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Wednesday, January 26, 2011

Punkin

Today I finished spinning the last of Punkin's yarn. If I'd only known 18 years ago that in the year 2011 I'd have a spinning wheel, know basically how to use it, known how much I'd love his down type fleece... I'd have never given away those fleeces every year. I'm so glad I saved his last shearing.



Punkin was a funny sheep. As they all are. My friend Julie took this picture of him one summer when she was so kindly sheep sitting for me while I took off on a 10 week tour around the western United States. When I got home, I ran out to see him and...he snubbed me.



For about 20 minutes he wouldn't even look at me. At first Julie and I kind of laughed about it, but then I got worried he truly had forgotten me. Sheep don't forget.



When he decided I'd suffered enough, he sauntered over and all was forgiven.



Sound like anyone else we know? Maybe a couple someones?



I have 3 pounds and about 2225 yards of mostly light worsted weight yarn with a few heavier skeins and a few lighter. Taking over a year and a half to spin it all took its toll in consistency. Now to decide what to do with it. An heirloom sweater? A snuggly warm throw?

21 comments:

Alice said...

What beautiful yarn you have spun!!! I love the story intermingled with the yarn photos. Sort of feels like he's there telling the story with you. Whatever you end up making, I am sure it will be close to your heart, and will be sure to evoke long lost memories of him. For the time being, you can pet all of that yarn and be proud of the accomplishment.

Christine said...

It's beautiful and a treasure. I see an Aran sweater.

BTW, how do you get your fleeces so clean? I washed a white fleece this week and it still had a lot of yellow stain in it.

Jennie C said...

That yarn is beautiful!!!!! And I loved the story as well Sara :)

flowerweaver said...

What a great sheep he was! Not only am I glad to have known him personally, I'm glad we met on that trip so long ago! [Notice you said western not southern (gotcha)].

Gayle said...

I would go with the throw so he can be wrapped around you all the time. Lovely story.

Tiggeriffic said...

That yarn is so white and so beautiful~! You have enough there to make a throw plus a sweater.. Whatever you make punkin well be wrapped around you and keeping you warm. Isn't it just grand how the animals that we loved so much just leave a great memory in our hearts? A warm fuzzy..
Have a tiggeriffic day~! My calendar is hanging on the wall here and I love it~!
ta ta for now from Iowa

Nancy K. said...

I would make a shawl out of your beautiful yarn. That's because I love shawls and think of them as being hugs. It may not be cold enough where you live to justify a shawl of that yarn weight but it sure would be perfect up here! Then again if you go with a throw, men could use it as well. On second thought ~ that's all the more reason to stick with the shawl...

;-)


Lovely, Lovely yarn.

Beekeeper Barbara said...

Punkin's wool is lovely and so is your spinning.

If you ever run out of ideas you might want to consider weaving. I've gotten into it and it's so much fun.

Crazy Lady with purple fingers said...

Beautiful yarn!! a person just wants to touch it, can not wait to see what you create with it.

Peruby said...

I remember very well how my daughter would give me the cold shoulder when I returned from a week of training.

Lori Skoog said...

It looks positively gorgeous. Punkin did good!

Jody said...

You did a lovely job spinning that wool and I am sure whatever you decide to make with it will be very special :-)

The Odyssey Farm said...

Beautiful yarn. I second the Aran sweater idea, but I am sure you will treasure whatever you make from it.

Peacecat said...

I would make a blanket or throw from Punkin's wool. Something with some symbolism on it - like the Tree of Life. From one sheep a mighty oak tree grew, you know?

Your spinning is beautiful!

DayPhoto said...

Once more you gave a wonderful life to a really cool animal. You are the best, Sara.

Linda
http://coloradofarmlife.wordpress.com/

Robin said...

What wonderful yarn. I vote for a throw or afghan of some type. You don't have to worry about making the right size and if you make it big enough you can share it with Saint Tim. :-)
Robin

Phyllis said...

Quite a legacy for both of you; Punkin' the fleece and you the spinning.

Joanna@BooneDocksWilcox said...

I can only imagine what it must feel like to go from your own sheep to homemade sweaters and throws. Must be wonderful.

Leah said...

That is gorgeous yarn.

Three pounds of wool is a very large sweater. I do have a pattern for a sweater coat with loops on it that asks for three pounds of wool; mid-calf length, long sleaves, very '70s. It looks like a shag rug made into a sweater. I don't know that it would be very practical where you are. *wink*

I would be very very attached to that wool if it were my sheep and I had cared for him and spun his wool. Very lovely.

Verde Farm said...

I think a throw-that way you can wrap yourself in Punkin’s warmth whenever you want to and not have to wash it much like you would if you got food on your sweater :) The fleece is beautiful.

Ed said...

You spin a good yarn(pun intended), I would make throw, that way you can use it year round..:-))