I haven't had a huge amount of time at my workshop lately as family life has rather taken over but, amongst many other scarves and a lot of spinning, I am still working on a wide scarf inspired by the colours of autumn which I have so enjoyed seeing as I drive the short journey to yanworth from Northleach - it's been such a wonderful leaf display this year.
I enjoyed watching the medieval monastery programme on BBC last week - needless to say, the section showing Ruth using the Great Wheel and the floor loom were highlights! They were using Southdown fleece - adorable looking sheep which resemble teddy bears with their wool-covered faces! I hope you can all take heart that even ruth, who is a wonderfully knowledgable historian, found it tricky to make a decent yarn on the Great Wheel.
I am currently spinning some beautiful Gotland fibre at the moment, in preparation for the event tomorrow at the Old Prison at Northleach, celebrating the opening of the Cotswold Lion Cafe at the site. Do please come along and support this wonderful site.
Any of you who haven't 'met' this fibre - it looks like steel wool - a wonderful multitude of grey shades - and yet it is soft and spins so beautifully. As you've probably guessed, it is originally from the island of Gotland in Scandinavia and, like so many island sheep (eg Ronaldsay from Scotland) - the sheep has kept its very distinct characteristics.