Other than a bunch of spinning and a little bit of cloth work, I don't have much to post this week. And it's not even really a BUNCH of spinning. I really didn't think it would take me this long to spin Maisie's yarn. I'm not finished, but I'm getting close to saying I'm getting close. I have 11 ounces of singles to go and then on to plying, which will go faster.
It took me a good 18 hours to spin the yarn for the black throw last year. I'll probably end up clocking that much time on this yarn, too. I should not sit down and figure what I've got in a sweater's worth. At least I'd have a good answer for when people wonder why I don't sell much handspun yarn or when they wonder at the cost of handspun.
I started adding up costs of sheep, feed, bedding, vet care, shearing, washing, processing, spinning equipment, spinning time, time for all the other aforementioned aspects, land, barns, fences, guardian dog...and decided to just go out and do my morning chores and move on. I'm getting tons of enjoyment and happiness from these sheep, so the yarn is practically free...to me ;-).
I'm going to stop beating myself up about the yarn. It's going to be beautiful and special :-).
And maybe 20 can help me get finished up!
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Freshly laundered, pressed and cut (with my new rotary cutter - definitely worth the money) pieces of contrasting spinning cloths. More painting this year!
And just when I was really feeling like I didn't get much done this week I remembered how many nice photos I took. That takes time, too, and I think it's fair to add that in. Plus it gives me an excuse to post more snow pictures :-).
This is an easy photograph to take - seriously! I stumbled on it by accident a few years ago and I think there's nothing that says 'more bang for your buck' than a sheep (or horse) standing just inside the shadowy dark barn with sunlight shining directly on her face. (Blossom/Baba)
These pictures were all taken that same snowy morning. I just moved around to different sides to use the light in different ways. I love back lighting just as much as front lighting. (Keebs and Chocs)
Or side lighting. (PPPP)
Or Hank napping in the snow :-). (Burrnie)
How did your week wrap up?
29 comments:
"sheep, feed, bedding, vet care, shearing, washing, processing, spinning equipment, spinning time, time for all the other aforementioned aspects, land, barns, fences, guardian dog ..." AND herding dog(s) :-)
I made myself a shirt this week! And I have to say that I actually like it and will wear it. Of course, I haven't worn it yet so can't swear to that. I also went hiking up in our open space twice (easy to do since we haven't had any rain in the entire month of January ... sad face) and gathered 2 types of downed lichen which I am now prepping (2-3 month wait time while it 'stews') and hope will dye some lovely handspun.
Thanks for sharing your week - I love to hear about all of your activities!
The yarn looks great, and with 20 helping with it you should be done in no time at all.
Hank must work hard at night to be so tired during the day ;0) Coyotes beware.
Not much to wrap up here, we do have nicer weather so I get some horse time in. Speaking of horses, your list of the expenses and work involved with sheep pretty much translates to horses, so anyone who thinks people raise and sell foals for the money is sorely misled.
SO much wooly goodness!
How do you like the electric spinner- is it easy to use, any snafu's?
Have a great weekend.
I LOVE my spinning cloth and use it all the time, especially guild meetings. You are doing great on getting organized and keeping busy with projects (income-producing and otherwise). You could even do custom painted cloths from pics of people's favorite animals. So talented..... :-)
Many extra special and nice photos :-) Thanks for sharing! I am so glad you got snow! Your singles are gorgeous! Hopefully 20 will help out. But seriously, you are doing so great ~ you've got that momentum going strong. (& passing it on)
Oohhhh oohh, spinning cloth or apron with Mug Shots. (as if you don't have anything else to do)
I've been working on my Swallowtail Shawl, practiced the spinning, sorted the stash cupboard, organized my oils & baked some bread :-) That's all from the Forest.
Hank must really like that snow :)
Your pictures of the sheep are beautiful. It does take a lot of work to care for them but they looked well loved. Thank you for sharing
Hey, sweaters are expensive these days when you start from scratch. Excellent photos!
Your yarn is worth it...lots of love goes into it too! Loved Hank sleeping in the snow...just chilling:) Busy week here but not much completely done! :(
I finished a totally adorable mini rainbow unicorn amigurumi for a friend's little girl, I love her so much that now I have to make my own as well. :)
Hey, you have to take off the cost of therapy from those bills. Sheep and yarn are therapy for sure! :)
What a wonderful week. Work is not work if you enjoy what you are doing. 20 is always inspiring.
Can't wait to hear how the lichen dyes!
Amen!
That's a Hansen miniSpinner and I've had it for several years and just love it. It works great, is perfect for big projects (I just prop up my feet and spin away ;-) and is very small - it all fits in a nice, neat bag. I also use it for plying off my other wheel because it's faster and the big bobbin holds a ton. No snafu's :-).
Stash cupboard??? ;-)
Oh good grief, I live with Maisie. I have to ADD therapy bills! ;-D
Love, love, love that photo of Blossom in the dark doorway!!
What a great post esp adding $$ for cost of therapy living with Maisie, haha I will be adding up hours for spinning and plying with my Herdwick just for grins. First get a chunk of TIME......
I *was* going to say somethimg about spinning and therapy, but saw your earlier comment (shame on Maisie! With sheep like her, who needs teenagers to get gray hair?).
I have been knitting away on a DK weight cardigan, using a Japanese stitch pattern from a (Christmas present) book and plain ol' stockinette, but various annoying health issues keep distracting/depressing me. Your photos, however, cheer me up. Please keep 'em coming! I love Hank resting in the snow. Poor fellow - are the coyotes still a problem?
I cannot believe I've never been to your blog. Thanks for leaving a comment on my yarn along post last week, now I have a new favourite sheepy place to visit on the interwebs!! I don't have sheep, and I don't spin, but this year I am starting to get into natural dyeing and I knit, as you know. Lovely to "meet" you!
How nice to see PPPP- and I love those spinning cloths.
Of course it took a long time to spin Maisie's wool! She is a special girl, after all. Love Maisie.💞
so I don't know much about spinning or wool, but even so your gorgeous pictures and the hilarious personality of your animals makes this site so very interesting to me!
You're not so excited about seeing my new shirt, eh? :-) Not being a perfectionist, my homemade wardrobe pieces are often ... creative in many ways!
Argh, I actually thought about how I didn't comment on your shirt right as I hit publish :-/. Are you posting a pic on Ravelry?
I wish your pink hearts would show up here instead of the black squares. They are so cute :-D.
Hilarious MOST days ;-D.
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