Spinning Navajo Churro Wool and Chatting with Wildwool Farms

Рет қаралды 10,570

Жыл бұрын

I'm interviewing Arlene from Wildwool Farms to chat about her Navajo Churro sheep. This is an endangered breed with preservation efforts in place to ensure its survival. Let's learn from Arlene about the history of this sheep and then spin up a skein of yarn.
Let's Get Spinning!
~~ Wildwool Farm ~~
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🧶 Facebook Group 👉 / cozyupwithwildwoolfarm
🧶 Instagram 👉 / wildwoolfarm.store
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Shave 'em to Save 'em 👉 livestockconservancy.org/get-...
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Пікірлер: 89

@okaminess Жыл бұрын

Jillian, I’m from the Navajo Nation. So glad you covered this heritage sheep breed. 😄 I wish there were more of them! I’ve been watching your channel for over a year now and I subscribed to your newsletter.

@oakstrong1 Жыл бұрын

I love these breed study videos.

@dawanariley4183 Жыл бұрын

Love Navajo churro. I buy all my churro from Arlene of wildwool farms. I have some roving right now. I found her because I was going back to my heritage. I want to spin with Navajo spindle and churro. Love the history of spider women. Churro wool is beautiful I want to spin in the grease. Been looking for a whole fleece. Another fleece are beautiful is teeswater. Wild wool farms is wonderful. Been buying for years.

@makeitkate3240 Жыл бұрын

I also raise churros. Sadly, with the cost of hay, we had to sell all but 4 of our sheep yesterday. Lots of crying. Currently, my favorite way to prep and spin the churro wool is to prep it on combs, then pull the whole blob of clean blended wool off of the comb and spin a thickish yarn right from that blob. I’m sure someone can tell me what that blob is actually called 😂

@JillianEve Жыл бұрын

I think it is now officially called a "blob." 😂

@MijnWolden Жыл бұрын

Thank you Evie and Wildwool farms for educating about the importance of diverse sheep breeds. I can get very angry about the fact that some breeds are on the Verge of getting forgotten because they're not Merino. Here in Belgium the wool industry has completely collapsed because of this attitude towards our own sheep breeds.

@suze6288 Жыл бұрын

I love the beauty of the imperfections of spinning this fiber. We need to embrace these beauties or we lose them.

@ealexjordan Жыл бұрын

Really loved this video Jillian. I like that y'all touched on the history of the breed and the government-sponsored churro decimation programs as part of the persecution of Navajo people. There are a lot of great Navajo weavers on TikTok. It would be awesome if they made a guest appearance here too!

@jeanbadeaux1486 11 ай бұрын

I have always loved sheep with different colors in their fleeces. For me keeping it in its natural state is more beautiful than any dye could ever be!!

@susanm9485 Жыл бұрын

I’ve bought quite a bit from Arlene! Always quality products from Wildwool. She’ll post specials on Facebook, and it kills me. There is always at least one braid I want, but I’ve got plenty of fiber to spin to keep me busy for a couple of years. And yet, I buy more. Whether dyed or natural, her wool is always lovely.

@tinkerbell503 Жыл бұрын

Thank you so much for this wonderful video and discussion. It’s great to hear these important issues talked about so openly and honestly, the need for diversity, resisting the industrialization and „monoculturing“ of animals, and the damage of the legacy of colonization in the Americas that we should work to repair. We can have such a bright and vibrant future if we embrace diversity in cultures, the animals and plants around us, and the whole ecosystem again. Edit: double awesome for linking to the traditional Dine knowledge keepers of this breed‘s wool work!! I’m so excited to watch ❤

@pauz9776 Жыл бұрын

Oh my god, I bet this wool is tremendous. MOM I wana do Sheep, lol what a great family interview Thank YOU...! I just wanted one.... here some sheep.

