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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!

Now that I’ve finished up the vest- I’m turning my attention back to a couple of things that were left unfinished in the last couple of years.

First up- 2nd sock from I can’t remember when.

Not quite sure when I started these, as I can’t seem to find any earlier pictures in my photostream, and I don’t generally track “standard recipe” socks in my Ravelry projects. Maybe I cast on for them when I was traveling in May. In any case, it’s time to get them finished up.

Then there is Autumn’s End, started October 2016. I got fairly far along with this sweater- but then started to doubt if it would fit me, and took a break from it. 2 year break, as it turns out. Time to decide if it goes forward or not.

And my 99% complete argyle socks. They are truly almost done (despite what the photo suggests). I just wasn’t completely happy with the tension on the edges of a couple of the diamonds. I was trying to snug them up a bit as I was weaving in ends, and got frustrated and put them away.

And I also hope to get a some more spinning done now that the days are shortening and we turn more to indoor pursuits.

Here are a couple of new spins that I managed to turn out this week- Esther and Bam Bam (I think), drying in a little bit of sun we got today after the downpour

Have a great week-
Go Hawks! 🙂

I had the vest 99% complete last weekend, but it still needed closure.

I was originally thinking toggles, but then I came across these nice warm wood buttons that are kind of thick, with very round edges.

Reinforced on the back with little supporting buttons. Yarn loop secured in the ribbing on the other side complete the look.

I even really like how the shoulders worked out.

So excited to be able to wear it this Fall!

Sunny and cool.
Everything seems to have a gold tinge.

Got sheep hooves trimming this morning, and now everyone is just chillin’ in the pasture

(Pretty sure Dottie thought I had some apples with me)

I don’t usually have a chance to handle Frank, so I was checking out his fleece this morning while I had him haltered up.

It’s only about 2 inches long, but so beautiful and crimpy! I really hope he can keep from getting it all felted and icky over the Winter!
Dottie’s fleece is really long already, but I think I’ve missed the window of opportunity for getting her sheared this Fall.

And Survivor Chicken is back with her girlfriends in the shed

so that’s cool.

And in knitting news, the vest is off the needles (for the moment).

And I’m really happy with how the collar worked out

Now I have to go back and do the armhole trim and then finish off the cut edges of the steeks.

Getting so close!