Nettles, Treadles and Love

The first class was held at Windrush Farm – Mimi Lubberman’s sheep farm in Petaluma, Ca.

We got to meet all the animals.

 

We learned about a particular quality of good fiber known as “crimp.”

We got to feel hands on what good quality fleece for fiber feels like.

We learned how to wash the fleeces without felting them (carefully.)

And preparing them for carding  and spinning.

It was a fascinating and fun day on beautiful land with amazing women.

Being a born-and-raised city girl, there is something so foreign, and yet also so familiar, about being around the animal creatures.  Throughout my life I’ve had a dog and a cat, and a parakeet and hamster as pets.  City pets.  These larger grazing animals, though tame, seem closer to the wild somehow – their constant connection to the earth – munching on it, pooping on it.  It feels good to be around them, and handling their fiber is a tangible connection to that earth.  A gift from the mama.