlemilk moorit ranges from 28 to 32 microns and the staple length is about 6 cms. The outer edges of the staple are often bleached by the sun and the locks often have a pointy tip. I find it very easy to spin. It reminds me of Manx Loughtan but definitely finer and softer. It is not that easy to get hold of this quality fibre so I only have a limited amount, but it is oh so worth it !
Have a fun snaffle !!!
Warning : There is only a very limited quantity available.
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 !!!
Castlemilk Moorit Sheep Tops
100+gram tops, Natural AU$23
IxCHeL Angora Rabbit Fibre
25-28grams/1 oz AU$10
A very soft luscious natural white fibre, great for spinning, felting or embellishing or… To cuddle and call George
A very soft luscious natural white fibre, great for spinning, felting or embellishing or… To cuddle and call George
Great to spin and wear ! Harvested by a simple, loving haircut on the grooming table after three months of growth y the bunny.
Miracle MaxMme ButterflyNew IxCHeL Club sign ups are now open !
for the months : April, May and June 2017
for the months : April, May and June 2017
(til quotas are reached or until march 31st)
For all our international club fans there is a possibility to ship all three clubs together to save on postage if you want :-) Just pm me and enquire about the options available.
IxCHeL Fibre Club April, May and June 2017
The subscription is for a period of three months and you will receive one special hand dyed top/roving per month to the value of AU$24 or more
All the tops will be hand dyed and will be especially made for the members of Ixchel Fibre Club !
Price to join the IxCHel Fibre Club #31 and receive your special hand dyed top :)) for three months (April, May and June 2017) is AU$72 + postage (parcel post or airmail). AND there are good value double serves available !!!
For Australia : single serve $72+$28 postage (parcel post), double serve $136+$28 (save $8) or triple serves $204 (save $12!) + postage
For USA + Canada: single serve AU$72+AU$56 (Airmail) double serve AU$136+AU$56
For UK,Europe, rest of the world: Single serve AU$72+AU$69 (airmail) Double serve AU$136+AU$69
For Asia: Single serve AU$72+AU$50 (airmail) Double serve AU$136+AU$50
If you want to receive a fibre surprise every month then join the IXCHEL FIBRE CLUB #32 now. Numbers are strictly limited ! The April 2017 Club is going to be shipped out end of April. Payment via direct deposit or credit card or paypal. Just PM or email me your details
The IxCHeL Sock Yarn Clubs April, May and June 2017
Every month for three months (April, May and June 2017) you will receive: enough hand dyed luscious yummy yarn to make a pair of socks or a lush shawl or scarf ofcourse! (the hand dyed yarn will be exclusive for the Ixchelbunny SOCK-IT-TO-ME Yarn CLUB and will range from a sockweight yarn or a 3ply or a 4 ply); Every month a new sock pattern, tips and instructions ! Now is that GOOD or is that GOOD ??!
I will even offer a double serve for those of you who like their socks extra long !
For Australia : single serve $78+$28 postage (parcel post) double serve $130 (= one skein FREE!!!) +$28
For USA + Canada: single serve AU$78+AU$56 (Airmail) double serve $130 (= one skein FREE!!!) +AU$56
For UK,Europe, rest of the world: Single serve AU$78+AU$69 (airmail) Double serve $130 (= one skein FREE!!!) +AU$69
For Asia: Single serve AU$78+AU$45 (airmail) Double serve $130 (= one skein FREE!!!) +AU$45
Numbers are strictly limited !
Payment via direct deposit or credit card or paypal . Just PM or email me your details
By the way: you don’t HAVE to knit socks if you don’t want to.. the hand dyed yarn is amazingly nice for scarves, cowls, beanies and even tops ! Anything goes .
IxCHeL Funky Bunny Batt Clubs April, May and June 2017
Here are all the details and just pm me when you have any questions or want to be part of the funky bunny batt club Movement ;-) Welcome to the blingy dark side ;-D
The subscription is for a period of three months and you will receive one special hand dyed funky bunny batt per month to the value of AU$40 or more .
The batts will range in weight from 140grams to 180grams with luxury fibres like camel , angora, cashmere, silk, yak, llama even wolf and bison and rare sheep breeds !!!! All the batts will be hand dyed and will be especially made for the members of Ixchel funky bunny Club ! Every month you will receive a HUGE luxury funky bunny batt !
Sign up now and you will receive an Ixchel Hand dyed , super luxurious funky bunny batt for April, May and June 2017.
Price to join the Ixchel Funky bunny for three months is :
For Australia : $108+$28 postage (parcel post)
For USA + Canada: AU$108+AU$56 (Airmail)
For UK,Europe, rest of the world: AU$108+AU$69 (airmail)
If you want to receive a fibre surprise every month then join the IXCHEL FUNKY BUNNY BATT CLUB now. Numbers are strictly limited ! The first installment is going to be shipped out end of april Payment via direct deposit or credit card or paypal. Just PM or email me
Dates to put in your Calendar !!
March
Wednesday March 15th, 10am - 3pm
McClelland Spinners and weavers Group
THE MAD HATTERS TEA PART SPIN IN 2017
THE MAD HATTERS TEA PART SPIN IN 2017
McClelland Gallery, McClelland Drive , Langwarrin, (Melways Ref 103E3),
May
Saturday May 6th 10am-3pm
Healesville Spinners and Weavers Guild Chat, Spin and Shop
Please join me with the Healesville Spinners and Weavers on Saturday for their annual celebration.
I will be doing a talk about the IxCHeLbunny farm, fibres and yarns and lots more !!! There will be fibres to cuddle (and buy) and also spindles of all shapes and sizes.
The event is open to all but everybody is asked to bring a plate of food to share with the others to make it even more fun. The Hall opens at 11am with a group meeting and my talk will start around 12. After the talk there will be ample opportunity to browse, shop and mingle.
V.C. Mullett Hall (Badger Creek Hall), 358 Badger Creek Road, Badger Creek.
The hall is located next to the Badger Creek C.F.A. Station and opposite the Badger Creek Primary School. There is off road parking.
I will be doing a talk about the IxCHeLbunny farm, fibres and yarns and lots more !!! There will be fibres to cuddle (and buy) and also spindles of all shapes and sizes.
The event is open to all but everybody is asked to bring a plate of food to share with the others to make it even more fun. The Hall opens at 11am with a group meeting and my talk will start around 12. After the talk there will be ample opportunity to browse, shop and mingle.
V.C. Mullett Hall (Badger Creek Hall), 358 Badger Creek Road, Badger Creek.
The hall is located next to the Badger Creek C.F.A. Station and opposite the Badger Creek Primary School. There is off road parking.
Sunday May 21st 10am-3pm
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 !
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 14th- Sunday 16th, 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 !!!!
OCTOBER
date and venue info to follow soon.
Black n Coloured Sheep FIELD DAY in Pakenham!
Landscape dyes
100g tubs AU$11
250 g tubs AU$26
250 g tubs AU$26
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 : 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.
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 here:
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
3. Message me on www.ravelry.com 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.
2. Message me on facebook or
3. Message me on www.ravelry.com 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
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