Wednesday, October 28, 2009

OMGoodness I have a lot to say!

Wow, where to start? I took pictures of the coopworth fleece in processing intending to share them... a month ago (its now gone to Morro). I took pictures of new stuff from Knit-Pics intending to share them.... two weeks ago. I took pictures of my sheep after we separated them into breeding groups... 10 days ago... I am wayyyy behind! Now I have pictures of a Shetland fleece I bought in Oregon last weekend and a short narrative to go with it!
I guess I will start with last weekend...
Mim called me last Wednesday to ask if I would like to take a road trip with her up into eastern Oregon to pick up a ram. I was sick but I told her I wanted to and would as long as I was feeling better by then. I was feeling better so I did; we met in Winnemucca (about 45 mins from my house, 3.5 hrs from Mim's) and drove north. She tells of our stay at her blog along with pictures. The home we went to and stayed at was the home of Lois and Brook, two very friendly and accommodating people, with lots of Shetland sheep, three barns, a home that was built in the 1920's (currently being renovated) and a really big work/wool shop with a loft which is where Mim and I bunked. This was above the wool room; Mim and I both felt that if the loft didn't work out we could sleep in the wool room, which of course was full, wall to wall, with Shetland fleeces. It was all very organized; there were bags of raw wool to be skirted, there were boxes of already skirted wool with sheep names on them, and there was already processed wool. The place smelled Heavenly! (Lois has a blog here, she hasn't had a lot of time to post lately, but you should go see her sheep from previous posts.)
While we were out walking among the sheep on Sunday morning, I spotted this ram (turned out to be a wether) with what I thought must be a very nice fleece. He wasn't feeling friendly that morning so I didn't get a close up look at him, but the look of his fleece kept coming back into my mind as the day wore on. After lunch we were going to go look at some of the fleeces of the relatives to the ram Mim was taking home and then go look at the ewes. So I asked if I could see Polaris' fleece and OMGosh! It was love at first sight.


I am not normally drawn to Shetland fleeces (sorry Mim and Lois... Michelle, Kathy, ...there is one more, but can't think right now who you are... my oh my! I do know a lot of Shetland people!) they just aren't my favorite, but this! It is very soft and crimpy, and lustrous, with no super soft down that brushes away or pills up. I thought about processing it myself but it is very greasy so I sent it to Shari also.
Now my fingers are getting tired and I have to go add some new skeins of yarn to my Etsy Shop so I will leave you with pictures...
Happy Boys!

George... he lost this coat today, hoping I can rig it up so it will stay on...
Coopworth!
My new bag from Knit-Pics! I love it! And tad ah! I bought my very own circular knitting needles! :)

7 comments:

Jody said...

That fleece has the most amazing colours...it looks like silver and gold to me. What's with the circs?

Kara said...

What pretty fleece and sounds like a great time. I am curious what don't you usually like about Shetland fleeces? I have heard others spinners say this as well. I have spun little else. We have to do a fiber swap this spring...I would love to try Tunis and would love to get your feedback about some of my fleeces.

Laura said...

I love knitpicks - I have their entire set of changeable needles, and all the dps and fixed smaller sizes. You'd think that'd be enough, but NOOOO- sometimes you need two of each!

I also have a love/hate relationship with Shetlands. I like their wool, but don't like the personality that goes with it (pinball sheep). Now, I know there are pinball sheep in all breeds, having culled more than a few, but geez, these guys excel a it!

Glad you had a good trip!

Dori Ann said...

Don't you love Coopworth? I think it is a negleted fleece :)
I also like the looks of all the things you got from KnitPicks. Love their needles.
Looks like you are having fun!!

Kathy said...

We'll make a convert, er...appreciator, of Shetland out of you yet, Becs! :)

Sharon said...

See. What you just needed what the *right* Shetland fleece. Every-so-often I just have to give myself a break and spin Shetland, with you planned purpose. It flows through my fingers and I'm glad you've now had that experience!

June said...

I love your sheepy adventures! I wish I lived closer so I could come play too!!