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With shearing mostly wrapped up now (only rear half of Felix remaining), I’ve shifted gears to getting some of the fleece harvest washed!

I’m pleased to report that after a rocky start a few years back, Daphne’s wool is kind of coming into its own now. I’d have to dig back through the blog archives, because I’m otherwise kind of bad about keeping notes, but it seems like she’s hit her stride, fleece-wise. Lovely curly tips, med-long staple, nice soft handle, good “floof” factor. Think I’m going to enjoy playing with this batch!

Felix’s wool is really interesting in how it’s changed over the years. Back when he was a youngun’, his wool was quite long and fine- but wavy rather than crimpy. Then there were the in-between years when both he and Frank were so felted that I couldn’t do much with their wool except make toupees for sock monkeys. But now, in his golden years, Felix is growing much finer & crimpier, albeit shorter, fleece. It’s always been harder to get washed because his lanolin is much more persistent than some others. So this year I decided to use my dye kettle setup with the propane burner to get the water nice and hot. I think it worked out ok.

His wool is perfect for hand carding into rolags and spinning into lightweight woolen-style yarns

I’ve still got a bit of a backlog on Esther wool from last year, so trying to get that cleared out and cleaned up as well before starting on this year’s fleece. Maybe one more kettle full to go after this batch

Washing Esther wool is always rewarding because of the complete transformation that it undergoes. From dirty, greasy, stinky to creamy white and glowing. These 2nds I’ll probably have to do some trimming of matting and yellowed tips, but it’s always work the work.

Haven’t started Dottie’s new fleeced yet, but she’s always an pretty easy washer.

And speaking of Dottie- her current sweater project is really coming along-

That’s a sleeve there in the foreground. I tried it on a little earlier today and am excited about how it’s shaping up. Feels really nice- light but cozy. and all that fabulous color. So fun.

Things That Are Making Me Happy Right Now

Stock (Matthiola incana) from the garden (variety- Asa No Kagayaki)

One of my favorite flower smells. Spicy and sweet. Amazing to think that they are related to broccoli!

And I’m making pretty good progress on JUiST- separated the sleeves and body and shifted the color palette for fun

I’m JUiST about ready for another try-on (Heh heh)

Also happy to report that Yellow Chig is done being broody (for the time being) and is back to hanging with me in the hoophouse.

Good to see her back up and around- and getting along with the only other chig remaining on the homestead (recent eagle attack survivor, newly dubbed “Speck”).

Speck likes to spend most of the day in the Rhody Forest, but I lured her out with some grain to get this photo op

I don’t blame her for wanting to stay under cover after her raptor encounter a few weeks back. Glad that she’s on the mend- wounds closing, lots of new feathers coming in, and safely tucked away in a dog crate each night.

Alrighty folks, that’s it from me. Have a good week- and enjoy the Solstice!

New spinning project for Elsa! Octavia roving from Marietta Shetlands. Plan is to turn it into a three ply worsted weight yarn, then a new vest for shepherd John (pattern TBD).

In garden news, our chicken wire and netting setup seem to be keeping the bunnies at bay-

Little peps, especially the Aji Cristal guys, are looking really sharp-

Runner beans are starting to run (and flower)-

This little watermelon is venturing into his designated sprawling zone

and this is kind of fun- last year I saved seed from the zinnias that did so well in the hoophouse, but earlier in the spring when I tried to start them I got zero germination. I’d all but given up on having zinnias this year, then recently noticed that I had little volunteers popping up all over the place in here. They didn’t always choose the best places to grow, so I’ve scooped some up and potted them for relocation to other garden spots. So glad I’ll get to see their cheery blooms after all!

At the intersection on wool and garden projects, we have the dye plants that I started from seed this spring. The marigolds are coming on like crazy, and are so intense- like burning embers.

I’m going to dry the blooms for future dyeing. Is they keep on blooming like this all summer I will probably have a pretty good bunch of material to play with

and speaking of color- an update on the Dottie JUiST project-

It’s coming along pretty good now, just a couple inches until I separate the sleeves from the body. After that it should really pick up. Not sure The neckline sits quite right, so I might go back and futz with that a bit later. But I just love the feel of the fabric- and the flashy stripes.

Ok, I’d better head out to visit with the sheeps and get them some evening treats. Have a good week everyone-

It’s been a tough couple of weeks, chicken-wise.

A couple weeks ago, for the first time ever, we had a chicken killed at night in the shed.

Then it was two.

Then three and four, despite our attempts to lock down any entry points.

And after the fourth, I decided that I needed to rehome the rest to get them out of harm’s way.

I am grateful to the Schoonovers who agreed to take in the gang on such short notice.

The only chickens remaining here are Yella (who is unavailble for comment as she’s hunkered down pretending to sit on eggs) and the Speckled Sussex girl who was attacked by an eagle on Tuesday and is recovering from her wounds in the safety of the shop.

It is very strange to not have chicken friends boppin’ around the pasture. I was very sad to see them go. But I am also relieved that they are no longer living under threat of attack by (most likely) racoon.

I have taken down the chicken cam, and brought in the “honk for eggs” sign.

As Forrest Gump would say, “And that is all I have to say about that.”

At least for now.