Falkland Fibre

I've been shopping with Mandacrafts again and this time I have bought some lovely Falkland fibre.  Now, confusing as this may seem there is not an actual breed of sheep called Falkland and the Island does not have its own native breed of sheep per se.  The term "Falkland" is just a reference to where the wool comes from geographically.  Most of the sheep on the Falkland Islands belong to one of a handful of breeds: Polwarth (a breed in its own right these days but originally 75% Merino and 25% Lincoln Longwool), pure breed Merino, Corridale and Romney and the fleeces are all of exceptional quality.  There are no known sheep diseases on the Falkland Islands and so there is no need for chemical dipping.  The fleece and fibre from the Falkland Islands is certified as organic.

I purchased 110g of combed top in colour way "Peaches and Cream", split into two equal parts and spun a single from each part.  Plied together to make a sport weight yarn with a total of 701m.

A Wedding Shawl for Betty - Design B144

I was contacted by a relative in the U.S. to ask if I could possibly make a soft, white wedding shawl for her mother as her parents, Betty and John, were renewing their wedding vows after Betty was diagnosed with a terminal illness.  I immediately set to work and was able to get it on its way to the U.S. within a couple of days.  Inevitably it got caught up in the Christmas Post but it made it to its destination with a couple of days to spare before the ceremony.

I made the shawl using Rowan Romance in shade Glitter, a super bulky yarn of 36% acrylic, 27% nylon, 26% mohair and 8% polyester.  The yarn is no longer manufactured, which is a shame because it was so lovely.

Betty was given the shawl on New Years day but was too ill to sit up and so she snuggled it like a blanket and was able to appreciate its softness and how beautiful it smelt, as I soak all of my shawls in a product called Soak.

The renewal of vows ceremony took place on 4th January at their home with all of their family around them and Betty passed away in the early hours of 5th January holding hands with her loving husband of more than 55 years, John.