DOCSLIB.ORG

Turning Soft Wool Into Hard Cash COMMENTARY

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Turning Soft Wool Into Hard Cash COMMENTARY Rural COOPERATIVESUSDA / Rural Development March/April 2000 Turning soft wool into hard cash COMMENTARY Borders are no longer barriers for co-ops As we begin this century of increased income. Rural unemployment continues global interaction and communication, to decline, to historically low levels. we recognize the need to work toward However, challenges remain. Even with improving the technological infrastruc- double-digit percentage growth in the ture of rural America. Increasing the amount of jobs, the incomes remain sig- level of agricultural trade with foreign nificantly lower in rural areas relative to nations will do much to improve the urban areas. economic vitality of rural America and In June of 1998, when I hosted the the rural cooperatives which are so vital Second International Conference on to its well-being. Women in Agriculture, more than 1,000 There are several articles in this mag- participants from 50 countries came azine that detail trade programs and together to discuss issues facing women technical assistance efforts between in agriculture and to facilitate the the United States and our international exchange of information. During the partners. Some of these initiatives, such conference, we established that in rural providing many advantages to rural elec- as our effort to create cooperative village communities around the world, we have tric and telephone cooperatives to banks in South Africa, will help those similar challenges, many of which can be receive funding for the purpose of who are disenfranchised by poverty. We addressed by cooperatives. Creating val- putting these new technologies to work are also committed to working with our ue-added cooperatives can do much to for rural residents. We are also working international partners whose future eco- generate additional income for rural to create opportunities with current and nomic development will create market- people, as shown by the cover story in potential trading partners around the ing opportunities for rural Americans. this issue about how rural women in globe. Communities will revitalize USDA Rural Development has bilat- Alaska are earning income by knitting themselves when opportunities exist for eral programs to help countries in this musk ox wool into beautiful garments. entrepreneurial initiatives, small business hemisphere with their agricultural devel- In June of 1999, we successfully expansion and job training — all of opment efforts. We expect to continue brought together leaders from several which offer upward mobility without offering our assistance in a range of dis- countries to create cooperative relation- community members having to move to ciplines, from production techniques, to ships to strengthen our nations’ rural urban areas to find employment. marketing, extension, pest and disease areas and increase the channels of com- In closing, rural economic develop- eradication, and food safety, among oth- munication between rural Latin America ment and poverty alleviation strategies ers. and rural United States. Again, we shared between countries and rural com- In the United States, agricultural found that we share similar concerns, munities will ultimately lead to enriched cooperatives remain a key component of such as overcoming limited technologi- families, empowered communities, and rural economies. While “rural” is more cal alternatives. developed nations. than agriculture, the future success of With President Clinton and Vice our nation’s small farms and their coop- President Gore’s leadership, we are eratives is critically linked to the success working to build partnerships and devel- of economies of rural communities to op a comprehensive approach to closing which they are interconnected. the digital divide and bringing digital Our rural economy has strengthened opportunity to all Americans. Bringing Jill Long Thompson and is growing, but remains fragile and advanced telecommunications technolo- Under Secretary, USDA Rural Development uneven. Rural earnings, after a decade gy to rural America has made significant of decline, are rising at rates similar to impacts on people’s lives. Through our urban rates in some areas, as is per capita various programs, Rural Development is 2 March/April 2000 / Rural Cooperatives Rural March/AprilCOOPERATIVES 2000 Volume 67 Number 2 RURAL COOPERATIVES (1088-8845) is published bimonthly by Rural Business–Cooperative Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Washington, DC. FEATURES The Secretary of Agriculture has determined that publication of this periodical is necessary in the transaction of public business required by law of the Department. Periodicals postage paid at 4 Boosting the 3 Bs Washington, DC. Copies may be obtained from the England’s Plunkett Foundation promotes “the furtherance of Superintendent of Documents, Government Printing Office, Washington, DC, 20402, at $3.50 domestic, rural cooperation” $4.38 foreign; or by annual subscription at $15.00 Eliza Banks domestic, $18.75 foreign. Postmaster: send address change to: Rural Cooperatives, USDA/RBS, Stop 3255, Wash., DC 20250-3255. 