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January 13, 2014

The Next Step








Hubby and I both have a desire to have him home more.  With a family of our size it takes both of us to really keep things running smoothly.  Hubby's current job takes him away from the homestead five days a week, which doesn't allow him the time he would like for farming and homesteading.  We have so many dreams and goals that require him being able to be home all of the time.  We have been discussing ways that we could earn a living from home, allowing Hubby to stay on the farm, where he longs to be.  One of those ways is building a fiber farm. We became quite discouraged when we tragically lost our merino ram, Caspian, last spring, and weren't sure if we wanted to pursue fiber farming again, but, as we all know, time is a great healer.  I turned my thoughts to teaching myself the art of knitting and eventually to processing Caspian's wool into yarn. During this process, Hubby and I have talked about and researched the possibility of sheep farming again. I'm not sure when or if we will take this leap, but each day we dream about it a bit more and maybe someday those dreams will become a reality.

For now, with Hubby's help and support, I am working on my initial goal of processing Caspian's wool.  I feel I have accomplished the first step...relearning to knit.  Although I have lots more to learn, and I'm not sure I will ever learn all there is to know, I feel like I'm off to a good start. I've learned  how to read a pattern and have finished my first scarf and two pixie hats for my babies. Using the beautiful bamboo needles Hubby gave for me, I'm currently working on knitting in the round and hope to have a few more hats completed soon, learning different stitch patterns with each one.  I am trying to choose patterns that will teach me something new each time I start a project.  I am so excited with my new found hobby.  I love knitting, and I'm excited to take to another level.

The next step in achieving my goal of processing Caspian's fleece is to learn the simple art of spinning with a drop spindle.  Hubby read and researched for hours (without my knowing) the best way to start with spinning, and he put together the perfect little package for me for Christmas.  He purchased me top and bottom whorl drop spinners from this lovely little shop, complete with a few bundles of merino rovings. We both agreed drop spinning would be a great place to begin learning the art of handling and spinning wool. He also gave me two wonderful books, Adventures in Yarn Farming: Four Seasons on a New England Fiber Farm and Merino; Handspinning, Dyeing and Working with Merino and Superfine Wools, both have been motivation in turning our dreams of owning a fiber farm into a reality.

I haven't had a chance to start spinning yet...I was hoping to try my hand at it this past weekend, but a recent cut on my thumb has me waiting a bit longer.  I am looking forward to getting started and moving on to my next ste p.  Both Hubby and I appreciate and prefer natural fibers over synthetic ones, and it's exciting to think that we may be able to someday produce our own wool.



13 comments:

  1. Emily, it is wonderful that you have such a supportive husband, who encourages you in your hobbies and learning. My husband is also feeling the tug to be at home more with our little babe and he is working on our future plans from another angle. I just saw the book, "Adventures in Yarn Farming" featured on another blog last week - it must be a good one! I shared the title of another book that I have called "Shear Spirit". It is a beautiful book with inspirational stories of fiber farms. I think you would enjoy it. http://www.amazon.com/Shear-Spirit-Fiber-Twenty-Patterns/dp/B005DICQOW

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    1. Thank you for the book suggestion, Katie...I will definitely check it out. :)

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  2. Oh this post made me smile. Such thoughtful gifts from your hubby and relearning to knit, yay!!! The first steps in making your dreams come true, you go!

    I tried spinning once, on a wheel, man it is not easy. I have to try the drop spindles one day.

    An unfortunate accident has my hubby home with us, and although at the time of the accident it wasn't what we had for our future plans, I can say now, 15 years later it is one of the best things that happened. I do so love having him home.

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    1. I'm sorry that your husband suffered from an accident, but I'm happy that it has turned out so well for you. It is nice to have the ones we love close if we can.

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  3. I got the yarn farming book too. I loved it and think yarn farming is wonderful.

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  4. You maywant to try Romneys...big, docile, hardy , and I think the wool is easier to work with than Merino....and more versatile.....

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    1. A close friend of ours who did extensive research on sheep farming and has now started a flock also recommended Romneys to us. I like the fact that they are less susceptible to foot rot and other infections as well as being docile. Thanks for the advice. :)

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  5. How very exciting! I would love to know what you think of the books. They are both on my wish list...

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  6. What a wonderful goal you have! I would LOVE to live on a farm and have my own fiber. I too am learning to spin on a drop spindle, I sometimes get frustrated and have to put it down and walk away, but I always end up coming back to it!

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    1. I am anticipating the same frustration...trying not to set my expectations too high. I know I will probably "give up" many times. ;)

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  7. What a wonderful husband you have :). Wishing you well with your adventures in fibre, I have a sheep fleece in my garage which I acquired it is in need of attention.....

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