Tuesday, January 25, 2011

Visit to Under The Son Farm

I have done a lot of reading about sheep and especially Shetland Sheep, since that is the breed I decided to raise. Today, I was very fortunate to be able to visit Theresa Gygi at Under the Son Farm in Greencastle, IN and see her beautiful Shetland ewes and rams. I learned about what makes a good fleece for a Shetland. She breeds to the standards established fot the Shetlands. The colors were gorgeous, whites, light grays, dark grays, browns and even blacks and colors in between. The fleeces were from soft to very, very soft. I learned that Shetland sheep are quite bright in many ways and actually know their names. I liked the way the barn was arranged for the sheep and the feeding areas and the room in the loft that her husband made for her to keep and work with the fleece.

We spent time looking at different types of fleece and talking Assorted samples of fleece about the qualities that made them good for knitting or weaving. She suggested a hand drop spinner, until I can afford a good spinning wheel. I learned that weaving takes a great deal of wool, so I might just want to relearn how to knit and crochet. Theresa showed me some of her work and it just confirmed to me that I really want these sheep. We talked about the need to set my goals and then adjust as time goes on but essentially start slowly and stay on track. I don't want to get overwhelmed by starting too much this Spring.

After touring her pasture, barn and basement, I think I may need another building, if this adventure ever gets off the ground. But that is for another day. Thanks Theresa for your wonderful hospitality, I had a wonderful afternoon.

5 comments:

  1. Isn't Theresa great?! She's so knowledgeable about what she does. That's where my Golden Girls came from. I have to warn you, they're very, very addictive.

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  2. She sure is! I could tell they were addictive, when I really wanted to take one home with me.

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  3. Shoot me an e-mail at frontporchindiana at live dot com so we can plan a sheep shearing adventure! :)

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  4. i have a Border Collie/Australian Shepherd mix too!
    his name is Bear.

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