Tag Archives: farm tour

Needles Clicking

Breakthrough! Three new knitters overcame past challenges today in the LRB.  Dorinda, Monica and Emily succeeded where they had not before, and I'm delighted to say, left more confident in their brand new skills.  Awesome job!


Sometimes the difference between sheer frustration and victory is just a tiny little adjustment.  And having someone at your elbow helping you make minor corrections can set you on the road to a fulfilling new hobby... especially a new hobby that could well morph into a passion.  Show of hands?


Each of these ladies had tried before but were thwarted by simple things.  What an easy, fun task it was for me just to nudge them back onto the right road.  Emily took off, and picked up the Continental style with grace and ease.


Our painter, Monica, developed a wonderful rhythm very quickly.  We're kindred spirits who love earth tones.  Yo, sister.


 And Dorinda let out the secret that even though she does many things left-handed, she actually got some relief by knitting right-handed this time!  Liberation!  And she's off and running.


After class, of course, we had to make the rounds in the pasture to say hi to all the critters, and were joined by Navayah, Jessica, Asher, and the baby.  Navayah raises sheep herself and we had so much fun comparing notes and swapping stories.  She and Jessica will be back for a spindle class soon so that she can better use her own wool.


Asher was fascinated by the chickens, who are just tame enough to hang around close, and keep him engaged.


We've been blessed beyond measure with the weather this week, and it promises to hold for several more days to come. 

Now it's time for me to take advantage of this springy day and wash some fiber!

Learning to See

This is Home School Week at the farm, with three groups coming out to visit in as many days.  Today was Day Two, and the group who came out today was a joy to host.  With the sunshine on our faces and a nice breeze in our hair, we learned about sheep and guard dogs and chickens and alpacas. 


Our de facto Farm Ambassador, Vanni, graciously accepted all the love and hugs he could get through the fence.  I'd let him out, but I'm not sure he knows how big he is, and he might just knock down a few kids (and moms) in his exuberance.  He doesn't jump, but his tail has a whappy-waggly mind of its own.


Ruthie is much more dignified in the way she accepts the offerings of love and doggy admiration from her fans.  She's a high-powered kid magnet.


But these kids came with a special magnetism all their own.  The alpacas, who are usually good with being ogled through the fence, actually allowed themselves to be stroked by sweet little hands.  This is a first.  Levi and Boaz are the most tolerant, but even they usually stay just out of reach when a big group of people comes to call.


 It's wonderful, because Levi is about the softest alpaca in the herd.  He has the gentlest personality of all the alpacas.  I was glad that the kids got to feel alpaca fiber on the hoof like that.


We learned about wool - the shearing, skirting, washing, carding and spinning.  The kids asked amazingly astute questions, just as I expect of kids who get a lot of practice with self-directed learning and inquiry.

Tomorrow we'll host our third group of home schoolers, and I'm looking forward to another day of questions that keep me on my toes.  I'm really grateful for the farm to be a part of these kids' growing up and growing wise.