A New Life

April 4, 2010

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!

March 25, 2010

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.

January 18, 2010

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.

January 4, 2010

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