7 Fingers and needles Mention in RURAL COOPERATIVES of company and Alaskan co-op turns cashmere-soft musk ox wool into hard cash brand names does not signify endorsement over other companies’ products and services. Pamela J. Karg Unless otherwise stated, contents of this publica- tion are not copyrighted and may be reprinted 12 Strength through unity freely. For noncopyrighted articles, mention of Bulgarian honey producers sweeten their future through source will be appreciated but is not required. cooperation The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and James Matson activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, and marital or family status. (Not all 15 Foreign affairs prohibited bases apply to all programs). Persons USDA Foreign Agricultural Service promotes U.S. agriculture with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (braille, large abroad print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA’s TARGET Karl Hampton Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD). To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten 18 Going global Building, 14th and Independence Avenue, SW, Export certificates a valuable tool helping co-ops tap overseas Washington, D.C. 20250-9410, or call (202) 720-5964 (voice or TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity markets provider and employer. Alan Borst Dan Glickman, Secretary of Agriculture 23 Why U.S. agriculture should support foreign aid Jill Long Thompson, Under Secretary, Rural Development Perry Letson Dayton J. Watkins, Administrator, Rural Business–Cooperative Service Gladys Rodriguez, Director of Public Affairs DEPARTMENTS Dan Campbell, Managing Editor 2 COMMENTARY USDA Design Center, Design 22 A CLOSER LOOK AT… Have a cooperative-related question? Call (202) 720-6483, or 25 MANAGEMENT TIP Fax (202) 720-4641, Information Director, 27 NEWSLINE This publication was printed with vegetable oil-based ink. On the Cover: Once extinct in Alaska, the musk ox has made a major comeback. A cooperative of Alaskan Eskimo women are transforming its soft wool into high-fashion United States Department of Agriculture accessories and earning much-needed income for their poor, rural communities. Story on Page 7. Photo copyright Musk Ox Farm Rural Cooperatives / March/April 2000 3 Boosting the 3 Bs England’s Plunkett Foundation promotes “The furtherance of rural cooperation” By Eliza Banks ment and agricultural education. After repeated failures, Plunkett established n America, hardly a coop- his first cooperative “creamery” in erative celebration goes by 1891. Three years later, he founded the I when those English crafts- country’s apex organization for the bur- men who formed the geoning number of agricultural coop- Rochdale Equitable Pioneers Society eratives. His diaries, kept in the aren’t feted for their foresight. So it Foundation’s unique cooperative ref- may come as a surprise that there’s erence library, describe the exhaust- often a perceptible lack of enthusi- ing work of organizing co-ops in asm toward cooperatives in the the face of stern opposition from very country credited with their local moneylenders, traders, and creation. other vested interests. But that’s the situation in Still a frequent visitor to Ameri- some sectors of the United King- ca, and now Ireland’s equivalent to dom today. Despite this skepti- the Secretary of Agriculture, Plun- cism, however, for 80 years there kett became a close associate and has been one voice encouraging, confidant of President Theodore cajoling, and supporting coopera- Roosevelt and his apostle of conser- tives and the people who want to vation, Gifford Pinchot, sharing start them. At the Plunkett Founda- ideas on rural development and, in tion, near Oxford in south-central 1910, publishing The Rural Life Prob- England, a team of dedicated cooper- lem of the U.S. ative advocates acts as a driving force “By golly,” Roosevelt is quoted as behind the growth of UK rural cooper- booming to Plunkett, “I wish you were atives and other member-controlled an American and either in the Senate businesses. or my Cabinet!” Plunkett’s American Through its accumulated experi- connections didn’t end there, and he ence, extensive network of consultants, subsequently shared his enthusiasm for and a reference library approaching
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Cuticle and Cortical Cell Morphology of Alpaca and Other Rare Animal Fibres
