Wheely Wooly Farm has learned of an exciting effort in the Shetland Islands to prevent the loss of exceptional knitting traditions within the Shetland culture. These traditions have grown out of the keeping of Shetland sheep over the centuries, the very ancestors of our own treasured sheep right here on our farm. Traditions can only be carried on through the hands of youth, and that is just what a new program called Shetland PeerieMakkers is hoping to do. Over the next year, it is hoped that more youth will be given opportunities to learn these knitting traditions, who will hopefully continue carrying this special knowledge forward into the future.
We here at Wheely Wooly Farm are thankful for the opportunity to help keep the exceptional Shetland knitting traditions moving forward into the future. We feel a special connection to the people of Shetland, through the endearing little sheep that changed our lives, and by the fascinating pursuit of knitting techniques that will provide a lifetime of endless joy. Please join us in offering support by clicking on this link to learn more! Shetland Peerie Makkers
Tuesday, October 13, 2015
Sunday, April 5, 2015
Farm News
Noticed longer periods between posts of late? Well, things have been very busy and we here at Wheely Wooly Farm have had very little time to be sitting at a device such as this, recounting our steps around the barn and pastures. Farms are always busy places and the days of putting my feet up and reading away the winter hours have dwindled. There is much to do!!
So we are saying good-bye for awhile. Writing this blog has been a blast!! Making so many new friends with all of you has been a special experience...no, I got that wrong...an amazing experience! Connecting people is a powerful thing. What fun it has been to experience the connections that come to us in such new ways, and span such huge distances! We will surely miss giggling through our blog entries as the pace quickens here and sharing/exchanging all things sheep!
We will be back some time but I can't say when that will be. lol! Thank you everyone for following us, tuning in, and learning what sheep farming is like in the modern world, or for contributing so many interesting perspectives on all things sheep, good eating, and good knitting/crocheting. We will look forward to seeing you again in the markets and at events!
If you miss following us, catch us out in our communities. We are the only booth selling genuine Shetland yarns...actually, we are the only booth selling handspun yarns exclusively actually, for many years now. Keep watch for our sheep signs for soon it will be time to take them off the farmhouse walls, where they wait out winter, and hang them back out in the early morning sunshine on our canopy! Our farm is expanding so watch for changes and new things in time.
(Actually, I have to mention quickly, I've finished some knitted wraps that are GORGEOUS! These are unique, one of a kind quality lifetime pieces that you won't find in any store. I have a black dressier wrap made with genuine Shetland from our flock, with hints of blues in it. It has a beautiful sky blue trim with glitz crocheted over the two short sides for a lovely, fancier effect, suitable for a night out on a cruise or high style dining. There is also a moorit genuine Shetland wrap that is wider and longer, with a berry colored lacy trim knitted off the short edges, and attractive black crocheted buttons placed along the border. This one is perfect for your reading/coffee nook where you recharge your batteries. It's beautiful!! Currently on the needles is a lovely white wrap that is stunningly soft and lovely. Haven't designed how this one will finish yet, as it's already a scramble with lambs and other spring farm work. Prices range from $295. to $395. They won't last long so if you'd like one, it'd be best to email us.)
So we'll see you out and about all around our state (as always), if you are here in Wisconsin. If not, keep checking back here, to the Wheely Wooly Farm post, for we will be back when we have the time!
So we are saying good-bye for awhile. Writing this blog has been a blast!! Making so many new friends with all of you has been a special experience...no, I got that wrong...an amazing experience! Connecting people is a powerful thing. What fun it has been to experience the connections that come to us in such new ways, and span such huge distances! We will surely miss giggling through our blog entries as the pace quickens here and sharing/exchanging all things sheep!
We will be back some time but I can't say when that will be. lol! Thank you everyone for following us, tuning in, and learning what sheep farming is like in the modern world, or for contributing so many interesting perspectives on all things sheep, good eating, and good knitting/crocheting. We will look forward to seeing you again in the markets and at events!
