Thomas is shorn

Today the shearer came over to clip Thomas. The weather has been so bad recently that we jumped at the chance in between the rain.

I was hoping he'd use hand shears so I could learn, but he was in a rush and used the electric clippers. He was so fast! I couldn't follow at all.

So here it is....

With all the rain the wool is dirty from mud, but so nice!

And here is Thomas, very tiny looking now...

And a bit sore too...

He had 4 chunks of skin removed where his neck wrinkles. It made me feel so funny inside to see big gaping holes in him.

Apparently they heal really fast.

He also has a nick on his bottom. Ouch!

I'm going to do it myself next time. Even if I only get a few bits off at once it doesn't matter.

I think he looks a bit like a rabbit now.

I sorted out the best wool - all white, long staple, mainly from his sides, back, and neck area. The second sort of grade which has a stain on it from his grease (? is it I'm not sure), and then the rubbish that is very dirty, or short, or rough from his legs.

I weighed it, and there is 600g of brilliant stuff, and 300g of not best, and only a small amount of rubbish.

Thank you Thomas!!

I gave a wool sample a hard couple of pulls, to see if there was a defect such as a break in it, and it is just perfect. Which it should be really, as I think he's had a very happy time here with lots of food and love. But it was nice to see that his wool reflected that!

Now I need to look through some patterns so our little girl can have the Thomas jumper of her dreams!

I like the idea of aran jumpers, but I've never knitted a cable, so I might wait to get some patterns and advice from the ladies at spinning group.

Bye for now!