A few weeks ago we headed west to Three Creeks Farm for shearing day. It was a beautiful yet chilly spring day on the small farm.
While it was a busy day, I felt relaxed being in the countryside and I loved the sense of community with the other folks who came to help.
We all brought food to share and the girls ran free as we watched the sheep being sheared and then picked the fleece.
Our favourite goat was Joey...
The shearer arrived and went straight to work. Each sheep took about 10 minutes to shear. The sheep were surprisingly calm throughout the whole process.
Once the woolen fleece is off the sheep, it is laid on a rack and picked through to get the big chunks of dirt and less desirable wool out. The piece is then cleaned by soaking, dyed (optional), and carded. Once carded, the roving can be used for felting or spun into balls of wool.
Thank you, Steve and Beth, for letting us visit.
