wool dryer ball transparency
As a new decade rolls out I think it’s time to share some information that many unsuspecting consumers may not be aware of. I realize many consumers make their decisions solely based on price. I also realize there are a whole lot of us that care about the impact of our purchases and want to know what goes into and on the products we buy. We prefer transparency.
The time has come!
We have been making and selling wool dryer balls from our N.C grown wool for over a decade and boy have I seen some changes in our wool dryer ball market! For one, the growth is exponential. When we began, if I mentioned the product, folks looked at me like I had lost my mind. Today, many have not only heard of them, they own them.
When we began this there were a handful of folks making them. We jumped in the game because we are a sustainable sheep farm and to be sustainable we must use what we grow. We had a barn filling up with wool. Many other sheep farmers were struggling with their wool gatherings and what to do with their harvest. We were determined to make it work. SO, wool dryer balls, why not give it a try? They were a huge hit. Folks really want to eliminate chemicals from their environments and provide a healthier home for their loved ones.
When we began there were several players that were buying U.S wool to make their product. We were actually growing our wool while they sourced theirs. Both models work. I mean really, wool dryer balls work! How you source them is totally up to you. I personally would go the extra mile and know the farm(er) to be sure the wool was cleaned without chemicals, that the sheep were handled humanely, and lastly that they were made with as much LOVE as possible…to get that much LOVE requires a fair wage!
In the early days everything seemed very transparent.
What went awry? I cannot help but call it what it is, …people saw an opportunity to supply a niche market with a much cheaper alternative…isn’t that always the way? I hate to admit it but it sure seems there is always someone who wants to jump to the highest margins regardless of ethics. So, those that wanted to capitalize on our growing wool dryer ball biz went overseas (of course) where they could source everything cheaply. The foreign alternatives are cheap mostly because of labor costs but also wool is cheap. Foreign sourced wool is generally cleaned with harsh chemicals that wouldn't be allowed in the U.S. Goodness only knows how the sheep are handled. Recently I heard that much of the wool grown here in the U.S is bought on the dime (maybe penny) from all those farmers that are busy farming and not able to develop markets, then shipped to foreign processors where it will be bleached to death and washed with out any standards, then comes back to you (us).
A few years ago, as I saw it happening, I reached out to a fellow colleague. With a very positive attitude she said, “Know we’re doing the right thing and they won’t bother us”.
Along the way we had wholesale clients call and say they were going to start buying and supplying these imports because “they couldn’t ignore the increased margins”. Sadly these companies (I won’t mention names) very beginnings were about transparency and “for the good of mother nature”?
We are so grateful for the folks that KNOW the difference and really CARE about transparency. We are so grateful to all of the folks that continue to support us.
You ARE making a conscious decision when you purchase our wool products!
Thank EWE!
Felted Chicks
DIY Wool Dryer Balls
You'd never know from my blogs that we raise sheep, would you? I write about farming and such and occasionally show pictures of our sheep. I do talk about farming chores but I haven't spoken of wool, our wool specifically, the many attributes of wool in general, or the many fun and useful things you can do with it.
I think I'm way over due for a blog about wool, don't you?
I have pondered and pondered the topic of wool. Where to begin? I've thought about the many phases and facts regarding wool. I get so overwhelmed with the possibilities for a blog that I put the idea away thinking I'll get back to it another day. I read a post about knitting from a friend over on Google+ , Lynne Knowlton. As Lynne described getting out those knitting needles again I was quickly reminded it's the very basic stuff that folks would enjoy.
It hit me, yes, let's make wool dryer balls!
Stoney Mountain Farm Wool Dryer Balls |
What the heck are wool dryer balls you ask?
Well they're just the coolest laundry alternative out there, of course and I am biased!
If your not inclined to use them as a laundry alternative they make great pet toys, juggling balls, pin cushions, and even the base for more felting projects. I even have one customer that adorns her home with bowls of these natural felted balls of wool, quite nicely too.
So, take this project as a crafty one...that is the intent after all!
Grey wool roving |
I am going to show you how to make them...the best way! There are alot of folks making them out of yarn and that's fine but they won't last as long. We're going to make them from wool roving. Roving is the wool, after it has been washed and carded. Roving is the stage just prior to spinning the carded wool into yarn.
Maybe you have a stash of yarn on hand you'd like to use? Whether yarn or roving, the process we are about to engage in is felting.
For this project all you will need is:
- wool, I would suggest 2 ounces of roving for each ball, totaling 6 ounces. I would also suggest you make 3 wool dryer balls as the desired affects from the wool balls require a minimum of 3. You can purchase roving from a variety of craft stores, our farm, our shop on Etsy or many others, and many other places. I would encourage you to buy it from a farmer or someone that knows the source of the wool and how it is handled.. Like food, wool is being treated in ways you would find criminal...at least I hope you would. Do you know 80% of the wool grown in this country is being sent to China for processing because the chemical restrictions are lighter there? The wool then returns to you, the unsuspecting buyer. On our farm we only send our wool to U.S. mills that do not use chemicals in any stage of the process...that's hard to find. If you want colorful wool dryer balls you can find roving that has been dyed. We don't use any chemicals or dyes on our wool...just au naturale, only the shades of the sheep.
