Haircuts

The sheep got sheared last Saturday.  I really don't have anything too exciting to write about it since we hired a professional to come and do the job.  We did enjoy watching and Paul even took a few practice passes for next year.

Once on their backs the sheep do not move, the hard part though is getting them there.  This guy was quick, he says he's sheared over 200 sheep in one day.

 

Here is Dulce, we barely recognized her without her wool coat.  All winter we thought she was ready to deliver babies since she was so fat but it turns out no lambs came from her and all that extra bulk was just wool.  

She suffered a few nicks from the shears but that is normal.  We asked what lotion or ointment we should use to help in healing and Sy (the sheep shearer) answered lanolin.  And to show you how little we actually know about sheep care we asked what kind of lanolin.  The sheep shearer just chuckled and reminded us that lanolin comes from sheep and it would naturally protect the minor wounds.

Look at her, she is now so creamy white and thin, as are the other two.  

I have to admit I was a little nervous about the wool since it seemed so dirty and gummed up with mud.  But I was reassured that the merino sheep have a higher percentage of oils that act as a barrier. Below is a close up of the beautiful fibers that were hiding beneath the dirt.  It is so soft!

I had dreams of bags of yarn to dye and knit.  Then I got a price quote from Zeillingers here in Michigan and probably won't be going that route with our processing, at least not this year.  Most people process the wool into roving then spin it themselves, but not sure I'd have time for that and knitting. So we'll probably just get a few comforters made up.  And if I have time I may sew up a few covers before Christmas.  Thank you sheep for cutting our grass and keeping us warm!