Update ahoy and our own animal friendly millspun yarn!

Happy weekend everyone! The update is finito so please be sure to browse around, lots of pretty locks, washed/unwashed fiber, handspun, batts, clouds AND our new millspun yarn!!

Our new millspun yarn is a combined project between our own sheep, and Jenny's alpacas/llamas & guanacos! Too too fun! We wash the fiber here and send it to the girls at Argyle Fiber Mill (.com) for prep and spinning. This is yarn that just got back home last week and it is next to the skin soft Alpaca-spun in approximately DK weight.

This is also new yarn--again, alpaca in approximately DK weight. If you don't save me from myself, I might have to pop some of that lighter version into the dyepots!!! (insert witch laugh here!)

This is how the yarn knits up, I used #9 needles but probably could have used a #10 for a bit looser knit. This picture is of the ivory Romney x wool from our sheep, and a stripe of the medium silvery brown alpaca. Just too pretty, soft and a very versatile yarn--enough for entire projects, trim, or? Just have some fun and know that we are continuing to branch out to offer unique yarn that is animal friendly--you won't be disapointed! Have a happy weekend--got plans for New Years eve/day? Drive safe if you do!! Cheers!

Happy Holidays!

Happy Holidays everyone! Hope you are hugging up your families and enjoying the day! Had to give some prime time to the goats, who have been complaining that they are never on the blog! This is our Ariel, she was a bottle girl that kept our Angus company as a bottle lamb. Makes sense! Shetland sheep with a crazy Pygmy cross goat? They were a hoot romping around the house! And as you can see, Ariel has a great goatie sense of humor! This was her favorite place to hide out--until the goats spent too much time hopping on and off the roof--of course to get to the garage roof? Crazy goats!!

And this is Phoebe, she loves this box and even though she is too big for it now, she STILL manages to fit herself in there--one of these days we may have to bust her out! ha! She is also a bottle baby and she spent much of her first winter in the house-- when she gets loose, she comes and waits for me at the back door and still takes any chance to get back in the house. What a sweetie! She is a Pygora goat and gives us some gorgeous fiber every spring.

Hope everyone is enjoying their holiday, update set for tomorrow (12/16) so be sure to browse by! Lots of fiber, NEW mill spun yarn from Jenny's alpacas, and even some new yarn--busy busy sheep! ha! Joy to the Wooled everyone!

Some sheep you may not know yet?

Happy is not new to us but this is a new picture of his happy soul! He is so sweet, arrived some years ago with his best buddy Gilmore (tee hee) as bottle lambs. They are inseperable and love a good hug--and of course Fruit Loops! (they also happen to think the fellows should take them golfing too--so far no go!)
Garth is a wise purchase Ross made from a friend who has physical disabilities that prevented her from keeping her pets. Garth is a beautiful Icelandic/E.Fresian cross that is still somewhat shy, but his coat is beyond gorgeous! Loooong locks that are a chestnut color with blonde tips--very striking and soft--we have yarn from Garth on the crazy quilt yarn page if you 'need' a skein! :0)

And last but not least--the mighty Ranier--the blue gray Icelandic sheep. Another smart purchase by Ross--and Ranier is best buds with Garth. (they have always lived together) Ranier is a sweet boy, sort of like a cat though, likes you in his time, his day. He is very regal and I swear, he does not walk, he STOMPS like he is king and everyone should know it! I have not even touched his gorgeous fleece yet this winter, just keep eyeing it from afar. it is a blue/silver color that I have not seen in a fleece before, soft and well, I really should get it in the wash SOON me thinks? The fellows will show up on the website soon--on our meet the sheep pages. Lots of stories to read so get a cup of coffee or tea and enjoy the sheep!!! (and we hope you are warmer than we are today--windy and eeeek!)

Steeler grows up & Llamapaca palooza!!!

Meet Jim's new alpaca boys! They arrived at Jenny's farm about a month ago, all the way from Tennessee! Their owner was sad to let them go and was so desperate for a good home for them, she drove them all the way up to drop them off. We are lucky to have them! They are SO cute and have fit in with the llama flock nicely. They like Jim best, who knew Jim loves alpacas? I guess he never told me because he was afraid of what might happen here? tee hee!

