Spinning Green Wool
Lambs Ears
Mormor was going to make yarn, but first she needed to find the right coloured sheep – the green ones can be hard to find. Finally she spotted one among the Lamb’s Ears…
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Harvest
She trimmed some locks and brought them inside.
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Cat Brush
The locks need to be carded, and Mormor says the cat’s hairbrush makes a fine carder for Hitty-sized projects. The lock of wool is held in one hand, and brushed with the carder, as though brushing a girls hair, but allowing the wool to be pulled into the carder. All the hairs get aligned in the teeth of the carder. A lot of seeds and bits of plant fall out while you are doing this so it is good to wear an apron. Humans often use two carders.
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Rolags
Then you peel the brushed wool off the carder and roll it into a little sausage, called a rolag. You need many rolags for the next step.
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Spin
Spinning wheels aren’t too complicated but you have to get used to the technique…the hardest part is getting started.
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work
You hold the header yarn in one hand, pinching it, and feed the rolag onto it with the other, all the while treadling on the pedal at a nice even speed.
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Yarn!
Voila! Green yarn!!
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Quimper Hittys 
How pleased all look after this marvelous experience to get the green wool. I think Mormor was quite exceptional in her finding of that green sheep amongst the lamb’s ears! Leave it to the older generation to teach all of us “tricks” of the past.
Mormor says her eyes just aren’t the same as they used to be, but we think that means she can see more magic!
WOW!!!! It’s wonderful to have Mormor in the Hitty home to pass down all her wonderful skills to the younger generation….my goodness who knew there is such an animal as a green sheep…quite adorable I might add…loved this story.
Thanks! Mormor knows a lot of useful things, like the best places to look for green sheep! Some of the younger Hittys are quite adept, but Mormor will be able to help them refine their skills!
well that is just plain amazing! The Country HIttys and I are just mesmerized!!! Knowing how it is done is just not the same as actually seeing it. Thank you Mormor for sharing this with us.
Mormor is happy to share her knowledge and experience! The green yarn is pretty delightful (actually given to me by a Hitty friend).
Mormor did a wonderful job of spinning the beautiful green yarn. The ladies in my fiber art guild always say the hardest part to spinning is getting started. This past week we held a sheep to shawl event at our local fair. Mormor we could have used your help. The even was a hit to fair goers.
We love the sheep-to-shawl events…it is a wonderful thing to understand what it takes to make cloth! Mormor is thinking of applying to join the local guild of weavers and spinners – maybe she will help out next year!