There is never a dull moment on the farm, each season brings its own sets of joys and challenges.
Spring ushers in lambing season on our farm, making it my favorite time of year for raising sheep.
Each year, we're uncertain about what to expect. The weather during this season is consistently unpredictable, ranging from snow and freezing temperatures to sunny days in the 60s.
Fortunately, this year was one of the best, with both the weather and the ewes being completely cooperative. Although it was busy, it was quite uneventful, and I am so thankful for that.
Regrettably, we can't spend the entire day watching lambs, as there is always work that needs to be done! However, I always find moments throughout the day to watch them frolic and play.
What do you like most about Spring?
Updated: Jan 5
If you follow our farm then there is a good chance that you know that the Border Leicester breed, is a favorite of mine. They have been a part of our flock for over 25 years.
Border Leicester sheep originated from Northumberland, England in 1767. It is unknown when Border Leicesters first arrived in the United States, but there are records of over 700, in the 1920s. At that time, Border Leicester sheep were white, with natural colored appearing much later (1970s)
American Border Leicester sheep are different in appearance than those found in the UK, the wool is different as well.
Border Leicester sheep are a longwool breed. Micron count averaging between 30-38. Average staple length from one years growth is 6-10 inches. It is known for its distinct curls and luster. An average raw fleece weighs about 8-12 pounds.
I love working with Border Leicester wool, it’s not the softest wool in our flock, but it dyes up beautifully, it’s very strong, and spins like a dream.
Whether you hand-spin, knit, weave or felt, Border Leicester is a perfect choice!
Updated: Dec 18, 2024
We love Romney wool here at the mill! A sheep farm in a neighboring county supplies us with beautiful Romney fleeces.
Romney is a longwool breed, with a 29-36-micron count, with an average staple length of 4-8 inches.
This type of wool is known for its unique combination of strength and softness, making it particularly suitable for a variety of applications, including clothing, blankets, and other textile products.
Romney wool is known for its durability and resilience, making it a fantastic choice for textiles that stands the test of time. The natural luster of Romney wool gives it a beautiful shine, adding to the overall charm of the finished pieces.
Even when working with natural colored wool, you will never get bored. Romney comes in a multitude of shades ranging from white to almost black. But, if you love more vibrant colors, Romney takes up natural and acid dyes, beautifully.
Romney is a favorite among handspinners, it was the first wool that I was able to spin with confidence. Even though my spinning skills have improved, I still grab the Romney roving when I want a quick, fun spin.
It is also a favorite wool to work with in the mill. We have been making Romney roving for many years. Last year we added spinning wool to our processing, and Romney was one of the first wools we took from raw wool to yarn. A project I particularly enjoyed was creating a 3-ply bulky yarn. We had some fleeces that were slightly coarser, and the 3-ply bulky was ideal for these specific fleeces. I have always wanted to try needle punch, and this yarn was made for those types of projects in mind.
So, if you have never worked with Romney, give it a try, I don't think you will be disappointed!