Monthly Archives: February 2012

Wool Classes this Spring!

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*Sorry everyone! These classes had to be canceled. We’ll try and set up some more classes again soon!*

It’s time for some more wool classes! Below is all of the information about the classes. Please read about the classes before choosing  just one! For more information please give us a call at the number below or an email at chileacres@wildblue.net
Hope to see “Ewe” there!

Everything Ewe Ever Wanted to Know About Sheep and Their Wool

High Fiber Dye It Class Series

Time, Date: 6:30-8:30 pm

Mondays: Feb. 20,27 & March 5th,12

Location: 940 E. Rose Lane, Phoenix

Telephone: (623) 341-0869

You may participate in one or all.  Sign up at the class or via Pay Pal.

Class 1

The Navajo Churro Sheep: In this class students will be introduced to the Navajo Churro Sheep and the rearing and shearing process.  Students will begin with a sheep fleece to process for this project.  Materials provided are fleece and special soap.

  • Short film about the Navajo Churro.
  • Hands-on processing of wool.
  • Homework; take a bag of fleece home for processing.
  • $30

 

Class 2

Carding and spinning 101:In this class students will learn basic carding and spinning techniques and will learn to spin using drop and Navajo spindles. Each student will chose a spindle for home use at the end of the class. Materials provided include fleece and a spindle.

  • Homework will be for each student to card their fleece and spin one large skein of yarn.
  • $30

 

Class 3

High Fiber Dye-It: Students in this class will learn to dye the yarn they have previously spun; learn basic techniques for using natural dyes; and how to gathering and preparing plants for dying.  Students will receive written instructions and a list of suggested reading; list of resources; andassorted dyes, gloves, and the use of pots, pans, etc. Students will:

  • Preparing yarn for dye.
  • What dye materials work best and why.
  • Hands on dying.
  • $30

 

Class 4

Putting It All Together: In this final class of the series, students will use the yarn they have previously spun to make a potholder or scarf using knitting, crocheting, or weaving basics.  Crochet needles, knitting needles, and basic box loom will be provided along with instructions for completion of this simple project.

  • Hands on instruction for project of student’s choice.
  • $30

This seasons new addition!

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We were given our first kid of the season yesterday morning!
We’ve decided to name her Meanie to take after her mother’s name, Vicious.
Vicious got her name because when she first joined us on the farm she had a bit of a temper and one of her favorite hobbies was biting other goats.

It seems like life on the farm has made her less Vicious and more mellow, thank goodness.
We’ve been expecting babies from a few of our goats for a while now.
And I do mean a while. We’ve been thinking about going out there and pushing on their tummies a little to see if that helps! but we figure we’ll just let nature do what it’s going to do. Godiva and Bon Bon are so huge we’re thinking twins for sure! With some of the other mommies being as big as they are…imagine our surprise when Vicious, a teen goat who was given to us not too long ago, popped out the first kid! We didn’t even know she was expecting, she certainly didn’t show it.
But what gave us the best laugh is when Emily came over to do some
website work today and we went out to the barn to see the little kid and found TWO DUCKS in there with her! Just watching from across the hall as if she was part of the super bowl. Maybe they were talking and making bets:

“What will Meanie’s next move be? Will Vicious get made fun of by the other goats? stay tuned! results right after these messages!”
Here’s a picture of Vicious and the two duckies.