Return to Black Socks

It's been just over 2 years since I first tried to attend the shearing day at Black Socks Sheep & Wool. Well, today we finally made it :)

Oh, the anticipation!


Shearer in action.


A naked sheep :)LOL


A few lambs :D


We couldn't stay the whole time cuz dd got sick, but she liked the lambs and black wool the best.

The "Spin In"

I went to a "Spin In" a few weeks ago (Oct 18th), held by the Bishop Hill Fiber Guild. I carpooled with my new "fiber friend," Heidi (who I met at our local famer's market).

She brought her wheel along

An Ashford Traveler.

So I could participate in the "Beginning Wheel Spinning" Workshop.
After ~1hr I had this much done


I also attended the "Sheep Breeds & Wool Uses" Workshop...loads of great info.


Of course, I made a couple purchases from Black Socks Sheep & Wool.
Two oz black CVM Lamb roving from "Emily"...I think.


And some of the first batch of yarn they had spun...
Five oz of aran wt taupe-colored CVM from "Sparrow"


Fast forward...I was able to go over to Heidi's to keep spinning the white corriedale & got ~ halfway thru the 2 oz.

Fast forward again to yesterday...I met up with Heidi at a craft show she was selling at & spun for almost another 3 hrs to FINALLY finish the 2oz.

DD watching me spin



It now looks like this...and took a total of about 7 hrs to spin.


It is REALLY fine. I think it's average fingering to lace weight...when plied...YIKES!
I'm spinning 4oz of worsted-aran weight gray on my kick spindle to ply with it....gotta find the time tho...

Fiber Fun Day: Part 1

What a day!!
I just got back from two excursions into "Fiber Wonderland"

First, I got a call this morning from Mike, the shepherd at BSSW. The shearer was coming TODAY! And he was going to be there SOON!! AAAHHH!!!

Hubby was at work (racking up the overtime) so I called him really quick to see if he could come home to watch the baby while Serena and I went on a road trip. He graciously agreed & came home as soon as he got his latest project done.

We ran out the door & got there as soon as we could...but it was too late :( The shearer (who usually works alone) brought a shearing "buddy" and they got done in half the time. Oh well. Serena finally got to see the baby lambs & pet a couple of them.



Serena's favorite...


Showing Serena sheep teeth...


EEEK! Naked sheep! :)


Oh yeah...here's a pic of my first two attempts at yarn. The small, thin one is #1 and the larger thick one is #2.

I love Ewe!

I am so excited!!!
I just got back from the Black Socks Sheep & Wool farm. OMG! The owner/shepherd & his wife (Mike & Suzanne) were so great, I don't know where to start.

I got to go in the main barn to see the ewes and lambs...so cute! My pics are a little blurry cuz I didn't use a flash.






They've got some variety in their flock. This is a cheviot (the clean faced-one) & a CVM (California Variegated Mutant). The coats keep the fleeces cleaner.


And something I didn't expect...a guard dog (there are roaming coyotes).
A beautiful Great Pyrenees.


They also had a Corgi for a herding dog, but he was too wiggly for a good pic.

Suzanne was so gracious and sat down with me and gave me a one-on-one spinning lesson. So many great tips! I left with 1 lb of wool roving (8oz white, 8 oz tan) and a home made spindle to practice on.
The white is from a Corriedale crossbreed named "Snowdrop" and the tan is from a CVM named "Hershey."


They said that I could come to the shearing next week if I was interested!!
OF COURSE I'M INTERESTED :) :) :) :)
If Serena behaves well at school the next few days, I will pull her out & take her with.

EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
(squealing with glee)