#woolisnaturestechnology

[farmgirl-ireland-blog]

So a couple of our lovely Suffolk ewes were sheared yesterday as they desperately needed it. Hoping the shearing team will be here for the rest of the flock in the next few days. 🐑 And now I'm using the help of Pinterest and the Interweb to wash and card the fleeces by hand 🙈😆 Wish me luck! Hoping the washing machine doesn't get clogged up! 🤞 #wishmeluck #imustbemad #sheepfarming #sheep #suffolksheep #shearing #shearingshed #wool #fleece #woolisnaturestechnology #washingfleece #woolcraft

[farmgirl-ireland-blog]

It's shearing day (finally!). This photo (not mine) perfectly shows just why sheep need their annual haircut. Imagine wearing all that in this heat 😓It's also done to prevent fly strike which is very painful and if not treated quickly can be fatal. Our girls have been waiting very patiently (and I have not been so patient!). So happy that the girls will be more comfortable and can't wait to get my hands on those fleeces 😄 As ever, we will be trying to minimise stress on the flock by moving them slowly, quietly and patiently, allowing plenty of room in the sheep pens, keeping mums and babies together, and returning them to the field as soon as possible. And as always, the shearers will good naturedly put up with a bollocking from me if they get it wrong 😂🙈 #sheep #sheepfarming #shearing #shearingshed #wool #rawfleece #woolcraft #woolisnaturestechnology #ethicalfarming #grassfedlamb #organic #animalwelfare

[farmgirl-ireland-blog]

So the washing machine survived! Well, it needed the filters cleaning (twice), and despite an 'empty' wash there were still wool fibres in the next wash... but it still works, so that's a win 😂 Having dried in the sun it's looking quite bright. Not sure if I'm going to bother carding or whether to just use it as is 🤔 #handprocessingwool #washingrawfleece #rawfleece #woolcraft #wool #woolisnaturestechnology #crafter #suffolksheep

[farmgirl-ireland-blog]

How beautiful is this? Felted wool art made by @gwensartwork textile artist #gwensartwork #woolfelting #textileartist #sustainableartsupplies #woolisnaturestechnology