Made with love, made with wool

Way back in February the most exciting box arrived at our door - it was 22 lbs of spun wool from our sheep!  It was so long ago we dropped it off Up North at the woolen mill that I almost forgot about it.  Half is a 3 ply sport weight and the other half 3 ply worsted.  It is super soft Merino and still a bit oily so it feels like butter in your hand.  The plan is to use as much as we can, experiment with dying it and we are encouraging the boys to set up a small business selling it. 

I do not have a skein winder but do have many volunteers to help hold and wind by hand.

Many cold days were spent knitting by the fire with Maryanna and Clara.  They both have scarves they are working on and I leaned into the most simple patterns I could find. 

First thing I finished were some little baby socks and then a hat.  The hat was originally requested by Peter but I was way off on my gauge so may end up being a baby hat.



Or a hat for Charlie. 

Paul also requested a hat and still off on my gauge it was a little big - I shrunk it a bit and I suppose it is soft and cozy because he rarely takes it off.  He shared a photo of it on instagram and called it "Farm to head".

The next hat I finished for myself and it was actually a perfect fit - but Maryanna convinced me it was more her style than mine.  I believe she was right.

Along with the yarn another giant package found way to us with the other half of our processed wool - clean batts!  I can't remember how many pounds but it was more than enough to make two doubly thick twin comforters, two crib comforters, and a throw.  The last bit is stashed for a future baby quilt.

Assembling the comforters was not as relaxing as knitting.  I was on my hands and knees grunting like an animal as I hand stitched these into the desired size.



I then covered them in cheese cloth and tacked down every 6 inches before sewing duvet covers for them.  The wool cannot be machine washed so I thought duvets would be easier than quilts.



The girls picked out a stack of Anna Maria Horner fabric for their covers and I found sheets on sale at West Elm for the backing.  I made them narrow to fit the bunk bed as neatly as possible.  These are so soft and cozy and the girls sleep soundly under the weight of them as do the cats.



Instead of their names embroidered they each chose a different animal to separate who's who's.



The two younger boys were also in need of some warm bedding this winter so I did the same for them.  Their covers were made from flat sheets from Garnett Hill, used the pillowcases from the sheet set the girls got with their duvet backing and sewed the animal silhouette pillows just for fun.

They too are sleeping better under the warmth and weight of this wool.

I did their names free hand because I was too lazy to set up the embroidery unit. 

The last project was a small throw for the couch in our bedroom.  I used up some silk I've been storing since I was in China 18 years ago and the result is a super warm, soft and silky space to nap.  It pairs well with the sheepskin from our first lamb and I'm thinking I'll be spending much time there in the weeks to come. 

I'm so thrilled to share these projects because honestly not every project off the farm turns into a successful useful product.  I'm so so grateful for our sheep - they munch down the pastures, provide nourishing meat and now the wool is like icing on the cake! 

Some quick and needed sewing

Not sure why I haven't sunken into more sewing this winter, its been a long and sedentary season for sure.  I suppose it may be because my sewing space in the basement is cold enough it serves as our fridge overflow, there are boxes of yams, oranges, apples, grapefruit and Izze sodas nestled just under the sewing table and right up against my presser foot.  In addition, many bodies in a small home all winter leads one to have an aversion to stuff - whatever I sew, no matter how crafty, is just more stuff and my laundry piles are already overflowing.  Lastly, sitting behind the sewing machine with a big belly is about as comfortable as standing at the kitchen sink, I can barely reach.  

Now with all excuses aside I'm pleased to say there were a few immediate needs that found me in the creative process behind the sewing machine.  Most of these projects were simple enough that I did not have to think through them, I just checked out and let my hands do the work, I even let the kids help and that was amusing.

First up are some reversible baggy sword pants for George.  By mid January I had to hide all his shorts because that was all he was choosing to wear.  After that he wouldn't change out of his pjs.  We had a little chat about it and he reported that any pair of pants with a button and zipper were too uncomfortable.  So I pulled out an old baggy Burda pants pattern and made this set out of 3 pairs of Paul's old work pants and 3 old work shirts for the linings. George participated by helping me cut them out and designed the giant deep pocket ,on one side (it holds handfuls of toys) and the sword holder on the other.  

These are George approved!  and comfortable enough that even falls asleep in them sometimes. 

Next up was a new church dress for Maryanna.  We've been getting by by layering summer dresses with sweaters but those have been getting shorter and shorter on her by the week.  When I asked her what she had in mind she requested something that would be as warm and cozy as a nightgown.  So I pulled out a combination of Japanese t-shirt patterns and we designed a knit dress.  I put Maryanna on the task of tracing and cutting and she did a precise job. 

We used a rayon knit that's been waiting in my stash for over 2 years and so happy to put it to good use.  Basically this is a raglan sleeve t-shirt that was extended to an A-line with added funnel neck.  Maryanna said when it gets really cold she's going to pull the funnel neck up like a hood. I think I'll have to make something like this for myself next winter!

In addition to wearables there was an immediate need for some toy bags for the kids.  With a new puppy eager to chew and a pregnant mother tripping over unseen toys I had it! These bags were designed to keep all toys off the floor.  I'm happy with how they turned out and wish I could report 100% success but the truth is, I'm now tripping over over stuffed bags.  Come spring and once I find my feet again I'll be happy they were made.  The secret to making these is as simple as tracing a dinner plate for the bottom and using heavy fusible craft stabilizer.   

