Let the 2022 Craft Adventures Begin !

Happy New Year !!! Thank you so much for tuning in again on a Friday night for some happy fibery blog updates! 

December 2021 was a massive month with the 12 days of Christmas fundraiser which, I am EXTREMELY happy to announce, that, thanks to you, we have been able to donate $990 !! I am over the moon ! and I cannot thank you enough for all your help and enthusiasm during my twelve days of Christmas fundraiser ! 

The rare breeds adventures and help will continue in 2022 ! Also, you will be happy to know that all our postal satchels are biodegradable and we are true to our pledge to be as sustainable and carbon neutral as possible ! We have always been planting trees and taking care of our environment but will take a further step this year. More on this in later blogs !

I can’t believe it is already the 14th of January and we are already half way through the first month ! and I have so many plans and adventures planned! The way that the world is going atm will add extra hurdles to jump over but I am determined to make it happen ! Every Friday there will be my blog ( I won't mention website..in case I jinx it again (yes!!!! I am STILL working on my website !!!!)...lol...AND ..drum roll...

There is a Handknitters and Crochet Guild market planned again this year on the 14th and 15th of MAY so put it in your calendar !!!Yeah !!!!!!! 

More on that later as well, but you will be  happy to know I have been already been spinning lots of super rare breeds and angora bunny yarns ! (the joy of being able to read and spin at the same time !) 

I had some time off in December and did a huge amount of reading and relaxing after I finally finished cleaning the dye room and the studio (much much needed!) .

 If you want to see my full reading list and what I have been up to, please follow me on Instagram (@ixchelbunny) 

 Then, last week I started blending, prepping and dyeing again…Not much else to report really because we did not go anywhere (Surprise!....) 

 I don’t know about you, but I did not really make any new year resolutions, deciding I would take it as it comes…lol 

No high expectations after the last two years…and at this moment I am happy with that. It somehow feels like 2020 the sequel with the two weeks feeling like two months already…lol but hey, maybe that’s just me. 

 I was rearing to go and start dyeing again so I dyed about 35 kilos last week…(and then I wonder why I am a wee bit tired again..) I have to remember to take it a bit easy, but the devil on my shoulder keeps reminding me there is so much to do and so little time (same old, same old..lol). 

The January clubs are all dyed and drying as well and I can already show you a teaser below:

If all goes to plan weatherwise (for the drying time) all the January clubs will be ready to ship early next week ! yeah! 

Every club member will receive a full bio of the artist and some nice info  about the artwork, as well as a gift and a pattern (if you are a member of the Yarn club). I will let you in on one teaser though: it is a super soft and exclusive IxCHeL blend ! 

Now what have I got planned for you : 

Wensleydale tops ! 

And here are the sheep they come from :

 

Wensleydale sheep in the photo studio !

Wensleydale sheep with her two lambs

Yes, there are black Wensleydale sheep as well !

Look at those curls !

The Wensleydale is a British breed of domestic sheep. 

 It is named for the Wensleydale region of North Yorkshire, in the north of England, where it was bred in the early nineteenth century by cross-breeding a Dishley Leicester ram with local long-woolled sheep of a breed that is now extinct. 

It has a blue-grey face and long purled wool, and is among the heaviest of British sheep breeds. It is an endangered breed, and is categorised as "at risk" by the Rare Breeds Survival Trust. It is often used as a ram breed to cross with other breeds to obtain market lambs, and for its high-quality wool. The Wensleydale has also played a part in creating the gorgeous Blue Faced Leicester Sheep with its lustrous wool. But, I digress…. 

The legend behind the origin of the breed tells us the story of a ram named Blue Cap which was born from the crossing between a Dishley Leicester and a – now-extinct – long-wool Yorkshire breed. Our sources describe Blue Clap as a ‘wild spirited’ and ‘outstanding animal’, that weighed over 230 kilos !, and bore the blue face and lustrous wool characteristic of the breed. Born in 1939 Blue Cap, was widely used by local farmers to improve their livestock by crossbreeding. By giving lambs consistently like himself, Blue Cap became the founding sire of the Wensleydale breed. The Wensleydale sheep quickly established itself as an excellent crossing breed providing with hardy, prolific animals and heavy milking ewes. 