These are a few of the six llama boys I adopted from Jenny--they are a year old going on two and came to Jen's from another happy farm. The white llama is so wise, calm and sure of himself--he is our Obama Llama--leader of the group. Behind him you can see VanGogh, he is missing parts of his ears due to frostbite--I swear he has a neck like a giraffe!! The other picture shows Radar in the front--he loves to hum you a song and is the first to sound the alarm if something is amiss in llama world. VanGogh is in the back of THAT picture too--stalking the camera! the llama on the right can't decide what he wants to be called, we are thinking he and the other two need to be Obama cabinet members! baaahahahaah and how fun can life be? The llamas and alpacas are overseen by the big llama Max the great--he is boss and takes his guard duties of this little family very seriously. Except when it comes to the love of his life--Chaquita who is in the next pasture guarding our goaties. Now how sad Max is SO in love with her--and she absolutely detests him--he gets spit at routinely and just keeps going back to her mad face for more upset! Poor fellow! Don't think he will ever win her over....

This is Steeler, he was one of 12 sheep we rescued as part of a larger rescue in Pennsylvania several years ago. He is definitely the man of the house, neutered but he does not think so? The first picture is him when he arrived--all young and not so sure he wanted to be here. The second is him all grown up, and look at those horns? Wowser--showing off his Merino heritage me thinks. He is a sweet sweet boy who loves a good scratch, specially where he can't reach around his horns. He loves hugs and definitely keeps the boys in line. He takes no guff out there, if the sheep are playing rough, he will just stomp his way there and they scatter, no questions asked! Playtime has to move Steeler SAYS order in teh court(yard)! He lives with Dalai Llama if you want to check out our meet the sheep pages on the site.... more fun pictures soon, been out and about with the camera in the snow--the sheep are just too fun--we plow race track paths for them in the pastures and they just have a riot every time--they can get out and exercise, chase each other around and not have their poor naked legs get so cold--at least not as fast anyway! They are a hoot and as you all know, I am so very easily amused!! Update scheduled the day after Christmas so be sure to stop by and hope you all have wonderful holidays--hug your families close-call them if you can't get home! Off to get ready for the blizzard coming our way with six more inches of snow--eek! (we just got over a foot of snow Thurs night!) Cheerio!

And the snow begins! An update is done!!

First of all, the sheep knuckled down and got the update accomplished! This is Goliath, our little sheep who arrived as a bottle lamb several years ago with a gang of others--his best friends include Happy, Cosmo and actually everyone he meets! He is an odd little man, a Romney/Lincoln x who has very little wool on his head or ears. It has improved over the years - and of all the unmanly things, we use to have to keep sun screen on his poor ears! He did NOT appreciate that! Goliath (aka Golly) created two pretty colorways for this week's update so don't miss out!

Also more dyed Suri Alpaca--from our Jenny's happy llama, alpaca and guanaco flock! Soft and slinky--a bit of shine and a fun fiber for tail spinning too. There are lots more fibers, batts, washed/unwashed wool and more so be sure to check around!

We also added lots of lash yarn to the Crazy Quilt yarn page, they are from special sheep and would be fun additions to your next projects, or? Just have some holiday karma right? We will be updating the site again the day after Christmas so keep an eye out--the little sheepy elves will be hard at work--baaaaahahahaha!

Joy to the Wooled everyone--hug your families up over the holidays and travel safe!

Bella Mia Update!

Well, here is my Miss Bella Mia! If you go back a few posts you can see her 'before' pictures and read the story of her rescue. She was in pretty sad shape when we brought her home but now she is a different girl! Got a haircut that allowed some wool to keep her warm and we are happy to say she is on her feet a majority of the time now, not her front knees. Her right leg is a little shorter than the left in front, not sure if that is an old injury or if she was born that way but either way, arthritis is a large issue for her. We are working through that now and she has gained weight--AND we seem to have her pain issues under control. She is an old girl, probably a Hampshire sheep and we adore her. She is bunking with our oldest sheep Kelly and they are good friends. We are so proud of her for not losing that spark to try. The first picture shows how content she is--and full of good food! Yey Bella Mia!!

Update tomorrow, maybe Monday if the fiber continues to rebel at the thought of drying!

Sheepy Update Preview? :0)

Mr. Goliath has been working at the dyepots this week and has created some very dramatic colorways! He is a sweet boy (I KNOW, I say that about them all but it really is TRUE!) who arrived as a bottle lamb. He came along with several others that year and spent some time inside romping around the house in pampers. No really! His best friends are Happy and Baab Hope. He has grown into a very pretty Romney cross sheep with a long stapled, medium soft fleece that takes dye like a champ! Very pretty, almost a shine when spun. He said to ask you to stop back this weekend when everything is dry and ready to add to the site, so far, some lash yarn is ready, dyed wool, even some dyed Suri Alpaca from Jen's flock! More very soon-- Goliath (aka Golly)

Not a snow plow in sight.....

