Sorting the fleece
The Knitter|Issue 179
Now that his sheep have been shorn, Graeme Bethune has the critical task of selecting the best fleece to turn into yarn
Graeme Bethune
Sorting the fleece

THE SHEEP have all been clipped now and look so clean and tidy, and the barn has big piles of fleeces waiting to be sorted. For a year, I have been working to get this crop of wool up to harvest; up to this point, everything has been focused on helping the sheepies produce the best possible raw material. Their work is done - now it’s over to me to do justice to this awesome fleece.

I am ruthless when sorting fleeces. There is no easier way to ruin all the hard work gone before than to compromise at this point. My philosophy is, “It’s better to have better, not more”. I would rather have 100 kilos of fleece I can be absolutely sure is the best quality, than 150 kilos that might contain the merely average. This will be the last time I get to have a serious personal influence on the quality of my yarns, and so I take my time.

Denne historien er fra Issue 179-utgaven av The Knitter.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

Denne historien er fra Issue 179-utgaven av The Knitter.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

FLERE HISTORIER FRA THE KNITTERSe alt
Yarn choice
The Knitter

Yarn choice

Create gorgeous knits for your winter wardrobe with our pick of six colourful wool, alpaca and silk blends

time-read
2 mins  |
Issue 182
Great reads
The Knitter

Great reads

KNITTED GIFTS FOR ALL SEASONS | Create charming gifts for friends and family with this collection of accessories, garments and homewares

time-read
1 min  |
Issue 182
The setting of fleece
The Knitter

The setting of fleece

Graeme Bethune explains how the health of his sheep at this time of year is critical for the growth of good wool

time-read
3 mins  |
Issue 182
From sheep to sweater
The Knitter

From sheep to sweater

Shepherd and designer Katie Allen produces beautiful knitwear using wool from her own flock, as Janine Sterland discovers

time-read
6 mins  |
Issue 182
Soldian Scarf
The Knitter

Soldian Scarf

This classic textured scarf is knitted using undyed shades of organic Shetland wool

time-read
2 mins  |
Issue 182
CAROLINE BIRKETT Hollyhock
The Knitter

CAROLINE BIRKETT Hollyhock

This soft cotton top has a pretty floral colourwork pattern around its yoke

time-read
2 mins  |
Issue 180
Meet Chloé Elizabeth Birch
The Knitter

Meet Chloé Elizabeth Birch

This talented designer loves to play with stitches and shapes to create fresh, contemporary knitwear

time-read
7 mins  |
Issue 180
ON WITH THE SHOW!
The Knitter

ON WITH THE SHOW!

Caroline Bawn offers her top tips on getting the most out of your visit to one of the autumn yarn festivals

time-read
3 mins  |
Issue 180
Focus on...INSPIRING YARNS
The Knitter

Focus on...INSPIRING YARNS

Claire Anketell tells Penny Batchelor how the social enterprise business Inspiring Yarns uses yarn skills to promote mental health and well-being

time-read
3 mins  |
Issue 180
Great reads
The Knitter

Great reads

Explore the endless possibilities of lace knitting with this fabulous collection of shawls, accessories and garments

time-read
1 min  |
Issue 180