In LBS (Life Before Smallholding), we were keen walkers, climbers and mountaineers. Many a day in the hills would see us engaging with the sheep, goats, llamas etc which we met on our travels. In Monglia we sat on the shores of Lake Khuvsgul Nuur (incidentally holding 70% of the country’s fresh water), when we felt the presence of other ‘beings’ from behind. We turned to see the magnificent sight of a herd of yak approaching to enjoy their midday drink. Yak hair can be as soft as cashmere, it needs a fair bit of twist to get it to hold, but David collected enough to make himself a yak bracelet which he proudly wore for years (and which he still has). Closer to home, we’d collect wool from fences and hedgerows and tease and spin it around twigs as we walked in the Peaks, Lakes and mountain ranges of the UK.
Many years later, we now find ourselves sitting in front of our Louet Spring and Glimakra Ideal floor looms, planning the next rug designs with another set of amazing fleeces.
To say that both David and I adore weaving is not an exaggeration. Every part of the process is a joy: from counting out the warp threads to sleighing the reed (love being able to say that…), to gently pushing the shuttle backwards and forwards, seeing the patterns and textures grow and take shape.
Before weaving comes spinning, and it’s at this point I should confess that neither of us are ‘technical’ spinners. We may understand the principles of woollen and worsted, longdraw and short-draw, staple length, z-twist and more.. but when we spin, we just spin. Without sounding too ‘ethereal’ about it, we get a feel for the fibre, we start pedalling (or turn on the e-spinner) and off we go. The resulting yarn is uneven, fluffy, thick and ‘rustic’.
DIFFERENCES IN ALPACA AND SHEEP
Denne historien er fra August 2023-utgaven av The Country Smallholder.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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Denne historien er fra August 2023-utgaven av The Country Smallholder.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
How to Buy a Smallholding in France- Long-time smallholder Lorraine Turnbull looks at the practicalities of moving to rural France
Aspiring smallholders are continually thwarted by the prices of smallholdings and property with land located within the UK. Even the humblest croft in Scotland comes with a substantial price tag and conditions which would make even an adventurous wannabee consider carefully. But all is not lost. For those willing to take the adventure of a lifetime, there is always Europe, and one of the most popular places is France.
Meet the Bournemouth goats and their supporters
These capricious animals are hard workers preserving the natural habitat
Still warm enough to sit outside with a Pizza
Henrietta Balcon uses fresh figs to create an unusual dish at Harvest time
Goodbye to the birds of spring and summer
If you look and listen you might be able to see them preparing to leave says The RSPB
Get ready for the colder weather in the warmth of late summer
Claire Waring advises on doing the best to make sure your colonies survive until next spring
Preparing the Veg Patch for Winter
Lee Senior says, a well-run plot can excitingly continue to produce good quality, tasty, fresh food for much of winter
Time to prepare to plant your orchard
Wade Muggleton, smallholder and author of The Orchard Book, shares his practical experience so you can create your own fruit collection
Choosing feed for the autumn
As autumn approaches, Joanna Palmer, nutritionist at the Smallholder Range, offers advice on choosing the right feed to support your adult birds through their annual moult and ensure your young birds grow and finish well at this time of the year.
Vet advice from an experienced poultry vet
Reflecting on how much the humble hen has helped people world wide plus advice on stopping the scourge of red mite
Give your hens some support
Paul Donovan looks at the right and wrong ways of handling birds
