The yarns for the blue poncho mentioned in a previous post were so pretty that I decided I needed to make some socks too!
I used Jacquard acid dyes (turquoise, sky blue, lilac, teal and possibly some royal blue) for the colors. The different shades were carded together to make streaky effects. The wool is Finn from our flock.
We live on a farm that has been in the family since 1859.
Our few acres are home to our Finnsheep, a rare breed from Finland. Only a few hundred are registered in the USA every year.
Finnsheep are known for large litters of lambs.
The wool from our sheep has a very soft hand and high luster which makes it very popular with handspinners.
I have been spinning the wool from my sheep since the mid-80's. Finnsheep come in most of the colors of the sheep rainbow. We are no longer breeding Finnsheep, but have kept a few old friends for their wool.
A few years ago we found ourselves collecting and restoring antique spinning wheels. It is a tremendous thrill to put a spinning wheel back in condition to do what it was made for! We have both great wheels and Saxony wheels available as well as hand turned spinning accessories made of exotic woods by Fred Hatton.