- a sock, either mens cotton tube sock or a womens trouser sock will work
- rubber bands
- washer& dryer
- laundry soap
Just keep rolling until the full 2 ounces of wool roving is used. Round and round, trying to keep the roving from twisting as you roll.
April. Did I miss it?
Shearing Day over 100 visitors |
Yes, I must admit, the quantity of fleeces can be overwhelming and it takes me longer then it should getting round to sorting through them deciding which will go for yarn, roving or which will be kept to sell as raw wool. Several of them will be too full of vegetation, some matted, or not the quality you'd want to sell to someone in any form. So, what to do with each bag of wool? As I have them stored under a shed roof for now it's a BIG task that smacks me in the face each and every time I walk out the front door of our house. Guess I should have picked a better place to put them? Maybe if I didn't have to see them they'd disappear like April.
Mi Sueno |
Yes, April is also a BIG month for lambing. In the fall we put the ram in the pasture with the ewes for 60 days. That's much longer then most farms would leave the ram with the ewes but our primary ram, Mi Sueno, has my husband speaking for him...get my drift? The primary downside of leaving Mi Sueno in with the 28 girls longer could be that our lambing might take longer. Mi Sueno is not a romancer, he's a, he's a, how should I put it? Wham bam kind of ram? How do we really know that...lambing was DONE in less then 30 days.
Anyway, basically 149 days from 1st exposure to the ram you start preparing for the possibility of lambs. Over time you learn tell tale signs and you get used to your girls.
Soon Please! |
As the days progressed we were gathering sometimes 6-8 lambs per day. Mind you, were a small operation! Each lamb happily greats the new one(s). Each mom is different, some very protective, others experienced and calm others know they have a responsibility and they'll give off their lamb specific bleat to let the wee one know where they are but other then producing milk and feeding it they're kind of like..."What? I'm over here!" Regardless, It's an amazing process to behold. I am sure some would accuse me of being too imaginative with this whole process. Maybe I am to some degree but mostly I'd disagree. Each of these animals is unique, with personalities and feelings.
This year we were blessed with 37 beautiful lambs and only one didn't make it. Sad fact, they say 10% loss isn't unreasonable. So, as farming goes we'd have to chalk it up to a very good year even with the loss. For those that follow us on Facebook you know about our loss, it was a very tough day. After 6.5 hours of hard labor she gave birth to the biggest lamb we've ever had on our farm. A real beauty! We checked the mom for milk and made sure they had bonded and a few other aftercare protocols. They were both exhausted! He didn't make it through the night. You beat yourself up, what could I have done, what didn't I do/see...this the hardest part about farming to me. We face a lot of life and death realities around here. From the raccoon eating our chickens to the lamb that struggles to be born only to pass before his romp through the green pastures. We often cry but mostly we carry a heaviness for awhile. Then we find ourselves standing on the fence line watching 36 lambs jump and play without a care in the world. They gather in a bunch, all of them, and like a swarm of bees they run, kicking up their heels, happy to be alive!
That's where April went!
Triplets |
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September 2024
- Sep 10, 2024 Back to basics with sheep healthcare Sep 10, 2024
- Sep 10, 2024 Mac and Cheese Bites Sep 10, 2024
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August 2024
- Aug 12, 2024 Tales of a female farmer Aug 12, 2024
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July 2024
- Jul 12, 2024 Caring for sheep hides Jul 12, 2024
- Jul 11, 2024 Cucumber Lemonade Jul 11, 2024
- Jul 1, 2024 Cucumber Gazpacho Jul 1, 2024
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May 2024
- May 23, 2024 Almonds, Sweet and Spicy May 23, 2024
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January 2024
- Jan 17, 2024 Sheep fencing gone wrong… Jan 17, 2024
- Jan 17, 2024 In the beginning :Tales from the shepherd Jan 17, 2024
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April 2023
- Apr 3, 2023 The journey to vegetarian, or not? Apr 3, 2023
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March 2023
- Mar 20, 2023 Making sense of scents, or not... Mar 20, 2023
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February 2023
- Feb 26, 2023 Lamb Sliders Feb 26, 2023
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March 2022
- Mar 15, 2022 HOW TO BE THE BEST SHEPHERD: Lessons from a sheep Mar 15, 2022
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January 2022
- Jan 17, 2022 Lamb Bone Broth /Stock Jan 17, 2022
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April 2021
- Apr 26, 2021 Farming through Covid Apr 26, 2021
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June 2020
- Jun 19, 2020 Turning 60 Jun 19, 2020
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January 2020
