Fibershed DK
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3rd Production Cycle wool is a soft, medium-grade blend of Montadale, Texel, Romney, and Merino crosses from Leyden Glen, Cold Springs, & Freeman farms located in Franklin County, MA.
Contents: 100% woolYardage: 100 grams/3.5 oz.
Weight: 2 ply DK, category 3
The Western Mass Fibershed is wealthy in wool and other animal fibers. They purchase wool from local farms, skirts the fleeces, and drive the fleeces to the mill.
The fleeces are washed and the yarns are spun at Green Mountain Spinnery in Putney, VT, a worker-owned business with years of experience in custom spinning. They are attuned to the finest properties of the breed specific and mixed-breed fleece, and skillfully blend the wool together to create beautiful yarns. Some are plied and twisted into skeins. Others are put up on cones for weaving.
We pick up the spun yarns, and Peggy Hart of Bedfellows Blankets weaves the fabric and blankets on her Crompton and Knowles looms in Shelburne Falls.
The production cycle follows the agricultural cycle of shearing on the farms and does not fit into a calendar year. The composition and colors of each batch of yarn varies from one production cycle to the next.
The gray shades are a blend of white and dark fleeces, ranging from gray to dark brown, which gives the gray yarns a beautiful heathery depth.
"The Western Mass Fibershed strengthens connections along the supply chain from farmers to consumers to build a thriving regional fiber economy."
"Who we are: We are farmers, weavers, spinners, dyers, designers, knitters, sewists, and small business owners who are passionate about fiber, textiles, and supporting local economies. Western Massachusetts Fibershed became a Fibershed affiliate in 2018. Centered in the river valleys and hilltowns of Franklin County, MA, our fibershed encompasses a 100 mile radius that includes central MA, southwestern NH, southeastern VT, and the Berkshires."
"Our Mission: We are working to create a thriving and sustainable regional fiber economy. We are committed to understanding and strengthening connections and collaboration between farmers, fiber processors and spinning mills, weavers, dyers, and other fiber artists, clothing and shoe designers, retailers, and consumers."
"Create opportunities for fiber farmers to receive greater value for their fiber by expanding the range of products made with locally grown fibers, including “waste” wool pellets that make a nitrogen-rich soil amendment for gardeners."
"Utilize the local abundance of wool and other animal fibers to create beautiful and functional fabric, yarns, and blankets."
"Offer education and outreach about the possibilities for a thriving sustainable local fiber economy through local media, public events, and gallery exhibits."
"Create a regional supply chain directory to expand economic opportunities for small businesses and artisans, and to engage consumers in supporting a viable and interdependent regional economy."
"Sustainably grow and source natural dye stuffs and develop knowledge of plant-based dyeing within the local and regional communities."
"Collaborate with regional Fibershed affiliates and other fiber and textile projects throughout the Northeast on growing and processing flax and hemp, fashion design challenges, textile recycling, and other initiatives."
Phone: (413) 586 - 4331
- Email: northamptonwools29@gmail.com
Sunday: Closed
Monday 1:30 - 5
Tuesday: Closed
Wednesday - Saturday: 10 - 5