My Fiber Arts Journey

Where did my interest in fiber arts begin? Definitely in East Asia. Several years ago, I had a wonderful opportunity to see the profound beauty of the Mongolian country and visit the people, who always welcomed me with genuine kindness and basic simplicity. Rich with a thousand-year-old culture, the country-side people are almost completely self-sufficient, living from sales of animal products including meat, milk, dried yogurt and skins and wool. About a quarter of the population are semi-nomadic and live in a ger or yurt. Nomads cater to their own needs, spinning and weaving sheep, yak and camel wool.

In Mongolia, traditional nomadic dwellings are called gers or yurts. These are circular, portable and tent-like structure made primarily from wood and felt.

Traditional Mongolian ger

Felt is made from wool and is an essential material for insulating and covering the ger to keep it warm during the harsh Mongolian winters. Wool is readily available from the sheep, yak and camel herds throughout the country.

Capturing the essence of simplicity and tradition: a glimpse into a

Mongolian Wool Fiber Factory.

The Majestic Mongolian Yak

Mongolia has the world's second largest yak population in the world, after China. Yak fiber is an important natural resource and is primarily used to make various products, including clothing, blankets and ropes. Yaks produce a soft and warm undercoat that is used to make yak wool. This wool is collected during the springtime when yaks naturally shed their winter coats. This wool is highly prized for its warmth and insulating properties and is typically black or brown. I bought a beautiful pair of socks for Savannah and they are sooooo soft!

Embracing the vastness: a mesmerizing sight of a

free-roaming fiber yak herd.

Amidst the grandeur of the Mongolian steppe,

surrounded by a herd of yaks.

Mongolian or Bactrian Camel

Camel fiber, particularly from the two-humped Bactrian camel, is another important Mongolian fiber. Camel wool, or camel hair, is prized for its softness, warmth and durability. This wool is also collected during the spring when camels naturally shed their winter coats. This shedding allows the herders to collect the fiber with minimal stress to the animals. The fiber is plucked or combed from the camels. After collection, the fiber is cleaned, sorted and then spun into yarn. The shades range from light tan to dark brown.

Seeing the spirit of Mongolia: a free-ranging Bactrain camel roams throughout the countryside.

Joining the nomadic spirit and forging a connection with the ancient Silk Road routes (even though we were going into a village!)

Mongolian rural life: a group of fiber sheep and camels

on their way to the market.

Bayou Angoras

A thousand miles away from the steppes of Mongolia, we are raising Angora goats and rabbits for an animal-friendly approach to textile production, and sharing a common thread of promoting sustainable agriculture and preserving traditional craftsmanship. While Mongolia boasts a rich nomadic history and a wide variety of fibers, our strength lies in our dedication to preserving local traditions and fostering a close-knit community of fiber artisans, each contributing to the global tapestry of sustainable fiber production in their own unique way.

Please contact us for additional information on our fleeces, roving, batts and yarn. I would love to hear about your person fiber arts journey!

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