Merinos Finished, Shetlands Beginning

 This Shetland ewe is a first time mother. She delivered out in one of the sheds and did a great job of drying them off. I have several Shetlands that could deliver at any moment. Their lambs are so much smaller than the Merino lambs. These two are wearing a preemie and a newborn onsie. The Merino lambs were almost all in 3 month onsies. When the snow melts, I plan to hit Goodwill for a new batch. The lambs are hard on them!

 This is a Merino ewe lamb chasing down a Shetland due to deliver any day. The lambs are opportunists and are always sniffing out new sources of milk.

 I have 11 Merino lambs. The ones still in onsies have not had their tails docked or their ears tagged. Ican still tell who they belong to if I keep their coats on. The blue stripped one is Bronze. He would not have lived, if I had not blown him dry to warm him up. He had pneumonia. He is significantly smaller than the rest, but he is now thriving.

This is a collar that I just finished. The pattern is on my uniquedesignsbykathy.etsy shop. Very easy. The yarn is what makes it so unique!

I currently have two other patterns in progress. One is a hat and the other is a crocheted snood. This winter my mind is all over the place. I have been soaking in epsom salts nightly to reduce my aches and pains - that is where I am coming up with original designs. I need time with nothing in my hands to come up with ideas. Hard to knit or spin in the bath!

Due to weather issues, I am having a lot of Internet issues. I finally managed to get some of my feathered yarns and the singles that go with them listed on my Etsy shop. I will be listing more, since I am busy designing new patterns for the feathers. I just finished a luxurious scarf/shawl in Suri alpaca with feathers. As soon as I have published the pattern, I will give you a preview.

Life on our farm is not just about the sheep and the goats. We discovered the bones and head of the beaver that was here a few years ago, so we now know what happened to him. We found this weasel last weekend dragging and tearing apart a full grown Canada Goose. We know where her nest is, so I will check it periodically. Glad that weasels can swim since the pond water has been rising.

I am always experimenting. All of these fibers were dyed with Golden Poppy. The difference in colors is the result of dyeing over a gray, a red mohair and a white mohair. The yarns will go in the shop. I am already working with the locks.

I am busy shearing the adult angora goats, now that the kids and yearlings are done. We have well heated barns, but I won't shear again until Sunday when it is warmer. 

Baby season is in full swing. All, but one, of the purebred Merinos have delivered. Then I have two weeks before everyone else can deliver. We are running the sheep and goats through the barn every week or so checking udders. Last year we put everyone in the barn. Since we are pros at running the animals through to check eyelids, it is not such a big deal to run them through for udders. The goats with the largest udders will be shorn first.

If you want to see snow pictures, head for my Unique Designs By Kathy Facebook page. As always, you can follow my Kathy Withers Facebook page, if you want to stay on top of farm events!

Christmas Eve and the First Lamb of the Season

 I have started spinning freeform yarns again as well as more feathered yarn. The yarn above is one of two that can be found on my www.uniquedesignsbykathy.etsy shop.

 this is the first lamb of the season. He was born Monday outside. His mother was really good and followed me into the barn when I scooped him up. My theme for names this year is Nuts and Bolts. I am naming him "Washer" since there is so much rain right now. He is only a few days old, but growing vigorously.

 You can see how foggy it is right now. Dreary weather, so I am sitting under bright lights to keep energetic. Hard to tell in this picture, but the Merinos, due to deliver soon, and the kids from this year are fighting to get at the grain. We are feeding them some outside the barn while we load up the barn feeders. This is where all of my earning go. This is about 1/4 of the animals - they are now separated according to sex, breed and delivery due dates.

Christmas Eve is a special day of the year for me since it is my birthday, wedding anniversary and the night before Christmas. My daughter sent the flowers and the cards are from Kyle, Marc and other relatives. Thanks to all who sent me notes, and that includes those who follow me on Facebook.

Merry Christmas!

Winter, New Yarns and Still Shearing Goats

Red, Black and White Freeform

 

Turquoise Southwestern Freeform

Red Maple Freeform

 

 

 I have been spinning between shows and I am finally having time to post yarns on my etsy shop: www.uniquedesignsbykathy.etsy.com. I have designed a few new yarns with patterns that show them off. Take time to check them out.

 Winter is definitely upon us. We have already had snow once and expect to have 4 inches on Wednesday. The goats and sheep are still on pasture. We fenced in the wooded area behind the back fence and the goats and sheep will be allowed in there after I shear. They are in gorgeous full fleeces now and I don't want them to get burrs.

 

This was the last colored kid that I sheared this afternoon. I have three white does left and then I will be starting on the yearling does. The fleeces are gorgeous and I washing and dyeing them. Still looking for someone professional to do my adult angora goats and Merinos!





The Big E Fiber Festival

I have already set up my booth at the Big E in West Springfield, Massachusetts. I have new feathered yarns and freeform yarns as well as a new model for the Extreme Lambs Tail hat, since I sold the first one at SAFF. This is the seventh show in a row. I have next weekend at home, but I will be busy shearing yearling and kid does. I will be putting shirts on them and putting them in the barn with a heater for a few weeks. They have some lovely fleeces.

Spinning at Stitches East 2014

Got inspired to spin lamb's tail that are exaggerated today. I have been spinning delicate tails and wondered how huge ones would look. As you look at my wheel turning, you can see the white blur of the tails flying around. I can see an exotic scarf or a bad hair day hat made from it. I am currently spinning a dark version and plan to spin a pink one tomorrow, unless another inspiration hits!

Fall is a busy time on the farm

 I am busy spinning new styles of yarns for the shows that I am attending this fall. Last weekend I was in Pennsylvania for Knitters' Day Out. They were fascinated with my feathered collar, but I sold out of that style yarn, since I only had one set. I spent this week experimenting with different colors and feathers.

Come see me in the Ruritan Building at the Shenandoah Valley Fiber Festival in Berryville, Virginia, this weekend. Sat 10-5, Sun 10-4. If you have seen me there before, I am in the same spot.

 

 I have been shearing goats when Marc is around to help me do their bellies and legs. I can do two kids in the time that it takes me to do one adult. If anyone is looking for a great kid or yearling buck, this is the weekend to do it. I cannot over winter them, so they are all for sale.

 I taught a wet felting glass earlier this month. This is my bowl. I always make them reversible. We all had a good time and each of our projects expressed our personalities. lovely bowls and bags.

I always try to have at least one batch of black kid mohair available for the Medieval Collar with a Modern Twist. My bag f black kid mohair from last year is almost gone. I only have one really black kid, so the roving will be closer to silver this year.

Next weekend I will be at the Waterford Fair in Waterford, Virginia.

The weekend after I will be in Hartford, Connecticut for Stitches East.