Beside these enviable qualities, Wensleydales also produce good quantity of lean meat, and a wool particularly lustrous and silky in appearance. 

The breed was officially named in 1876 leading to the foundation of the Wensleydale Long Wool Sheep Association in 1920, which at its creation included 197 members and 3059 registered ewes. Despite its early popularity, British farming communities soon lost interest in Wensleydales. In 1967 the number of Wensleydales declined to only 18 registered flocks and 291 ewes. After the formation of the Rare Breeds Survival Trust in 1973 the breed was put on a critical list. Although it is still considered as a rare breed, thanks to the work of dedicated breeders, Wensleydales are once again established all over the UK, and have extended into Europe and North America, but unfortunately not in Australia.

Wensleydales classify as a ‘luster long wool’ breed i.e a long wool breed specifically selected for the sheen and brilliance of their fleece. Long wool sheep are naturally strong, hard-wearing and lustrous, however Wensleydales fleece presents a thinner fibre diameter and a longer staple length, which makes it softer and even more lustrous than most long wools. 

It takes on average 15 months for a lamb to grow its full fleece. Once shorn it will never grow back as long again, thus most photos of Wensleydales with wool down to the ground are those of lambs that have kept their first fleece. 

As Wensleydales do not produce any kemp, most of their raw fleece can be used for spinning, resulting in 5kg of usable wool per animal. Wensleydales are easily recognizable due to their extremely long fleece divided in well-defined curly locks, and their deep blue head and ears. Their head is broad and partly covered in fine wool. Both rams and ewes are polled and can be either black or white. 

They are also distinctively tall and strongly built; ewes weigh on average 90 kg while the ram can go up to 135 kg, making the Wensleydale sheep one of the heaviest British breeds.

Wensleydale wool has the great advantage of being shiny, fairly soft and hard wearing. Yarns made from long wool are usually worsted spun, a spinning method than enhanced the natural properties of the Wensleydale fleece by adding some extra strength, softness and sheen to the finish product. Ultimately Wensleydale wool is a great fibre to knit with, if you want to prioritize the strength, drape and shine of your knitted garments. 

 I hope you are inspired to try spinning with these amazing tops: it is a fabulous experience and I can’t wait to see all your Wensleydale spinning adventures !

The January , February and March Clubs are totally full so to make it easier for people to get a chance to join and avoid disappointment I will already open the sign ups for the NEXT club period (April, May and June) of the IxCHeL Art Journey Clubs! You can find all the information below this week’s update offerings . Join in the fun of discovering new blends and colours AND paintings each month. It is a LOT of fun !

Enjoy browsing tonight's blog ! And, please message or email me if you have any questions or are looking for fibre or yarn: I am always blending and spinning and dyeing so chances are that I can help !

So, 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. 

IxCHeL Wensleydale Longwool Tops

A gorgeous shiny rare sheep breed top
beautiful to spin !

+/- 100+ grams        

Stardust

sold

Periwinkle (or Very Peri : the colour of the year 2022 apparently )

SOLD

Crocus   SOLD

Area 51  SOLD

Happy Rainbow  sold

Natural    SOLD

Gem Corn Magic    SOLD

Dragonfly In Amber    SOLD

IxCHeL club sign ups for 

April, May, June 2022

 are now open !

Here are some photos of the previous clubs: 

August 2021 Fibre Club

Aug 21 batt club

August 2021 Yarn Club

June 2021Club

June 2021Club

Note to all International club members:
All international club parcels are now being shipped with tracking and expedited. 
There is an option if you want all three of your clubs to be shipped together to save on shipping cost:  Just ask me for a postage quote !

