yeah, I was originally going to blog today.
It’s not that there is nothing going on. This week we’ve had a few blog-worthy fiascos arise (storm-wracked chicken condo, rotting dead rat under chest freezer in the shop) and also some fibery triumphs (16 pounds of carded wool! an unspun superchunky hat! )
But there are no pictures. And it is late. So you’ll have to take my word for it.
At least until next week.
Take care folks. 😉
Quite possibly the longest week ever.
And while I’m relieved by the result, it’s left me rather exhausted, so I’ll keep this short.
Woolwork for the week includes Felix Spring 2020 rolags
And also a bit of a test spin from a drum carded batt. It’s not terribly even, but I love it anyway. So soft and pristinely white. The rolags should yield a more even result. I find that Felix’s fleece, being a lot finer than my other wools, requires a bit more careful prep.
Also picked and carded the last of Daphne’s Spring 2020 fleece (her first shearing) , about 14 oz. You can’t see it very well in the photo, but the outer coat of her wool has a really interesting mahogany color. I don’t think that that characteristic has carried into her adult fleece.
Also dug deeper into my bins and turned up a little over a pound of lovely Chone wool. Is always kind of bittersweet working with the wool of a dear departed sheepy friend.
Very special stash.
Ok, take care and have a good week, folks-
I was thinking this week that, since there is no longer a Bow Market, where I would normally offer my woolen goods to folks locally, I might as well post some items here in case folks are interested in unique handcrafted gifts for the upcoming holidays (or just to be outfitted as the weather cools).
So I’ve reactivated the Farm Stand page. There you’ll find hats, cowls, a couple super cute little sheep puppets, and a variety of hand-processed wools from my pasture gang. I hope to add some yarn listings soon.
Since I’ve resolved to get more of my washed fleeces carded up, I’ve gotten quite a bit done! I’ve got about 23 oz of Esther’s creamy white wool ready to go
About 19 oz total of three different shades of Dottie
And I think about 13 oz of Daphne from her Fall shearing a couple of months ago
I’ve also carded Fiona’s fall shearing (baby fleece), but I think I’m keeping that for myself 🙂
Just picked Daphne’s Spring 2020 fleece during the Hawks game this afternoon, and so will hopefully have that hot off the carder a little later on this week! I do really like this part of the wool processing, as I get really hands-on with the fleeces and can appreciate the variations in their colors and textures.
Also got some good work in on the hoophouse this weekend. It’s really starting to take shape!
The hoops are up, and the corner braces in. Next up- baseboards and hiprails!
Have a good week- and make sure you get out and vote.
Make some progress on the hoophouse today. Hoops assembled!
And here’s what one looks like in my expertly pounded groundposts 🙂
So that is super cool. I can stand under my one hoop and imagine what the structure will be like when it’s completed. Super excited.
I also have decided that the time is ripe to move some of my fleece inventory along in the processing pipeline. I’m up to date with fleece washing, but have abit of a glut of locks awaiting picking/carding. So I have resolved to get one bag of fleece picked and carded each week through the month of November. Bag size varies a bit, but that’s ok. Just workin’ through it.
This week’s carding is Daphne Fall 2020 fleece- about 18 oz of dark, nutty, frosty deliciousness.
And here is the girl herself striking a pose, to show you what that texture looks like on the hoof-
Also wanted to show you the texture on Fiona’s fleece. This is not quite two months growth since her fall haircut- I love the curly tips!
Really glad I got some Fall shearing done this year, Hoping it will mean that Spring fleeces will be a little tidier and less felted.
Have a great week- and Go Hawks!