Shearing Day

I have a hobby that utilizes local resources — I spin wool into yarn. Luckily, Oregon is rich with people who raise sheep and other fiber producing animals.

Of course, there’s beautiful, natural wool from all over the place, along with independent dyers who create amazing batts and rovings… so I don’t always buy only locally. It’s too tempting.

Other spinners know what I’m sayin’. Still! The resources are here. There are also many spinners and yarn producers here, so if you’re into knitting or crochet or other yarn-centric hobby, it’s possible to buy locally!

Anyway, today was shearing day out at the Bellwether Wool Company, so we headed over to watch the action. There were about four people wrangling the sheep in the pens, queuing them up for their turn on the shearing platform. Then, the shearer brings one onto the platform and goes to work. (Pictured, professional shearer Andy Zettle from Dexter, OR.)

He uses his whole body to control the animal, keeping it calm and working quickly. His right hand works the clippers while his left protects sensitive bits or helps turn the sheep this way and that.

After a quick hoof trim, they’re released back into the pen, then the whole lot are let out into the pasture, happy and naked.

Whee! Naked sheep and bagfuls of yummy wool to spin. I love this hobby.

And just because this video is so cute: