My Spinning Study Group at Green Valley Weavers had a little fun outside two months ago. One of the lovely ladies, Heidi, brought FIVE Cheviot fleeces to be skirted and shared with the group. Skirting involves removing the really dirty parts, anything matted, the course sections along the edges, and any second cuts (where the fleece has been clipped or sheared twice, leaving short pieces). We skirted . . .
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| Skirting in process. |
and skirted . . .
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| More skirting |
And skirted. We filled up so many bags that everyone got to take home as much fleece as they wanted. I got a little bit from three different fleeces, and it's interesting to see the difference in coarseness even between each sheep, much less as compared to another breed. Additionally, I brought home a big bag of the dirty bits to add to my compost bin.
As part of our "study" we plan on using a variety of methods to scour, or wash, the fleece. I'll let you know when I decide which method I want to use, and how well the process works. I better hurry, we're running out of nice days!
On a more practical note, apparently I should get my tetanus booster updated if I plan on playing with raw wool. Who knew?
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| A fluffy Cheviot fleece |
7/15/13
The August challenge for Camp Loopy is out, and I'm still working on July! THIS ONE I WILL FINISH! No, really. I'm on track for this one. I've finished 4 triangles and am halfway through my Wingspan.
From The Loopy Ewe blog:
The Challenge for Project Three – The project needs to use at least 800 yards, single stranded. That’s the only requirement! So you can knit a sweater, or a vest, or a blanket, or a bag, or a shawl, or anything that uses 800 yards in one project.
For those of you who don't knit, 800 yards is A LOT of yarn. The scarf I'm knitting now is only 500 yards, and I've been working all month on it. I don't think I've even done a project which used 800 yards before. Nope. Not so optimistic about this one.
8/15/13
The Wingspan was finished! Final count was 13 triangles, and I think it turned out beautiful, if I do say so myself.
Ummmm, I haven't even cast-on for my third project yet.
I can totally sympathize with Farmer McGregor. Screw Peter Rabbit.
Since redoing the front yard, I've been chasing rabbits out of there, but it hasn't stopped them from digging holes and eating my new plants. Some of them haven't made it, and will need to be replaced. Mr. HPL informed me he's been chasing them out of the garden several times a day, too.
This means war.
