From the Pastures: Ways to store wool

Spring temperatures have been rather cold so far. I was hoping for a faster warmup. At least all the rain last week has given the grass and pasture enough moisture to turn green. I also have some daffodils blooming in the backyard. These are good reminders that the warmer weather cannot be far away.

My sheep are doing well. They came through the winter with good body condition on just hay. Last fall I decided not to have any lambs this year. The size of the flock is at a good level to produce enough wool to support the fiber shows I participate in. There is also plenty of wool from previous years that I have not had a chance to process. The other day I found a couple bags of Shetland wool with a tag inside that said 2015. Surprisingly, it was in great shape. One was a nice moorit brown color which I just finished spinning. The yarn spun very nicely.

I am excited to show other people this yarn at the upcoming fiber festival. This proves if you store wool properly, it lasts a long time. A couple important steps to take when storing wool is to be sure it is very dry before putting it in a bag or container. Any moisture could cause the wool to become felted. Also, store in a closed container so no moths can get into the wool. I am going to look around the barn for more wool I might have forgotten.

We are still having fun with the ducks. They will be glad when the weather warms up so it is easier to get outside more. They have started laying eggs again. Last week there was an egg from the small ducks for the first time since we have had them. Every time someone walks into the barn all six ducks start talking loudly. Their water is always a mess, but it is still fun to watch them. Happy spring!