May 2008
A Creative Spin for a Pet Treasure
by Cindy Bellinger
In the 1970s, after buying a spinning wheel in New Zealand and shipping it home to her family in Albuquerque, at last Karen Bender is using her wheel. "I finally learned to spin eight years ago," says Bender, who now lives in Cañoncito de Manuelitas, halfway between Mora and Las Vegas with her husband, James Bender.
Even though the 37 million sheep and many fiber artists in New Zealand got her interested in spinning, Bender doesn’t spin much wool. She spins dog hair. And cat hair. Then she knits, weaves or crochets hats, scarves, mittens, vests, jackets, pillows, or afghans from the particular yarn.
"Everything is one of a kind. I usually work on commission because I use the combings of people’s dogs and cats—and once a colt’s first hair," she says. Short hair is often too short to spin. "But I’ve perfected a technique that lets me create a two-ply yarn ready to knit, crochet or weave." Bender says dog hair is warmer than wool so she prefers making items for outside wear. And when you’re out and about, it’s fun to say your hat or scarf is made from your dog’s hair!
She also sells yarn if people want to make their own wearables. "I’ve timed myself to see how long it took to make an ounce of yarn," she says. "It takes over two-and-a-half hours." Her yarns sells for $25 an ounce.
Bender, 61, grew up in Albuquerque and went to college at Columbia University in New York. There she earned a degree as an occupational therapist, which is her life’s work. Her first job took her to New Orleans where she met James. He suggested they travel the world, which they did, and ended up sewing clothes for a woman in the Cook Islands. "Both of us made 50 cents an hour," laughs Bender. "From there we went on to New Zealand."
In 1976, they finally settled down in Sapello where she got a job in the local public schools. Since 1992, they’ve both taught in Albuquerque, Las Cruces and Silver City after James earned a teaching degree from Highlands University. "Students loved it when I brought my wheel to school," Bender says. "Spinning is difficult, but they really enjoyed the carding."
During summers they’d return to their land in Cañoncito. In the summer of 2000, Bender took a spinning course at Victory Ranch in Mora. She and her husband returned to live full time in their Cañoncito log home in 2005.
Though people are finding Bender’s Heart and Hands Fiber Arts business by word of mouth, her husband is creating a website. She also plans to attend dog shows. She works part time for the Mora Independent Schools so there’s more time to spend on her fiber arts.
And everything is done the old fashioned way—using hand carders and her foot powered spinning wheel. "It really is a labor of love to create a hand spun, hand knitted garment from someone’s beloved dog or cat’s fur," she says.
For more information call or email Karen Bender at 505-426-8750 or golden@newmexico.com.
If you know anyone who’d make a good profile for this column—including yourself—let us know at sespinoza@enchantment.coop.
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