On our road trip to Maine last fall we carried two unusual items of cargo in our otherwise ordinary camper.
- A gigantic tote full of lambskins (to deliver to a natural tannery in Vermont) and
- Three huge bags of sheared wool from our flock, destined for Green Mountain Spinnery, also in Vermont.
We delivered both back in September and we've been waiting for their return with all the patience we could muster.
Yesterday the fiber boxes arrived!
Skein after skein of beautiful, soft, homegrown yarn from our very own fiber flock, plus a large box of scrap wool and roving that we can use to spin at home and to stuff dolls, pillows, and toys.
It's hard to adequately explain how this feels. To hold in my hands enough yarn to knit a sweater for every member of my family and then some – and know so well the sheep that it came from.
It's been a long time coming and I can hardly wait to cast on my first project.
Based on the advice of my fiber mentor and friend Kathryn, the first thing on our agenda was to wash the wool one more time to increase the softness and spring.
Into the bathtub it went with a bit of wool wash and the hottest water our water heater could muster. (Wool only felts in hot water with agitation or with changes in water temperature.) There it soaked for a bit before a second wash in clear water; then each skein was carefully hung to dry.
This morning I am amazed at how springy, soft, and delicious this yarn is. From my own flock!
I can hardly wait for spring to arrive so that we can forage some dyestuffs from our farm and woods. I also dried and froze some natural dye material last year (black hollyhock blossoms and pokeweed berries) that I can use in the meantime. Oh, my. This is going to be fun!
As for the roving, well, we have plans for that, too.
I pulled out my spinning wheel to try spinning a bit and before I knew it I had a helper in my lap. Soon she was working the wheel on her own. There's a steep learning curve to be sure, but Lupine isn't daunted.
And neither am I.
(You can see her working on her first spin here.)
Homegrown sweaters, here we come!
Exciting! I can imagine the feeling of connection and fullness. Have fun!
this is a dream of mine! enjoy. it looks amazing. I can’t wait to see what you make with it and your dying. please post 🙂
How wonderful! It looks like you have a bathtub full of spaghetti noodles! Looking forward to seeing more of this journey unfold. Cheers to you my friend.
Wow, what an amazing payoff for your hard work, blood, sweat, and tears! The roots those sweaters will have!
That’s a whole lot of yarn! What a happy mail day 🙂
~ WOOL !!! Lupine spinning ! …so cool. The video is great, she is spinning so fast !! Its so incredibly neat to have the yarn from your own sheep friends.
LOVE it !!
I have a “wish-jar” for a spinning wheel.
* MAGICAL *
Merci for sharing it all. I can’t wait to see more. Lupine, what will you knit?
The GMS in Putney is very near my hometown.
I think all the sheep should proudly take a bow & a curtsy in the pasture.
Best,
Shell ~
My kids and were blowing bubbles, and ended up at your giant bubble wand tutorial. (Amazing btw!)
I have to say amazing, I am so envious after my first child I had to give up homeschooling and I have never managed to get sheep of my own. It is so amazing to see your experiences! Bless you for sharing I will continue to dream of my own little sheep flock and store. Thanks for the inspirations!