IxCHeL Fibre Club April, May and June 2022

The subscription is for a period of three months and you will receive one special hand dyed and special blended top/roving per month

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 #51 and receive your special hand dyed top :)) for three months (April, May and June 2022 ) is AU$78 + postage (parcel post or airmail). AND there are good value double and triple serves available !!!

For Australia : single serve $78+$30 postage (parcel post), double serve $150(save $6) +$30m postage or triple serves $225 (save $9!) + $30 postage

For New Zealand : single serve $78+$45 postage (parcel post) double serve $150(save $6) +$45 postage

For USA + Canada: single serve AU$78+AU$60 (Airmail) double serve AU$150+AU$60; triple serve $225 (save $9) + AU$60postage

For UK,Europe, rest of the world: Single serve AU$78+AU$78 (airmail) Double serve AU$150+AU$78; triple serve $225 (save $9) + AU$78postage

 For Asia: Single serve AU$78+AU$57 (airmail) Double serve AU$150+AU$57; triple serves $225 (save $9) + AU$57postage 

If you want to receive a fibre surprise every month then join the IXCHEL FIBRE CLUB #51 now. Numbers are strictly limited ! Payment via direct deposit or credit card or paypal. Just PM or email me your details.

 The IxCHeL Yarn Clubs April, May and June 2022

Every month for three months (April, May and June 2022 ) you will receive: enough hand dyed luscious yummy yarn to make a pair of socks or a lush shawl or scarf of course! (the hand dyed yarn will be exclusive for the Ixchelbunny SOCK-IT-TO-ME Yarn CLUB and will range from a sock weight yarn (a 4ply/fingering weight yarn); Every month a sock or scarf 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 or scarves extra long ! 

For Australia : single serve $96+$30 postage (parcel post) double serve $177( save $15!!) +$30 postage

For New Zealand : single serve $96+$45 postage (parcel post) double serve $177( save $15!!) +$45 postage

For USA + Canada: single serve AU$96+AU$60 (Airmail) double serve $177 (Save $15!!) +AU$60 

For UK,Europe, rest of the world: Single serve AU$96+AU$78 (airmail) Double serve $177 (Save $15!!) +AU$78

For Asia: Single serve AU$96+AU$57 (airmail) Double serve $177 (= Save $15!!!) +AU$57

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 Payment via direct deposit or credit card or paypal. Just PM or email me your details

IxCHeL Funky Bunny Batt Clubs April, May and June 2022

Here are all the details. 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 170grams with luxury fibres like camel , angora, cashmere, silk, yak, llama even wallaby and bison, and rare 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 2022

Price to join the IxCHeL Funky bunny for three months is :

For Australia : $114+$30 postage (parcel post)

For New Zealand : single serve $114+$45 postage (parcel post)

For USA + Canada: AU$114+AU$60 (Airmail)

For UK,Europe, rest of the world: AU$114+AU$78 (airmail)

For Asia: AU$114+AU$57 (airmail)

If you want to receive a fibre surprise every month then join the IXCHEL FUNKY BUNNY BATT CLUB now. Numbers are strictly limited !

Payment via direct deposit or credit card or paypal. Just PM or email me your details.

To become a member just email me on ixchelbunnyart at gmail dot com or message me on facebook or Instagram. More on how to order the clubs and anything from this update later in the blog in the section “how to order”

IxCHeL Tweed Yarn  

Hand dyed

Super soft lambs wool 70% and Kid Mohair 30%

Spun singles, fingering or sock weight yarn
+/- 200meters/218yards
50grams      1.76oz
AU$18

Botanical dyes 

(dyed with Eucalypt, Madder root, Walnut, Elderberry, Indigo,Acorn)

Indigo

Jewels

NEW colours !!! 