Because I have not been outside quite yet, using a picture from last winter here--and looks amazingly like today in the pasture of cuteness! I am not sure how much snow we have, the roads are drifted shut and not a snowplow in sight. Yum! Great day for spinning yarn and watching the sheep play in the snow. They love to play, til their legs get cold, then they are back in the barn pel mel. A pretty day for sure--but keeping us from town so appreciate your patience about packages heading out--hoping tomorrow but might not be til Thursday..... Another update on the way for the weekend so keep an eye out and happy winter everyone! Toodles!

Cool Beans Rachel Article!

Our Rudy was nosing about the Internet (baaahahahaha) and found a very nice article about our friend Rachel and her yarn spinning! Way to go Rachel! You can find the blog/article/interview here. It is a great read and Rachel is a very talented, creative fiber artist!

Rescue llama update: Just heard last night from Jenny that of the 19 llamas she has from the rescue, 3 will retire with her and have a forever home (they are very old) and the rest have homes! Yey Jen! She is amazing and now says she is ready to go again. Wow. She just has two more to deliver and wa-la, happy llamas for the holidays! Jenny was their true gift, and homes for the holidays--lucky, happy llamas! Keeping good thoughts for everyone and have a happy week! Rudy

Happy weekend from the alpacas!

This is a terrible picture of our new alpacas but gives the happy sense of them! They are always waiting at the gate, when their llama buddies are there with them I swear, it looks like the old Petticoat Junction show--remember that one? Everyone looking over the fence--cept it was girls? Teehee--probably giving away my age or like for weird shows? Jim adopted the alpacas from our friend Jen--the alpacas came all the way from Tennessee for a good home--they spent a week or two with Jen, then here they are! They are adorable and you can find some of their fiber is already on our site--better pictures soon we promise--they are very good subjects and love a good visit with treats involved!!! Happy Sunday everyone--snowing here, great day for email and spinning yarn! Snowball fight? baaaahahahahaha! (you know that is the sheep's favorite--I catch them at it ALL the time! They always recommend the zig zag run when they catch me in the middle!) Toodles!

Update update! New Mill Spun Yarn!

Happy weekend everyone! The sheep have been B U S Y! They are exhausted now but did good work--they are out resting and planning a late party in the barn! :0) We are proud today to launch our new Jordan Valley Mill Spun yarn with this update!! Yey! This project has been in the works for a while now and it is a joint effort between our sheep and Jenny's alpacas and llamas. We will be adding more great yarn as they return home from the mill--Argyle Fiber Mill is doing a great job spinning the yarn for us--check out the mill spun page for more fun animal friendly info!!!!

More update fiber-- Tango Suri Alpaca! Beautiful colors and soft, longer locks. Yum! PLUS lots of new yarns--pictured is our famous movie star sheep Rita Merino's yarn--her soft Merino wool was blended with uuber soft Angora rabbit fiber--Oooh lala! She is one very famous sheep you know! But she still loves to sign autographs! :0)

The sheep were busy carding wool for Crazy Quilt batts too--such fun! This is Warrick's set, he is a natural black Border Leicester sheep who arrived here as a lamb--he is a sweet boy that likes treats and his best friend Frasier. His wool is to faint for at least!

Savanna is a sweet sheep (arent' they all??) and her roving just got back from Shari at Morro Fleece Works in CA. Thank you for wonderful roving wizardry Shari--you are the best!! Savanna has soem of her roving dyed up all pretty, and some is available natural--there is some softly barely dyed Cotswold blended in so you can see how easy it is to get great color by overdyeing her fleece.... And of course a good dose of karma for no extra charge!

This is a very big update so be sure to browse around--lots to see! And don't forget, we are happy to take special orders--not seeing colors you need/like? Let the sheep know and we will get you set up. Same for yarn- I love to handspin yarn created with your ideas and plans. I spin our fiber or yours--either way it is SUCH great fun to design your own colors and yarns--that nobody else will have except YOU!! Happy holiday weekend and hope you all have fun fiber plans! Cheers!

Day after too much fun!!

Hope you all had a happy Thanksgiving! We sure did--and I am SO grateful for our friend of the Homestead--Petra of Rockford IL! This sweet llama was dropped off at her farm this past week--not sure she actually caught the fellow but how desperate he must have been to find a home for this beauty? Someone surely loved the llama because he is sweet, healthy, tame and happy to be around people. Petra lost her appaloosa llama a bit ago to old age so how about karma?? wow!


