The view from Jackson Hole, WY

Finally a picture of finished objects on this blog.  I am terrible about finishing things, but these were a Christmas gift, so I persevered.
                                                     
I even removed the needles before a wrapped them!!  Unfortuately, there was a second pair of socks to be given to the spouse.  They were not completed on time.

I wrapped his socks with the  needles in and not nearly as close to being finished as these are. 

The good news is that I did finish them.  I was pushed to complete them before they left for their winter vacation.

Here they are completed and frolicking in Jackson Hole, WY

Below is the ski report from Jackson Hole.  I'm not a skier, but 6 feet of snow!!!... I am happy to see it in pictures!  The weather report calls for snow everyday this week. 

Thank goodness for wool socks!!  I have started a pair for me this week, we'll see how long before they're done.

Make your own socks.  Class starts Thursday, February 18 at 11am.  It will be a two or three week class depending on your knitting skills.   The class is $15 a week, plus 1 skein of Foster Farm Sock yarn, and a set of #2 needles.    The class will run from 11am - 2pm.  Bring your own bagged lunch.  It is lambing month, so bring warm clothes if you want to visit the barn and the new lambs!!

Also, New Classes starting this week...on Saturday, February Sweater if you are signed up please email me about what yarn you want to use.  I may need to dye it for you. 
Learn to Knit is every Thursday evening at 6:30pm...Thrumed Mitts is Friday at 4pm.  If you are planning to attend any of these classes, please contact me so that i have enough supplies on hand.



email me at fostersheepfarm@gmail.com to sign up.

Full Report


New Snow: 0 in.


Primary Surface Conditions: Packed powder


Base Depth Min: 54 in.


Base Depth Max: 69 in.


# Lifts Open: 11


# Trails Open: 114


Grooming: 1


Skiable Trails Open: 114


% Skiable Acres Open: 100 %


Cross Country: 15 km


Hours of Operation: Mon Fri 9a 4p


Operating Status: N/A


Snow Comments: 8 " past 4 days


Last Update: Jan 30, 2010 - 6:10am

WOW !!

We had a great day on Sunday!

When we talked about doing this we had no idea how many people might show up to watch the shearing.  As the days got closer we were on pins and needles wondering about weather, turnout, how many cups, how much cider...  Well it turned out great!!

For those of you that were here, and have some pictures you would share, I would love to get some from you.  I was so busy I couldn't even think about the camera.  In fact, one of my helpers said to me a one poiint "will you get me my camera?"  I couldn't even focus on doing that for her.  When I think back on it I should have gotten some shots, but I didn't. 

This is the one picture I did get.

This is Betsy and Sue.  I'm not sure they will be happy that I posted it, but they are both good sports so here it is.  They worked so hard all day.  We have been working hard on this project for a few weeks now.  I can't begin to thank them enough.  Several others have been helping on this project also, too bad I didn't get their pictures.  Thank you to all.  Those who helped, and those that came and supported us in this new venture. 

Stay posted for more pictures and details about the classes, and opening of the shop.

Carole

Shearing Day/Open House

Here are the girls...they are anxiously awaiting their haircuts.  This year there are about 60 ewes to be shorn. 

Before the shearer arrives we split the girls into two groups.  The white fleece and the colored fleece.  We do this so that we don't get white wool in the natural colored wool, or vice versa.

This is our shearer, David Hinman.  He is from Walpole, NH.  He drives over here early in the morning.  He brings along his shears and his stories.  This job is not for everyone.  He makes it look easy, but its not. 

This fleece is fresh from the sheep.  It is placed on this wire table to be checked for cleanliness, strength, evenness of crimp, second cuts and anything else undesireable (like nasty burdocks). 

  This is the wool off of one sheep, that has been skirted and is now going in a bag.    Once in the bag it goes to the wool room of the barn.  This wool will either be sold to a spinner, washed and carded into roving, or processed into yarn. 

And finally, here are the girls again, with there fresh new haircuts.

These pictures are from last year.  Come join us for shearing day 2010!!  Sunday, January 24th.  We will begin at 10am and continue until all of 60 sheep have been shorn. People are invited to the barn to watch the sheep shearing and watch us skirt fleeces. They are also invited to the farmhouse for a hot drink and to shop.


The farmhouse is full of wool (yarn, roving, washed locks, and fleeces) from Foster Sheep Farm and other local visiting fiber artists. Also, available for sale is local art and local handmade soap.

I hope to see you then...

The Rock Day Weekend

The First Annual Rock Day Celebration at Foster Sheep Farm 

 

We had spinners!! 

We had knitters!! 

We had great food!!

We had a great day!!  

It was a great weekend.  On Saturday the Southern Adirondack Spinners gathered at the farmhouse for their monthly meeting, and on Sunday we gathered for the First Annual Rock Day Celebration.  It was so nice to see all of  you.  It was cold and I know a lot of you had animals and frozen water buckets to care for before you arrived, but still you persevered.   Inside the farmhouse the sun was shinning in and the energy was positive.  Even one of my groups "sock challenged knitters" knit without mistake.  That is proof that we have good energy.

We have open knitting this week on Tuesday evening at 6:30 and Wednesday at 11:00.  Come and join us!!