 IxCHeL Tweed Yarn 

Super soft lambs wool 70% and Kid Mohair 30%

Spun singles, fingering or sock weight yarn

+/- 200meters/218yards

50grams      1.76oz

AU$16

Nephrite Jade 

 (A beautiful deep sage green colour with fun blue, lime and salmon speckles)

SOLD

Making new batch soon! 

Grevillea + new ! 

 A vibrant raspberry pink tweed with deep purple, lime and soft pink speckles)

IxCHeL Tweed fingering weight yarn

Super soft lambs wool 70% and Kid Mohair 30%

Spun singles, fingering or sock weight yarn

+/- 200meters/218yards

50grams      1.76oz

AU$16

Great Barrier Reef

Leafy Seadragon

Flying Fox

Airlie Beach

Sea Mist

Amethyst

Wattle
(A beautiful sunshine yellow that goes so well with the kookaburra the silver grey)

Kata Tjuta           BACK IN STOCK !!!
(an intense pure red that goes well with the Kookaburra and the Wattle and the Amethyst colourway and soooooo  many others)

Kookaburra
(a beautiful silver grey with ochre accents that complement the dingo colourway)

Dingo
( A beautiful warm honey ochre with pops of royal bluebell, kingfisher and kangaroo paw)

Dusky Grevillea
(a gorgeous raspberry base with pops of royal bluebell, flowering gum, grey and daintree)

Flowering Gum
( a gorgeous medieval warm red with bright red, kookaburra and fern forest accents)

Fern Forest
( a deep forest green with accents of bright red, dusky purple and daintree) )

Jacarandah 
( a fabulous deep purple with accents of royal bluebell, daintree, grevillea and kingfisher )

Wombat
( a fabulous deep walnut brown with accents of dingo and kookaburra)

Kangaroo Paw 
( a fabulous warm orange with accents of fern forest, royal bluebell and grevillea and dingo )

isn’t it gorgeous how the Kangaroo paw knits up?! )

Royal Bluebell 
( a deep blue with accents of flowering gum, kookaburra and fern forest )

Wallaby
( a warm light brown with accents of soft blue and kookaburra)

Daintree ( a soft green with accents of fern forest and dingo)

Kingfisher 
( a fabulous Turquoise blue with accents of fern forest, kangaroo paw, Jacaranda and Grevillea)

(Out of stock but more coming soon !)

Landscape dyes

100g tubs   AU$12
250 g tubs   AU$27

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.

All my contact details are here:

Please don't hesitate to contact me at any time if you have any questions okay? Any questions about custom orders: spinning or dyeing orders: Always happy to enable. 

How to Order: email or message me on facebook, Ravelry or Instagram, quoting how many tops, yarns or clubs you would like, together with your postal and email address and I will get right back to you with all your order and payment details. 

1. You can email me on ixchelbunnyart at gmail dot com  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.
4. message me on Instagram where I am @ixchelbunny

Shipping :  I am still working and mailing the parcels out fast as humanly possible :-) All orders received and paid for of the Friday updates, will be shipped first thing monday morning. We do daily post office runs (if necessary). The recent AusPost changes to parcel pickups from businesses therefore does not apply to us because WE deliver your parcel directly to our nearest AusPost hub.

Seeing that there are currently lots of Covid cases, especially in NSW ain VIC, there can be some AusPost sorting centres that do not have enough staff so there will be delays in getting the parcel to you. As soon as your parcel is shipped you will receive an automatic email from AusPost with the tracking number so you can see where your parcel is and the approximate ETA. 

Overseas deliveries are highly impacted by the very low amount of planes out of Australia t the moment and the very high pressure on AuPost. Please be patient during these pandemic times. We do our utmost to keep everything running smoothly on our end and if you have any questions: please do not hesitate to ask. Always happy to help! 

Stay safe! 

Keep crafting !

Be Happy !

Stay Awesome !

Keep your eyes out for any news on the 

ixchelbunny Instagram feed and the IxCHeL facebook page!!

Show the Love and Follow me on Instagram 

 RABBIT ON !

((hugs))

Charly