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On the needles – I’ve made some great progress on a new Hitofude in my new yarn “Ewenice”. I’m absolutely loving it and enjoying this knit. I’m 12.5 repeats of 15 through the first section and on track to be ready for the second section after the drive back to PA for Easter. Sheep & Wool School – This month’s breed is Hog Island. Let’s talk about fiber (and also how its NOT a “Colonial Breed”)! Technique Time – Paper Piecing Sewing Stuff -I have a bit of time left before the next UFO Challenge starts on April 1st, so I’m doing some fun stuff! I did a few paper pieced blocks to make a Riley Blake Raindrops pillow. I should finish that one up tomorrow morning before we leave for PA. I’m trying to decide what to do next. I have several small projects and pillow tops that need to be machine-quilted, bound or finished in some way, but I’m tempted to cut out another project and see if I can get that done in the next almost 2 weeks left of the month. What should I do??? New and Noteworthy – WHOLESALE yarns ready for a LYS near you! If you have a shop, are an indie dyer or would like to see our products in a shop near you, please reach out through the website and let’s get the new wholesale packet off to you! We’ve also got over 100 lbs of new yarns coming home from the mill as we speak. I was hoping to have them today to show you, […]

On the needles – Took some time off from my Shiny Squirrel, which is actually a kit for Bias by Helena Bristow in Oink Pigments Silk/Linen. I cast on a new Hitofude in my new yarn “Ewenice”. I knit one of these about 10 years ago and it’s my favorite go-to sweater from dressy and casual. It seemed like the perfect pattern to knit another version. Sheep & Wool School – This month’s breed is Hog Island. Let’s talk about the history. Sewing Stuff -I completed the 2023 Snow Day Surprise Mystery Quilt that was my March project for the Polka Dot Pincushion UFO challenge. I also completed the April project, which was the 2023 All-Ohio Shop Hop quilt. I had a little bit of time this errkrnd to sew, so I also finished both the Sparkler Quilt top I was working on a few months ago and also the mini that goes with it. I’ve got almost 2 weeks left in the month, so I’m hoping to get a few more things done too. New and Noteworthy – NEW LOUET PRODUCTS!! I just got in 3 more drum carders, and several of the S10 and S17 wheels. I’ve got a few Jenn-E e-spinners on the way too! MD Sheep & Wool should be fully stocked! Out & About – We had our Guild Retreat at Maumee Bay Lodge with Lindsey Fowler and Jen Paroccini. We also took a ride up to the lake and went to Ethel’s Quilt Shop in Sandusky, OH. Freddie the Sheltie was the greeter. In Season – SPRING! All decorated

On the wheel – Getting to know the new Louet Jenn-E e-spinner On the needles – Making more progress on my Shiny Squirrel, which is actually a kit for Bias by Helena Bristow in Oink Pigments Silk/Linen. This is my mindless car knitting and sitting knitting, and hasn’t seen much action lately. Sheep & Wool School – This month’s breed is Leicester Longwool. Let’s talk about working with it. Sewing Stuff -Sewing has commenced for the 2023 Snow Day Surprise Mystery Quilt that is my March project for the Polka Dot Pincushion UFO challenge. The March Fat Quarter Shop Sew Sampler box arrived yesterday. Unbox it with me? Yesterday we picked up the backing for the Snow Day Surprise at a little shop I love in Navarre, OH. They have an excellent selection of historic prints. I grabbed a new pattern too. New and Noteworthy – NEW YARN!!! Ewenice joins the lineup on the website this week. Ewenice is the baby sister of Ashen and is a fingering weight Wensleydale that is absolutely gorgeous! Catching up – Let’s recap Nash Yarn Fest and Shearing Day at the farm! In Season – We took a little ride to Amish Country to hit the orchard in Walnut Creek before they close next week. We hit our favorite thrift shop and had supper at Der Dutchman. Seeing all the trees in bud was encouraging that Spring may actually be coming to NEO! On Down the Road – Maryland Sheep & Wool and Great Lakes Fiber Festival and POSSIBLY another teaching gig will round out the show season in