And I hope you don't get sick of our baby pictures--Macie cracked a huge smile and my sister was there and caught her!! :0)



And this is how we spent our Thanksgiving--me, Macie and hubby Jim. Now you can't say you don't know what we look like right? Names to faces! ha! We were very naughty and held Macie LOTS. Everyone else DID get a turn though--really they did!


We are working on an update for later today--lots of batts, fiber, roving and yarn! Giddyup!

Thankful for all of you....

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone! We are blessed with a lot here--starting with the gift of all of you that help us create a safe place for our sheep to live out their lives--happy, (my shearer says fat) and sassy. You do not know how much you mean to us--with out you, all of this sheepy wonderful would not be possible-specially on the scale we have grown into over the years. Thank you--and many holiday hugs from your sheepy family--and us of course!! (although the sheep are much cuter than I am!). We have gotten to know so many wonderful, talented people through this business--learned much & have a circle of friends who are far flung across the US & the world--amazes me still how far this group of sheep can reach.... & also how well we seem to get to know each other without truly meeting face to face!

I cannot be thankful enough for the wonderful family who supports us through good & bad--we have had a lot of 'bad' the past few years but every day brings so much promise with it. Promise of a good future, good people and good times too. My husband--my thanks can never be enough--you are a saint! My son-never a better son! I could go on but suffice it to say, the Hiltons and Ryans are a wonderful bunch of people that we are lucky to call family. I love you all and am thankful every day to just know you are there.... (This is Miss Macie's latest picture--isn't she just a sly little pixie? Saving that smile for when the camera moves away????) And the second picture is of my sister Kristie--smooching up Macie the day she was born. Beauteous girls don't you think??

And we are also grateful that we can make a small difference in the lives of those less fortunate than we are. My mom Nancy and her best friend Barbara (we three are the 3 Chic Knits) spend their time knitting for the two groups we support by sending warm, styling items for winter. One group is west, an organization that collects items for the Elders on the Navajo Reservation. The second is closer to home in Madison- a group that helps mentally challenged adults remain independent in their own homes, with their own jobs--many have to walk to work and shopping so warm items are a happy occasion. We are all (sheep included) glad to have a way to pay things forward. Many people have helped us when we were desperately in need (our basement cave in-argh) of emotional support and financial. We owe this world a lot and hope we can leave it better in the process.

Thank you all again, I could go on but will do some personal emails to spare you all a novel! Please please be sure to hug your families & friends. Enjoy your day tomorrow where ever it finds you!

The sheep & the Ryans

Late day update!!

First, a sneak peek of the yarn update for tomorrow--and we will also be launching our new Jordan Valley Mill Spun yarns!!! Wheeee! Something we have always wanted to offer and the wonderful girls at Argyle Fiber Mill are helping our dream come true! The sheep are SO excited! We will be offering blends of our wool and fiber from our Jen's alpaca/llama sanctuary--good karma all the way around!!

Marshall (pictured) said he is not sure what we are paying the sheep to model yarn--but it CAN"T be enough for that humiliation! Doesn't he look shocked?? No, I mean Marshall! I had to hire models because the actual sheep would not cooperate--imagine that! Marshall's wool is available on today's fiber update--it is gorgeous, soft and Merino-like even though he is a purebred Corriedale--scrumptious fleece--and sheep!!

Also washed Alpaca fiber--soft and silky barely silver/gray--from Jen's 'family'.....

AND the llamas took over the dyepots this week and raised some havoc with the alpaca fiber! Several selections of dyed alpaca fiber available to be sure to browse through! They are some beautiful colors and fibers....

And one more fun picture--drool--a matching 'set' of our Savanna's Lincoln/Romney cross fleece (carded into loose roving --thank you Shari!) and matching Cotswold locks--all dyed in the same dyepot! Sneaky sheep!! Much more to see for this update--and the yarn update will be done tomorrow so be sure to stop back!! Thanks for your patience and happy evening to you all!!

My world for a camel? maybe!

Humphrey is my dream camel--first picture with a member of his lucky family! Smooch!! The second is of Humphrey and his buddy baby pony that he played with all summer--he loves his babies, babysitting is his favorite--running and playing and wishing that baby would have some manners probably? ha!

This is NOT Humphrey but a camel from somewhere (forwarded by a friend-thank you!) that maybe could be a long distance pen pal for Humphrey? Get a load of the look on the horse's face!!! What the HECK are you? ha! Anyhoo, someday my camel will show up right? :0) One can hope....

update tomorrow so keep an eye out--the sheep are working today--not by choice though--buggers!