Lilies 1998 Sheep to Shawl

This year we had four entrants - up one from three last Lilies. I was so thrilled with the variety and creativity (not to mention the stick-to-it-ivness) of the individuals and teams who picked up wool. Two pounds of white raw fleece was issued early in the week, and despite the monsoons, there were three who brought projects for judging on the final Saturday of the war.

Alisaundre Muir and Fiona nic Gormliatha (Cum an Iolar) hand combed their wool. It was then spun in the grease, and plyed by Alisaundre on her new wheel between thunderstorms. Fiona then knit the grease wool into a shawl. They made incredible progress, a had a good portion of the triangular shawl done in time for judging.

Another fantastic project was the felted fez done by Myra Nedlesaeng and Yri Karadottir. They also worked in the grease, handcarding the wool prior to the felting process, which was done with tepid water, Murphy's Oil Soap, and a stiff canvas pattern. A plastic ice cream bucket was used as the form. Their plan is to embellish the fez with embroidery, and add a tassel on top.

A wonderful bonus to Myra and Yri's hat was the felting board they came up with. Myra had a scrap of wood that she wanted to carve ridges into to create the "washboard" texture necessary to facilitate the felting process. She sent her Lord Husband, Roger de Bayeux, off to find the appropriate tool, and what he brought back was very ingenious, and ever so appropriate. Roger, together with Waldrick the armourer, fluted a metal plate, anchored it on the wood with hand forged square nails, and added a twisted forged handle. I had to fight a little pang of jealousy when I saw the felting board!

Tamara Tysjachyvolosova, Mairghead de Chesholme, and Gillian Warrender had a project started, that was delayed by the weather, and didn't make it to the final judging. I'm told it was a felted Norse-style woman's cap with dyed and inkle-woven trim/ties. Tamara reported that about 125 yards of single ply wool yarn was spun. Three fourths of the yarn was dyed with cochineal. And that's as far as these were very busy ladies got with their wool.

As difficult a decision as it was to choose, my favorite entry was an individual one from Maerwynn of Holme. This lady does the most incredible stuff! Her wool was hand combed, spun on a drop spindle, then triple plied. The yarn was then used to make Scandinavian toe caps using a process known as nalbinding. Huh?...(Nalbinding is a early form of crochet using a flat wooden "needle". Maerwynn said her needle was very shiny and conditioned after working with the grease wool.) Toe caps are a documentable medieval item used in the colder regions to "insulate" the toes of shoes. They appeared to be a simple half round shape, to fit over your toes, with loops on the sides to allow a string with which to fasten the toe cap around your foot, just below the ankle bone. What a unique item. When I asked Maerwynn where she learned nalbinding, she told me she taught herself from a book. Wow.

I have so enjoyed sponsoring the Sheep to Shawl Competition. I received many requests for wool that can be dyed, so will continue to provide white, medium to fine grade wool for future competitions. Start planning and researching, now, for next Lilies.

Dejaniera de la Mille Coeur