January and Februay Schedule

FOSTER SHEEP FARM CLASS LIST
The Yarn Shop at Foster Sheep Farm is located at 460 West River Road. This is a work in progress…we are beginning with things as they are, but are working toward a full service yarn shop. Get in on the ground floor and watch the transformation. Contact me at phone at 695-3058 or by email at Fostersheepfarm@gmail.com


LEARN TO KNIT—Thursdays starting January 14, 2010 and continuing until further notice (6:30 to 8:30pm) I will teach you to knit while making a fun project. The Jared Hat will teach you knitting, purling, adding color, decreasing, and reading the pattern. This class will go at your own pace, but everyone will start with casting on in the first class.

FINGERLESS MITTS—Friday January 15th and January 22nd (6:30 to 8:30) This is my pattern. It has a small cable cuff. This class will be an introduction to cables, and learning the gusset of a mitten. If you prefer a mitten this can also be accomplished.

FEBRUARY SWEATER—Saturdays , February 6 through the 27th. (3:00-5:00pm) This is a top down sweater. It is one that was based on Elizabeth Zimmermann's classic Baby Sweater. I don't know if you all know of EZ, but you should. She is one of the staple of the knitting world. I love her books and her videos. So in February, in tribute to EZ, we will knit the February Sweater. The class is scheduled for Saturday afternoons from 3-5 for the month of February. I hope we can finish them to wear in March!!


THRUMBED MITTENS—Friday, February 12th and 19th (4:00-6:00pm) I have another favorite knitter. It’s the Yarn Harlot. I love to read about her knitting. It seems like she is always knitting...I have chosen to knit her thrumbed mittens. If you have knit mittens before this will be a one week class. If you have not knit mittens you should plan on two weeks

PRETTY THING- Friday, February 26 (4:00-6:00pm) One more Yarn Harlot pattern to finish off February. This is a cowl that I just love. I am planning to spin the yarn for this cowl and I welcome you to do the same. Or if you would rather you can choose one of my sock yarns to knit it from. It is a lace cowl. You can see it on ravelry, I know that you will love it. I think this is a one class project for experienced knitters.

MANY MORE CLASSES TO COME!!! I AM LOOKING FORWARD TO THIS NEW VENTURE. IF THERE IS SOMETHING THAT YOU HAVE ALWAYS WANTED TO MAKE LET ME KNOW AND I WILL BE HAPPY TO WORK IT INTO THE SCHEDULE.


FOSTER FARM SHEARING DAY AND OPEN HOUSE—Sunday January 24th We will begin our day in the barn around 10am. This event will be open to the public. Come and see our sheep getting their annual haircuts. We will be busy in the barn sorting the wool as it comes off the sheep. It’s a great chance for spinners to grab the fleece they want before anyone else gets to see it!! The farmhouse will also be open. Stop in to get a hot drink and see all of the wool made available to you as roving, or yarn by local artists.

KNIT IN -- EVENINGS...open knitting and spinning, come join the fun!! Every Tuesday evening… (6:30pm-9:30pm). This is an open invitation to join us at the Yarn Shop. Bring your knitting or spinning project.

KNIT IN –DAYS...open knitting and spinning, come join the fun!! Every Wednesday (11:00-3:30). November 9, and 24, December 8, and 22. This is an open invitation to join us at the Yarn Shop. Bring your lunch and join us with your knitting or spinning project.

1st Annual Rock Day Gathering

I just open the blog to post and saw just how close this is.  Two days...isn't it exciting!!

When I made the decision to have this gathering I knew it would be a lot of work, but I always work better under a deadline so I thought this would be a good deadline.  Then I heard from so many of you,  you are such an inspiration group.  I wonder if all spinners and knitters are like this? 

It has been a whirlwind week.  I am so fortuate to be a part of this Foster family. They have done so much to help us make this new venture work for us.  We started sorting the contents of the farmhouse on Friday.  We worked late into the night on Friday and Saturday.  It was amazing.  I was at the Saratoga Farmers Market on Saturday morning and when I walked back in the farmhouse door in the afternoon I was overwhelmed by all the work this crew can do in such a short amount of time.  Its not easy work.  Its emotional, its stressful and its just plain hard work.   They worked together and made it happen.  Sunday was a clean-up and pack up of what was going to siblings homes, with the fondest of memories of their lives here on the farm.

For Tom and I,  Sunday was a trip to New Hampshire to deliver our youngest child to the next step of her life.  It was a snowy trip, it took longer than we planned, but all went well.  We have heard from her and all is well with her. 

Monday was the start of the remaking of the farmhouse.  I was overwhelmed again, spinning in circles, out of control.  With the help of my son and my fiber friends this place has been transformed from family farmhouse to The Yarn Shop at Fostersheepfarm.  It is still a work in progress... but it is so nice.  I can't wait for you all to come.  This is just the beginning of many things to come.

Just a reminder

The 1st Annual Rock Day Gathering is Sunday, January 10th, from 10am to 4pm. All are welcome, the more the merrier.   It is a pot luck gathering of spinners and knitters. Bring a dish to pass, I will provide coffee and tea.  Don't forget you spinning or knitting projects.   

Also by tonight I will post the new class list for January and February.  So check back to the blog tonight or tomorrow.

See you all soon!!!

Carole