From the Archives: The Shearer

Later today Sue Blacker will be here to talk about shearing processes. We felt that we couldn’t possibly preface this with anything else but The Rapping Shearer, AKA Adam McClure. We first shared this back in 2015 and Wovemberists just loved it. Here it is again for your enjoyment. : : : : : WOVEMBER… Continue Reading From the Archives: The Shearer

A new shepherdess in Burpham

There are many things related to wool that that bring me a sense of wellbeing. Some that are directly relevant to the following set of interviews are: contemplating the interconnectedness of things; how history runs into the present and how paying heed to the future is important in all our actions in the present.  … Continue Reading A new shepherdess in Burpham

Ovce a vlna na slovenskom – sheep and wool in Slovakia

Today we resume our tour of EU sheep and wool and find ourselves in Slovakia – The Slovak Republic – where the word for sheep is ovce and the word for wool is vlna. These words feel familiar; ovce is also the word for sheep in the Czech Republic and ovca is used in Bulgaria… Continue Reading Ovce a vlna na slovenskom – sheep and wool in Slovakia

Oi și lână în România – sheep and wool in Romania

Today for our EU Wovember Words post we are in Romania where the word for sheep is oaie, and the word for wool is lână. To begin with the sheep (info from this report); In Romania there are two autochthon native breeds: Turcana, named also Zackel (“mountain peasant”, “Romanian”) or Walachian (“Romanian”), is the sheep… Continue Reading Oi și lână în România – sheep and wool in Romania

Owce i wełny w Polsce – Sheep and wool in Poland

Today in our EU themed Wovember Words tour, we’re in Poland where the word for sheep is owca, and the word for wool is wełna. The source of our words is an amazing report written by Stanisława Trebunia-Staszel PhD. Handicraft based on the products of the sheep was a Polish Research Project concluded in 2011,… Continue Reading Owce i wełny w Polsce – Sheep and wool in Poland

The Journey of Wool Yarn #1

During Wovember we always try to celebrate wool from the field to the finished object and to introduce you to some of the people involved in all aspects of wool work through that process. This year we thought that it would be really interesting to follow one particular story through that journey. Joy McMillan hand-dyes… Continue Reading The Journey of Wool Yarn #1

Daughter of a Shepherd labels by Rachel Atkinson

For this evening’s post we have Rachel Atkinson here for a Q&A session on labelling. Many of you may know Rachel from following Wovember last year, or through knitting with her 100% British Daughter of a Shepherd yarn. Having looked at the labelling of wool from a legislative EU position and from two people within… Continue Reading Daughter of a Shepherd labels by Rachel Atkinson

The Ouessant sheep of France

Today we are thrilled to have a Wovember Words post from Diane Falck AKA The Spinning Shepherd. Long term Wovemberists will remember Diane from Wovembers past, for which she has provided many fantastic articles and photos of her Ouessant sheep. In this article, representing France in our European tour of sheep and wool, she tells… Continue Reading The Ouessant sheep of France

Estonian Native Sheep

For Wovember Words today we are in Estonia! When team Wovember member Felix traveled there in 2012 for a residency, she discovered the wondrous organisation Hea Villa Selts (Facebook link) which translates loosely as The Good Wool Society. This is a coalition of shepherds and wool-workers working to understand and teach the best ways to… Continue Reading Estonian Native Sheep