    View metadata, citation and similar papers at core.ac.uk brought to you by CORE provided by Repositorio Institucional Universidad Nacional Autónoma de Chota The Journal of The Textile Institute ISSN: 0040-5000 (Print) 1754-2340 (Online) Journal homepage: http://www.tandfonline.com/loi/tjti20 Cuticle and cortical cell morphology of alpaca and other rare animal fibres B. A. McGregor & E. C. Quispe Peña To cite this article: B. A. McGregor & E. C. Quispe Peña (2017): Cuticle and cortical cell morphology of alpaca and other rare animal fibres, The Journal of The Textile Institute, DOI: 10.1080/00405000.2017.1368112 To link to this article: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00405000.2017.1368112 Published online: 18 Sep 2017. Submit your article to this journal Article views: 7 View related articles View Crossmark data Full Terms & Conditions of access and use can be found at http://www.tandfonline.com/action/journalInformation?journalCode=tjti20 Download by: [181.64.24.124] Date: 25 September 2017, At: 13:39 THE JOURNAL OF THE TEXTILE INSTITUTE, 2017 https://doi.org/10.1080/00405000.2017.1368112 Cuticle and cortical cell morphology of alpaca and other rare animal fibres B. A. McGregora and E. C. Quispe Peñab aInstitute for Frontier Materials, Deakin University, Geelong, Australia; bNational University Autonoma de Chota, Chota, Peru ABSTRACT ARTICLE HISTORY The null hypothesis of the experiments reported is that the cuticle and cortical morphology of rare Received 6 March 2017 animal fibres are similar. The investigation also examined if the productivity and age of alpacas were Accepted 11 August 2017 associated with cuticle morphology and if seasonal nutritional conditions were related to cuticle scale KEYWORDS frequency.
    [Show full text]
  • Connecting Alaska's Fiber Community
    T HE A L A SK A N at UR A L F IBER B USI N ESS A SSOCI at IO N : Connecting Alaska’s Fiber Community Jan Rowell and Lee Coray-Ludden one-and-a-half day workshop in the fall of 2012 rekindled a passion for community AFES Miscellaneous Publication MP 2014-14 among Alaska’s fiber producers and artists. “Fiber Production in Alaska: From UAF School of Natural Resources & Extension Agriculture to Art” provided a rare venue for fiber producers and consumers A Agricultural & Forestry Experiment Station to get together and share a strong common interest in fiber production in Alaska. The workshop was sponsored by the Alaska State Division of Agriculture and organized by Lee Coray-Ludden, owner of Shepherd’s Moon Keep and a cashmere producer. There is nothing new about fiber production in Alaska. The early Russians capitalized on agricultural opportunities wherever they could and domestic sheep and goats were a mainstay in these early farming efforts. But even before the Russians, fiber was historically used for warmth by Alaska’s indigenous people. They gathered their fiber from wild sources, and some tribes handspun it and wove it into clothing, Angora rabbits produce a soft and silky creating beautiful works of art. fiber finer than cashmere. Pictured below is Some of the finest natural fibers in the world come from animals that evolved in Michael, a German angora, shortly before cold, dry climates, and many of these animals are grazers capable of thriving on Alaska’s shearing. Angora rabbits may be sheared, natural vegetation.
    [Show full text]
  • Module 3 Rev.Indd
    Module 3 • GoNorth! Flora and Fauna: Animal Population chuttui / tuttu caribou © Subhankar Banerjee Module 3 • Flora and Fauna: Animal Population Module Question What are the effects of oil exploration on Arctic wildlife populations? Alert! We have some breaking news from WPH. Team GoNorth! needs your help. When Senator Frank Murkowski of Alaska compared the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) to a blank sheet of white paper in his address to the Senate, he did not keep in mind the 150,000 members of the Porcupine caribou herd and the other 250 animal species that call ANWR home. While winter is a time when many of those animals are hibernating or have migrated south, many more remain year-round. “Sometimes it can seem like we’re traveling on an endless conveyor belt of white,” comments expedition leader Paul Pregont. “During blizzards and high winds, the Arctic can seem like a cold and lifeless place. In fact, I have traveled in conditions so hostile that I could barely see past my lead dog, Aksel. But those are also the times that help me realize how special the Arctic really is. During the expedition, however, Team GoNorth! will most likely encounter many different animals like wolves, wolverines, ravens, arctic hare, arctic fox, caribou, ptarmigan, mink, snowy owls and even…polar bears. And that’s just a start. Many smaller mammals and insects spend their winter nestled safely under the snow in the small air space above the ground. There isn’t a day that goes by that team members don’t see some sign that an animal has passed nearby.
