Wool

	There are many different types of wool from the finest Merino to the coarse Karakuls. Each sheep breed has it's own unique properties and uses. Wool has a number of qualities you may not be aware of. The sheep we raise are noted for their fine wool. The fleece shown here is a beautiful rambouillet from one of my rams.
The socks and other wool items made are very soft and cushiony. After shearing, the wool is washed here at the farm. It is never subject to harsh scouring with chemicals to clean it. I use plain old laundry detergent. It is then sent to Blackberry Ridge, a nearby woolen mill where it is spun into yarn. (Yes, I am a spinner, but there just aren't enough hours in the day to do it all.) When the yarn is returned it is knit into the socks. They are made on an antique circular sock knitter. The knitter dates back to approximately 1900 - 1920 and works amazingly well for it's age. Here's a sock in progress on the knitter. Click for some patterns from the instruction manual.
	Some of the socks that were made on the knitter