Hello!
The other day, a friend wrote that it is like Mayvember in her part of the world, the Pacific Northwest of the US (waving at you P!). In the Netherlands it is more like Maygust – warm and very dry. Here are a few unconnected things I’ve seen and done this month so far. No, wait, not entirely unconnected. The common denominator seems to be wool – what else?
Lambing Season
The Sunday before last we were lucky. On our walk we happened to pass the sheep fold at the very moment the shepherd was gathering the flock for a walk. The ewes with the youngest lambs were staying at home, with several daring lambs high up on a bale of hay.
The rest of the flock was peacefully grazing in the field where they spend the night.
But in a matter of minutes the shepherd and his dogs had gathered them all together and were driving them towards the corner where the gate is.
Here they are all ready to go out for their day job:
Well done, boy!
The flock’s job is eating grass and young trees. Without them, the heathland would soon become a forest. Thanks to the sheep, we can keep enjoying this beautiful open landscape.
It is not just about the landscape, but also about the reptiles, birds and plant species depending on this habitat. I love gazing around at the open space, and also getting on my knees looking for special plants. This is one of them:
We call it Heidekartelblad. I looked it up and found out that it is called common lousewort in English – rather a lousy name for this far from common plant, don’t you think?
Blackbird Tragedy
The blackbirds have been flying off and on with worms and trying very hard to chase the magpies away, but alas… On Sunday morning we found the nest empty, bar one unhatched egg.
Magpies and their chicks need to eat, too, but still rather sad. It’s early enough in the season for the blackbirds to build another nest. Let’s hope they’ll hide it better the second time around.
Spinning Wheel Extension
My husband has made an extension for my spinning wheel to accommodate a second bobbin rack. Unfortunately the block I bought at the manufacturer’s a while ago didn’t fit onto my particular model. Fortunately my DH has two right hands and this is what he came up with.
The aluminium strips of the new extension slide around the lower bar of the spinning wheel. So there was no need to drill into my precious wheel and the extension can easily be removed when not in use. Now I can make 3-ply and even 4-ply yarns.
Knit leaves
I have been knitting leaf prototypes for a small project I have in mind.
They’re all different: Stocking stitch, garter stitch, different increases and decreases, long or short vein, different sizes and shapes. There is one among them that is exactly what I was looking for. (To be continued…)
Farmers Market
After a 6-month winter break the Farmers Market was back last weekend. It’s was so nice, chatting with the stall holders again, looking at the fresh produce and young plants for vegetable gardens…
… and trying (and buying) some homemade chutneys and dressings.
There is also a spinner and knitter selling her hand spun yarns and her colourful hand knit socks in children’s and adult’s sizes, each pair unique.
I wonder if other people realize how many hours of knitting and spinning the wares displayed on her racks and in her baskets represent. I do, and I’m in awe.
Well, that’s all for today. Back to my own knitting and spinning now. Bye!
Wow, how I would to see the sheep herded. I have only seen a demonstration of that one time. I love all the pictures. Just curious as to what the price was for the socks. I really need to knit some more socks for me, but just haven’t had time, and if I had have passed by there, I think that I might have had to buy a pair or two – unless the price was so shocking – but between the price of the yarn and all the time it takes to make them, I can’t imagine what the necessary charge would be!!!
Hi, Kathie. I don’t know the exact price she asks for her socks, but I remember seeing it and thinking, that is hardly more than the cost of the yarn. If she’d really charge for the hours she’s spent knitting them, I think people would be shocked. Approximately 10-12 hours for a pair of adult socks x 11 euros (approx. minimum wage per hour here) = 110-132 euros for a pair of socks. (At the moment a euro is worth just about the same as a US dollar.) Would anybody still buy them? So, you see, the socks we knit for ourselves and our loved ones are worth a lot! Thanks for your kind words, as always.