WOVEMBER WORDS: From Land's End to John O'Groats, a sheepy journey of the British Isles

Throughout WOVEMBER we will hear from people taking part in the KnitBritish Breed Swatch-along who discovering the unique characteristics of different single breed wool yarns. LOUISE will be here tonight with a post about the SAL –  on how you can take part and how it has spurred participants on to really investigate the yarn they knit with. Ahead… Continue Reading WOVEMBER WORDS: From Land's End to John O'Groats, a sheepy journey of the British Isles

Daily Photo Series: Ryeland Sheep and Lambs 1

If you have been at any woolly events this year, you may have spotted Jeni Reid and her camera. Jeni has a really sensitive eye and a true talent for capturing the very soul of wool. We are thrilled to share some of what she and her lens have seen this past year in the… Continue Reading Daily Photo Series: Ryeland Sheep and Lambs 1

Wovember Words: The Valley of Eden

Welcome to the inaugaural WOVEMBER WORDS post of 2015! For those of you new to WOVEMBER WORDS, this is a daily elevenses of sheep and wool themed literature to be enjoyed during your morning break. Founded by WOVEMBER MEMBER Tom in 2012 the archive of WOVEMBER WORDS articles can be searched by clicking here. This… Continue Reading Wovember Words: The Valley of Eden

Wovember Words: Wordsworth on WOOL

Today’s WOVEMBER WORDS come from Wordsworth who gives a wondrous picture of the place of WOOL in Lakeland life in the early nineteenth century. Originally published anonymously in 1810 as an introduction to Wilkinson’s “Select Views in Cumberland, Westmoreland and Lancashire”, Wordsworth’s “Guide to the Lakes” was later revised and edited by the author and… Continue Reading Wovember Words: Wordsworth on WOOL

My Wovember Sweater

Another wondrous post from Jane Cooper telling the story from sheep to sweater of one very special garment! I’ve spent the entire month wearing just one sweater. It’s been a fun way to celebrate Wovember but also a way to fully test the properties of a new knitting yarn. I’d like to introduce Orkney Wool… Continue Reading My Wovember Sweater

Wovember Words: WOOL and electricity

Sheep and WOOL really do get into everything and, if you have purchased a copy of the KNITSONIK Stranded Colourwork Sourcebook you will already know that “everything” even includes a 1930s book about electricity entitled “The Wonders of Electricity”. Published in the 1930s, this book provides fascinating glimpses into the domestic interior of the 1930s… Continue Reading Wovember Words: WOOL and electricity

The Sheep On The Shore and The North Ronaldsay Spinning Mill

This evening we have a gem of a post from Jane Cooper, who will be known to many of you through her amazing work on the Woolsack project and also for the work she does on the Blacker and Beyond and Fleece & Fibre Sourcebook group on Ravelry which celebrates a diverse range of different… Continue Reading The Sheep On The Shore and The North Ronaldsay Spinning Mill

Elizabeth

One more beautiful guest post from Sara Dunham reflecting on a special member of her flock. I buried an old friend yesterday, a Jacob ewe who was at least 16, if not older. Elizabeth. Or as she was called for the last couple of years, Queen Elizabeth. I’m not sure about large flocks, but in… Continue Reading Elizabeth

Wovember Words: sounds and lost sounds

As WOVEMBERSISTS know, I am passionate about how sounds can be used to connect us to the landscapes, people and animals that are ultimately the source of WOOL. I was therefore thrilled to discover that Cathy Lane – composer, artist and one of my PhD examiners – has also been exploring these connections. Cathy Lane… Continue Reading Wovember Words: sounds and lost sounds

Soft Fell sheep and their fleece #3 : logistics and finances

In the last week of WOVEMBER we received some amazing contributions which were just too good not to share which is why WOVEMBER will be continuing until Friday. This is therefore not the last post of WOVEMBER! Though the month has run out of days there was just too much good content for us to… Continue Reading Soft Fell sheep and their fleece #3 : logistics and finances