@tobytanktea Жыл бұрын

Thank you so much for talking about these wonderful sheep. My dad has a herd of churro sheep and the whole community that is working to save this breed are just so amazing. Your voice will really bring these sheep to more people’s eyes.

@brslaby Жыл бұрын

Navajo Churro is one of my all time faves

@angelaholsapple8830 Жыл бұрын

I actually love the way coarse wool feels.

@_vanearaujo Жыл бұрын

I was thirsty for some yarn spinning content to watch and this video came like an awesome treat to my day 😄

@mandamadeit3710 Жыл бұрын

I just spun my first 4 oz of churro from Rainbow Co-op and you’re right it has character and it wants to be what it wants to be. I love the idea of respecting the wools inherent nature and working with it rather than against it. Great video and wonderful to meet the Wildwool ladies!

@okaminess Жыл бұрын

I love Rainbow Fiber Co-op. I ordered a skein set from them this past spring. 🎉 I was so stoked they were featured in Spin Off.

@TonksPuss Жыл бұрын

I just bought some Churro roving from Rainbow Fiber Coop. Oh my goodness, it is lovely to spin.

@mandamadeit3710 Жыл бұрын

@@TonksPuss isn’t it! I keep squishing the skeins randomly lol

@spicyfibersfarmstead83 Жыл бұрын

Navajo-Churro is one of the first breeds I spun when I started spinning 18 months ago. A friend of mine has a flock of about 30 Navajo-Churro's, as well as a small flock of CVM/ROMELDALE. Last year, her CVM ram got out with the Churro's and did what rams do. I now have one of the wethered crosses in MY flock. He's 7months old and recently had his 1st shearing. The wool is phenomenal! Still double coated, but inner fiber is very crimpy and super soft. I'd love to send you pictures!

@JillianEve Жыл бұрын

DM me on Instagram @jillianevefa 😊

@LadyValkyri Жыл бұрын

Great interview! Beautiful wool! Hugs

@vivianramsay2527 Жыл бұрын

That was so interesting! I'm so happy that there are folks that are saving breeds from extinction and making them useful again! Really enjoyed hearing the owners (lovely Arlene!) talk about the sheep and the real world situations that they encounter with "corporate minded" stock breeders. God love 'em for their perseverance, tenacity and ethical work standards!! Diversity in all things is so important to the quality of our lives even if its just knowing that these lovely and unusual animals still exist ! 🤩❤ Thank you for this exceptional video!

@emiliabarbosa8835 7 ай бұрын

Loved the interview, the real life input, the rawness of it all and authenticity, just like navajo churro, awesome ❤

@okaminess Жыл бұрын

Jillian you should have an interview with Dr. Lyle McNeal. His sheep breeding project helped revitalize the Navajo-Churro. I had a few words with him myself on the history of the project and he is passionate about keeping these sheep alive. 😊

@gypsyjunklady Жыл бұрын

"Your brains haven't been bred out of them." Well said!!

@jacquelinesalem2776 Жыл бұрын

This was a wonderful interview. Saving these breeds is so important and offers an opportunity to sample and learn from all the diversity of fibers. Navajo Churro was one of the 1st fibers I had experience with when learning to spin. Some of it has gone into a few Navajo woven rugs. I had enough for myself to make legwarmers that I love. The yare very warm and sturdy. Just the thing for those coldest of winter nights.

@kovebeals500 Жыл бұрын

I was so excited to see this. My family and I raise NC sheep here in Oklahoma. We absolutely love this breed, so thank you for shining a light on it!

