The new issue of Better Homes and Garden's Knit It! (basically a 112-page ad for Lion Brand yarns) does have a couple of pieces that aren't about Lion. One that caught my eye is an article about a breed of sheep native to the American Southwest--the Navajo-Churro. "Once on the brink of extinction," according to the article by Susan M. Strawn, a professor of Textiles at Dominican University in Illinois, the sheep and their wool are having a revival. The wool has always been prized for its deep natural range of colors and was used in the making of traditional navajo rugs. So, how do you add this new-old yarn to your stash? Well, unfortunately many of the links listed in the article were broken. But after some sleuthing, I found a couple of relavent sites:
Try stopping first at The Navajo-Churro Sheep Association page. They've got history, and charming sheep pictures. One of their Members, Cerro Mojino Woolworks does have a page where you can call and order yarn and color cards.
Some of the breeders apparently have received organic certification. One company, Tierra Wools sells organic churro in dyed colors in various weights and also blends it with other wools. Tierra has other organic wools as well.
I'd love to hear if any readers have used the Churro yarn and what they think of it. I'll try and get my hands on some so I can write a comprehensive review.
Technorati Tags: sheep wool navajo-churro yarn knitting
11 comments:
My husband stopped by Tierra Wool several years ago and picked me up some undyed churro mohair--a "guilt gift" ;) I used it to knit Cheryl Oberle's Highland Triangle Shawl. It turned out gorgeous but a little scratchy. I won a 2nd place ribbon at our State Fair with it. Alas, a very disturbed foster child took scissors to the center border and I haven't taken the time to frog it back and reknit it.
Anne http://tinyurl.com/bxbbq
has spun N.C. - I think from the raw fleece. I know she weaves. You might chat with her for more information.
Wow--I'd love to see a picture of your triangle shawl--even with the damage. There's a beautiful navajo-style bag pictured in the magazine, but I didn't notice a pattern for it, I could be wrong.
We have a beautiful little churro named Veronica. The wool can run from having an almost downy undercoat to quite coarse. The fiber generally has little crimp. It spins up beautifully and strong and is an excellent choice for rugs, totes/handbags, and outerwear.
HTH
Linda
Hi. I have 2 8 oz skeins of knitting yarn in beautiful chocolate brown. Just rolling it into balls was a pleasure -- so soft and I swear I felt lanolin but there is no smell (thank goodness). My mom bought it for me several years ago with the intent that I would make a sweater for my 4 year old son. I tried to buy a pattern at the local store but I can't seem to get the tension right because the wool is stretchy. I wonder if there is a better pattern for this type of yarn. OR maybe I should make something for myself!!! Would be most appreciate of any ideas. I found your blog on the Knitting in the city group and live close to Bethesda. What a coincidence when I saw your piece on the wool.
Margy--I'm going to SSK (Silver Spring Knitters) tonight... If you can come, bring your yarn and we can talk about a project for your son.
Hi Amy, just surfing around for churro stuff and found your blog. We love churro! We make a variety of things from it. There is a large misconception about the coarseness of the fleece. Some of it will indeed spin up rather coarse(ram fleece) but a lot will spin up very soft depending on the way it is processed. I am doing Navajo weaving at present but my girlfriend makes bags, hats etc and is currently working on a sweater. We love the variety of natural colors and usually don't dye any of it. We get a wide variety since we run anywhere between 30 and 40 head. At present we have about 25 ewes. By all means go ahead and try it! Also check out the association website for any info you need on the breed. Enjoy!!!!!
Dan
I found your site by accident - googled Navajo Churro wool and there you were - I raise the sheep, they are wonderful, very beautiful, wily, hardy, and smart. I spin the wool often and have knit afghans, sweaters, hats, socks out of it - also braided a small rug with beginners success. The wool is easy to spin and knit, comes in beautiful colors, the undercoat is sometimes soft, sometimes coarser - depends on the sheep and the age of the sheep. The longer, coarser guard hairs add color, depth, and luster. I love the natural colors - black, shades of browns, grays, whites - and it also takes plant dyes well (I've tried indigo, rabbitbrush, marigold, elderberries). Very fun. I recommend it.
Lynn
Lynn, it's great to hear about your Churro experience--they do seem like wonderful animals--I've since seen them at sheep and wool festivals, and have gotten some great samples of the wool and fleece. I'd love to see pictures of your projects and yarn...
Hello. I have just attempted to spin from a couple pounds of Navajo-Churro, and I am having a difficult time as the washed-picked-carded fleece I bought is 95% 1-2" staple length. I read about this 14" outer coat, and I see nothing of the sort in my bag. Looks like I got the short end of the stick. However, the colors are beautiful.
Hi,
I worry that mine might be one of the broken links you mentioned. I recently rebuilt the site with a new program and didn't catch all the redirects. Anyway, we're at www.armofthespiral.com/Churro.html
We have four churro ewes in charcoal, grey, moorit and white and I dye and handspin the wool also. Churro indeed should have a long staple length, although 14" may be a bit longer than normal. I know one mill had trouble with churro in their carder, and several of us found out that they resorted to cutting the wool before running it through their carder. Churro growers must make sure their mills are willing to process the long staple length.
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