Sorry to have skipped out on the blog last week, but I was off on my annual retreat! Was nice to get back to Maxwelton Aerie on Whidbey Island, after having traveled further afield last year, down near Brinnon, on Hood Canal.
While there is no longer a yarn store in Langley, we made a quick stop on the way down down the island at Sea Bre’s yarn shop in Coupeville, which was quite busy, as apparently there was a Puget Sound local yarn shop tour thing happening that weekend. I picked up a couple ounces of some yummy Malabrigo fiber as a special vacation treat.
I took my lateral treadle spindle wheel and some of that bargain Romeldale with since I’ve been having so much fun lately working on my Rio Grande flip technique.
Also made progress on some Zauberball socks that I figured would be a pretty safe social knitting project.
Saturday, we stopped by the Bayview Farmer’s Market, and were excited to see a mobile yarn vendor in a panel truck identified as the “Wool Wagon”. Beautiful yarn. I very nearly bought a skein of sock yarn, but resisted temptation on this occasion.
Sunday, we checked out the Tilth Market in Freeland, and came across Windy Indigo Farm, with yarn and fiber for sale. This Romney wool was so lovely and unusual that I had to try a bit. Reminds me more of Shetland in color and texture, and should be interesting to work with.
And since I’ve been home, I am pleased to report that, as of this morning, I’ve finally completed shearing!
Dottie put up quite a fuss this year about giving up her wool, and I had to bring in reinforcements (The Man) in order to get her finished up safely. But now the wool clip is officially in the bag.
Onwards to washing! I’m perpetually amazed at how dirty Esther gets her fleece compared to everyone else. All her wool needed to go straight into a cold water pre-wash where it will hopefully release some of it’s yuck and make it more manageable and usable.
It was kind of a long process, but I think she’s pretty pleased about being freed up from her heavy, stinky coat.
Have a good week, folks!
I am glad that you were able to retreat. Your acquisitions are lovely and that Romeldale is amazing. Sorry about Dottie’s behavior.
thanks Donna- I’ll drop a bit of the Romeldale by your farmstand for you to try. Was so glad to finally get Dottie’s remaining fleece off. She makes such beautiful wool!