This is probably my favorite hat! I named this hat "Red John" in honor of Big John, the great pyr whose fiber was brushed and harvested to help create it. I meet him when visiting a friend's raw goat milk farm for the first time. I threw his brushings in the dye pot with alpaca, silk and wool . Most people do not believe that the dye I used was simply red food coloring! Great pyr fiber takes dyes wonderfully. The fibers were then all blended together on my drum carder to create a vibrant red yarn to knit. I held on to this yarn for a few years due to the fact that I knew I would never get anymore from that wonderfully dignified dog. The patriarch of the pack and an old man 6 years ago when "brushed" for his fiber, this hat is a great memory to have of him.
Such a great way to remember a loved animal! Pretty hat too!
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The whole idea of using chiengora still blows my mind. I just never knew people were making yarns out of dog sheddings. That food coloring really made a nice rich red. I’m glad you have this hat to remember him by. 😊Thanks for sharing ~
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I believe you about the food coloring. I spilled a bottle once in my white kitchen and thought it was never going to come clean, so I don't doubt it would work on wool.
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Such a great story, @patrician1. I actually had to look up what a Great Pyr looks like :D
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