TO OUR KNOWLEDGE, WE ARE THE ONLY NONPROFIT, FAIR TRADE ORGANIZATION BUYING NAVAJO-CHURRO WOOL DIRECTLY FROM THE DINE' CHURRO SHEEP RAISERS IN ANY SIGNIFICANT QUANTITY--COMPARED TO THE LOCAL DEALER MARKET PRICE OF ABOUT 5 CENTS/LB.

-->WATER--->LAND-->PLANTS-->SHEEP-->WOOL-->YARN-->WEAVINGS-->

THIS IS THE CYCLE OF SUSTAINABLE LIFEWAYS WE ARE WORKING TO MAINTAIN.

Here's a quote from an email I received June 10, 2010, about the fleece from our wool buy, from a woman in California who came to work at the wool buy and had raised some donations and shipped preorders for fleece back from Hardrock to Anglo buyers in California and Washington: "I have gotten more positive feedback on the wool people received. It is so different from anything anyone has seen before, and so powerful. It is even really different from the"Navajo-Churro"people grow in Marin. The Navajo-Churro was the only fleece I knew until the past year when I have gone to other fiber fests, and I am so thankful I came to work with it, and its stewards. It's a powerful sheep / fleece."

Our work is grounded in the knowledge that human and environmental justice are inseparable.

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Write to: Black Mesa Weavers
P.O. Box 95204, Newton, MA 02495 (new mailing address)
or email: carol@blackmesaweavers.org to place an order, or for more information. Or call toll-free 1-866-4-CHURRO (866-424-8776) Boston/Eastern Standard Time 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. (EST)

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BLACK MESA WEAVERS
FOR LIFE AND LAND™

A nonprofit enterprise

Navajo-Churro Dine' wool fleece,
handspun yarn, mini-mill yarn, weaving tools

Fair-trade from the source...™

Drawing ©July 20, 2003, by Ruby Biakeddy, wool grower and weaver, Big Mountain.

click to hear bell

"I put this livestock here for you; it is your father and your mother, your thoughts and your mind. You will have children and grandchildren and so forth as times goes on. Your livestock is going to be your life." ("Relocation Booklet, Teesto, Arizona)" (from Time Among the Navajo: Traditional Lifeways on the Reservation, Kathy Eckles Hooker, photographs by Helen Lau Running, Salina Bookshelf, Flagstaff, Arizona, 2002, p. 65)


Drawings ©July 20, 2003, by Ruby Biakeddy, wool grower and weaver, Big Mountain.

"There were songs for the sheep and for spinning, and even for an orphaned lamb. There are so many songs, just like for the horses, and they go out to the four directions..." (--Dine' Churro sheep raiser and weaver, Big Mountain, August 2003).

From our land to your home™

HANDSPINNERS! WEAVERS! KNITTERS! CROCHETERS! FELTERS!
FIBER ARTISTS OF ALL KINDS!

HANDSPUN NATURAL, VEGETAL-DYED, and COMMERCIAL-DYED CHURRO YARN IN STOCK

From master spinners and weavers, expert Navajo-Churro sheep raisers, handspun, vegetal- and commercial-dyed yarn from their own flocks. This handspun Churro Black Mesa yarn can be used for weaving, knitting, or crocheting.

January 5, 2011:
Here's a list of the handspun Churro yarn in stock as of last January (most has been sold-- please see updated list above)--but more of these yarns from Betty Nez and other master handspinners may be ordered. And here's an example of feedback on Betty Nez's and Lena Nez's yarn:

"Hi Carol - the yarn arrived yesterday and it is BEAUTIFUL!! Thank you so much for sending it and all the articles you sent too. Pass our deep gratitude and appreciation on to Betty and Lena." (--from a weaver in Pennsylvania)

From Betty Nez: Natural and commercial-dyed yarn recently arrived--below are photos of some of the skeins and colors:

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UPDATE OF RAW CHURRO WOOL FOR SALE: Ya'a'teeh--Hello to everyone who has inquired about raw Churro fleece. I hope all is well with everyone this fall. Many thanks to all of you for your patience, and for your purchases of our fleece.

ALL RAW FLEECE IS CURRENTLY SOLD OUT IN MASSACHUSETTS, BUT OUR 2011 WOOL BUY CLIP IS AVAILABLE FROM ARIZONA. YOU MAY CONTACT OUR FIELD COORDINATOR DIRECTLY IN ARIZONA IF YOU'D LIKE TO ORDER RAW FLEECE. PLEASE EMAIL ME FOR CONTACT INFORMATION AND DETAILS:
at 866-4-CHURRO (866-424-8776 / 10 am - 7 pm EST) or email carol@blackmesaweavers.org

Here's the feedback from the handspinner who bought 8 lbs. of the "antique brown" sold recently (2 lbs. remain, listed below): " Hi Carol, ... It arrived last Tuesday and I have washed it and started pulling it and I am very happy with it. The staple is so long and the wool so unique I couldn't resist carding some and spinning it. It is a wonder to spin. Thank you so much for making this unique wool available" (--from Sue Johnson, a handspinner in California).

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We paid the woolgrowers $1.65/lb. at our first wool buy in 2002, rising to $1.85/lb. at our fourth wool buy in 2005, as well as again facilitating their signup for USDA/FSA reimbursement, which will be around 20 cents/lb. Thus, the woolgrowers received over $2/lb. for their wool in 2005, compared to only 4, 5, or 6 cents per lb., which they were getting in the local market as of 2001, when we began buying and selling Black Mesa area Dine' Churro wool at fair trade prices. We are also very pleased that in 2004 and again in 2005, the Navajo Textile Project at Dine' College in Tsaile, Arizona, held wool buys as well, paying up to $2/lb. for Churro wool to be used in their weaving programs. One of the goals of our organization has always been to get Churro back into the hands of Dine' weavers and to expand their use of this wonderful fleece at the core of the Dine' weaving tradition.

We paid $1.90/lb. to the Dine' (Navajo) Churro woolgrowers at our fifth (2006), sixth (2007), and seventh (2008) consecutive wool buys. To our knowledge, we are the only nonprofit fair-trade organization currently buying Dine' Navajo-Churro wool from the Dine' sheep raisers in any significant amounts. At our June 2007 wool buy, we purchased 2,000 lbs. from 31 households (plus arranging for the approximately 20 cents per pound USDA reimbuursement). This also enables the Dine' selling Churro to buy back raw Churro fleece in other colors that they don't have, at the price just paid, to enable them to continue their own weaving. And Dine' who have no Churro sheep can also buy fleece for their own weaving as well, at $2/lb.

Cost of goods for the 2005 raw fleece (including money paid to Churro wool growers and shipping) is $3.35/lb per pound. The money in our general fund from sale of all our products is primarily earmarked to be recycled for the next wool buy.

Buying handspun Churro yarn, vegetal-dyed and natural colors, Cultural Survival winter bazaar, Dec. 4-5, 2004

JANUARY 2009: THE 2nd NUMBERED LIMITED EDITION OF BLACK MESA BLANKETS ARE SOLD OUT.

