The Celtic symbol of everlasting love – in Welsh, serch bythol – is formed from two triskeles. The triskele, a three cornered knot, denotes body, mind and spirit. When two triskeles are joined together, they form an everlasting circle of eternity. Thus the figure represents two people, joined in body, mind, and spirit in everlasting love.
Everlasting Love Bracelet: The three symbols entwined denote past, present, and future. Devolved length is 6-1/4 inches, width at the center is 3/4 inch.
Everlasting Love Earrings: These sterling silver fishhook earrings are double sided, about 1-3/16″ long.
Everlasting Love Necklet: This sterling silver necklet is double sided, about 1-3/16″ long. An 18″ sterling silver chain is included.
Braiding soap is an emulsion of fat in a soap-and-water solution. The water in the solution conditions the lace for a greater stretch while the fat permits the leather strands to slip more tightly into place. This allows the braid to be rolled more smoothly.
The following recipe for braiding soap has been used here at David Morgan for years. We usually make the braiding soap in a recycled 2 pound coffee can where the mixture can be prepared and stored in the same can.
Ingredients
1 3.5 ounce bar of Ivory soap
12 ounces (1-1/2 cups) water
1 pound (2 cups) lard
Directions
1. Coarsely grate soap into a coffee can or pot suitable for stovetop use.
2. Add water and mix.
3. Heat the mixture almost to boiling, stirring occasionally. Take care not to overheat causing the mixture to boil over.
4. Add the lard to the hot soap mixture, continuing to heat until the lard is melted. Again, take care not to overheat causing the mixture to boil over.
5. Remove the mixture from the heat. Beat at high speed with an electric hand mixer to emulsify the fat. Take care not to splatter or spill the hot mixture.
6. Allow the mixture to cool, then mix thoroughly once more with the mixer. Transfer the mixture to a storage container at this time if you are not storing in the container used during preparation.
7. Cool completely. Store, covered, at room temperature.
Makes about 2 pounds. The braiding soap will have a light, creamy consistency.
Note: Ivory soap is recommended as a commonly available pure soap. Do not use a facial soap or detergent.
Style and color matter, but weave and yarn are just as important when choosing a sweater. If you are using your sweater for work, you may want a tighter weave and a stronger yarn. If you are wearing it next to your skin, then a merino wool provides comfort. For the warmest sweater, bulk will prevent heat from escaping.
All of our sweaters are made with wool. Some are pure wool, some are mixed with other fibers such as our delightful Possum/Merino wool sweaters, and some have a touch of synthetic fibers added for strength and durability. Compared to less expensive synthetic competitors, wool reigns supreme for its warmth and comfort. Wool is also the optimal fiber for moisture transference and will not retain an odor.
Below we feature five of our sweaters. From top to bottom are: Devold’s Aquaduct Polo, Thermo Jacket, and Marine Sweater, Lothlorian’s Possum Sweater and Devold’s Islender Sweater.
Next up is a close-up of each sweater:
Devold’s Aquaduct is made of 95% merino wool and 5% nylon. Warm air is trapped between two layers, providing a warm, but lightweight top. The merino wool makes it comfortable next to your skin.
Devold’s Thermo Jacket is composed of 100% merino wool. Light and soft, it is an excellent layering piece that also works well as an outer jacket.
Devold’s Marine Sweater (both zip-turtleneck and crewneck) is the traditional Norwegian sweater used for work. After a decade or so of hard use, the Norwegians would take their sweater to tailors who traveled on the waterways in barges to have the cuffs replaced. The Islender was the sweater of choice of the Artic and Antartic explorers in the early 1900s. The wool is worsted, providing a stronger and tighter weave. This design also prevents snags.
Lothlorian Sweaters (men’s v-neck and women’s cardigan) combine the soft pointed ends of possum fur with merino wool for an extremely soft and luxurious fiber. Because possum fur has a hollow core, the sweater is very light and very warm.
Devold’s Islender Sweater is our thickest sweater. The bulk prevents heat from escaping while the weave provides an elasticity that prevents constraint. However, we recommend wearing a shell over the sweater. A strong wind can penetrate the weave and rob you of heat.