    [Show full text]
  • Unit Chemistry of Textiles: Animal Fibres File:///C:/WWW/Courses/CHEM2402/Textiles/Animal Fibres.Html
    Unit - Chemistry of Textiles: Animal Fibres file:///C:/WWW/Courses/CHEM2402/Textiles/Animal_Fibres.html Unit - Chemistry of Garments: Animal Fibres Alpaca , Angora , Byssus , Camel hair , Cashmere , Catgut , Chiengora , Guanaco , Llama , Mohair Pashmina , Qiviut , Rabbit , Silk , Sinew , Spider silk , Wool , Vicuña , Yak Silk Silk can be obtained from the cocoons of several types of caterpillar or silkworm, but it is now the Chinese silk moth (mulberry silkworm Bombyx mori ) reared in captivity that is mainly cultivated. See the Zanzibar Tribal Art web site for an explanation and diagram of the life cycle of the various silkworms . YouTube video clip of Silk factory in Beijing Natural silk is one of the strongest textile fibres, which are accounted for by the stretched-out molecular form. Silk (78% protein) is much stiffer than wool in spite of both being proteins made from amino acids chains. Silk fibres have fine draping qualities and are naturally crease-resistant and bring about a warm feel to the skin. Of the 3-4000 metres of fibre in a cocoon, laid out as a figure of eight by the movement of the head of the pupae, less that one third is generally usable with much of the remainder being processed separately. Silk emitted by the silkworm consists of two main proteins, sericin and fibroin, fibroin being the structural center of the silk, and serecin being the sticky material surrounding it. Fibroin is largely made up of the amino acids Gly-Ser-Gly-Ala-Gly-Ala and forms beta pleated sheets, β-keratin. 1 of 9 20/10/2011 08:28 PM Unit - Chemistry of Textiles: Animal Fibres file:///C:/WWW/Courses/CHEM2402/Textiles/Animal_Fibres.html R = H, glycine; R = CH , alanine; R = CH OH, serine 3 2 Hydrogen bonds form between chains, and side chains form above and below the plane of the hydrogen bond network.
    [Show full text]
  • Identification Guidelines for Shahtoosh & Pashmina
    Shahtoosh (aka Shah tush) is the trade name for woolen garments, usually shawls, made from the hair of the Tibetan antelope (Pantholops hodgsonii). Also called a chiru, it is considered an endangered species, and the importation of any part or product of Pantholops is prohib- ited by U.S. law. Chiru originate in the high Himalaya Mountains of Tibet, western China, and far northern India where they are killed for their parts. Their pelts are converted into shahtoosh, and horns of the males are taken as trophies. No chirus are kept in captivity, and it reportedly takes three to five individuals to make a single shawl (Wright & Kumar 1997). Trophy Head with Horns of male Pantholops hodgsonii SHAWL COLORS Off-white and brownish beige are the natural colors of the chiru’s pelage. Shahtoosh shawls in these natural colors are the most traditional. How- ever, shahtoosh can be dyed almost any color of the spectrum. Unless the fibers are dyed opaque black, most dyed fibers allow the transmission of light so that the internal characteristics are visible under a compound microscope. (See "Microscopic Characteristics" in Hints for Visual Identification.) DIFFERENT PATTERNS AND/OR DECORATION SIZES - Solid color - Standard shawl 36" x 81" - Plaid - Muffler 12" x 60" - Stripes - Man-size, Blanket 108" x 54" - Edged in wispy fringe - Couturier length (4' x 18' +) - Double color (each side of shawl is a different color) - All-over embroidery APPROXIMATE PRICE RANGES Cost Wholesale Retail Plain $550-$1,000 $700-$2,500 $1,500-$2,450 Pastels $700-$850 $1,300-$2,600 $1,800-$3,000 Checks/Plaids $600-$1,500 $800-$1,180 $1,300-$2,450 Stripe $600-$800 $1,300-$1,800 $2,450-$3,200 Double color $800-$1,000 $1,380-$2,800 $2,100-$3,200 Border embroidery $850-$3,050 $1,080-$1,600 $1,500-$3,200 All-over embroidery $800-$5,000 $1,380-$5,500 $3,000-$6,500 White $1,800 $2,300 $4,600 Above prices are for standard size shawls in year 2000.