APRIL 2013: TO ORDER A 3rd EDITION BLACK MESA BLANKET--ONLY 7 NUMBERE 3RD ED. BLANKETS ARE STILL AVAILABLE-
Thanks to the support and generosity of the Christensen Fund, the San Jose Museum of Quilts and Textiles in San Jose, California, sponsored the 3rd and final edition of the Black Mesa Blanket, produced by Pendleton Woolen Mills (same colors as 2nd ed.). YOU MAY PURCHASE THIS BLANKET DIRECTLY FROM THE SAN JOSE MUSEUM OF QUILTS & TEXTILES for $270 (members; or $300 for nonmembers). Call Teresa Magallon at 408.971.0323 x. 14 to reach the gift shop or go to http://www.sjquiltmuseum.org There are only seven numberd 3rd ed. blankets remaining in stock: numbers 61, 64, 68, 96, 98, 99, and 101.

Black Mesa Blanket, 3rd ed., female side (80 x 64).

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Above: Black Mesa Blanket, female side, 2nd limited numbered edition, 80 in. x 64. in. Nos. 1-87 cosponsored by and available at the Heard Museum, Phoenix, Arizona. Deep midnight blue, rich "Ganado" red, warm wheat, and warm tan, 100% Churro weft from our 2008 7th Annual Black Mesa Navajo-Churro Wool Buy, containing entire 2008 and some 2007 white Churro shearing (©2008 Black Mesa Weavers for Life and Land, Inc. All rights resserved. Photos of 2nd ed. blanket courtesy Heard Museum. Produced by Pendleton Woolen Mills).

APRIL 2013: TO ORDER A 3RD EDITION BLACK MESA BLANKET--(ONLY 7 NUMBERED BLANKETS ARE STILL AVAILABLE):

Thanks to the support and generosity of the Christensen Fund, the San Jose Museum of Quilts and Textiles in San Jose, California, sponsored the 3rd and final edition of the Black Mesa Blanket, produced by Pendleton Woolen Mills (same colors as 2nd ed.). YOU MAY PURCHASE THIS BLANKET DIRECTLY FROM THE SAN JOSE MUSEUM OF QUILTS & TEXTILES for $270 (members; or $300 for nonmembers). Call Teresa Magallon at 408.971.0323 x. 14 to reach the gift shop or go to http://www.sjquiltmuseum.org There are only seven numberd 3rd ed. blankets remaining in stock: numbers 61, 64, 68, 96, 98, 99, and 101.

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Above: Black Mesa Blanket, male side, 2nd limited numbered edition, 80 in. x 64. in. Nos. 1-87 cosponsored by and available at the Heard Museum, Phoenix, Arizona. Deep midnight blue, rich "Ganado" red, warm wheat, and warm tan, 100% Churro weft from our 2008 7th Annual Black Mesa Navajo-Churro Wool Buy, containing entire 2008 and some 2007 white Churro shearing (©2008 Black Mesa Weavers for Life and Land, Inc. All rights reserved. Photos of 2nd ed. blanket courtesy Heard Museum. Produced by Pendleton Woolen Mills).

Thanks to the support and generosity of the Christensen Fund, the San Jose Museum of Quilts and Textiles in San Jose, California, sponsored the 3rd and final edition of the Black Mesa Blanket, produced by Pendleton Woolen Mills (same colors as 2nd ed.). YOU MAY PURCHASE THIS BLANKET DIRECTLY FROM THE SAN JOSE MUSEUM OF QUILTS & TEXTILES for $270 (members; or $300 for nonmembers). Call Teresa Magallon at 408.971.0323 x. 14 to reach the gift shop or go to http://www.sjquiltmuseum.org There are only seven numberd 3rd ed. blankets remaining in stock: numbers 61, 64, 68, 96, 98, 99, and 101.

The Black Mesa Blanket
A Historic First
Enduring Vision, Sustaining Community
Designed by Dine' (Navajo) shepherds and weavers, with weft spun from their rare Navajo-Churro fleece,
this saddle blanket motif moves from water through clouds toward land,
the sacred Black Mesa center,
and celebrates unbroken Dine' traditions.

The Navajo Nation Museum in Window Rock, Arizona, and the Museum of Northern Arizona in Flagstaff, are cosponsors of this endeavor. Without the support and partnership of these two institutions, which have done so much to preserve and encourage the visions of indigenous peoples, the Black Mesa Blanket would still be a dream. We are deeply grateful for their support and encouragement. Now this blanket comes to you from all of us with appreciation for your support of a sustainable and self-sufficient way of life.

This very limited number of Black Mesa Blankets (there was only enough white Churro wool from the 2006 shearing to produce 141 blankets) is currently available for sale in the gift shops of both museums, through our organization, and in the Pendleton Home Store, in Portland, Oregon. 80 in. x 64 in. NOTE: 1at and 2nd EDITIONS ARE SOLD OUT.

We thank Pendleton Woolen Mills for their support of this project--their collaboration and expertise in working with us closely every step of the way has enabled us all to reach this unique and historic moment.

It has been a pleasure and an honor to work with all the wonderful people we have met along the way in this adventure. Ahe'hee'--Thank you all.

HERE'S INFORMATION ABOUT OUR 3rd (and final) limited numbered edition of the Black Mesa Blanket sponsored by the San Jose Museum of Quilts & Textiles, in San Jose, California, and produced with Pendleton Woolen Mills in 2011, and still available at the Museum.

TO ORDER A 3RD EDITION BLACK MESA BLANKET:

Thanks to the support and generosity of the Christensen Fund, the San Jose Museum of Quilts and Textiles in San Jose, California, has sponsored the 3rd and final limited numbered edition of 125 Black Mesa Blankets, produced by Pendleton Woolen Mills (same colors as 2nd ed.). YOU MAY PURCHASE THIS BLANKET DIRECTLY FROM THE SAN JOSE MUSEUM OF QUILTS & TEXTILES for $300 (80 x 64). Call 408-971-0323 ext. 11 to reach the gift shop or go to www.sjquiltmuseum.org

In 2010, winter was harsh but with deep snows and heavy rains for many parts of the Southwest. But summer has come and gone, and the drought and climate change continues, with wildfires, wind, dust, and dry land. While we struggle with its effects in the Southwest, throughout the United States, and worldwide, there may also be harsher winters coming again, part of the effects of climnate change. "In June 2005, at a Dine' culture fourth grade school program in Chinle, Arizona, the students examined the sample blanket. A boy put his hands on it, felt the wool, and said with a smile: 'It's good--it's warm!'"

(Above or on left) Female side. (Below, or on right) Male side (both photos courtesy and ©2006, David H. Davis,). 80 in. high x 64. in. wide. $349.

Water border and one of the four directions, female side of blanket.


(Left): Black Mesa in center, female side of blanket. (Right): blanket folded, showing ultrasuede story tag with three logos, and blue Pendleton logo.

Center of male side of blanket.

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A Black Mesa Blanket on Vancouver Island, Canada, female side, surrounded by Northwest Coast Indian artwork.

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Mission: Black Mesa Weavers for Life and Land -- Fair Trading from the Source™

The Diné (Navajo) of Black Mesa in northeastern Arizona are one of the most traditional indigenous populations
within the U.S. Their history is one of ongoing struggle to sustain their culture, land, water, and way of life. Black Mesa Weavers for Life and Land was cofounded in 1998 by a group of Diné and a Massachusetts resident to help restore economic and social self-sufficiency to the region through preservation of traditional lifeways based on shepherding and fair-trade marketing of their products--primarily Navajo-Churro wool, weavings, and yarn. Faced with problems of economic and cultural survival in a fragile ecosystem, our organization works with local Diné families and communities to expand their traditional economy within the contemporary marketplace through sustainable development, and reinvests in the strength of the community.