On the wheel – I’ve finished the Into the Whirled Cheviot in the “The Upside Down” colorway, the Femto Designs batt, and I’m hoping to finish some Classy Squid rolags. Spin Together ends today at noon. Have you been thinking about your stash? I’m going to keep on spinning, with the goal of finishing one braid a week in 2025. And 2026. And maybe 2027. Seriously… There’s a lot od stash! On the needles – My Shiny Squirrel, which is actually a kit for Bias by Helena Bristow in Oink Pigments Silk/Linen is still clicking along and I’m hoping to get back to Carbeth soon. All my spare time was sucked up by spinning this week. Sheep & Wool School – This month’s breed is Leicester Longwool. These were my first intentional rare breed sheep I brought to the farm and have been my very favorite since then. Leicester Longwools were extinct in North America until the reimportation by Colonial Williamsburg in 1990. Sewing Stuff – I’ve been binding more stuff this week to complete my February project for the Polka Dot Pincushion’s UFO Challenge. This morning I cut all the pieces for the 2023 Snow Day Surprise Mystery Quilt that’s my March project for the challenge. In Season – Yesterday was the first real nice day we’ve had here in NEO and we took a ride up to the lake, stopping at some of our favorite antiques shops and Big Ed’s Soda Fountain in Vermilion. I found a Currier & Ives teapot, a small Oxford mixing bowl, a cute little biscuit jar, some juice

On the wheel – I’ve finished the Into the Whirled Cheviot in the “The Upside Down” colorway, the Femto Designs batt, and I’m hoping to finish some Classy Squid rolags. Spin Together ends today at noon. Have you been thinking about your stash? I’m going to keep on spinning, with the goal of finishing one braid a week in 2025. And 2026. And maybe 2027. Seriously… There’s a lot od stash! On the needles – My Shiny Squirrel, which is actually a kit for Bias by Helena Bristow in Oink Pigments Silk/Linen is still clicking along and I’m hoping to get back to Carbeth soon. All my spare time was sucked up by spinning this week. Sheep & Wool School – This month’s breed is Leicester Longwool. These were my first intentional rare breed sheep I brought to the farm and have been my very favorite since then. Leicester Longwools were extinct in North America until the reimportation by Colonial Williamsburg in 1990. Sewing Stuff – I’ve been binding more stuff this week to complete my February project for the Polka Dot Pincushion’s UFO Challenge. This morning I cut all the pieces for the 2023 Snow Day Surprise Mystery Quilt that’s my March project for the challenge. In Season – Yesterday was the first real nice day we’ve had here in NEO and we took a ride up to the lake, stopping at some of our favorite antiques shops and Big Ed’s Soda Fountain in Vermilion. I found a Currier & Ives teapot, a small Oxford mixing bowl, a cute little biscuit jar, some juice

On the wheel – The trusty Hansen is back up and running! I repaired the internal tensioner and found all its parts and I’m SPINNING!!!!! First up is the Into the Whirled Cheviot in the “The Upside Down” colorway. Our Spin Together team is spinning along and I’m excited to get back to my wheels. Can we talk about stash?? This particular fiber is from the club I was getting in 2018. I have multiple containment devices in both the home studio and the warehouse and I’m thinking its time to either spin it or destash it. Who’s with me? On the needles – I’ve finished, woven ends in and blocked the test knit of a new design by Thea Colman of Baby Cocktails in my Ross Farm Ashen Wensleydale that will launch in March. I missed the deadline by about 2 days. But I’m still pretty proud that it’s finished and al ready to go to Nash Yarn Fest! My Shiny Squirrel, which is actually a kit for Bias by Helena Bristow in Oink Pigments Silk/Linen is coming along and I’m thinking Carbeth is going to the front of the line now. Sheep & Wool School – This month’s breed is Jacob. Today, I’d like to share some FUN FACTS. Did you know that Jacob sheep are helping with research for Tay-Sachs Disease? Sewing Stuff – I’ve been binding a bunch of stuff this week. I’ve finished hand sewing on the binding of the really big red & pink quilt because as well as several smaller pieces. I’ve got a week left to finish