In addition to a new church dress Maryanna requested a scripture bag.  Not much to say about this except I love that she designed it all by herself and kept me company the entire time I sewed it.

The next project was the quickest and crudest of them all.  My parents came to visit and offered me a bag of old animal hides.  Of course I could put them to use!  Peter took one with hair on it and carefully made a quiver by hand with the help of some expert leather workers.  I on the other hand decided to just go for it by machine.  My last laptop lost its life to a sippy cup malfunction so I'm a little over protective of my new one.  If not in use it needs a safe home (or disguise).  Moving slow enough with the machine and a larger needle I was able to finish this leather case.  I forgot how much leather stretches though so next time I'd make it a tighter fit.

Lastly I had the joy of sewing a few baby items.  I suppose if I knew the gender I may be sewing more but the truth is I have most of what I need for this special arrival.  I was short on gowns so I refashioned this one from a women's t-shirt.  I'm also short on knit caps because after I washed them a few fell to the ground and the puppy got to them.  I also needed some more cloth wipes and a few swaddling blankets so that is what I whipped up.  

As the season changes so will the need for more sewing appear.  I'm not going to rush it though, for me it is no fun to sew sundresses and shorts when there is still snow on the ground.....especially when temps in the sewing area are still in the 50's.

Snowy puppy days and (below) freezing puppy nights

It has been six weeks since Oscar the puppy has joined our family.  He presence has both melted our hearts and turned our world upside down.  

I suppose we could blame Santa but really adding another dog was my idea.  I started looking around at dogs last spring after I noticed Archie was sleeping through porch visitors and package deliveries.  Archie has been our faithful doorbell and extra set of eyes and ears for over 10 years and is slowing down considerably.  How grateful I am for all he has offered our family and now wish to allow him rest and comfort in his old age.   

In the past our dogs have been adopted as adults.  First Molly the golden lab who was picked up from a shelter a month before we were married, then Archie who was from a breeder who needed to re-home him because of his hips and then Polar who was no longer cooperating as a show dog.  Each of them joined our home and family without too much trouble or disruption to our daily routine.

I thought adding another adult dog would be no trouble at all.  We looked on petfinder.com, craigslist and visited shelters with hopes to find the perfect match.  I had my heart set on a German Shepherd because I grew up with one, Hedi, I remember laying on her warm belly and riding on her back and feeling a strong connection to her.  

I corresponded with an owner who had to re-home her German Shepherd immediately because of life circumstances. I invited her out to bring her dog for a visit to our farm and not 15 minutes into it the dog growled at the little ones, chased a chicken and attacked Archie.  That was all I needed to push the idea of another dog far into the future.

Oddly, even after such a bad experience the thought of another dog continued to surface in the weeks that followed.  Late one evening I decided to search for a puppy, I have never raised a puppy but I certainly have experience with children - how could it be any harder? The first available litter that came up on my search was 8 available Bernese Mountain dogs, just listed that evening.  I was totally unfamiliar with the breed but with only a few pages of skimming had a feeling it would be a good fit on our farm and with our family.    

   

I called the breeder first thing in the morning and told her our situation - all the kids, the animals, the farm and a new baby on its way.  She reassured me that these were great family dogs, that she had 4 very young children of her own and with the help of a few older children a puppy would be manageable.  8 weeks later Oscar popped out of a wrapped box under the Christmas tree.  It was a magic moment for sure, the girls wept tears of joy and the boys laughed and cheered. 

The first two weeks were more than joyful.  We took turns snuggling him all night and carrying him around like a stuffed animal during the day.  He followed us everywhere and never left our side.  It seemed we just got lucky.

Not sure exactly when it happened but the following two weeks were more than painful.  His playing was no longer fun and turned to biting and the night time snuggling turned to taking turns on the couch to let him out every two hours and cleaning up poop when we were just not quick enough.



We cleaned up so much poop! These two weeks coincided with the coldest weeks of the year - it was not fun begging a puppy to poop at 4 am knee deep in snow at -10 degrees (and very pregnant).



Honestly, I felt I had made a huge mistake. I began to doubt the feelings of peace I had around making this decision.  I prayerfully asked for wisdom, understanding and direction.

My next midwife appointment I think we talked more about the puppy than anything else.  I cried about it - my midwife went above and beyond her duties and in sharing her puppy raising experiences and lending me a training book.

 I then talked to a handful of trainers and found one who would come to our house to train us on how to raise a puppy.  I aligned with her training philosophy and we both agreed that with so much going on both inside and outside the house the puppy needed a strict schedule and clear boundaries.  I realized that this was an opportunity to gain wisdom and experience that would benefit not just puppy but also my children.  And it would not be easy - it would require a new level of calmness, presence, organization, structure, discipline and boundaries.  These are areas that have been calling my attention even before the puppy arrived. 

After almost 3 weeks of practiced discipline it is paying off.  We rarely have to clean up accidents and we have a much calmer puppy who is eager to please and eager to learn.

   

I also learned that I don't have to do everything.  I have turned almost all of the puppy care and training over to James and William.  They are doing an excellent job.

As for the cats.....they are not so sure.  I find them hiding in the strangest places these days.

And as for the other dogs, it seems to be a good match.  Archie seems to have more energy now that he has a puppy companion and Polar enjoys daily playtime in the pasture with Oscar.

Doesn't seem this winter, pregnancy or puppy stage will ever end,  it's been long and memorable for sure.  It seems the snow piles, my belly and the puppy are all growing daily. Doing my best to capture it and not wish it to end too soon.