Since 1999, we have been working with the Black Mesa Diné to conserve the land that nurtures them. We have demonstrated how a volunteer, grassroots organization can improve the lives and well-being of people through the work of their own hands. We have implemented ways to overcome the limited market access to which the Diné have historically been restricted and empower them to get their products to a wider market by fair trading from the source.

Since 2002, we have held annual wool buys, and in 2003 launched a wool-processing microenterprise for handspun Diné yarn. We are cooperating with other indigenous and nonprofit organizations to develop the community-based marketing of Navajo-Churro wool, and are collaborating with a nonprofit indigenous mini-mill in New Mexico to offer mill-spun weaving and warp yarns. We are also advocating for the development of renewable energy resources and the conservation and restoration of the aquifers that provide water to the entire region.

Our work is grounded in the knowledge that human and environmental justice are inseparable.



Black Mesa Churro yarn in hand-knit scarf and skeins of handspun churro yarn amid gifts from the sea, the Atlantic Ocean, in Connecticut.
Photo of "Ocean / Wools" © 2007 and courtesy of Chris Brunson.

Wool and Stone
Stone grows to the sea like a plant,
fossil fern deep within it,
a heaviness of trees
worn in green and burnished air
sharp with the tang of tannins
in a dry place.

(©5/9/98 Carol Snyder Halberstadt)

On behalf of the entire advisory council/board of directors of Black Mesa Weavers for Life and Land, our profound thanks and deep appreciation for the kindness and generosity of everyone who made it possible for us to hold our 7th Annual Churro Wool Buy on June 5-6, at the Hardrock Chapter on Black Mesa.

I apologize for this delay in acknowledging your donations and grants. As coordinator of our organization, I wanted to send each of you a personal card and bit of Churro wool right away, as a small token of saying "Ahe'hee'--thank you--for making this wool buy possible. But I've been having some health problems, and also had knee surgery on July 9, and it's been a hectic and difficult summer for me personally. So, please accept our thanks for now via our website. I am recovering, and will be in touch with each one of you individually as soon as possible, and hope to share some more good news in the near future.

Meanwhile, many Dine', led by our field coordinator, Lorraine Herder, organized and held a very successful wool buy. We were able to buy a total of 2,314 lbs. of high-quality Churro wool (1,616.26 lbs. of white and 697.19 lbs. of natural-colored fleece), from a total of 31 households who came from 11 Chapters (communities), paying $1.90/lb. to each Churro producer. In addition to the wool purchased, a representative from the USDA/FSA was again on hand to sign up the Churro wool producers for this year's wool reimbursement (an additional 20 cents/lb.).

May you be blessed with goodness--health, sustenance, lovingkindness, and a world in balance,

and may you walk in beauty always...

August 2005: We are honored to have received this beautiful, handpainted bowl from the Center for Sustainable Environments, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, acknowledging our participation in the work to sustain lifeways, water, and land on the Colorado Plateau. Ahe'hee'--Thank you! Buy the book, "A New Plateau" to learn about 38 organizations and people engaged in many aspects of this crucial work.

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"The Real Sheep"--Living on Earth--NPR Nationwide Broadcast

The excellent Daniel Kraker story on the Navajo-Churro, from our fourth wool buy last June, and with poignant personal history commentary by Dr. Lyle McNeal (broadcast out of KNAU "All Things Considered" June 26, 2005), has been expanded to 8+ minutes and was broadcast on several hundred NPR stations on the NPR "Living on Earth" program recently. It's archived on the Living on Earth website--full audio, complete script to read, and photos: http://www.livingonearth.org/shows/segments.htm?programID=05-P13-00043&segmentID=5

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Drawing ©July 20, 2003, by Ruby Biakeddy, wool grower and weaver, Big Mountain.

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Write to: Black Mesa Weavers
P.O. Box 95204, Newton, MA 02495 (new mailing address)
or email : carol@migrations.com to place an order, or for more information. Or call toll-free 1-866-4-CHURRO (866-424-8776) Boston/Eastern Standard Time (EST) 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

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As of December 2009, we are paying fair-trade prices to our experienced handspinners of $3.50-$4/oz. for white and natural colored Churro yarn, and $4/oz. for vegetal-dyed Churro yarn. Thus, we have consequently raised our yarn prices to 7.50/oz. for natural colored and commercial-dyed churro; $8/oz. for vegetal-dyed churro).

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ALL WEAVING COMBS ARE CURRENTLY SOLD OUT.

Dine' (Navajo) Weaving tools
Wonderful collection of weaving combs by a Dine' elder from Red Lake--ALL ARE SOLD OUT
Four weaving combs.


HD-19. 13-in. long comb.

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Photo of all weaving combs originally received.

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MARILYN PRESTON'S JEWELRY IS SOLD OUT AND THERE IS NO MORE AVAILABLE.

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"WHICH ANIMAL FIBER IS THE STRONGEST, CHURRO WOOL OR ANGORA GOAT MOHAIR?" --KIRTLAND, NM 8TH-GRADER'S SCIENCE PROJECT

By using a steel bar, weights, a Navajo spindle and other materials, Kirtland Middle School eighth-grader Laura Garnanez (above) was able to determine for her school Science Fair project displayed before judges Dec. 13 that Navajo Churro wool fiber (held in her left hand) is stronger than Angora Goat Mohair fiber (held in her right hand).

By Larry Di Giovanni
Special to The Daily Times (posted Dec. 18, 2005)

KIRTLAND, NM -- From behavioral science and botany to the space sciences, physics and zoology, a total of 91 seventh- and eighth-grade students at Kirtland Middle School competed in their school Science Fair held Tuesday (Dec. 13), which included an evening awards banquet.

The student exhibits were mounted on poster boards in the KMS library. Their designers used drawings, photos, charts, graphs, scientific samples, and descriptions of materials used and step-by-step procedures, in order to try and convince judges that the scientific author had nailed down his or her hypothesis, materials, methods, observations and conclusions. There were 18 judges total, with sets of three each judging each of the 91 entries. Judging included the requirement that students explain their Science Fair projects. Each judge was able to ask one question.

Eighth-grader Tori Alldredge had used blindfolds and popped balloons in front of four friends so as to determine how the heart reacts to "unexpected vs. expected events." Her category was medicine/health. Alldredge used a stop watch to check each subject's pulse for six seconds, and then multiplied the number by 10 to average out to 1 minute. True to form, she said she discovered that balloon popping raises the heart rate more when unexpected: up to 130 beats per minute. One judge suggested to Alldredge that she might want to examine how stress brought into the equation affects heart rates.

Kirtland Middle School science teacher Don Linskens, one of the Science Fair organizers, said students have an opportunity to learn and grow, scientifically speaking, from one year to the next. They can take a project they had worked on previously, fine-tune it and add more wrinkles, and then bring it in for this year's judging.

Along those lines, eighth-grader Laura Garnanez had discovered last year that Navajo Churro tightly spun is much stronger than the same wool loosely spun. She was given judges' advice to conduct more trials and average the results.

