Author: denisemor

The long holiday weekend offered me a chance to get a little woolwork done, and I took it!

I went back to the stash to see what would jump out at me, and was reminded that I still had a little over a pound of Edgar Fall 2011 fleece in reserve.

It was so nice to spend some time picking

and then carding

this gift from my dear departed buddy, and reflecting upon how thankful I am for all my critters, past and present.

I have about 3 ounces or so left to pick/card, and no particular project in mind yet, but I think that once the Holiday Market is in the rearview mirror I’ll start spinning it- I’m thinking probably a 2ply dk weight for a sweater or vest of some sort.

In anticipation of the market next Saturday I’ve been working up some more singles in natural shades- these guys are fresh off the wheel and still need to be washed and thwacked

It seemed only fitting to continue the ovine theme into my first round of holiday baking-

Oh how I love me some Springerle 🙂

I also wanted to share my excitement about these cool new rubber boots I just picked up.
Really. Boot excitement. Unreasonable boot excitement.
(this is not a paid advertisement, I promise)

Springy, with arch support and a very comfy, secure fit, but not tight around the ankle.
And the traction is awesome. Just got them, so I can’t speak to how they’ll hold up, but I tell you what- they feel amazing.
Grundens Deck Boss.

It’s been a remarkably beautiful weekend-

And I finally got some photos, just as it’s drawing to a close.

We made what I hope will be a significant upgrade to the chicken accommodations today- a second Feed-O-Matic treadle feeder.

So now we’re Feed-O-Matic only- no more open feed sources. Hopefully this will help to discourage the starlings and other small birds from hanging out in the shed eating and pooping all day, and also keep spillage to a minimum.

And in wool news, another Marta cap flew off the needles this week- this one slightly sized up.

I just can’t stop knitting them! So if you think you might need a toasty cap for this winter (or know someone who would appreciate one as a gift!) make sure you swing by the Bow Holiday Market on Dec 1. New location this year- Edison Elementary School.

Also- registration is now open for the WSU Country Living Expo. So save the date! January 26 @ Stanwood High School. I’ll be teaching two classes- The Basics of Wool Processing, and Yarn From Scratch: Handspinning on a Wheel. Should be lots of fun!

Yesterday I introduced a few new feathered friends to to chicken crew.
Marco Pollo (6 mo old olive egger roo), 2 silver laced Wyandottes (about 7 months old), and one Welsummer (9 months).

They seem to be holding their own pretty well, so that’s good. “Welsie” as I’m calling her, is fitting in most easily. Maybe because she kind of looks like the amerucana girls. And the Wyandotte sisters appear to be able to stand up for themselves, and have claimed roosting spots on the new structure I assembled last weekend.

Marco looks like he could be Bertrand’s little brother. He’s kind of unassuming, so I don’t think Bertrand feels too put upon 🙂

I think it’s going to work out ok.

And when I’ve not been busy overseeing chicken assimilation, I’ve been able to make quite a bit of progress spinning Marta singles and working them into a Honegard earflap hat!

Had to rework the pattern a little to account for the smaller gauge, but I think it’s working out nicely-
Really like the solid charcoal color with the different textures- garter stitch for the earflaps, and the honeycomb cables for the rest of the hat. Marta’s wool is so soft and springy.

I’d forgotten how much I like working this pattern.

Have a great week!

Yesterday I got to visit a couple of Shetland flocks that I’ve not met before!

First down in Duvall, there was MacFinn Farm

Sorry the photos of her beautiful critters are out of focus- they were all kinds of beautiful colors and patterns-
And there was this sweet fella, Rudy- who reminded me very much of my dear departed Edgar.

These guys were also performed like a drill team- I wish I’d taken a video of them making their way from their holding pen to the pasture- they leaped and strode out of the gate- swooshing back behind the house, circling back around and then pouring themselves so gracefully into their hilly, treed pasture. So fun to watch!

From there, we come back up north to Sleepy Hollow Shetlands. Again- sorry for the quality of the photos- I was too caught up in hanging out with the sheeps and admiring their lovely fleeces

And another gregarious moorit! This shetland ambassador is Iris 🙂

I really hadn’t planned on acquiring any more wool on this tour, but by resolve left me when I spied Marta’s unique fleece-

The frosty tips and soft hand just sucked me in. It’s not really the kind of fleece that Sally favors (not as fine and crimpy as most of her sheep), but it’s right in my wheelhouse 🙂
I didn’t get to meet the girl- as she was off getting busy making more lambies, but I did find this photo of her on their Facebook page.

Here’s another raw fleece photo

I’ve already washed up a little batch of it- and it’s going to be a lovely heathery charcoal color- and should be a really fun spin!

After Sleepy Hollow, we ended up back at Schoonover Farm, where I got a chance to see and try out Donna’s amazing new Jocko wheel.
Truly a work of art.

Was a great way to spend the day!