From Sheep to Cloth

Summary

Gwen Handler, a lifelong knitter since 1975, shares her passion for working with fibers, particularly sheep and their wool. She describes her process of raising English Leicester sheep, shearing them with the help of Kevin Ford, and preparing the wool for spinning. Gwen discusses her spinning technique using a Saxony wheel and the personal nature of the craft. She also touches on the local fiber tradition's renaissance, the process of dyeing yarn, and weaving on a loom. Her love for the craft is evident as she finds joy in the entire process, from the farm to the finished product.

Takeaways

• 🧶 Gwen Handler has been working with fibers since 1975, starting with knitting and evolving into a deep involvement with sheep and wool processing.
• 🐏 She raises a specific breed of sheep called English Leicester, which was reintroduced to the U.S. in the 1990s after becoming extinct in the 1950s.
• 📅 The sheep are sheared annually in February by an itinerant shearer named Kevin Ford, who travels from Massachusetts to perform the task.
• 🛍️ Gwen shares the fleeces, processes them by washing, rinsing, and drying, and then either spins the wool herself or sends it to a local mill for processing.
• 🚿 The washing process involves two washings and two rinses in hot water with soap, followed by careful drying to preserve the wool's quality.
• 🎨 For dyeing, Gwen uses hot water, salt, and vinegar to help the fibers accept the dye, creating custom colors for her yarns.
• 📏 Weaving involves meticulous preparation, including calculating the length and width of the warp, threading it through the loom, and setting up the weaving pattern.
• 🔄 The process of creating textiles from sheep to finished product is cyclical and deeply satisfying for Gwen, who finds joy in the rhythm and creativity of each step.
• 🏡 The farm and the process of working with fibers are integral to Gwen's identity and lifestyle, offering a lifetime of creativity and connection to the land.
• 💰 Pricing the finished products is challenging for Gwen, as the value of her work is deeply personal and not easily quantified in monetary terms.

Q & A

How long has Gwen Handler been working with fibers?

Gwen Handler has been working with fibers since about 1975.

What does Gwen do with the sheep on her property?

Gwen keeps sheep in her front yard and is involved in various activities related to sheep farming, such as shearing and processing their wool.

When does Gwen share the sheep with others?

Gwen shares the sheep once a year, in February.

Who is the shearer that Gwen works with, and where is he from?

The shearer that Gwen works with is Kevin Ford, who is an itinerant shearer from Massachusetts.

What breed of sheep does Gwen work with, and what is its history?

Gwen works with the English Leicester or Leicester Longwool sheep, an old British breed that became extinct in the 1950s and was reintroduced by Colonial Williamsburg in the 1990s.

What is the process Gwen follows after shearing the sheep?

After shearing, Gwen skirts the fleeces, bags them with the sheep's name or number, washes them twice with hot water and soap, rinses them, and dries them.

What is the staple length of the Leicester Long wool, and how does Gwen prepare it for spinning?

The staple length of the Leicester Long wool is six to nine inches. Gwen usually cards this wool so that the fibers are straight and laid out before spinning.

What spinning style does Gwen use, and what equipment does she use for spinning?

Gwen uses the Worcester style for spinning, which involves pulling the fiber out and twisting it. She spins on a Saxony wheel.

Why has Gwen moved on from spinning to sending her wool to a mill?

Gwen has moved on from spinning because she has a large quantity of fleece, and it's easier for her to send it to a mill since she doesn't enjoy spinning as much as other parts of the process.

What is the current trend in the fiber tradition on the East Coast according to Gwen?

There has been a Renaissance of the fiber tradition on the East Coast, with many mills springing up, allowing for quick processing of wool from shearing to spinning.

How does Gwen prepare the wool for dyeing, and what is her process?

Gwen prepares the wool for dyeing by getting the water hot, adding salt, and then dyeing the wool for about half an hour. She then adds vinegar to help the fibers accept the dye, rinses the wool, and hangs it to dry.

What is the process Gwen follows for weaving, and what equipment does she use?

Gwen uses a warping reel to measure the warp, dresses the loom by spreading the threads through the reed and heddles, and then winds the warp onto the loom. She uses a loom with 16 pedals and eight harnesses, allowing for various pattern options.

How does Gwen feel about the work she puts into her creations, and how does she approach pricing them?

Gwen feels that the work she puts into her creations is priceless and likens them to her children. She focuses on the joy of creating and is open to receiving money for her work if someone is willing to give it.

Why does Gwen enjoy her work with fibers, and how does she describe the experience?

Gwen enjoys her work with fibers because it's very 'of the Earth' and provides a lifetime of creativity. She finds it fulfilling to see the process from start to finish, especially when she can observe her sheep in the winter while working on her crafts.