My husband and I moved to Montgomery in 2001 from the Champlain Islands. We wanted a more rural space and to raise animals. We started with two sheep and now enjoy a flock that grows to approximately 25 in the spring and back to about 15 in the winter.

 

I learned to spin, knit and felt with all the lovely wool we acquired. Our flock consists of Cormo Crosses (crossed with Rambouillet, Border Leicester, or most recently Polypay). We ensure our flock has a calm, healthy, and good life while they are with us.

 

I enjoy spinning on my Ashford Traveler spinning wheel, although I still occasionally pickup a drop spindle. Dyeing is also very enjoyable, and I use acid dyes as well as natural dyeing, generally using alum as a mordant. I find the different techniques keep things interesting - immersion dyeing, hand painting etc.  Felting, both wet and needle, also are in my skillset. My knitting typically ends up being small projects – baby items, or hats, mittens, socks, and vests. While I do sometimes knit with commercial yarns, I do prefer handspun or mill spun from a fiber farmer – especially if I know the animals that it came from!  I love that connection to the natural world.

 

I joined Mountain Fiber Folk Co-operative many years ago, and enjoyed that immensely. As a member, I worked shifts in the shop located in Montgomery Center, VT - as well as travelled to vend at shows mostly in the New England region. Sadly, while COVD-19 has forced us to close our brick and mortar shop, we as a Co-op will continue on with Fiber Shows as they are held. I also have my mill spun yarn (natural and dyed), consigned at Two Sisters Mill & Mercantile in Jeffersonville, VT as well as other shops.

 

I look forward to exploring other avenues that will allow me to continue to have outlets for my fiber creations!