Tag: bison

National Bison Day

On By CarynIn Wildlife

Happy National Bison Day! As you are coming off the sugar high from yesterday, gear up for winter with some bison, because no one does winter better than our national mammal.

Photo description: white bison coming head on (not to butt, but to get treats) on the Buena Vista Wildlife Safari

Here is more about today from the National Bison Association.

https://nationalbison.org/celebrate-national-bison-day-honoring-americas-national-mammal-and-its-regenerative-legacy/

Here are some great products made of bison: https://thebuffalowoolco.com (not an affiliate link, I just love what they do and that they are local!)

So have some bison burgers, warm your fingers and toes with some buffalo wool knits, or treat your skin to some American made products today. Support local. Support the continuation of an American icon.

Suspicious cat

On By CarynIn Cats

I put American Bison wool insoles from the Buffalo Wool Company in my shoes to help give them some cushion, and I knew I would need to keep them up and away from the cat. Thor the cat loves natural wool, and he loves my shoes, so I was taking a large gamble combining the two. For a couple weeks I was very good about keeping the shoes up on the shoe rack, then I was reminded why when I set my shoes on my chair before my morning walk and came back to a suspiciously happy cat cuddled in next to the shoes.

Photo description: black Vionic walking shoes with American Bison wool insoles sitting in a leather arm chair with a gray tabby, eyes closed, cuddled next to the shoes

The insoles remain unmolested, but I must be vigilant.

American Bison page

On By CarynIn Craft

I actually spun this bison fiber before I started my fiber book. I used a tahkli spindle and spun fast and fine, then made a two ply yarn. I experimented with singles spun in both the S and Z directions, then nålbound wrist warmers (blog post here). The second, tighter wrist warmer continued to get tighter as the fibers felted together, until it was uncomfortable to wear. Then the kitten found it and had a hay day. So I dedicated the first piece to the book. I had some leftover yarn so did up a knit swatch and a crocheted lace round. I didn’t save any single spun yarn, so had to deconstruct some plied yarn for the page.

Photo description: Clockwise from top left: “Bison Spinning Fibers” card; single ply yarn; two ply yarn on a paper bobbin; one nålbound wrist warmer; crocheted lace round; knit square; loose bison fiber

Bison down fiber really is a luxury fiber. It feels like spinning clouds and the yarn is so soft and so very, very warm. It is definitely one of my favorite fibers. (And yes, this is an absolutely shameless plug for my neighbors, The Buffalo Wool Company. Fantastic people, even more fabulous dedication to the preservation of the American Bison.)