After spending most of yesterday in a growing puddle of my own tears, a la Alice in Wonderland, I received an intriguing email from my Giant Schnauzer Rescue friend, Julie, asking via a fellow rescue buddy if I would be interested in some free wolf fiber. My ears were perked. This is something new that I have not tried before; it is also more than a little unique, and, therefore, draws me like a magnet.
I wrote Julie back, inquiring about staple length. (For the non-fibrous among you, staple length is basically the length of a lock of fur or hair. If it is too short, it is difficult if not impossible to spin.) I received the following reply from John at Tundra Shepherd Rescue:
It’s not “hair” it is wolf wool. It is washed, carded and spun into yarn just like sheep wool. The yarn is very warm and knitted into sweaters, hats and other things.
Wolf wool is the undercoat of double coated “northern dogs” and keeps them warm on cold nights. The outer “guard hair” keeps them dry as it is water repellent and has oil on it for shedding dirt. The under hair (wool) is a very good insulator as the hair shafts are hollow!
Well. Why the Hell not? If it’s new and different, and not familiar to the general public, I’m all for it.
As David the Husband says, “If it sucks, you can put it in the garden. I bet that will scare the bejesus out of those bunnies.”
And I had my first laugh since my little girl drove away.
More excellent timing! (We'll all keep you distracted yet. :-) So when do you get this exotic stuff?
Posted by: Michelle | May 26, 2007 at 08:39 AM
David the Husband's comment made me snort all over my monitor. AGAIN. When will I learn not to sip my tea when reading your blog?
Posted by: Beth T | May 26, 2007 at 08:40 AM
I have actually spun wolf before! You'll love it and it makes great hats for little boys as they love the "wolfiness" about it - they just seem to go together. Let me know if your friend is selling it...I haven't seen any in years.
Go for it, Lauren! :)
Posted by: Kathy | May 26, 2007 at 10:31 AM
Yahoo!! I couldn't believe when I saw that offer on the rescue list last night! Having had one of my babies move half way across the country, I have been there and done that and it ain't easy. Keeping busy wass the only way to go for me. So glad you are taking this. John, Alpha Wolf Guy, is one of the nicest people around. He hauls rescues all over the Western US for rescue groups for just the cost of gas. His SUV says Wolf Hauler on the back windows. My husband has often wondered about having giant schnauzer hair spun as they have hair as opposed to fur. Sure glad you got a laugh out of it!
Posted by: Julie | May 26, 2007 at 11:06 AM
Julie --- I'm glad you pulled her out of her funk! And I have seen products knit from wolf wool and they are wonderful. We'll all be anxious to see how it works up, Lauren.
And don't feel badly about the puddles. I've been there and done that and separation is not easy. It's still hard for me and my son is 35. In some ways I miss the "olden days" when folks didn't travel so far beyond their community circle and folks were able to see the generations grow before their eyes -- instead of having to travel so far to see them for a few hours. I will say the advent of the Internet and cell phones has made life a lot easier in that respect. Hang in there. Cry as you will --- this too shall pass. Giant hugs to you.
Posted by: Karalyn | May 26, 2007 at 01:10 PM
Really looking forward to seeing the result of this! Wow, your blog teaches me new things all the time.
Posted by: Sara | May 28, 2007 at 06:48 AM
What is the story with the wolf wool? Are they rescue wolves? How do they get it? Great blog!
Posted by: Tava | May 28, 2007 at 01:41 PM