My name
is Isaac. I'd like to introduce you to my flock.
We (see
our pictures) belong to an ancient breed called Jacob
Sheep. We have a polycerate gene which means we have multiple
horns. We have as few as two and as many as six. Most of
us have either two or four horns. Both Rams and Ewes have
horns.
We originated in the Middle
East over 3,000 years ago. Our fleeces are piebald - white
with dark spots. We are very handsome! We produce a medium
wool that is great for hand-spinning, weaving, and felting.
Each of us has spots that
vary in color from greys to browns to black. That's what
makes Mickey's hats so interesting. Each one is unique in
color and pattern.
Each hat bears the name of
the sheep who supplied the wool. It even has our picture!
Our shepherd's name is Mickey.
She is a fiber artist and uses our wool to make hand-felted
hats. Her hats have spots -- like us! Mickey makes baseball
caps, fedoras, ladies' hats and cowboy hats. Her business
is called Spotted Fever.
Felt is one of the oldest fabrics in the
world. It is made from wool.
The Greeks used it to line
their helmets. The Roman soldiers wore breast plates of
felt. Chinese warriors wore felt boots. The Mongolians still
use it today to insulate their yurts.
Felt is made in layers. The
wool fibers are arranged east to west, then north to south.
Warm soapy water opens the fibers so they grab onto each
other. The fibers are then agitated until they become a
piece of cloth.
Felt is warm, water resistant
and durable. It is used today for tips of pens, blackboard
erasers, polishing wheels and coverings for piano hammers
as well as for clothing and hats.
Its uses are as practical
now as they have been for centuries.
Felt is the fabric of history. |