@jenniferbrighty5120 Жыл бұрын

Hi Evie, I hope you're all well xx ❣️ Thankyou so much for sharing this NC Breed Study and the interview with the ladies from Wildwool Farm. This was so interesting to watch. I love hearing about Rare Breeds and the history. Then to watch you spin with the wool was the perfect way to finish this video podcast. Thankyou for sharing everything you can. I think I speak for everyone who watches you, that We appreciate you so very, very much . Happy Spinning Dear Fibre Friend 🐏🥰 Take care and stay safe Lots of love and Big Hugs to you all.. Jen ❤️❤️🐏🐏🫂🫂🐈‍⬛🐕🎆

@jenniferbrighty5120 Жыл бұрын

@Evie Thankyou so much for the Heart ♥ Sending Heart ♥ back to you Love and hugs Fibre Friend Jen xxxx 🧡🧡🫂🫂💕

@nz-nz Жыл бұрын

Agree with others here, I too love these breed studies and many thanks to you and your guests for giving up their time. As a fellow sheep farmer and spinner I could appreciate all that was discussed. Look forward to seeing more ❤️

@nblmqst1167 Жыл бұрын

Very interesting Evie, thanks for posting!

@oldwaysrisingfarm 7 ай бұрын

We keep churros on our farm, glad to see them getting a little attention! Thanks for the video!

@Bellbebell Жыл бұрын

Loving the chill vibes

@hawthorngrove3629 Жыл бұрын

Fantastic, I would love to spin this fabulous wool. I popped over to tiktok and followed these lovely ladies.

@JillianEve Жыл бұрын

Thank you so much!

@bunkerhillfarm Жыл бұрын

Enjoyed this video so much! Thank you!

@lauralyoung-williamson8066 Жыл бұрын

Everytime I watch you spin I feel a wave of calm wash over me... I sense the tension of the pull of the wheel and the fibers in your finger and thier slow release from the roving and I think I'm caught in this magical process of transformation from chaos to product... I doubt I've explained myself in a manner that can be understood, lol. Perhaps, I "need" to learn to spin... thank you so very much for sharing so many different aspects of fiber arts

@JillianEve Жыл бұрын

This is so beautiful. Thank you 🥰

@kathybal6236 Жыл бұрын

Love this interview and really learn from your videos

@Bobbieliz Жыл бұрын

I'm enjoying this so much. I haven't spun the Churro roving I have, yet. Now I will!

@jojomoran4683 Жыл бұрын

Thanks. Great video.

@knittingblackbelt40 Жыл бұрын

Such a wonderful video. I loved the ladies from Wildwool.

@okaminess Жыл бұрын

I have JUST moved back from WA and the wealth of local yarn shops back to the Navajo Nation. I’m stoked about getting into volunteering for the non-profits here centered on wool and sheep.

@JillianEve Жыл бұрын

If there is anyway I can assist those nonprofits by sharing information through my platform, don't hesitate to reach out. 💜

@okaminess Жыл бұрын

My Navajo people have herded these for so long and after the Long Walk and Kit Carson’s scorched earth campaign, they nearly died out. The government tried to replenish the Navajo flocks after the 1868 treaty with sheep, but they weren’t Navajo-Churro. The great sheep culling took place because the government did not want to expand the borders and acreage of the Navajo reservation. They preferred to keep the same land acreage for our residence and agricultural usage, but they decided to cull the sheep instead, though the simplest solution was to give more land to the prosperous Navajo sheep herders. They did try to buy some Navajos out through an effort to have them voluntarily submit their sheep for culling, but our people depended heavily on sheep back then. The culls resulted in families becoming impoverished. The Apaches, Hopis and Pueblos of the Southwest also herded these Navajo-Churros. The churro sheep was meant to be a meat sheep for the Spanish conquistadors and their traveling groups, but they yielded some to our Southwestern people by way of trading and raiding. Our people have oral tradition of raiding and bartering alike, and these are also in recorded history.

@JillianEve Жыл бұрын

Thank you so much for sharing this history.

@nicolelafontaine1720 Жыл бұрын

I love to see what you do with this rare breed of sheep. Thanks﹗

@irisdude 2 ай бұрын

I have some churro wool coming in the mail, so I was very glad to see you do this breed study. I live here in Arizona and thought I should try some of this wool and found a sample of it in a beginner sampler collection from R.H. Lindsay and ordered it. Thank you so much!

