An Edinburgh mum and dog owner has hit back at to trolls who called her Cruella De Vil after an appearance on This Morning.
Jane Crewe, from Clermiston, appeared on the popular morning TV show with her Samoyed Phaedra, where she discussed a challenge that she had set herself to collect various Samoyed hair samples from around the world and knit 100 yarns in 100 days from the fur.
The mother of four has been using fur that her dog and others have shed to create jumpers as well as scarfs.
However the craftswoman faced criticism from some on Twitter who had said: “Coming up next Cruella De Vil. #thismorning”
In response to the critics, she said: “I think it's hilarious and flattering that I am being called Cruella. I'd love to own 101 Samoyeds and I'm 100 percent behind women reclaiming the traditional 'witches' and 'hags' stereotype and reworking it.
“Reaction to This Morning has been fantastic, Phaedy and I thoroughly enjoyed ourselves and the This Morning Team were really welcoming and adored Phaedra.
“It's not a business, the dogs I spin are usually ones that I know from Social Media pages, it's a hobby and for me. It is the connection with the dog and owner which makes it special. And you can't put a price on that!
“Spinning Samoyed fur has been around for thousands of years. Samoyeds live with a nomadic people called the Nenets who herd reindeer above the Arctic Circle in Siberia. The Nenets live in very harsh conditions and waste nothing. Samoyed coat is like a fine angora and keeps the dogs warm in temperatures down to -40°, it makes sense that the Nenet people utilise this precious resource. All Samoyed owners know the coat can be used for knitting, weaving and felting.”
On whether or not the fur smells, she added: “The fur can be washed if it's dirty but doesn't have to be and often depends on how many mud puddles the dog has been in before it's been groomed.
“My pair check out the parcels of fur the postman brings, they know if it belongs to a friend of theirs and then they go to look to see if they are coming in the door, it's very funny. Samoyed coats do not have a smell to the human nose. Samoyeds don't produce dander and oils which cause that doggy smell.
“I love spinning Samoyed, why would I want to stop? I'm experimenting with new techniques and dyes and I'm about to be taught how to weave by another amazing Edinburgh woman, the adventure goes on!”
You can keep up to date with Jane’s fantastic hobby by visiting her Facebook page 100 Clouds: www.facebook.com/theSamkeep
