Diving deep...

...into the yarn stash for a couple of small skeins of hand-spun yarn.

At one point it seemed like a good idea for a knitter/crocheter to learn how to spin.  Lessons were taken, a wheel was bought, and I fell in with a rogue gang of local spinners.  Camaraderie was enjoyed, and bits of fluff were turned into usable yarn.  I never became entirely proficient though, probably due to a lack of practice, practice, practice. Years pass, wheel gathers dust, and small skeins of hand-spun languish.  Until -- 

A hat appears!  A rather rustic hat, but a useful garment nonetheless.

The brown yarn is from a breed known as Manx Loughtan.  It's a British rare breed known for their interesting horns (among other things I'm sure).  Behold --

The lighter beige yarn is from the California Red breed.  No, the yarn isn't red -- it's the faces of the sheep themselves that are -- see?

Well, perhaps more russet than red, but then no one consulted me. 

So, at long last, something useful -- and who knows? -- maybe the spinning bug will bite again!