This year, Garnanez asked the question: "Which Animal Fiber is Strongest, Churro Wool or Angora Goat Mohair?" She hypothesized ­ based on experience from a family that raises sheep, goats and llamas in Waterflow ­ that the Churro wool would win the durability test. The testing materials including a steel bar for tightening the fibers, a Navajo spindle, a scale, and weights to put on the fibers until they broke.

Each student posted their typed reports along with their Science Fair displays, and Garnanez' was highly descriptive: "My family raises Churro sheep, Angora goats, and llamas My father (Ron) cleans, cards, spins, and weaves wool. I wanted to find out which fiber would be stronger." Her project was good enough for a third-place finish in the zoology category. She was correct: Churro wool fiber beats the goat's. [emphasis added]

Kirtland Middle School Science Fair first-place winners, by category, name of winner, and title of project, were: Behavioral/Social Sciences, Ryder Hathaway, "Got Gas?"; Botany, Brenna Lewis, "What Type of Manure Helps Beans Germinate Faster?"; Chemistry, Elissa Flack, Which Store Has the Dirtiest Shopping Carts?"; Space Science, Alex Biggs, "Does Light and Air Pollution Affect the Viewing of the Sky?"; Earth Science, Dennis Simonson, What Coal Burns the Hottest?"; Engineering, Hilari Palmer, Shape Arguments;" Mathematics, Caroline Holland, "How Many Licks?"; Medicine/Health, Rachel Williams, "No More Breakage, Please"; Microbiology, Khari Tsosie, "What Anti-bacterial Soap Is Most Effective?"; Physics, Elena Bruce, "Is Sound Affected by Different Materials?"; Zoology, Mika Benally, "Poultry, Feathers and Proteins"; Team category, Maree Trevizo and Lilly Bodkin, "Which Chemical Dissolves Sugar Cubes the Fastest?"

The co-Science Fair sponsor with Linskens was KMS science teacher Keith Weiss.

Courtesy Central Consolidated Schools

Story courtesy of Larry Di Giovanni, Communications Journalist
larryd@centralschools.org

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We are honored to announce the publication of an important and beautiful book:

A New Plateau: Sustaining the Lands and Peoples of Canyon Country
"New Release! A refreshing look at 38 'modern pioneers' in the Four Corners region who have found ways to make a living while enriching their communities, economies and lands." The first story in Section Two, Ranching, is "Sheep Is Life: Dine' Be'iina and the Black Mesa Weavers for Life and Land," by Gary Paul Nabhan, pages 52-55. Available in hardcover and softcover from Renewing the Countryside, Minneapolis, MN.

A New Plateau: Sustaining the Lands and Peoples of Canyon Country

Produced by The Center for Sustainable Environments at Northern Arizona University in partnership with the Museum of Northern Arizona and Renewing the Countryside, Inc.

FEEDBACK FROM 2004 SHEARING:

"Received the fleece and am amazed at how beautiful and soft it is even before I've washed it. Thanks so much for the extra information and your time and energy with this cause. I'll pass around the literature here and good luck in all you do."(--customer from Louisiana who bought grey/brown and dark brown/black).

"Oh, I received the gorgeous Red Mesa fleece and I cannot tell you how incredibly beautiful it is! I have been ordering fleece for 10 years and never have I seen such a clean beautiful fleece. I am hooked on Churro! Just touching the fleece gives me such a sense of history of these wonderful people and these beautiful sheep." (--hooked rug maker from Florida)

"Oh my God, the yarn is so beautiful I can't believe it! The colors all just seem to sing together. Well, after looking at it for a long time, I thought it almost begs to be woven into a small rug. I think I have mentioned to you I have had several looms and lessons while living on Cape Cod and even the teachers told me, weaving is not my thing! I agree 100%. Then yesterday I had what I thought was a brainstorm. I got looking at those weaving frames on the Internet. They come in various sizes and won't intimidate me, especially the ones that say, 'for ages 12 and up.' There is one 20" x 28" that I am thinking about and they cost around $30.00 and I don't think that's bad

The yarn is so gorgeous I think this is the way to use it, as it will show the beauty of it and I adore the smell, but I am one of those people who just loves the smell of sheep and their fleece in any way, shape or form. I just wanted to say a huge thank you again and let you know what I am thinking of doing with this yarn If you should speak to Betty Nez, would you please tell her how much I love her work and I will send a picture to you when this all comes together as a little rug." (--repeat customer, fiber artist from Florida who bought churro yarn handspun by Betty Nez).

"I spun a skein of the Red Mesa color and it is simply out of this world. I am going to send you a sample of it.Usually I flick card each lock prior to putting it through the carder, but I just teased the locks by hand and put them through only once and I can't tell you how pleased I was, the color is amazing." (--repeat customer, fiber artist from Florida who bought raw adult Red Mesa).

"I just don't know what to say about the fleece, it is so beautiful and more. Each one feels different and if I close my eyes, I can imagine the personality on each sheep. I have never felt anything as soft as the black, like putting your fingers in silk. And when the others were drying out back, I could see the luster from the house, just amazing. I am going to spin the Antique Gray when I get home I cannot pick a favorite either, they are all so outstanding and the best part is I just put the locks through the drum carder without having to flick at all. These are the only fleeces I have ever been able to do that with." (-repeat customer, fiber artist from Florida who bought raw fleece).

"I received the package yesterday and began spinning immediately! The wool is very lovely, and spins very well. Thank you." (--customer from Montana who bought six different colors of washed wool).

"Oh happy days..... my fleece arrived today and it is fabulous! Not only did I read all the information you gave me but I also received the Spring 2005 Cultural Survival magazine and started reading that. I e-mailed one of my professors with their website to use in her cultural class. I think she will appreciate it. Thank you for opening more windows that allow me a better view of other cultural worldviews. I really appreciate that you are there and you care." (--customer from California who bought white and black lambswool, and adult light red mesa and antique grey).

"The package arrived today and all is well...to say nothing of fragrant! Thank you for all the information about your project too. ...Thanks for handling everything so quickly and easily!" (--customer from Oregon who bought raw white, light grey, dark brown, and medium grey, and white handspun yarn).

"Just wanted to let you know that my wool arrived and I am a 'happy camper'. The fleece is wonderful and the cause is good! You will be hearing from me again. Ahh, if I could only card and spin faster!!. Thanks again. (--repeat customer from California who bought washed white and raw dark brown/black and antique brown).

"Everything has arrived!!! It's all safe and sound and beautiful! Such amazing fleece. Thank you for all your time and care and information. I've already washed some of several colors of the fleece. The Ecover works beautifully. I actually enjoy the red earth that washes out. It reminds me of Monument Valley and the Kayenta area that I think is wonderful. My loom arrived also. I'm in heaven! The tools are exquisite as well. They have craftsmanship and soul. I've carded about a pound each of two colors and have piles of rolags waiting. Now to start spinning! Thank you again for all your hard work. ... I love that each fleece has its own character." (---weaver from Vermont who bought 98 lbs. of raw adult and lambswool in 12 different colors, a set of handmade weaving tools, and a handmade spindle).

"The wool arrived this afternoon; I have already washed up some of the Multi and it is just beautiful! It is also amazing how many different colors are in the white fleece. Also, thank you for all the literature and for the wonderful phone conversation we had last week. I have been sanding my loom and should be able to send pics. soon" (--weaver from Maine who bought washed premium white and raw brown/grey/multi).