If you miss following us, catch us out in our communities. We are the only booth selling genuine Shetland yarns...actually, we are the only booth selling handspun yarns exclusively actually, for many years now. Keep watch for our sheep signs for soon it will be time to take them off the farmhouse walls, where they wait out winter, and hang them back out in the early morning sunshine on our canopy! Our farm is expanding so watch for changes and new things in time.
(Actually, I have to mention quickly, I've finished some knitted wraps that are GORGEOUS! These are unique, one of a kind quality lifetime pieces that you won't find in any store. I have a black dressier wrap made with genuine Shetland from our flock, with hints of blues in it. It has a beautiful sky blue trim with glitz crocheted over the two short sides for a lovely, fancier effect, suitable for a night out on a cruise or high style dining. There is also a moorit genuine Shetland wrap that is wider and longer, with a berry colored lacy trim knitted off the short edges, and attractive black crocheted buttons placed along the border. This one is perfect for your reading/coffee nook where you recharge your batteries. It's beautiful!! Currently on the needles is a lovely white wrap that is stunningly soft and lovely. Haven't designed how this one will finish yet, as it's already a scramble with lambs and other spring farm work. Prices range from $295. to $395. They won't last long so if you'd like one, it'd be best to email us.)
So we'll see you out and about all around our state (as always), if you are here in Wisconsin. If not, keep checking back here, to the Wheely Wooly Farm post, for we will be back when we have the time!
Friday, January 16, 2015
Forecasting
Well we here at Wheely Wooly Farm hope the new year is finding you fulfilled in satisfying results of your new year's resolutions! Thank goodness for the fun of this dreamy time of year to help alleviate the winter ills, right?
Speaking of winter ills, our weather has had it's ups and downs. One week, we are in nasty cold, and the tree frog syndrome of mittens and fingers sticking to everything returns. That gecko feeling is not my favorite, but you do it and get through it. The sheep were fine during the cold. When the wind howled (air temps deep into the teens below zero, with wind chills in the 30's or more below zero), we brought them in to keep their ears warm. They are VERY appreciative! lol The next week, things get milder and everyone goes back outside. Chickadees are hoping around, and an occasional owl is heard hooting off in the far distance. Sheep are peaceful...laying down, chewing cud, only to occasionally stand and shake out their fleeces, or wander over for a chin scratch and sweet nothings.
Speaking of ups and downs, something that is definitely on the way up is trends in fabrics and food. There is MUCH excitement out there regarding healthy foods and clothing! What a wonderful time to be in sheep! More and more people are coming to appreciate the value of wool. In fact, some have told me it's like a new discovery for them, having grown up with synthetic clothing. The discovery of real wool really puts everything else into perspective! It's like store bought cookies sitting stale in sealed packages, with a chemically after taste verses fresh, gooey homemade cookies hot out of the oven. Wool performs in ways that astonish. Some have told me they feel that wearing wool was the first time they ever felt true warmth, and that they won't be without wool ever again! Funny, that's how I feel! :)
Wool is a sustainably produced product that comes from sheep, who are outstanding in environmental sensitivity to soils, flora and fauna. In fact, that is another trend to watch, how sheep build and protect soils. Don't believe a little sheep farmer? Just take a drive in the country to see all the topsoil in bare, exposed fields blown onto snow, on roads, on houses, cars, and in ditches far from the fields. It pains us to see such loss. If you head to the researchers, they are desperately seeking solutions to preserving, and stopping the loss of topsoils. Sheep are IT! I love sheep. Sheep do it all. You won't see erosion like that on a sheep farm!
So unlike our weather, sheep are on a long run up. They provide us with a farming model that protects and preserves soils, plants, wildlife, and water. They happily give us high performance clothing of super high quality. They feed us incredibly healthful foods. Have you ever noticed that the most powerful and wealthy cultures on the planet rose out of sheep diets? Sheep yield important byproducts that all of us would miss (pill casings, buttons, crayons, shampoo, etc.), and don't forget what the image of sheep peacefully grazing on nice pasture does for the mind. It's an image that has endured through the ages. Humans love sheep.
