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May 31, 2006
White Dove Farm
Remember that Corriedale lamb roving I bought from White Dove Farm at the Tall Grass Fiber Fest last month? Well, I’m in love. The roving lent itself so beautifully to the fingering sport weight I prefer, I couldn’t wait to swatch it up. At 21 x 35 gauge, I’m thinking the Pentagon Shawl from Nature Knitting by Norah Gaughan. Except of course the pattern requires 21 x 30. I’m a bit leary of the implications for this particular pattern. It’s not just a shawl, it’s a series of swirls with armholes and I hear the pattern has errors. Maybe a long sweater with cables instead, with enough left over for the shawl or a shawl or something. The yarn is calling hard. I emailed the publisher for errata but there’s no way I can fend off this yarn for long. And the pattern is lovely.
I had originally bought 4.2 ounces of roving to try. As fate would have it, Mary Wallace had 21 ounces left. We scheduled a visit on what turned out to be a perfect summer morning and were utterly delighted. Mary very graciously gave the whole family a tour. First stop were her three yearling rams. We all took turns petting them. It turns out their favorite tickle spot is underneath their chins. Aren’t they handsome?
I can’t look at this guy without dreaming of sweaters and shawls and hats and scarves and socks and all manner of woolen lovelies.
Then we went to visit the lambs. Eighteen boys and three girls this year! Mary caught a couple so we could pet them. They were so beautiful. Cradled in her experienced arms, they submitted very sweetly to our collective oohs and aahs.
Now this is a view I can live with.
This is as close as I’ve ever gotten to the sheep to shawl experience. The roving is minimally processed and the color is such an exquisite blend of natural browns and grays. And then to have met the Sheppard and her flock! When you buy a sweater you buy a product. But this, the spinning, the knitting, the shepparding, this is the stuff of life.