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Weaving tools: handmade Navajo spindles (may be ordered at $40 each) and weaving combs are out of stock. ALL ARE SOLD OUT. Prices listed do not include shipping/insurance. We charge only actual costs.

MBM-412abcd. SPECIAL & UNIQUE PURCHASE: We received four complete bundles of handmade traditional Dine' weaving tools. Four complete sets of superbly handcrafted weaving tools, each with three combs (two double-ended), by the same maker of the superb combs shown above. $185 each set ($115 to maker; $70 to general fund). SOLD OUT.

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Handspun Churro yarn from Edith Simonson and weaving by her mother, Alice Nez, age 96, Big Mountain.

SOME CUSTOMER FEEDBACK ON THE 2003 SHEARING:

"I got the carders today ... At home tonight I started carding a small sample of scoured black churro.  There's a special feeling in these fibers.  I realized that the Navajo and the little churro love each other. The black wool seems to be saying 'I love you'.  The sheep from which this fleece was shorn, feels loved by its  shepherd.  Every strand of its wool is sending out love.
 
No wonder that these animals are so dear to the Navajo.  It's not simply an economic relationship with these sheep, but one of mutual caring and giving.

To cover yourself with a woven blanket made from such sweetness...that would have to give you the happiest feeling. I'll let you know as fiber adventure continues..." (--customer from Virginia who bought black and antique grey)

"I have washed the wool out and it is just beautiful ! Buttery soft and rich feeling.
You have more? Any black? I'd love to get a pound of black if you have it. Let me know" (--customer from Virginia, who bought antique grey)

"The fleece reached me and it is wonderful...many thanks and hope to stay in communication...(--another customer from Virginia who bought antique grey)

"I'll look for Ecover in our local whole foods stores. .. Can't wait to try my hand at spinning, too, and making my very first skein---with churro!  ....
     Hugs from me to you because all you have been doing is a wonderful blessing to the Navajo, and more...  It's a blessing to the endangered gene pool of churro sheep, and a blessing to this world by helping to preserve the survival of a gentle, artistic people living close to nature. Best wishes (--C.H., also in Virginia)

"I opened the box -- the fleece was fascinating to look at; my very first view of raw fleece..."It's like seeing a wig but it's better because it's so special,"  I thought to myself. "The smell of the fleece, that's got to get better," I thought, "once it is washed."  I found the black fleece at the bottom of the box, baa baa black sheep! -- it has some bits of dirt in it so I can make it better, too. ...I was getting my loom unwrapped this weekend, looked a few more times at the fleece, and let imagination take wing...how happy I am! I tried using pure castile soap on the small sample of lambs wool you gave me. It came out white as a cloud and so nice! I used a cat brush--it's like a mini-carder--to fluff it up--it's really pretty. Next I need to scour the churro, and get a genuine carder and a spinning wheel and....(-- a novice weaver from Virginia)

"It is lovely. Not too much veggie matter and no hard hang tags off of it. I cannot wait to clean it and card it." (--customer in WA who bought white shell).

"Hi, thanks for the beautiful Churro fleeces...I have washed a few locks of each color and am happy with the quality and colors, I am yet to spin any. These locks will be spun tightly and put into the weaving I am working on. I was surprised about the donation to the Native American group when I purchased the wool from you, and am very happy that wool can help so many people in so very many ways. Carol the group that you have co-started is making a difference and I am proud that I can help in my own personal way." (--another customer from WA who bought dark brown/black and antique grey)

"Thanks again for all your help -- my BIG package of wool arrived today and I'm anxious to take a look at all of it. I've gotten the first half-pound of the antique gray spun up and that looks wonderful." (--customer from Vermont who bought black, dark brown, grey/brown, and white lambswool, after an earlier order of antique grey).

Wool arrived Thursday, I came home Friday, Opened box this morning!
Thank you thank you. Am beginning wash process; home smells homey again. Thanks for the reading material, too. It's more meaningful for me to buy small, and hopefully put my re$ources closer to individuals than to corporations. (--customer from Nevada who bought white from 2002 shearing)

"...so far you have only had my emotional response to the wonderful sheepy fragrance when the box arrived! I wanted to get further into the two fleeces, and be better informed about them. Yes, I'm so happy with these two white fleeces. "Shell" white is still a mystery to me (I wondered briefly if it was an agouti pattern as in rabbits), but they are wonderful. Of course, the sand washed right out, and the wool was so easy to clean. I'm currently finishing picking the smaller fleece.

Carol, I'm so happy with the high quality of this wool. I have found it all sound, no breaks in staple, no dried out and crumbly tips. Double cuts left in from shearing were almost nonexistant, absolutely no insect damage pre- or post-shearing, and so far only two of the incredible killer burrs Nevada shares with Arizona and New Mexico. And no golf tees <grin>. Again, the good health of the sheep and its fleece is so important to me, and so apparent in these two fleeces!

Also plain to see is the care paid to each fleece along the way, from good shearing and skirting, to your storage of the older fleece. I was perfectly happy with last year's shearing." (--customer from Nevada who bought white from 2002 shearing)

"I warped my loom yesterday, and wanted to say that it was beautifully spun. Thanks... The warp is beautiful." (--initial feedback from our first handspun Churro wool warp and weft yarn customer in Wyoming, who bought white and natural black yarn)

"The wool arrived and Yes and it is beautiful. I've washed it and now working on carding it. There are two dolls made now using it. I will email you pictures when they are developed. I've shown the wool to several people at our school who spin and knit. They think it is fantastic. Do you have any brochures you can send me that I can hand out? Even just a stack of your business cards will do." (--Customer from WA who bought white lambswool from 2002 shearing and dark brown from 2003).

"The extremely well packaged wool arrived yesterday as expected and I've been delighted in examining it." (--Customer from Connecticut who bought white and colored raw fleece and handspun yarn).

"The fleece arrived yesterday! Washing some of it last night was an interesting experience. As the fine red clay soil swirled down the bathtub drain, I was reminded of the desert from whence it came. It was beautiful to watch. I'll wash the rest of it outside to keep the soil in my garden instead of the sewer! I hope to get some dyed during the holidays. I use weld (a bright and lightfast yellow), woad (blue like indigo) and madder (rust red).

"Thank you for your efforts. I will ask my fellow spinners if they are also interested in your program." (--Customer from Washington state who bought white churro.)

"I have finished washing my 5 pounds of fleece and started spinning it. It feels so organic to be connected with this kind of tradition." (--Same customer from Washington state who bought white churro)

"The fleece arrived today along with the skein of handspun. The handspun is beautiful and I am so looking forward to some more spinning now that I have a good example of what I am aiming for!" (--Customer from Colorado who bought brown/grey, grey/brown, white shell, antique grey, and white handspun yarn)

"It arrived yesterday and I washed up a small sample of the grey/brown multi today. I can't wait to card it and try spinning a nice rug singles with it. I couldn't believe the fiber length, and the colors are so rich. So much different in feel than the Romney I've been using. ... I would love to use it in many of the rugs I have planned. I'll let you know how the spinning goes. I'm sure I'll be putting in an order for the next wool buy. Thank you for getting the wool to me so quickly." (--Customer from Iowa who bought white shell, dark brown, grey, grey/brown/multi, and brown/grey/multi)

"I carded and spun some dark grey into a bulky singles rug yarn and it is such a gorgeous rich dark grey in color. I'm sure I'll be ordering more churro wool soon! I'm so happy I found your website and have been introduced to this wonderful wool. Thanks again." (--followup email from weaver in Iowa)

"I did get the wool and just finished washing it in the tub. I am really pleased and in awe of its long tufting curls. It will mean all the more to make art and grow as an artist using such life-sustaining wool. Thank you!" (--Fiber artist from New York City who bought white shell and dark grey)

"I received the box of fleece this week and have already spun some. It's all so beautiful. Please keep me posted about this year's [2005] shearing." (--spinner from California who bought white adult and white lambswool churro).

