Introducing the latest addition to my fiber stash:
Closer:
I’m always anxious to see how a new fleece is going to spin up, so I just grabbed a couple handfuls and gave it a go-
Flicked out:
To be spun in the grease, from the fold:
Plied (but still greasy):
Then to the bath (which is this case is an old peanut butter jar)!
All washed up:
And on the needles:
Ta Da!
I love swatching.
I think my bonnet is situated incorrectly in this photo,, but it’ll have to do:
This weekend we took our first steps in fixing the perimeter fencing on our property.
Before- the Short and Schlumpy fencing:
And After- the Tall and Tidy fencing:
And here I am between the before and after, digging post holes the old-fashioned way. We have since decided we’re going to need an auger attachment for the tractor. The old-fashioned way sure is good exercise, but takes an awfully long time.
And in other news, the Oregon vest is coming right along. Back and one front side done. Did a quick trial assembly and steaming to test the sizing,, and I think we’re in good shape.
The pockets are knit with the back of the vest, and then sewn in against each front side, leaving part of each side seam open for the pocket entry. Neat, eh?
Anyway, I only have this much yarn left, and one more front side to go, so I’d better get spinning-
Gotta get this stuff plied and off the bobbins because Wednesday I’m going to a Comprehensive Spinning workshop with Judith McKenzie McCuin up in Bellingham. Then to top it off, Saturday is a fleece sale at Jonassons farm in Burlington.
Now that’s a good wool week!
Yesterday the Man and I went down to Whidbey Island for a Livestock Adviser field trip to Gary and Lois Fisher’s place, Camelot Downs.
Gary and Lois have all “Colonial Livestock”, animal breeds that were brought over to the US from Britain and elsewhere during the colonial period.
They have a flock of Southdown sheep,
with a couple of Romney’s (can you find the Romney in the picture above?),
a Coopworth cross I didn’t get a photo of and and also a Lincoln wether thrown in (as company for one of the llamas).
Llamas act as flock guardians,
and Ginny ( a “Henny”- offspring of a male horse and a female donkey) patrols the borders of the place, keeping a lookout for coyotes and dogs.
and a little closer (she’s such a snugglebug)-
Lois processes most of the wool herself, as the Southdown fleece doesn’t lend itself to commercial preparation (staple length too short, I guess)- and showed us some of her drum carded batts and handspun yarns.
Occurs to me know that I should have gotten photos of that stuff as well. Oops!
But anyway, was always good to be in the company of other fiber-folk!
In knitting news, the back of the Oregon vest is complete and I’m moving on to the left front.
I must say, it does feel odd to be knitting a sweater in pieces. I feel like I have to keep comparing the new piece with the back to make sure the waist shaping is even and all that.
It’s much easier making adjustments to the pattern on the fly when you’re working on the garment as a whole. Just one more reason to knit in the round.
That’s about it for now. Have to go and spin up more of that Oregon vest wool…