@OneWorldFabrics Жыл бұрын

Hi Evie. I am a weaver and spinner in Northern New Mexico (Taos), and I use primarily Navajo Churro wool. The fleeces are easier than most breeds to process, as they have much less lanolin to wash out. Your spinning demo was great. It is easiest to spin lower twist singles with a woolen long draw, or shorter backward draft. It is especially easy to spin if combed rather than carded. I am fortunate to live in an area where these sheep are prevalent and the fleeces are available to hand spinners.

@ColorsofHopeCraftsASMR Жыл бұрын

This is fascinating. I’m spending this year learning about different breeds of sheep. I recently spun Bergschaf wool, and now I’m spinning Charollais.

@MonicaLea Жыл бұрын

Navajo Churro was one of the first wools I ever processed myself. I was so bad at it, I might as well have been spinning in the grease. I would love to see a study of my absolute favorite breed, Jacob. It's such a fascinating breed!

@sonjanordahl3158 Жыл бұрын

Eve, as always, great video. Thank you for helping others in our community. I was lucky enough to get 15 different rare breeds to do a breed study of this winter. Yes, super soft merino, silk, and alpaca feel wonderful. but there is so much more to explore.

@sutarikun Жыл бұрын

So happy to see this pop up! I'm looking forward to learning a bit this video :)

@cuppajavaplease Жыл бұрын

I love this yarn. It reminds me of the Aran fishermen's sweaters, though maybe a little rougher.

@67kae Жыл бұрын

Hi Jiil, I am Karmele and I write you from Basque Country. I am just learning how to spin yarn and I am learning a lot from you. Great videos indeed! Here, in the Basque country our traditional breed is called "latxa" and another similar is "muturbeltz" (black head). They made good cheese but the yarn is coarse. Traditionally used to make mattresses .

@JillianEve Жыл бұрын

I haven't heard of those breeds. I'm interested to learn more. Thank you! Mattresses are important too. People need comfortable sleep! 😊

@The-Vintage-Needlecrafter Жыл бұрын

Awesome, right now I'm working through a Black Welsh Mountain wool. I feel in love with it. And yes I'm plying it with a super wash merino. It's beautiful 😍.

@teacat55 Жыл бұрын

I cleaned 8 oz last month and wondered how to spin… thank you Evie, THANK YOU for giving us the opportunity to meet the people who provide us the fiber and and content behind the names we find online.

@spooks2327 Жыл бұрын

I recently bought some lamb fleece from the shave em to save them shop! It was my first time processing wool and it was so fun! The low cost and information about the specific sheep the fleece came from was perfect for pushing me to actually learn wool processing, and I already have nearly 4oz spun up for some crochet! I absolutely recommend checking out their store! My cat also loved the way it came- a gallon bag stuffed tight with the fleece, he immediately went to shredding the bag so the fleece popped out! It was really funny to watch 🤣

@TruFlyFox 7 ай бұрын

I just got my first order of fiber and a turkish spindle!! I am SOOOOOO ready for this

@greenmanatee6462 Жыл бұрын

Thank you for sharing this I enjoyed it very much

@alexismayo8187 Жыл бұрын

I’ve seen the multiple horned sheep in Scotland!

@animosity9197 2 ай бұрын

Hey, I just watched this video (I've got some Navajo Churro fleece on the way, and I wanted to see if there's ~anything I should know~ before I start spinning) and it is exactly what I was looking for! As a heads up, though, near the end in the captions there's a question mark instead of the actual caption for "Diné". Hopefully that's a quick and simple fix! I'm sure whoever did the captioning just wasn't familiar with that name for the Navajo people, but it did throw me off a bit and make me doubt whether I'd been paying attention and picking up on all the words. Thanks so much for doing videos like this about both the history of the breed, what it's like to raise today, AND how it spins! Absolutely my jam.

