Hands grasp, but also give.
Mouth tastes, but also speaks.
Nose breathes, but also smells.
Eyes see, but also show.
Ears hear, but also balance
Den Ming Dao
Isn’t this a wonderful verse? All parts of ourselves both give and receive. If our senses are so noble, shouldn’t we be as well? (also Dao)
Spring is the season for senses. The fresh air smells as we throw open our windows. The sounds of the birds coming back home from their Winter journey. The colors of Spring as they break thru the dullness of Winter gone past…….and the flowers that become eye-candy.
What a week! I apologize to anyone that I may not have responded to over the week. I dislocated a finger, slipping on a dog toy and catching it on one of the crates. Needless to say, typing, knitting and spinning have been very painful. Not much on the fiber front was accomplished. The Paprika sweater is moving along at a nice steady pace though. I’m gonna LOVE this sweater!
Fleeces!!
Every Spring I allow myself 2
fleeces that I keep just for myself. The last few years, I have purchased Romney fleeces from Skyline Farms. Great fleeces and wonderful customer service!
I contemplated this week’s post, as I read from my Tao daily book this morning, where the above verse was found………. Spring really is, all about the awakening of our senses. With Spring comes shearing and there is nothing quite like a raw fleece to awaken those senses. The smell of lanolin (and other things) and the softness that it imparts, along with the fabulous crimp, is truly wonderful.
Of course, being the impatient person that I am, I always pull out a few handfuls of the raw fiber to see what potential lies before me, in all of it’s greasiness. I snap it next to my ear to listen for sounds of weakness and I check the crimp. More crimp = softer fleece…..but soft isn’t always what you need. It depends on what you had in mind for the fleece.
After checking the locks over carefully,
they get tossed into a couple of very hot water soaks with dish detergent. The detergent and the heat of the water, helps to dissolve a years worth of dirt and grease. These fleeces were covered, so they are not that dirty. You would be absolutely amazed at how much dirt that these washes will yield sometimes, with fleeces that have not been covered.
Next comes a couple of rinses, where I
let them soak for a bit. What I end up with is two fluffy balls of nice clean wool.
What they will become is limited only to one’s imagination. Dye, spin, weave, felt………so many things they could become.
Then, I will comb out the samples on a
pair of fine Louet combs that I have for combing Angora. This wool is slated for carding on my soon to be here, "Super Carder, ("happy dance!!), but for sampling, the combs are quick and will give me a good idea about the qualities of the wool.
From there it goes to my drop spindles, to see what the finished yarn will could end up looking like. This will let me know how fine or thick the yarn should be spun and what the quality of the finished product should be.
This winter, I sold a good amount of my spindle collection, as I felt the need to simplify……..but I hung on to a few favorites. Featured here is a Hatchtown Amelia (with the brown fleece), and my all time favorite Forrester (with the white fleece). As quickly as I picked up spinning on a wheel, any one of my friends can attest to how difficult it was for me to master the Drop Spindle (there really is a reason why it is called drop!)
I am looking forward to working with both of these fleeces………..Yummy stuff!!!
And Then There Were Three…………..
The hardest part of breeding is letting go…….but in letting go, we are giving. I have decided that I am going to let all of these babies go……..but it is never easy.
As not only a breeder, but a pet owner……. I feel that it is so important to make sure that each dog, gets the individual attention that they deserve, so I have to be ultra choosy about what I will keep here. The littlest one will be here for a good spell as she still needs to catch up with her siblings and I do need to make sure she is completely healthy, somehow, it will make it a wee bit easier :-))
With Spring coming……………new beginnings! Baby bunnies will be making their appearance next week, Lord willing.
~Enjoy Spring in your corner of the world~
The Woolen Rabbit 
It is SO hard to let such cute faces go! But you have so many more to give hugs and extra attention to – which kinda helps make up for it…maybe…a little?
Enjoy spring in New England. It is truly magical. 🙂
LikeLike
your post was beautiful and inspiring, thank you
LikeLike
I always learn things from your entries…:) Thanks. Hug the puppies goodbye for me when they find new homes. I miss them already.
LikeLike
What a gift your post was! I love seeing the process from fleece to usable fiber. Thanks, Kim!
LikeLike
I want your life.period.and when that elann gets some more of that wool I am going to get some paprika..hear that people I am getting the paprika so dont touch it!
LikeLike
Thank you for your uplifting (and informative!!!) post!
LikeLike
Nice that Spring has finally arrived in New England, enjoy! Baby bunnies won’t be here for another two weeks, and then I will feel that it is spring for sure!
LikeLike
Thanks for all the pictures! I have a hard time imagining the finished product at first glance at a dirty fleece. The yarn will be beautiful.
LikeLike
So happy to see how lovely those fleeces are. I’m hoping to pick up a nice one at Denmark: hope to see you there! I remember the puppies leaving when we had shepherds. It’s so sad to say bye bye. But having been on the other end of that equation when George came by plane from Toronto, I remember what a great happiness it was when I saw him for the first time, little puppy with such a perfect little form, so soft and sweet smelling. Oh, I could have another puppy in a heartbeat. It’s a joy to be shared.
LikeLike
Having the windows open and the breeze blow through with the birds outside singing up a storm…spring is heaven (not to mention all the beautiful blossoms).
Hope your finger heals very quickly!!
LikeLike
I’m loving the spring, too. Today was the first day I planted anything in the garden (yay!!!). April is a favorite month, especially since there are no blackflies! Love your fleeces…I’m feeling jealous!
LikeLike
I am so glad you will be keeping mouse for a while, I adore her you know.
also I hope your hand feels better, I am always doing stuff to myself so I can more then sympathize
vi
ps: kiss the pups for me please and scratch behind their ears?
LikeLike
Thank you for the fleece pics. As a non-spinner (for the time being anyway) I love learning about the process of fleece becoming yarn. I can’t wait until MS&W to learn even more.
It makes me sad to see just three little pups in the pic, but I know how carefully you select the homes they will go to and that all four darlings will be well loved. And that Mouse, what a face!
LikeLike
oooh – i had bookmarked Skylines Farm a while ago… i LOVE those farm pictures. Your post inspired me to go back and finally place an order! not a whole fleece, but 1 lb of Sydney Roving is whisking its way to me right now. i’m very excited. 🙂
LikeLike
Thank you for the enjoyment your wise and thoughful words bring. The reason I will never breed either dogs or bunnies is because I know I would never be able to let either go. Sorry about the finger and I hope it heals soon.
LikeLike
Oh, thanks…. thanks a lot Kim! lol. I have a ton to catch up on but now I want to go play with my Skyline fleece!! lol. It’s a grey day here in Germany though, so I’ll wait for a sunny one to scour. Maybe I could just do a little like you did. lol. The pups are as adorable as ever!
LikeLike
The fleece is just beautiful as are the spindles (drool!!) and the puppies – Oh how I wish I could have just one!
LikeLike
What a beautiful post. It was a pleasure to read.
Sorry to see the puppies go where you can’t show us any more puppy pictures, but happy for them that they’re going to loving homes.
Hope Mouse doesn’t get too lonely without her siblings.
LikeLike