HawkHillHandmade

I have wanted my own sheep since I lived on a farm in Norway in my early twenties. It was there that my love of knitting solidified as well as my knowledge and love of spinning, felting, and plant dyeing. I have also always wanted to be as self-sufficient as possible. So I have worked to merge the two passions.

Since settling in a lovely spot nestled in the Finger Lakes region of New York, my husband and I have started a small homestead farm including chickens, ducks, turkeys, and Shetland sheep. I couldn't wait until our house was built to get sheep so I started with a small flock that I moved around our yard and garden (it is my idea that everyone who has a couple of acres could have a handful of sheep to help with the mowing and fertilizing of a rich lawn, plus they eat a lot of garden leftovers!). Now that we are in our house and have a pasture, my flock has grown.

I love the Shetland breed for their hardiness and character, and the wool is lovely to spin and knit. The wool from some of my dual coated sheep I will use for slippers, wet felting into rugs and hats, stuffing for wool projects, or outerwear. The wool from the sheep with the shorter crimpier wool I will use for hats, handwarmers, and items that will lay on skin. The wool on each sheep can vary from year to year as well as from shoulder to rump. The Shetland Isles are know for their wedding shawls that can be passed through the wedding ring, showing that the finer wool from the sheep can be spun and knit into very fine pieces indeed!

My hope with this Etsy shop is that I may find a place to sell some of my fleece, roving, and end products and the handwork I so love doing throughout the year. As time allows, with children and all that entails along with work, and my knowledge of Etsy grows, I hope to be listing more and more. Thanks for looking!