@suzanneshurley1719 Жыл бұрын

Thank you so much for this video. I started spinning a year ago because we rescued a Navaho Churro. There really is not much info out there on how to process their wool. I have had a lot of trial and error and am still trying to figure it out. Their wool is so different from the majority of sheep we see. I love the wool and greatly enjoy the sheep, we have 12 now. All information on them is greatly appreciated.

@okaminess Жыл бұрын

Same experience. It was rustic. 😊 🐑

@dexterlovesannie Жыл бұрын

Evie this is my favourite interview of yours so far, thankyou for introducing us to them amd their lovely sheep and wool. I'll be supporting them on tiktock and look forward to seeing their posts!

@furryfurball1 10 ай бұрын

What a suprise, I live in Puyallup. I will look Wildwool farms up.

@rosakoko5049 Жыл бұрын

Thank you for the video!!! I love it 💖🐑🐑🐑💖💖💖

@sadiesspincraft6319 Жыл бұрын

What a fascinating video evie and I love the look of the yarn not one I'd spin from the sounds of it. I think I need to get over the princess hands lol, much love and big virtual hugs xx

@slhughes1267 7 ай бұрын

Seeing the multiple horns and having spotted skins, makes me wonder how close the Churros are to Jacob's sheep (another ancient breed).

@TenaciousWorkshop Жыл бұрын

This was a fascinating interview! I had heard about the breed, but only on a list with many others... I had no idea of its history, or horns! LOL! I’d have thought it was a mutation and a mistake if I’d seen them in the field. How to spin with their wool was also educational. Thank you for making it! I look forward to other breed specific videos (and will “comb” through your backlog, too). 😊

@carllee8383 Жыл бұрын

The wool from the Navajo Churo is used for the traditional Navajo rugs.

@timothychandler1725 Жыл бұрын

I think that 🤔 this video is great 👍. Are you going to weave 🤔 a rug or a blanket with your wool yarn.

@raysunshine830 Жыл бұрын

This is a breed I would love to see in person.

@filomenabusco1996 Жыл бұрын

😍🤩😘

@gemmaf_ Жыл бұрын

What a great video. To see you spinning some of their fibre at the end really brought everything together. The magic of editing indeed! Do you have any plans or thoughts on what that type of yarn would be used for?

@StephanieMayfieldDIG Жыл бұрын

Love to hear about all the breeds! Would that yarn make a good knitted outerwear jacket?

@JillianEve Жыл бұрын

Yes, I think it would!

@skuldv8781 Жыл бұрын

Check out Hebridean sheep next if you like the multi horned sheep 🖤

@hogwallowsoaps Жыл бұрын

I REEEEEALLY want to do that! Grrr!! Is the Ladybug a good “first” wheel?

@cherylclark4539 Жыл бұрын

I'd like to buy some wool eventually, I want to do tapestries

@stitchwithbritt5922 Жыл бұрын

I love these videos🥰 the yarn turned out so lovely💕 This new year I am going to take teaching myself how to spin yarn more seriously since I’ve been busy with other projects. The bamboo I’ve been trying to spin is so soft and shiny was probably not the best to start out with😅 I’m allergic to wool so is there any other fiber preferably plant based that you would recommend for a beginner?

@cathymontgomery7295 Жыл бұрын

I wanted to ask you an unrelated spinning question. Do you have any videos dealing with spinning bamboo? Thank you

@Craftsanddolls Жыл бұрын

I have been wanting to try churro for a while. Being so close to New Mexico, I have been trying to find it locally. Where is their farm located! It doesnt say ontheir website.

@JillianEve Жыл бұрын

Send them a message. I'm sure they'll help you out. 😊

@cherylclark4539 Жыл бұрын

Evie , could yougive me The address The address of the navajo and black sheep

@JillianEve Жыл бұрын

Sure! There are more links in the description too. 😊www.wildwoolfarm.com/