A Woolly Summer

The Sassy Ewe has been one busy lady.  Spinning and knitting her way through events all summer long!

You can find Sue Ann, The Sassy Ewe, next weekend working her woolly magic at Hartwick Pines in Grayling, MI.  The annual Black Iron Days will be going on and The Sassy Ewe wouldn't miss it!

 Here is an excerpt from the Grayling Visitors Bureau:

"Hartwick Pines State Park will host the annual Black Iron Days Festival on August 23rd-24th, 2014; the largest annual gathering of blacksmiths in Michigan. Over 50 craftsmen and women will be on hand demonstrating their trade at the logging museum located at the park.

The two-day event, taking place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day, also will recreate the sights, sounds and scents of an historic sawmill cutting logs into boards. Watch woodworkers, weavers and wool spinners as they show how their crafts were done in the era before power tools. Full Moon Jam will be performing a mix of traditional and original music.

The Hartwick Pines Logging Museum is a field site of the Michigan Historical Museum that interprets Michigan’s white pine logging era of 1840-1910. Black Iron Days is sponsored by the Friends of Hartwick Pines. All proceeds go toward interpretive and educational programs at the park.

The park is located at 4216 Ranger Rd. in Grayling in Crawford County. The event is free, however, a Recreation Passport is required for vehicles entering Hartwick Pines. For details on the program, call the park at 989-348-7068." 

Come on down and meet Sue Ann and see her beautiful Wool andHandspun Yarn.  

You'll also want to see her lovely hand-knit items! Beautiful, Quality Knits!

Karkul Wool.  Charcoal and Dark Oatmeal.  Yummy!

Pretty Wool from Sheila Lingle of Lingle Lane Farm. 

Processed by Ohio Valley Natural fibers and spun by SA.

 More winter hats to add to inventory. Be prepared! ;)

Dyeing fun! Roving in roasting bag and then spun.

More roasting bag dyed roving and then spun.

Roasting bag dyed yarn. Wool from Sheila Lingle of Lingle Lane Farm. 

Processed by OVNF. Spun and dyed by SA.

Corner view of 2014 “Stars” Afghan. Measuring 52” x 41”. Weight: 29 ounces.

Handspun southdown wool from The Sassy Ewe. The afghan will be auctioned at the American Southdown Breeder's Association annual show/meeting with proceeds going to scholarship fund.

“Eddie” The Wonder Guardian. 

.Newest addition to The Sassy Ewe.

 Dyed Southdown Wool blended with Natural Alpaca.

Grinch Green!  Are Ewe Ready for the Holidays? 

Natural Brown Wool blended with a blend of Natural Colored Alpaca.

Lucious! ...and Soooooo Soft!

100% Wool.  Natural Grey with Dyed Southdown Wool.

A Great Color for the Man in your Life.

This wonderful hat was is the creation of a Sassy Ewe customer.

Isn't it GREAT!?

Thank you for stopping by!

Sue Ann is looking forward to seeing you soon!

Keeping Busy

Even during the coldest days of winter, a Shepherdess has plenty to keep her busy.  The sheep still need to be cared for.  During the especially cold days we've had recently, that included carrying water to the sheep.

What a blessing it is to come back inside to a warm pot of soup, my dogs, and my spinning!

What do I have on my bobbin?  Currently I am working with a combination Southdown roving in Tranquil Sea Color combination.  It should be finished and off the bobbins sometime this weekend.

Here are some of the hand-spun, hand-knit hats that I made with my hand-dyed yarns.

CVM and Blue Face Leicester Roving and hand-spun yarn. This was processed for my by Ohio Valley Natural Fibers.  They do an exceptional job!

This roving and hand-spun yarn is a combination of 73% Mahogany Alpaca, 25% Brown Merino Wool, and 12% Silver Tussah Silk.  So Sweet!

This photo is of my dark brown wool combined with alpaca. I've spun this beautiful yarn into a Heavy Knitting Worsted-Weight Yarn.

This lovely, unique fiber is a combination of dark brown wool and alpaca, which I've combined with hand-dyed salmon-colored wool.

Made especially for U of M Fans!  

This is made using my Southdown wool.  I hand-dyed it Blue with just a touch of Maize.

Here are a couple of the batts that I had made up at Ohio Valley Natural Fiber.  

They are just wonderful!  Toasty Warm!  Thick and Rich 100% Southdown Wool.

You'll notice that they are much thicker than common quilting batts.  These make wonderful Comforters and Mattress Pads.

All of my Batts have SOLD OUT!

I have these Custom Made using my wonderful Southdown Wool.

If you are interested in purchasing a custom made batt, please contact me.

Auction at the North American International Livestock Exposition (NAILE)

~ Sunday, November 17th, 2013 at 6:30pm ~

North American International Livestock Exposition

Louisville, Kentucky

Looking for the perfect gift this holiday season? How about this pure Southdown wool baby blanket hand spun and knitted by Sue Ann Carpenter from Michigan.

The blanket will be auctioned off at the annual banquet at NAILE to benefit youth activities. Size is 37 by 41 inches value is $160. If you can't attend the banquet, send your bid with another Southdown member!

Sue Ann will be happy to share care instructions for this wonderful baby blanket.  Proper care will extend the life of this item.  Turning it into a multi-generational keepsake.  

She hopes that the recipient enjoys it, as much as she does the entire process of creating it!