Sunday, April 22, 2018

From sheep to sweater

I got one, count her, ONE sheep sheared today. At this rate, it will only take me 42 hours more to shear the rest of my flock. 😳 Let's hope I get a lot faster!

Babette was the lucky loser of locks. She was a good girl and I got her fleece off in one piece, revealing a sheep in fine flesh. Here she is before and after:

Unbeknownst to me, Brian snuck a photo of us while I was finishing Babette's neck:
She was on the blocking stand behind me for the majority of the job; I use the mounting block as a ramp of sorts to get sheep up on the stand. After getting a fresh white coat, she joined the other ewes out on pasture – and was immediately surrounded by unfriendly flock members who weren't at all sure she belonged. Such is the not-so-gentle nature of sheep....


While I worked on Babette, Rick and Brian did the yeoman's work of cleaning out the Sheep Sheraton. The hay and poop pack was the deepest it's ever been, thanks to the number of sheep I have and the amount of time they've had to stay in there (there may have been some muttering about getting rid of some sheep on my DH's part). It certainly looks better now!

I haven't posted anything about my current knitting WIP. My niece is expecting her first child, a boy, in July, so I'm working on a little cardigan for his first (or maybe second) winter. I bound off the body today when we drove to Salem for errands and dinner.

That's it for today from . . .

8 comments:

Yarrow said...

What a lovely post, I really enjoyed it and what a great picture of you and Babette :D

Susan said...

You did a great job! I wish my sheep would stand for me, but working with them is like wrestling large, oiled eels. That sweater is so lovely! Lucky baby!!! (Nice picture of you and your girl...)

Michelle said...

Thanks, Yarrow! I am loathe to photos of me, but it captured a moment. ;-)

Mine really don't stand well, Susan, hence the blocking stand against a solid wall! But we'll let you think Shetlands are easier; heehee.

Theresa said...

What a great series of pics Michelle, and like everyone else, I love see the shepherd with one of her flock. It is only fitting!

Mama Pea said...

Seems to me you must be a very good shearer if you got that fleece off in one piece! And it's got to be hard work, too.

Wow, does the Sheep Sheraton look wonderful cleaned and bedded down nicely. I hope the sheep appreciate it!

Glad Brian got that photo of you. It should be in the family album and passed down for future generations.

Claire MW said...

A great picture of the shepherd at work! I am sure Babette feels very rejuvenated after her clip - I hope she did some frolicking in the pasture despite the others being suspicious of her. The baby sweater is darling!

MiniKat said...

Poor Babette! <3

I really love the sneaky photo Brian got of you while you're working. He's got a good eye. Must take after you.

Adorable sweater for the impending baby. I'll keep good thoughts for your niece and hope the remainder of her pregnancy and delivery are smooth and uneventful. <3

Anonymous said...

Clever Brian! Great picture of you and Babette.

That tiny sweater is fetching.