"I just got the box opened yesterday and the fleece looks really nice. In fact, I washed up the med/dark grey and the brown/black last night. It is really beautiful" (--repeat customer from Iowa).

Drawing ©July 20, 2003, by Ruby Biakeddy, wool grower and weaver, Big Mountain.

Write to: Black Mesa Weavers
P.O. Box 95204, Newton, MA 02495 (new mailing address)
or email: carol@blackmesaweavers.org to place an order, or for more information.

Drawing ©July 20, 2003, by Ruby Biakeddy, wool grower and weaver, Big Mountain.

---

Minimum order for raw wool is 8 ozs. (all prices are plus shipping/insurance). Raw wool will be shipped with information on how to wash it.

ALL RAW WOOL CURRENTLY SOLD OUT, with the exception of two amazing rare pure Churro Red Mesa fleece from Betty Nez (3.05 lbs. and 2.65 lbs), which just arrived February 22, 2012.

YOU MAY CONTACT OUR FIELD COORDINATOR DIRECTLY IN ARIZONA IF YOU'D LIKE TO ORDER RAW FLEECE. PLEASE EMAIL ME FOR CONTACT INFORMATION AND DETAILS:
at 866-4-CHURRO (866-424-8776 / 10 am - 7 pm EST) or email carol@blackmesaweavers.org

 

.

It is said that after creating the Corn People and giving "instructions for the raising and care of corn," Asdzaa nádleehé (Changing Woma]) returned to her home in the west (at the Pacific Ocean) and "created horses, sheep, goats, and game animals." (Blessingway, Leland C. Wyman, ed., Tucson: U. of Arizona, 1975, introduction, p. 32­33).

---

Churro sheep at corral gate, Big Mountain, June 2003.

---

AHE'HEE'--THANK YOU TO EVERYONE FOR YOUR PURCHASE OF BLACK MESA DINE' FLEECE, WEAVINGS, HANDSPUN YARN, TOOLS, AND MORE. WE HOPE YOU WILL LOOKATTHE HANDSPUN YARN IN STOCK, AS WELL AS THE NEW MIN-MILL SPUN (750 YPP)YARN RECEIVED IN JUNE 2010.

WE HAVE LAUNCHED OUR HANDSPUN WOOL-PROCESSING MICROENTERPRISE AND HAVE ENTIRELY HAND-PROCESSED AND HANDSPUN CHURRO WEAVING YARN AVAILABLE IN WHITE AND NATURAL COLORS (see above). WE WILL ALSO SOON BE OFFERING VERY STRONG 100% PURE WHITE CHURRO WARP YARN (FROM THE INDIGENOUS MINI-MILL WITH WHICH WE'RE COLLABORATING) IN TWO THICKNESSES—"CLASSIC" DINE 'WEAVING THICKNESS WARP AND A SLIGHTLY THICKER "SADDLE BLANKET" WARP THICKNESS. WE ALSO HAVE SOME VEGETAL-DYED YARN AVAILABLE AS WELL (see above).

---

Write to: Black Mesa Weavers, P.O. Box 95204, Newton, MA 02495 (new mailing address)
or email : carol@blackmesaweavers.org to place an order, or for more information. Or call toll-free 866-4-CHURRO (866-424-8776) Boston/ east coast time, 10 am-7 pm EST.

---

"SATISFIED CUSTOMER FINDS NEW FRIEND"

Here is a photo "of my cat Bumper and his new friend the Churro. You can call it 'Satisfied Customer Finds New Friend'." From a spinner and weaver in Framingham, MA, who bought this grey/brown and some white raw fleece. She spun it into some fine knitting yarn that was sold recently at the Weavers' Guild of Boston exhibit and sale.

Knitting yarn from antique grey Navajo-Churro.
(Left) Soft and silky knitting yarn spun by Bumper's person from "antique grey" churro; (right & below) and wonderful warm hat knit of four colors of churro wool--antique grey, antique brown, natural black, and natural white. Churro can be carded and spun into superb knitting and crocheting yarn, very comfortable to wear, as seen in this hat. SEE KNITTING DIRECTIONS, JUST BELOW.


Churro hat knit of four colors of handspun churro wool, spindle with handsun yarn, and two Black Mesa Dine' churro weavings.

---

 

A bit of washed and spun white mohair from this weaver.

---

Knitting Directions for Churro Hat (Great ski or winter hat)

With four to six colors of softest churro fleece (example: black, white, antique grey, antique brown), prewash by letting fleece sit in warm water tips down, resisting urge to scrub, until water is cool which releases seeds, manure, and the beautiful red soil of Black Mesa. Gently squeeze out water and wrap in towel; dry like a sweater. Card and spin two half bobbins of a rather thick yarn and double ply it (with wheel or spindle going in the opposite direction) to obtain a knitting gauge of 3-1/4 sts per inch on a #10-1/2 - 16" circular needle-about the grist of Icelandic wools-think Lopi or a yarn at least 1/8" wide). Wash yarn well in small amount of shampoo or woolwash dissolved in warm water. Dry skeins; wind into balls. Very large hat can take 50 rows which includes optional fold-up brim.

With #7 - 16" circular needle, cast on loosely 60 sts for small adult, 64 sts for med. adult, 68 sts for large adult and 76 sts for very large adult head. (Any number divisible by 4.) Work k2, p2 ribbing for 1-1/2" (or 2-1/2" if you want a fold back brim double thick over your ears.) Increase 1 stitch and add a row marker (small ring or paper clip). Change to size 10-1/2 ­ 16" circular needle change to Color 2 and work pattern changing colors every other row for 7-1/2" to 8-1/2" from beginning.

Design notes: Slip all Sl sts as if to p (purl). Leave at least 4" tails, long enough to sew in, when cutting and joining colors. Change color every two rows as you design dark to light; or dark to light to dark; dark, light, dark, light or whatever strikes your fancy. The "yarn in front of work" covers the front of the slipped stitch (on Rows 2 and 4 only) as it returns to the back for the k3, giving a wonderful blip to the pattern. Knits up fast and can be finished in a day.

PATTERN:
Row 1 - k2, *Sl 1, k3* repeat between *s, ending k2.

Row 2 ­ k2, *Sl 1 with yarn in front of work, k3.* Repeat, ending k2.

Row 3 ­ Drop Color 2, join Color 3, k4, *Sl 1, k3*(as in row 1), ending k4.

Row 4 ­ k4, *Sl 1 with yarn in front, k3* (as in row 2) ending k4.

