Too much fun skirting fleece . . .

Huh, you ask? Is that possible? In what way do you mean? Are you suggesting . . . "It's not possible to have fun skirting fleece." Or, conversely, are you of the mindset, "It's not possible to have TOO much fun skirting fleece!" I am definitely in the latter category, and I documented all the fun had this past week at The Salty Ewe Farm in Kennebunkport ME. Thirteen some fleeces later, I was in lanolin heaven.

Handspinning for The Salty Ewe

Working out how fast to spin and work up 2-ply yarn from roving produced by The Salty Ewe Farm. Keeping track of hours it takes to prepare hanks. Prep only involves splitting up the roving into equal amounts of two, so that I can then ply singles from each group and hopefully have equal amounts with little left over. A tricky, eyeballing exercise. The leftovers will get Navajo plyed (makes a three-ply yarn) into much sorter bits. Some is natural: cream, oatmeal and brown, the traditional colors of Olde English Babydoll Southdowns. Some has been dyed beautifully with golden rod and madder root. This is extremely soft and bouncy fiber, a very short staple, so the technique is more of a steady "pinching" with hands held close together. As I know this flock, it is extra enjoyable to work with the fiber. Maya and her siblings and cousins, grand dames Bella and Callie, and all the newcomers are in my mind's eye (and scattered within this blog!) while I work at the wheel.

Off to ship these hanks to the farm's knitter. Will have to finish up remaining rovings when I return from CR later this month.

This week at the Salty Ewe Farm . . .

New lamb! Mama Rita gave birth last week, and  on April 9th I got to visit with darling, curious, and daring little no-name-as-of-yet ewe lamb. Nothing like having ones fingers nibbled by such an innocent little sweetie.

The following morning (7AM-ish), other members of the flock were looking as if their turn at lambing was just around the corner. The sounds of birds chirping and sheep baaing was a pretty near-perfect soundtrack for my viewing pleasure.

It couldn't have been a more memorable spring visit to the Salty Ewe.

Happy New Year

Things are looking very green still here on January 1, 2012. Nevertheless, thoughts and activities turn to sheep and wool, constantly. A late December visit to the Salty Ewe Farm flock found no snow but very woolly and warm looking ewes, wether, and new-ish ram Hercules. Camera and fingers not functioning as well as I would have liked for this shoot, so I expect to return when there is white on the ground with equipment in better shape.

Next weekend is the annual spinning bee at the Westford Museum in honor of St. Distaff Day. This homage to spinners of yore is a great way to kick off a fresh new era of all things fiber. My spinning teacher from the Textile History Museum, Penny Lacroix, is the director of this museum and, presumably, the organizer of the event. Not sure if I will make it this year, again, as it always falls on my husband's birthday weekend.

The Salty Ewe Farm in November

The pictures speak for themselves. Another lovely day of visiting with the flock, this time with a new stud on display. Hercules came down from Romney Ridge Farm in Wiscasset, ME. Big Bill moved on to Shearbrooke Farm, due west of Portland, where he will surely keep a new group of ewes happy, and lend his glorious cocoa coat to the farm's fiber production.

Big Bill

Big Bill is indeed.

Hercules is handsomely mottled over his face and body with browns and creams, and has a long tail. Two of the Babydoll Southdown ewes have enjoyed his company in the specially-created "love nest" -- three is definitely not a crowd for this bunch!

Little Hercules

The other light and dark ewes munched peacefully in the groomed field, keeping a wary eye on me and my cameras. Though I brought apple slices to lure them in, they are tough to convince that I am harmless.

See more images at the Walking Wool facebook page. 
Maybe this is the winter when I will shoot sheep in snow. Fingers crossed.

Friendship

Had a nice breakfast at The Friendly Toast in Portsmouth with my dear Sara yesterday. Some laughs, some tears, and comfort food on a chilly but sunny day. She has interesting plans for the Babydoll Southdown flock at The Salty Ewe Farm this year, and it is great fun to share thoughts and ideas and encouragement.

Last year's mother and child duet.

Peeking into the sheep barn at The Salty Ewe.

Olde English Babydoll Southdown roving I have spun.

A little pee stop.

Ok, this is so bad . . .

My friend Sara's new blog The Salty Ewe is a wonderful read. Puts me to shame. Here it is AUGUST, and I actually have been fiber-busy, but who would know it? So, back to posting.

Some of my July and, now early August activities have included:

Meeting with the Guild women and experimenting with a new large drum carder, and a rather intimidating (think medieval!) wool picker. We made beautiful batts as you can see . . .


And, some nice mother-daughter time at the Hillsdale farmers' market . . . something we both enjoy doing together.


Of course, spending a few days a week volunteering at the Worcester Animal Rescue League remains important to me, and so rewarding. One of my favorite girls is Bobbie Lee, a banshee in her kennel and a doll on the leash. Just a gorgeous girl.


And,yes, time with dear friend Sara in ME last month was heavenly.Jeric and I slept in her camper, went for nice walks with Sara and Beate, and enjoyed the sights and sounds and smells of the sheep and their wool. Dyeing and washing on her porch in some the nicest summer weather we've had, was, in my opinion, a gift of a day.




Big plans for August include another dye day with Sara, giving a workshop with the Guild at NOFA/Mass' Summer Conference 2010, and much more picking and carding!