    [Show full text]
  • Grand Opening for U.S. Commercial Dehairing Services Celebrated with Fiber Trials in Springfield, Kentucky
    TO: THE MEDIA CONTACT: Carrie Hull Dehairing Project Manager 95 Tamarack Lane, Sagle ID 83860 208-290-1383 [email protected] FOR RELEASE: IMMEDIATE - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - GRAND OPENING FOR U.S. COMMERCIAL DEHAIRING SERVICES CELEBRATED WITH FIBER TRIALS IN SPRINGFIELD, KENTUCKY Homedale, ID – Every great journey begins with an idea! And, some journeys are destined to never end! Natural Fiber Producers cooperative, developed in 2007, was built on the foundation of profitability and sustainability for U.S. natural fiber producers. That founding idea became a unique cooperative model and provided the stepping-stone for a bigger idea. The Dehairing Project, NFP’s dream-turned journey, began early in 2014 and has reached a milestone this week. Since its arrival in the U.S. in August, the machine has undergone the necessary reassembling transitions under the watchful eye of Gregorio Scarpini, the technician from Cormatex, the Italian manufacturer of this commercial dehairing machine. With assembly and installation near completion, the machine is about to start up and initial calibration and testing commence. The now almost 100 feet of equipment will soon face a most historical time frame. NFP’s Dehairing Project Manager, Carrie Hull, arrived in Kentucky this week, joining Gregorio and the crew of US Natural Fibers (operators of the machine), in perfect time to oversee the initial dehairing process. The first commercial batch of fiber, American Bison or Buffalo fiber from Buffalo Gold and Buffalo Wool Co. of Texas has already begun scouring (washing) at the US Natural Fiber facility in preparation for dehairing. With the fiber and textile industry on the cusp of resurgence, exciting newsworthy events began to unfold this past week.
    [Show full text]
  • The Musk Ox the Pictures Below Show How Musk Oxen Non Cartwright (Seattle: Sasquatch Books, 1978)
    Musk oxen defend themselves! BOOKS TO READ Alaska ABC Book by Charlene Kreeger and Shan- The Musk Ox The pictures below show how musk oxen non Cartwright (Seattle: Sasquatch Books, 1978). arrange themselves when they are approached by one, two, or six wolves... Muktu, the Backward Muskox by Heather Kel- lerhals-Stewart (R.H. Printing Ltd, 1999). Muskox: Little Tooktoo’s Friend by Marie Ahnighito Peary (New York: William Morrow & Co., 1931). On the Tundra by Jen Green (New York: Crabtree Publishing Company, 2002). Unscramble the letters… 1. I U V I Q T ©PMAM __ __ __ __ __ __ 2. L O L O W Y H T M O M M A __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ 3. T A C R I C __ __ __ __ __ __ What is a musk ox? 4. S U M K N O X E How does a musk ox defend itself? __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ How do musk ox keep warm? OXEN MUSK 4. ARCTIC, 3. MAMMOTH, WOOLLY 2. QIVIUT, 1. Answers: The Peary-MacMillan Arctic Museum Bowdoin College 9500 College Station Brunswick, Maine 04011-8495 www.bowdoin.edu/arctic-museum Phone: 207-725-3416 Email: [email protected] Compiled by Aimée Douglas, Class of 2005 Made possible by the support and generosity of the Friends of Bowdoin. Bowdoin College What is that hairy beast? How does that hairy beast keep Stand guard, musk ox! warm? At first glance, the musk ox looks like a The musk ox’s short legs and boxy, hairy body help to protect against the cold, but buffalo in desperate need of a good haircut.