- Jan 12, 2020 wool dryer ball transparency Jan 12, 2020
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September 2019
- Sep 10, 2019 It's hard not to project Sep 10, 2019
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June 2019
- Jun 21, 2019 Weaning, a whole new meaning Jun 21, 2019
- Jun 17, 2019 Strawberry Balsamic Basil Pops Jun 17, 2019
- Jun 10, 2019 Collard Salad Jun 10, 2019
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February 2019
- Feb 28, 2019 Shearing Day was not a washout! Feb 28, 2019
- Feb 5, 2019 The life of a sheep! Feb 5, 2019
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January 2019
- Jan 25, 2019 Lamb Liver Paté Jan 25, 2019
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August 2018
- Aug 23, 2018 Pokeweed, Friend or Foe? Aug 23, 2018
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July 2018
- Jul 20, 2018 Cucumbers Galore Jul 20, 2018
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September 2016
- Sep 5, 2016 Mother Nature's Lessons Sep 5, 2016
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August 2016
- Aug 23, 2016 Walking the Walk Aug 23, 2016
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July 2015
- Jul 2, 2015 To Wean or not to Wean Jul 2, 2015
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February 2015
- Feb 1, 2015 Sustainability & Our Precious Soil Feb 1, 2015
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July 2014
- Jul 24, 2014 Squash Lasagna Jul 24, 2014
- Jul 24, 2014 Squash Squares Jul 24, 2014
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June 2014
- Jun 2, 2014 Sustainability...What's it all about! Jun 2, 2014
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May 2014
- May 29, 2014 What I know now.... May 29, 2014
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April 2014
- Apr 4, 2014 Is the boss the farmer or the sheep? Apr 4, 2014
- Apr 3, 2014 Felted Chicks Apr 3, 2014
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January 2014
- Jan 28, 2014 Lamb Ribs Jan 28, 2014
- Jan 26, 2014 DIY Wool Dryer Balls Jan 26, 2014
- Jan 15, 2014 Let the New Year Begin Jan 15, 2014
- Jan 13, 2014 DIY Heat Jan 13, 2014
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October 2013
- Oct 30, 2013 WHOLEsome Food: EGGS Oct 30, 2013
- Oct 7, 2013 Cinnamon Pickles Oct 7, 2013
- Oct 7, 2013 Dog Biscuits Oct 7, 2013
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September 2013
- Sep 18, 2013 Peaches, Peaches everywhere Sep 18, 2013
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August 2013
- Aug 14, 2013 The Spider and the Butterfly Aug 14, 2013
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July 2013
- Jul 30, 2013 They don't wear galoshes Jul 30, 2013
- Jul 21, 2013 Blackberry Lime Jam Jul 21, 2013
- Jul 11, 2013 Lamb Sliders Jul 11, 2013
- Jul 9, 2013 Our Little Orchard Jul 9, 2013
- Jul 2, 2013 The Hay Bale Fiasco Jul 2, 2013
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May 2013
- May 17, 2013 My Secret Place May 17, 2013
- May 2, 2013 April. Did I miss it? May 2, 2013
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March 2013
- Mar 28, 2013 Prada to Carhart Mar 28, 2013
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February 2013
- Feb 21, 2013 Puttin Up the Fence Feb 21, 2013
- Feb 7, 2013 Lovely Cup of Chai Feb 7, 2013
- Feb 5, 2013 Looking for Llama's Feb 5, 2013
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January 2013
- Jan 29, 2013 Winter Garden Jan 29, 2013
- Jan 24, 2013 The rams are back in their pasture Jan 24, 2013
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September 2012
- Sep 7, 2012 Pickles! Sep 7, 2012
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June 2012
- Jun 13, 2012 Morning Gifts Jun 13, 2012
- Jun 5, 2012 Finding the Words Jun 5, 2012
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April 2012
- Apr 13, 2012 The girls and a few token boys! Apr 13, 2012
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March 2012
- Mar 30, 2012 Flavor! Mar 30, 2012
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October 2011
- Oct 9, 2011 Hay. A little three letter word that packs a PUNCH! Oct 9, 2011
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July 2011
- Jul 22, 2011 The Glorious Tomato Jul 22, 2011
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February 2011
- Feb 10, 2011 Shearing Day 2011 Feb 10, 2011
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November 2010
- Nov 30, 2010 This farm gives me Goose Bumps Nov 30, 2010
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July 2010
- Jul 23, 2010 Another aHaa Moment in Farming Jul 23, 2010
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February 2010
- Feb 24, 2010 Farmers Wearing Lace? Feb 24, 2010
- Feb 16, 2010 Girls with no Coats Feb 16, 2010
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January 2010
- Jan 4, 2010 Midnite on the farm Jan 4, 2010
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April 2009
- Apr 22, 2009 Hard Day on the Farm Apr 22, 2009
- Apr 15, 2009 Lamb Meatballs Apr 15, 2009
- Apr 14, 2009 Spring Apr 14, 2009
- Apr 14, 2009 Roasted Coffee Marinated Leg of Lamb Apr 14, 2009
- Apr 13, 2009 In the Beginning Apr 13, 2009