On the wheel – Would you believe that after all that, it’s not the tension knob? There is still room on our team for Spin Together this year and we’d love to have you join! The link is here. and our team is Ross Farm Fiber Fanatics. We now have a private FB Group and we’re getting excited to kick things off! Today, February 15th, is the last day to register. I’ve been trying to get ready but meeting with nothing but frustration. The Hansen is still not fixed and now I need to find an Aleen wrench to take it apart. I tried to get my EEW up and running, but the motor is being quirky. THe Daedalus power supply is not with the machine so that’s dead in the water too. Even my trusty Schacht Reeves is having issues. It won’t stop throwing the drive band! Grrrrrrrrr On the needles – Still working on the test knit cast of a new design by Thea Colman of Baby Cocktails in my Ross Farm Ashen Wensleydale that will launch in March. The test knit deadline is tomorrow, 2/16, but I’m pretty pleased with this week’s progress. I’m now well into 4 of the 5 skeins necessary for my size. It’s really starting to feel like the end is in sight and I’m rethinking the outfit to wear it with for the Preview Party at Nash Yarn Fest. My Shiny Squirrel, which is actually a kit for Bias by Helena Bristow in Oink Pigments Silk/Linen is now was cast-on this week and will live in my

On the wheel – The tension knob is here for my Hansen cherry Classic.It was delayed, but now the only delay is me being overwhelmed and afraid to try to install it! THere is still room on our team for Spin Together this year and we’d love to have you join! The link is here. and our team is Ross Farm Fiber Fanatics. We now have a private FB Group and we’re getting excited to kick things off! Linda is doing a great job moderating, and so far we have Heaz, Melinda, and Kathy joining the team this week. On the needles – Still working on the test knit cast of a new design by Thea Colman of Baby Cocktails in my Ross Farm Ashen Wensleydale that will launch in March. The test knit deadline is 2/16, but I’m pretty pleased with my progress. I’ve had to move it to a larger bag because I’m now well into skein 3 of the 5 skeins necessary for my size. I’m planning an outfit to wear it with for the Preview Party at Nash Yarn Fest too. My Shiny Squirrel, which is actually a kit for Bias by Helena Bristow in Oink Pigments Silk/Linen is now in a project bag with the needles all ready to be cast-on and that’s making me very excited.. Technique Time – I’ve been binding several quilts and my plan this week is to make a few shorts/reels on my binding technique. Perfect mitered corners every time! We’re finishing up the stuff in my home studio and hope to launch a technique

On the wheel – Gotland for my new friend Angela is ready to ship out. The tension knob is on its way for my Hansen cherry Classic, and should arrive on Monday! A new one is on the way. Spinning currently on the EEW 6.0 and super excited to announce that we have a team for Spin Together this year and we’d love to have you join! The link is here: and our team is Ross Farm Fiber Fanatics On the needles – Still working on the test knit cast of a new design by Thea Colman of Baby Cocktails in my Ross Farm Ashen Wensleydale that will launch in March. I’ve fallen down a rabbit hole and discovered an old kit while organizing and now I want to knit it instead of doing the stuff I need to be doing. It’s a SHINY SQUIRREL. Slow Stitching – I’ve been cross-stitching a few little Valentine’s Day things to add to the decor. I’m working on designs from Little House Needleworks “Loveable Petites ” pattern by Diane Williams. Sheep & Wool School – This month’s breed is Jacob. Today, we’re kicking the month off with a discussion on its history. Did you know that Jacob is actually TWO breeds? American Jacob is very different from the UK Jacob. These are supposedly the sheep from the bible, hence the name. You can experience the wool for yourself with one of our Jacob products, or from a local purveyor near you! Check out Alice, Darwin, Chief, Willow or our Jacob roving, Don’t forget to show us what you’ve

