So I took a washed, dark grey, double coated Shetland fleece (from Jet) and carded it with cut barbs from our peacock feathers.
I pulled the fiber off the carder with a diz and then wrapped the roving into balls.
So now I have peacock feather/wool roving. I will try to spin it and see what it is like. As it is a rainy crappy day I may find time to finish carding this and get some spinning time in. If it is acceptable, I may try to sell the fiber.
MAY 31 UPDATE:
So I have finished spinning the yarn and knitting a head band with it. I spun the yarn bulky and it was ~86 yards for ~4 ounces. I was initially disappointed in the yarn as it was coarse to the touch and the feathers were not visible.
But after I knit the headband I was happier. The yarn seems softer to the touch and the feather barbs are sticking out of the yarn more. I expect that as I wear it the feathers will become more prominent. If anyone else would like to experiment with this roving, it is $15 for ~4 ounces.
Donna, this is beautiful. I can’t wait to see how you spin it up. Vicki
Thanks Vicki! So far as a single on the bobbin and in low light you cannot see the peacock feathers. It looks like dark gray yarn. but I will wait to pass judgement until I have it plied, skeined and in decent light. It was easy to spin but you can to try to grab the end of the barbs as they came through to get them spun into the yarn. A few of them I did not grab in time and the ends hang out of the yarn a little bit.
Hi again Vicki,
I posted an update to the peacock wool yarn story. let me know what you think.
Donna
Wow, what a cool idea! It’s hard to tell from the photo – is there any sparkle to the fiber? I will be really curious to see how it turns out. If it passes your test, put me down on the list to buy some!
Thanks! There is sparkle in the photo when it is on the drum carder but once it was pulled into roving there is very little sparkle to see. I am hoping it will be more obvious in the yarn. There are 4 large feathers per roll of roving which I thought would be enough but we will see. I will let you know how the yarn turns out.
Hello,
I posted an update to the peacock-wool fiber story. Please let me know what you think.
Donna
How creative! What a good use for peacock feathers. Who’d have thought? I hope it turns out well and that you sell a lot!
Jackie
Thanks Jackie! We shall see if it is a good idea or not.
Survived the Skagit Bridge collapse ( I am working in the hospital) but now will be seriously inconvenienced.