The forecasting by trend experts has caught on. Sheep fever has never gone away. It will always be with us. And as more people emerge from synthetic lives and learn the facts, sheep are on the up and up.
Want to support your local sheep farmer? You can find us at the Appleton Farmer's Market, or contact us for on-farm sales. We thank you for your support!
Speaking of winter ills, our weather has had it's ups and downs. One week, we are in nasty cold, and the tree frog syndrome of mittens and fingers sticking to everything returns. That gecko feeling is not my favorite, but you do it and get through it. The sheep were fine during the cold. When the wind howled (air temps deep into the teens below zero, with wind chills in the 30's or more below zero), we brought them in to keep their ears warm. They are VERY appreciative! lol The next week, things get milder and everyone goes back outside. Chickadees are hoping around, and an occasional owl is heard hooting off in the far distance. Sheep are peaceful...laying down, chewing cud, only to occasionally stand and shake out their fleeces, or wander over for a chin scratch and sweet nothings.
Speaking of ups and downs, something that is definitely on the way up is trends in fabrics and food. There is MUCH excitement out there regarding healthy foods and clothing! What a wonderful time to be in sheep! More and more people are coming to appreciate the value of wool. In fact, some have told me it's like a new discovery for them, having grown up with synthetic clothing. The discovery of real wool really puts everything else into perspective! It's like store bought cookies sitting stale in sealed packages, with a chemically after taste verses fresh, gooey homemade cookies hot out of the oven. Wool performs in ways that astonish. Some have told me they feel that wearing wool was the first time they ever felt true warmth, and that they won't be without wool ever again! Funny, that's how I feel! :)
Wool is a sustainably produced product that comes from sheep, who are outstanding in environmental sensitivity to soils, flora and fauna. In fact, that is another trend to watch, how sheep build and protect soils. Don't believe a little sheep farmer? Just take a drive in the country to see all the topsoil in bare, exposed fields blown onto snow, on roads, on houses, cars, and in ditches far from the fields. It pains us to see such loss. If you head to the researchers, they are desperately seeking solutions to preserving, and stopping the loss of topsoils. Sheep are IT! I love sheep. Sheep do it all. You won't see erosion like that on a sheep farm!
So unlike our weather, sheep are on a long run up. They provide us with a farming model that protects and preserves soils, plants, wildlife, and water. They happily give us high performance clothing of super high quality. They feed us incredibly healthful foods. Have you ever noticed that the most powerful and wealthy cultures on the planet rose out of sheep diets? Sheep yield important byproducts that all of us would miss (pill casings, buttons, crayons, shampoo, etc.), and don't forget what the image of sheep peacefully grazing on nice pasture does for the mind. It's an image that has endured through the ages. Humans love sheep.
The forecasting by trend experts has caught on. Sheep fever has never gone away. It will always be with us. And as more people emerge from synthetic lives and learn the facts, sheep are on the up and up.
Want to support your local sheep farmer? You can find us at the Appleton Farmer's Market, or contact us for on-farm sales. We thank you for your support!
Friday, January 2, 2015
Happy Wool Year!
As wool becomes an increasingly popular fabric of choice for warmth, ease of movement, and good health, we here at Wheely Wooly Farm are stepping up to meet your needs! Our flock of genuine Shetland sheep work hard grazing, leaping, and chewing cud all year to bring you those amazing yarns that have become your favorites. In a time of flu troubles and wild climate woes, why wear cold clothes when you can wear warm clothes, right? Lucky us that have figured that out! lol
The benefits of wool are black and white, and right before our eyes!
Wheely Wooly Farm has a VERY busy year planned ahead...I think it's pretty safe to say the shepherds will not be ruminating in the pastures with the sheep much this summer.
Wool really does hang from trees around here!
We wish you all a very happy new year full of the fun, hopes and dreams the promise of a new year brings! Hug every buddy, laugh, snuggle up in your cozy wool, and put those dreams to work till the warmer days return. It indeed is going to be a Happy Wool Year!
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