Fiber stash and Spring weather

Well, the weather is not exactly cooperating with riding lately. High winds, scattered rains. . . Welcome to the real spring.

I have been preparing the wool roving to be placed onto Etsy in order for you lovely people to fill your fiber stash. Keep an eye out - It will be available in no time. I am just weighing out the final available fleece totals!!! Keep checking back!

The Ewes are doing well - looking very chunky with their baby's kicking to come into the world. They are expected to lamb in two weeks! I will be posting pictures as the come. :)

It's going to be a beautiful summer and I look forward to all of your comments!

Riding Season is upon us!

Medichi is doing great at Lake Le-Aqua-Na.

I'm excited to be starting Max (new horse) next month! But for now, Medichi gets all the riding :)

Bookcase is complete!

We had a friend install a custom bookcase along the staircase. It was pine and very light in color. My husband and I conditioned the wood, stained with Golden Mahogany, and coated it with polyurethane. It's gorgeous!! I love it! Now all I have to do is load it with our books and enjoy!

Before After:

Newest Addition to the Family :)

You remember Medichi: You remember MiKoda:(yes he's getting big)

Now, Please welcome Full Moon Over Texas to our Family :)

Thank you so Much Susan and John - He is Wonderful :) I can't wait to start playing with him!

Poco is Growing!

I think he's as big as he's going to get, but his mind is still learning! He loves to help with the sheep and at times he thinks he has to help with the horses, but he learned the horses just ignore him now. - That's no fun, so onto playing with his cats!

Spring Has Sprung

Here we go with our first spring in our new home! My PussyWillow showed buds last week and now they have sprung! It's one of the most beautiful sights I've seen so far this year. I'm getting more and more excited for the fresh new spring and summer with every bud that is budding and every animal that is shedding!

Dishcloths!!!

Ok, so I've been knitting again. I want to practice various stitches so I've recently discovered knitted dishcloths! Thank you Argyle knitting group :) I have made 2 already and have 2 in the works. I have discovered I'm not a fan of bobbles just yet, as you can see from my partially knit sheep dishcloth!I am getting to the point were I think I am ready to expand my challenge. I have found a beautiful pattern for a lattice and basket-weave throw! Yes, I'm that ambitious :) I am just hoping to find the perfect shade of light chocolate or dark beige to make it out of. I think that is half the battle, aside from the proper yarn weight, of course.

Making Roving!

I start by picking out any vegetation from the washed fleece. From this stage, I put the fleece on my Drum Carder in 3oz batches.

I then remove the wool from the Carder using a Diz. This creates a wonderfully, smooth roving ready for the spinning wheel.

Step by Step Wool Process

I skirt then pick to prepare for wash:

I then immerse small batches into HOT soapy water

I then rinse in HOT water multiple times (without agitation) in order to remove all soap and dirt. Between each step, I put the fleece through a spin cycle to remove excess water.

When the fleece is completely washed and rinsed, I pick open the fibers by hand and lay it out to dry.

This is the process I use to wash and dry my fleece.

Processing the Wool

There is 2 more weeks of my winter holiday. I have washed 3 fleeces and have started the picking process. I pick the fleece by hand so this may take some time. I have approximately 16 more batches of wool to wash. It's going to be a very long, busy week, but in the end it will be worth it.

I will be posting wool batts and yarn in my etsy store as I complete them.

Thank you for your patients.

Joey