Tea time in the studio- Drinking Earl Greyer tea from Republic of Tea in my Maryland Sheep & Wool mug On the loom -Planning my first weaving project of 2025. Stair runner?? On the wheel – Wet finished the Gotland for my new friend Angela. Discovered the tension knob is missing from my Hansen cherry Classic – great customer service though! A new one is on the way. Spinning currently on the EEW 6.0 and super excited about the Kickstarter for the new EEW Fold. On the needles – Still working on the test knit cast of a new design by Thea Colman of Baby Cocktails in my Ross Farm Ashen Wensleydale that will launch in March. Trying to finish a microfiber ribbon scarf from Tess’s Designer Yarns that I started a zillion years ago. Planning a few new samples for the booth this Spring too. Technique Time – I’ve been binding several quilts and my plan this week is to make a few shorts/reels on my binding technique. Perfect mitered corners every time! Sheep & Wool School – This month’s breed is Cheviot. Today, we’re talking about working with it. It’s one of my favorite types of wool because of its resistance to felting and hard-wearing nature. I literally can’t say enough about it! You can experience the wool for yourself with one of our Cheviot products, or from a local purveyor near you! Check out Ross Farm Funky, Ross Farm Big Boy, our Cheviot roving, our quilt batts or even our socks! I’ve been blocking the Lollygag Cowl and working on increasing the

On the loom – Loom has been excavated from its layers of nonsense and I’m hoping to warp it by the end of the month. On the wheel – I’ve been reorganizing my fiber stash and I found some delightful fibers that I’m really excited to start spinning! I’ve got some DEEP STASH from no-longer-dyeing folks like Hobbledehoy and Classy Squid and some really squee-inducing things like the complete box set collection from HipStrings that Scooter got for me every time a new one came out. It started with their Maine box, which was their first, because that’s where we honeymooned. Also located was my stash of hand-dyed Cheviot from two of my favorite vendors: Two Guys Yarn Company and Into the Whirled. On the needles – Still working on the test knit cast on of a new design by Thea Colman of Baby Cocktails in my Ross Farm Ashen Wensleydale that will launch in March. Technique Time – I’m wondering if you’d like to see any of my techniques for sewing, quilting, spinning or knitting? Let me know in the comments! Sheep & Wool School – This month’s breed is Cheviot. Today, we’re talking about the FIBER. It’s one of my favorite types of wool because of its resistance to felting and hard-wearing nature. I literally can’t say enough about it! You can experience the wool for yourself with one of our Cheviot products, or from a local purveyor near you! Check out Ross Farm Funky, Ross Farm Big Boy, our Cheviot roving, our quilt batts or even our socks! Don’t forget to comment

Tea time in the studio- Drinking Blackberry Sage tea from Republic of Tea in my Missouri Star Quilt Company mug On the wheel – I’ve been plying some Gotland on my Schacht Reeves that I combed and spun last fall. I just got my Daedalus Martin set up to start spinning some of the fiber in my World of Wool Advent Box as soon as I finish the Cheviot I’m currently spinning. On the needles – Just finished the Lollygag Cowl in Ross Farm Funky and Ross Farm Kevin. It’s a FREE pattern on Ravelry. Getting excited about the test knit cast on of a new design by Thea Colman of Baby Cocktails in my Ross Farm Ashen Wensleydale that will launch in March. Sheep & Wool School – This month’s breed is Cheviot. There are 5 main segments of the breed; North Country (Park and Hill types), Border Cheviot, Brecknock Cheviot, Western Hilly and Wicklow Cheviot. Finish it or Frog It – 4 projects pulled from a random UFO pile Sewing Stuff – I’m binding a Christmas themed bench pillow from Riley Blake Designs and working on a log cabin tree skirt from approximately 1998 for my 2025 UFO Challenge with the Polka Dot Pincushion. On Down the Road – Prepping this week for the Rustbelt Fibershed Symposium on January 25th and Nash Yarn Fest in March. Working on the 2025 schedule.. Details coming!