Row 5 ­ Drop Color 3, join Color 4, repeat row 1.
Row 6 ­ Repeat 2
7&8 - Repeat 3&4 with color 1
9&10 - Repeat 1&2 with color 2
11&12- Repeat 3&4 with color 3, etc.
Repeat changing colors every 2 rows (or not as you choose).

FINISH: For two rounds: k2 tog around row to 19 sts. On size 8 (or near) dp needles, slip 6 sts on two needles and 7 on 3rd needle. With 4th dp needle continue 2 more rounds of k2 tog. With large-eyed needle run yarn through last 6 sts on needle tightening and finish off underside pushing needle into fronts of 5 or so sts, so sewing doesn't show on outside of hat. Inside hat, tighten and tie all tails together at marker seam, sew ends into same colors, trim.

POM POM for top is fun to make. (1) Take 2 - 4" plastic coffee can covers and cut 1-1/2" circle in middle of both, placing two tops flat together. Cut a 15" piece of heavy linen or string and place in a circle between the covers and around the cut center leaving ends hanging out in one place. (2) Lay out a bundle of 6 strands of yarn each 5 yards long. Holding the linen ends in one hand start wrapping the yarns as one bundle evenly around the plastic covers like a wreath, starting next to the linen and distributed evenly all around coming back around to the linen. (See picture.) (3) With scissors cut all ends around the outside edge of the large circle only. Pull covers apart 1" leaving room to tie the linen as tight as possible in the center with square knots, then slip covers off ends. Thread linen ends down into the top of the hat securing tightly with square knots. Then hide linen ends inside by threading through 5 sts of yarn each and clip. Trim any long ends of pom pom to make even.

---

Here is a "Peaceable" ...

Here is a "Peaceable" -- a calm and gentle handmade friend whose face is of clay surrounded by cloud-soft white wool and whose body is of felted Dine' churro, wonderful to feel and to hold. Shianna bought our wool and sent this to me as a gift, with the message: "Pass on a 'Peaceable' to promote awareness that one heart at peace is the path to a peaceful world." If you'd like to know more, or get your own "Peaceable," you can email Shianna at shirex4art@HSNP.com

---

And here is a peaceful pin:
Here is a lovely Churro wool pin (about 2 in. long) made by Laurie Sanford of Twin Gate Farm in Connecticut, from our Churro fleece: felted antique brown is entwined with white and gold-brown locks encircled with handspun white yarn. Laurie gave this pin to me at the Connecticut Fiber & Wool Festival, April 26, 2003. The pattern reminds me of the four directions and the Dine' "whirling logs" motif, although Laurie said this was entirely coincidental...

FELTMAKERS--PLEASE NOTE: Laurie writes: "The pin was needle-felted, rather than wet-felted. The intact Churro locks are beautiful, and make great embellishments for felted hats, rugs, bags, etc. The carded wool also felts beautifully with either method of felting (traditional or needle), and when spun, knitted and then felted makes excellent hats. Also appealing are the oodles of natural colors."

---

©May 25, 2002 poem and photo Carol Snyder Halberstadt

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JUNE 28-29, 2002: OUR FIRST NAVAJO-CHURRO WOOL BUY STORY AND PHOTOS

---

All prices are plus shipping and insurance.

Write to: Black Mesa Weavers
P.O. Box 95204, Newton, MA 02495 (new mailing address)
or email : carol@blackmesaweavers.org to place an order, or for more information. Or call toll-free 866-4-CHURRO (866-424-8776) 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. EST.

---

These are happy sheep--unstressed, free-ranging, loved and blessed, part of the family, and sacred to the Dine'.

THIS IS THE WOOL THAT IS SUNG TO, AND SINGS WHEN IT IS WOVEN...™

Our first wool customer, a weaver who bought 30 lbs. of this white fleece, told me that he had never seen such pure white wool, so fine and long-fibered, easy to wash, card, and spin. The Dine' have been getting 4-6 cents per pound for their wool--20-25 cents/lb. was a "good" price in the "best" years... To end this exploitation, the Black Mesa Weavers for Life and Land is selling the Dine' wool at a fair price in a nonprofit framework.

Some Customer Comments & Feedback on 2002 Shearing

"I received the wool. Beautiful stuff. I had forgotten what 10 lbs looks like -
just kept popping out of the box!"
(--Email from a recent customer).

"The wool arrived...I have been meaning to e-mail you!  It's great...
(--From another happy customer)

"I have changed over from spinning on my wheel to spinning on a Navajo Spindle, what a joy that is. I enjoy the spindle so much more than the wheel, I'm not sure why that is.
I can't believe how beautiful Churro fleece is. My daughter compares the white with pearls."
(--Email from a new customer)

"I dyed the white an earthy yellow and some pumpkin.
This fleece is fabulous!
It takes the dye evenly and quickly and gives the richest colors.
I could care less if I ever touch any other fleece again.
I'm completely sold on Churro."

"Did the wool arrive okay? "
"Yes it did. It is beautiful .Very soft once it's washed."
(--Email message about 15 lbs. of white fleece, from the same customer who first ordered 10 lbs.)

"Great product great cause!" (--feedback about white fleece)
"Great fleece, really neat colors" (--feedback about multicolor)

"Lovely churro fleece, wonderful info accompanies it. Friendly
service, Thanks!!!" (--feedback bout dark brown "moorit")

 "The fleece arrived and it is phenomenal. ..   I washed a handful of it to see what it was
like when really clean and it is incredible... There is so little grease in it that I didn't even use
detergent. Just a water bath to get the sand and dust out."
(--Email about white fleece from Mary A. in Minnesota)

"The wool is beautiful...! I love the brown, it's gorgeous!"
(--Customer from Connecticut)

"Wool and mohair arrived and poetry danced in my
fingers! My spindle awaits... "(--from a customer in California)

"Just wanted you to know we're really pleased with the wool. Plan to order from you again in the future. The sand comes out really easily as there's hardly any lanolin, and it spins up great.
Good price for nice raw wool. Thanks!"

Stasia
* * * * *
Join Spindlers
For spindle spinners, makers, collectors and vendors
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/spindlers

Stasia's Textile and Fiber Links Index
Resources for knitters and spinners
http://home.earthlink.net/~jeffnstasia/textile.htm

"I got the colored fleece today. This stuff is wonderful...
I am washing the 1/2 lb. of 'gray' now and will do the rest over the weekend.
Thank you so much. I love the two different colors...
This will be a sweater some day."
(--Customer in Kansas)

"The wool arrived yesterday and looks gorgeous!! I can't wait to start
spinning" (--Customer in Tennessee who bought 1/2 lb. of carded white & 1/2 lb. of carded multi, ready to spin).

