WoolWeekend FTW!

Spinning Grey Trønder
Photo by A. Steffensen

Very enjoyable Saturday spent in Stamsund with the Lofoten Short-Tail Sheep (Korthale sau) group.  I am just getting to know the members of this group after meeting several of them at the 6th North Atlantic Native Sheep and Wool Conference in September.  Several of us were interested in continuing to have local gatherings for sheep/wool enthusiasts, and this weekend was the first.

We all worked on different projects, but so lovely to hang out with fleecy types!  I worked on spinning some Grey Trønder fleece I was gifted at the conference.  This isn’t one of the oldest breeds, but is a rare Norwegian breed, and spins up to a rich heathered grey yarn.  I was lucky enough to have my son along, and he helped pick vegetable matter out of the fleece and to card rollags.  This will be ’his’ yarn, perhaps a hat or some other small accessory for historical reenacting.

Beware of the following images if you have a wool obsession!

Colored spælsau lamb fleece, mostly shorn side (undercoat) showing. 
Photo by A. Steffensen

Colored spælsau lamb fleece nr. 2, also displaying mostly undercoat. 
Photo by A. Steffensen

I acquired two colored spælsau fleeces from a local farmer, and I’m in heaven!  I know exactly what I want to do with these, but in the mean time, take a close look at all of that luscious wool!  The fleeces aren’t laid out flat, so you can get a really good view of the undercoat…. Mmmmmm! Go ahead, take a closer look at all of that yummy clean fluff!

I look forward to becoming better acquainted with this group of enthusiasts, and to many more weekends of fibery fun!