    [Show full text]
  • Digital Textiles™
    Digital Textiles™ Following is a list of images included in Digital Textiles™. Most images are shown in two magnifications, and more than one example is shown of some, resulting in well over 1500 images in the complete set. So while this list does contain the repetition of multiple examples or magnifications, it should give you a good idea as to the content and coverage of the topic of textiles offered by Digital Textiles™. Volume 1: Natural Fibers PART 1: COTTON AND OTHER SEED HAIR FIBERS Cotton boll Photomicrographs of cotton fiber Photomicrographs of cotton fiber—cross section Picker lap Card sliver Drawn sliver Roving Filling yarn (untreated) Warp yarn (treated) Greige goods Bleached goods Dyed and finished goods Printed and glazed goods Pima cotton Organically colored cotton boll Organically colored cotton sliver Organically colored cotton knit Egyptian cotton organically colored washcloth Certified organically grown cotton t-shirt Organically colored, organically grown cotton So-called “green” cotton Recycled denim pencil and paper Cotton terry cloth Cotton batik Cotton shirting Cotton denim Cotton corduroy Cotton lace “Tussah” cotton Cotton drapery Mercerized cotton upholstery Cotton carpet Coir rug Kapok fiber Milkweed floss Volume 1: Natural Fibers PART 2: FLAX AND OTHER BAST FIBERS, AND MISC. CELLULOSICS Unbleached flax top Photomicrographs of flax fibers Photomicrographs of flax fibers—cross section Bleached flax top Handkerchief linen Linen damask Linen drapery Linen upholstery Ramie sliver Photomicrograph of cotton and ramie
    [Show full text]
  • Downloading Or Purchasing Online At
    Properties, Processing and Performance of Rare and Natural Fibres A review and interpretation of existing research results OCTOBER 2012 RIRDC Publication No. 11/150 Properties, Processing and Performance of Rare Natural Animal Fibres A review and interpretation of existing research results by B.A. McGregor October 2012 RIRDC Publication No. 11/150 RIRDC Project No. PRJ-002521 © 2012 Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation. All rights reserved. ISBN 978-1-74254-333-8 ISSN 1440-6845 Properties, Processing and Performance of Rare Natural Animal Fibres: A review and interpretation of existing research results Publication No. 11/150 Project No. PRJ-002521 The information contained in this publication is intended for general use to assist public knowledge and discussion and to help improve the development of sustainable regions. You must not rely on any information contained in this publication without taking specialist advice relevant to your particular circumstances. While reasonable care has been taken in preparing this publication to ensure that information is true and correct, the Commonwealth of Australia gives no assurance as to the accuracy of any information in this publication. The Commonwealth of Australia, the Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation (RIRDC), the authors or contributors expressly disclaim, to the maximum extent permitted by law, all responsibility and liability to any person, arising directly or indirectly from any act or omission, or for any consequences of any such act or omission, made in reliance on the contents of this publication, whether or not caused by any negligence on the part of the Commonwealth of Australia, RIRDC, the authors or contributors.