"I washed all wool today. Beautiful!
...I hope to sell stuff besides wearing wool that sings. Maybe
others will hear the lovely music and weave it too"
(--Repeat customer from California)

"It's here!!!!!!!!!WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!;
YIPPEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
EEE-HAW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
It's more than I ever imagined. You really outdid yourself."
(--very happy customer from Texas)

"I received the wool yesterday and it is beautiful.
I can hardly wait to wash and card it." (--customer from Michigan who bought white & red mesa)

"I got my wool today. It is lovely and smells so wonderful. ... I can't wait to start spinning."
(--customer from Rhode Island)

"Thank you so much for the wool, which arrived today. It is truly gorgeous stuff! And it will spin into an ideal knitting yarn, soft and bouncy. The "Navajo ply" works perfectly on it, now I just need to set up a spindle holder so my husband can do something else while I ply yarn. I rinsed a handful of the wool, and, as you said, it's hard to tell what's wool colour and what's earth. It came out entirely creamy white. Lovely." (--another customer from Rhode Island)

Got the fleece on Thursday--it's beautiful, and I can't wait to dive in.
Thanks!!
(--customer from Ohio who bought lightly washed white)

"Carol, it's here! and it's beautiful. Please thank Julia for me. I shall try my best in spinning, braiding, and weaving and hope that it does its magic in return." (--customer from New Hampshire who bought carded Red Mesa)

"Altogether beautiful! Thank you." (--customer in Missouri who bought taw multi/grey/brown fleece)

"I received the fleece, and I believe it will be perfect.  Thank you so much." 
(--customer from Kentucky who bought washed dark brown and multigrey/brown/tan , and who makes wonderful dolls.)

"The wool has arrived... It is gorgeous!!"
(-- customer from California, who bought washed dark brown/grey with rust-red)

"I received the wool today, thank you so much, it's wonderful. I already spun a bit of it on a Navajo spindle, can't wait to fill it up. I will next dye some with natural dyes." (--customer from Connecticut, who bought carded white)

"Thanks for the lovely, lofty wool, which I received today. So fast! I can tell it will make great springy knitting yarn for a nice thick cardigan." (--customer from California who bought carded brown/grey/multi)

"The fleece is all very lovely and has the good homegrown and cared for energy that makes one want to spin and weave immediately" (--customer from Massachusetts, about an assortment of samples)

"The samples arrived! The two tones of the wool are beautiful, really beautiful. I'm thinking now about doing something creative with the two tones. I've got to think about how to incorporate the two tones into the design of the sweater. It may take me a week or two to figure this out. I spun the wool with my hands, and it looks lovely with a soft twist, very fluffy, just exactly what I had in mind." (--customer from Arizona, who asked for white samples, and later placed an order)

"Thank you for the wonderful work you are doing to ensure the Navajo wool traditions and churro sheep will continue. This is fair trade work right here in the U.S.! I'm a knitter, and I'd like to purchase a spindle and white wool for a special project."
(--customer in the Southwest)

"I got the wool yesterday. I couldn't wait & washed up a small bit of each and spun it up. ---- BEAUTIFUL!!! --- Thanks a lot." (­--customer in New York who bought natural black and white shell)

"After reading every word on every page on your web site, I very much would like to order some of your very special Churro wool. What an incredible story your pages tell.. I'm a handspinner and fiber arts instructor and am currently using lots of Scottish Blackface wool from a local farm for my rug yarns. I would love to introduce your beautiful wool to my students and spinning guild, and blend some with my mohair. Thanks for your time, and God bless you for the work you are doing." (--customer from New England)

"Two GIGANTIC boxes of beautiful, natural-rainbow-of-colors, softer-than-expected, steeped-in-history, grown-in-Arizona-sunshine CHURRO FLEECE ARRIVED! (Did I use too many adjectives?) Fleeces stampeded in... yesterday afternoon just as I had to leave for work ...When I got home at 2am, I spent WAY too many hours happily unwrapping each color of fleece and hugging them and washing samples and gazing at the variety of natural hues and textures! I saw the sun come up ...Visions of thick yarns, thin yarns, sweaters with natural color variations, woven pouches, scarves, rugs with rows of long churro locks ... I can't wait for the weekend and some free time! I can't wait to send you photos of handspun. I can't wait to share these fleeces with my spinning guild and design a display to honor the churro breed and the Dine'. How can I enjoy spinning any other breed of sheep wool now? (--customer from Connecticut who bought 110 lbs. of the full range of colored raw fleece.)

"I received the fleeces yesterday. What a wonderful surprise to come home to after a long day at work! They are absolutely beautiful! Thank you so much for the bonus fleece also! I couldn't wait so last night scoured the 1 lb. bonus and am now anxiously awaiting to get home to card it and spin it! The colors are just gorgeous. I can't thank you enough!" (--customer from Arizona who bought several colors [40 lbs.] of raw fleece).

"I have never had the absolute luxury of having enough of a special fleece to feel free to experiment; to just sit among all the colors and let them 'talk' to me ... I don't have that feeling of 'wasting' any part of a tiny five-pound fleece I usually work with, and can just go wild! I can really chew thru fleece, I spin about a pound an hour of chunky 2-ply, and more for single-ply rug-type yarn. With all this gorgeous wool, I have several large projects planned, and oodles of smaller ones. Today I washed about 20 pounds, keeping the colors separate to preserve the individual shades of each fleece. Fleece looked tough to clean, but with just a bit of shaking (love that red sand) and very gentle soaking (with my 'magic' handmade old-fashioned soap), it's one of the easiest types of fleece I've ever washed! My big goal is to weave a rug on a Navajo loom. My more attainable goal is a good warm churro hat!" (--customer from the Northeast)

"I got the wool yesterday and have already spun up a quarter of it -- I can't believe how nice it works up! I'm really looking forward to dyeing and weaving with it. Thanks also for the information about your coop. You have put so much work into it, you must be very proud to see things coming together now. Thank you so much for proving a source of wool that also gives something back to the Navajo community -- it means so much more to me to know that my weavings use real Navajo wool (even though they are not real Navajo). The hardest part of promoting indigenous handwork is bringing the product to people who are interested." (---customer who works with Kuna Indians in Panama, who bought washed white)

"I washed the red mohair and it came out an absolutely gorgeous jute color--absolutely beautiful! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! (--repeat customer in California who bought red mohair)

"I received my box of mohair today. It is beautiful. I am hoping for a sunny day tomorrow, so I can wash it, and let it dry in the sun." (--repeat customer from RI who bought badger doe, white yearling doe, and red buck mohair).

"I'm slowly washing the fleece up and once it's washed, it's very nice and actually 'soft' -the antique brown is a lovely color and carded up quite nicely. It took several rinses to get all the dirt out, but once it dries, it's very nice.
I'm hoping to weave it up into a nice tapestry when I get it all washed." (--customer from Arizona)

"The wool arrived and Yes and it is beautiful. I've washed it and now working on carding it. There are two dolls made now using it. I will email you pictures when they are developed. I've shown the wool to several people at our school who spin and knit. They think it is fantastic. Do you have any brochures you can send me that I can hand out? Even just a stack of your business cards will do." (--Joni Crines, a dollmaker and crafter from WA who bought white lambswool from 2002 shearing and dark brown from 2003).

---

Go to Black Mesa Weavers for Life and Land welcome page 

Go to Black Mesa Weavings for Sale

 

 

Write to: Black Mesa Weavers
P.O. Box 95204, Newton, MA 02495 (new mailing address)
or email : carol@migrations.com to place an order, or for more information. Or call toll-free 1-866-4-CHURRO (866-424-8776) Boston/Eastern Standard Time 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. (EST)


All poems, photographs, and text copyright © 1998 -2013 Carol Snyder Halberstadt, Migrations (unless otherwise noted). All rights reserved. Migrations, Black Mesa Weavers for Life and Land, Fair Trading from the Source, Fair Trade fom the Source, and "the wool that is sung to..." are trademarks of Migrations.

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