I have to admit, I'm typically a bit of a purist. I like, no love, things that are authentic, pure and original. So much so, that I'd rather pass completely, if I can't have (for whatever reason) the real thing.
For example, if I decide to wear ugly sheep skin boots, I want to wear the real thing. Not some knock off from the discount big box store. Maybe that makes me a snob. Ok, it probably does make me a snob. BUT, I also feel compelled to defend my snobbery.
Someone, somewhere, designed those ugly boots, probably wore them around for 2 years while their friends and family pointed and laughed. Then, suddenly, the right person fell in love with those ugly boots too and told their friends and suddenly a great idea was born. I respect that. I respect that a lot.
I feel the same way about processes. Like art, or say, gardening. I want the whole experience. Amending soil, starting seedlings, tending, troubleshooting, growing. Starting in the middle dulls the lustre for me.
So needless to say, way, way back in the day when I started making animals and toys from felt, it was a huge leap for me to use a blended wool felt. But I'll tell you what. I tried every last 100% wool felt I could get my hands on and it all fell short. Too lumpy, too thick, to weak. I even considered trying to make my own, but knew I'd yield the same results. Lumpy, thick and weak. Ha, that's kind of describes my gravy every Thanksgiving too.
Anyway, i resigned that a wool blend was good enough. And I resigned to that for years. Last week I discovered that the industry has finally caught up and is now offering a 100% merino wool felt that is craft weight.
Finally.
It's delicious. It really is. It feels good, smells good, looks good and sews up like a dream!
Here are the first 100% wool ponies.
Pure.
What a beautiful word.
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