    [Show full text]
  • 2017 President's Budget Agricultural Marketing Service Contents
    2017 President’s Budget Agricultural Marketing Service Contents Page Purpose Statement….. ................................................................................................................. 21-1 Available Funds and Staff Years ................................................................................................. 21-8 Permanent Positions by Grade and Staff Year Summary ............................................................ 21-9 Motor Vehicle Fleet Data ............................................................................................................ 21-10 Marketing Services Appropriations Language ........................................................................................................ 21-11 Lead-off Tabular Statement ..................................................................................................... 21-11 Summary of Increases and Decreases ...................................................................................... 21-11 Project Statements .................................................................................................................... 21-12 Justifications ............................................................................................................................ 21-14 Geographic Breakdown of Obligations and Staff Years .......................................................... 21-23 Classification by Objects ......................................................................................................... 21-24
    [Show full text]
  • Natural Fiber a Directory! Sponsored By
    Winter 2017 Special Advertising Section Natural Fiber A Directory! Sponsored by PHOTO GRAPHICSTOCK elcome to Spin Off’s annual natural fiber directory, which introduces you to spinning resources Wlocal and global! Whether you shop around the corner or on the other side of the world, you’re creating a connection with a producer whose life’s work is to help you achieve your spinning dreams. Explore a new plant or animal fiber and create a new bond—to fellow spinners, fiber growers and vendors, and the natural world. It’s time to fall in love with a new spinning fiber! —Anne—Anne MeMerrowrrow Editor of Spin.Off magazine NFD_Insert2017.indd 1 11/11/16 10:43 AM Special Advertising Section ARIZONA Cotton Clouds—Safford www.cottonclouds.com [email protected] (800) 322-7888 Cotton Quality Sea Island, Pima, Acala, Green and Pima/ Brown Easy-to-Spin® Sliver. Ginned Acala and Pima cotton, Combed and Carded Supima® cotton slivers, Learn to Spin Cotton kits, cotton bolls, takli spindles, DVDs, Handspinning Cotton book updated by Joan Ruane, cotton seeds, and more! Fiber Creek—Prescott www.fibercreekprescott.com [email protected] (928) 717-1774 Weaving, Spinning, Knitting, Crochet, Felting and other Fiberarts Yarns, equipment and supplies. The PHOTO JOE COCA yarn shop that has it all, we are here to help and please! CALIFORNIA Menagerie Hill Ranch—Vacaville MoonLight Alpacas—Wallace www.menageriehillranch.com www.calalpacas.com Arapaho Rose Alpacas—Redding [email protected] [email protected] www.ArapahoRoseAlpacas.com (209) 786-5060 [email protected] (707) 290-7915 Suri alpaca (530) 223-3364 Huacaya Alpacas and Alpaca Products Fleeces, rovings, and yarns, in a variety of natural Skirted Suri fleeces available; blankets and neck/leg Huacaya Alpaca, Rovings, Yarn, Art Batts, Skirted alpaca colors; alpaca socks and other products; gifts; fiber.
    [Show full text]
  • November Spinning Sample - Qiviut by Peggy Bowman
    November Spinning Sample - Qiviut by Peggy Bowman Qiviut is the underdown of the muskoxen - this fine layer of hair insulates them from brutally cold arctic winters, and is naturally shed each spring. This yarn sample of qiviut is from a “castrate” named Kobuk, one of approximately 45 muskoxen living at the Large Animal Research Station (LARS), University of Alaska, Fairbanks. A friend gave me 4 ounces of his qiviut when she came to visit last year. The LARS sells every ounce of qiviut they harvest - most is sold to the native cooperative in Anchorage called Oomingmak; the rest is left as raw fiber or processed into wonderfully blended or dyed yarns, and sold on line. The sales support the care and feeding of the muskoxen, a herd of arctic caribou and domestic reindeer. It wasn’t until I’d volunteered to comb muskoxen at the LARS last May that I worked up the courage to spin this luscious fiber. After having combed the muskoxen, scoured the pastures looking for naturally shed qiviut, picked vegetable matter and other “goodies” from the qiviut bound for processing mills, then de- haired my own four ounces of Kobuk’s qiviut, I have a new appreciation for the high price of the fiber, the yarn and the finished goods. Those of you who spin are probably familiar with Celia Quinn, who is a noted spinner and weaver. She lives in Homer, Alaska, and has volunteered to help comb the LARS herd of muskoxen every year for the last five years. I was privileged to spend two and a half days working with her, and she was gracious and generous enough to share her knowledge of spinning and weaving with her handspun qiviut.
    [Show full text]