English Leicester Yarn

 

This English Leicester yarn will be listed on Etsy today.

 

I will take this yarn to the Art Centre Market tomorrow.  I am working with English Leicester yarn in my weaving as well so I have been spinning every day.

Catching Up

 

The sheep were shorn in November.  It was lucky the shearing was finished then as a couple of days later David had a serious tractor accident and was airlifted to a Melbourne hospital. His recovery has been slow and he is very lucky to be as well as he is now.

 

The English Leicester curls are appearing already.

 

 

I have been rug weaving.  Today I commencing a purple, blue and grey rug as soon as I have finished my Etsy listings.

Weaving Mate

This note book is my weaving mate.  I lives with my loom and is always ready for my notes about what I am weaving.  The note book is also a place for new rug ideas . 

The Folder has pockets for yarn samples, Space for a pen, scissors and a darning needle for warp repairs if needed.

And a most delightful cover.
The weaving mate (or sewing, knitting or spinning mate) was made by Missy MaoMao who has a stall at the Arts Centre Sunday Market in Melbourne.

Some Colour for Winter

Pink and green.

Flowers trying to open on a wintery day.

I spun some chunky yarn and dyed green and pink.

 

WeavingYarns

I have been spinning and spinning in this hot weather.  The studio is the coolest place in the afternoon so I have been spinning at least 2 huge bobbins each afternoon. The yarn is very chunky and is for floor rugs.

This yarn is a mix of greys.  I have more yarn and will show you some in the next few days.   My sheep provide me with such wonderful fleeces to to keep me spinning.

On the Loom

Today I am finishing weaving this floor rug.  The wool is from my sheep and is a blend of browns with a touch of grey.  If I get back to work now the rug will be finished before dinner.

On Saturday David and I will be at the Wesley Hill Market, Castlemaine.  The market is from 7am (yes we will be awake very early) and finishes at 1pm.  The rug will be available at the market.

Weaving Yarn

This hand spun lumpy bumpy yarn is ready for weaving into a floor rug. The wool is natural colours and I think the contrast of the light and dark browns will work well.

I was up early this morning.  The goose was making a lot of noise which sometimes is a signal that the fox is lurking.  No fox but a frost.

This Week on the Loom

With lots of weaving wool spun the loom has been busy. This rug is woven using all hand spun wool from my sheep.

The wool I'm using for this rug is white English Leicester and the grey wool is  from an English Leicester Cross sheep.  The English Leicester is so strong and hard wearing and perfect for floor rugs.  I have hand woven rugs I made 30 years ago and the rugs have been in use constantly since then. 
The rug will be finished today and ready for the Arts Centre Market on Sunday.  The weaving was going to be completed last night but Brie and I watched Persuasion and I knitted a red scarf.

Busy Week and Weekend

Lots of wool this week.  Fleeces been washed and I have put the last of this week's wash out to dry in the breeze.  Rain is coming and as soon as I hear the first spots on the roof I'll be out to gather the fleeces.  The "pretend sheep" drying rack is actually a small folding fence DD had when Darwin was a puppy.  I was about to put the fence in the shed when I realised that if I unfolded the fence sideways it would be perfect for drying fleeces.

I'm back into weaving again now I have washed and spun wool especially for weaving rugs.

This rug is a combination of spun yarn and fleece.  The rug is off the loom and I'm going to sit and finish the ends this afternoon.

The quince trees are dropping their leaves ready for a winter rest.

I'm packed and ready for Daylesford Makers Market tomorrow and then I'll be at the Arts Centre Market in Melbourne on Sunday. Well almost packed as I am still dyeing yarn!!

And just between you and me the house is a mess as is the studio so Monday is clean up day.



Buninyong on Saturday

The rug is finished and off the loom.  Thankfully there is a breeze today and the rug is almost dry.  I have used a twill weave using hand spun wool from my sheep.  By the way the sheep are also happily drying out in today's breeze.  There is more rain to come tonight and hopefully not enough for another flood.

I have another rug started using hand spun and fleece.

And I have opened my treasure box.  I am going to share some of this hand woven Guatemalan braid and make brooches for the Buninyong Makers Market on Saturday.