For about 20 years, we have raised sheep on our property and several other pastures around town. They eat. They poop. They make a lot of noise if they are hungry. They create an opportunity for the kids to learn about useful stuff like work and responsibility ( of course). They cost a bit of money for upkeep and such. But who knew that those beasties also produced wool? Our sheep produce wonderful, soft, real wool that can be spun into real yarn.
On a lark, I sent off one of the black fleeces to a fiber mill in SLC that I found by accident on a knitting site. I sent off black because I am the one who insisted on adding a black lamb to the herd a long time ago and no one really knew why. I was just partial to them at the stockshow. I have no idea of wool quality at all. Vic thought this fleece might be a bit too hacked up by the shearer (him) to make a good product. I held the nicest fleece in reserve for later (If there was a "later").
It came back today in the mail. The whole process should have taken 3 months. It took less than one month actually. It is the most beautiful charcoal grey stuff. It has flecks of lighter grey and orange from the sunbleached parts in it. I sent off 5 lbs. I got back 3.3 lbs. They created 14 skeins of wool from one fleece. I don't have any idea if that is good, great or terrible. I am just impressed in my ignorance.
The possibilities are vast. Who knew?
