The internet was being a dick last night, so I couldn’t upload pictures for yesterday’s extension agent meeting recap, but I had to share just a few of the doodles illustrating the book Kara lent me:
I bought a used copy (The Sheepman’s Production Handbook
I also took some pictures of one of yesterday’s mystery weeds. The seedpods aren’t gooey or anything; it’s just rainy today. It’s got ferny foilage, stars out low, dense, and flattish as a seedling and spreads as it grows. The seed pods start as these weird flowery clusters of little green pods that look like teeny snowpods. They gradually redden, then dry out and flatten. They’re kind of papery and rattle when they’re totally dry. The ball of pods is about the size of a nickel.
I just love these weird, exotic X-Files weeds, though I suspect this one will be a pain in my asshole, judging by how it’s springing up in the adjacent newly-hayed pasture.
I’ve also been admonished to get rid of the bind weed and buckbrush NOW, because they’re aggressive.
I have another Extension Adventure in my future, this time with Shawnee County. I’ve got my meeting for the Master Gardener program this evening. Wabunsee’s a small county & doesn’t offer one, but Shawnee lets people from other counties in when they have room. I really wish there was some kind of animal husbandry version of the Master Gardener. Kara did say that K-State does have a Sheep Day every year, so I’m going to try to make it next year.
By the way, you see all that water on those weeds? It’s raining again, and this time, it’s really brought some nice cool temperatures! It’s after 4, normally broiling time, and it’s only 70 degrees! I might have to put on a sweater for my meeting!
Here are my two 4 ounce challenge prototype vests, in commercial yarn. Isn’t the difference yarn weight/type makes crazy?
The blue sample is a bouncy 2 ply sport from a small mill (about 300 yds/4oz) while the red is a traditional sturdy 4-ply worsted (about 225 yds/4oz). Clearly needs to be sport or lighter. I’ll put the red one to good use in my traditional winter bag lady wardrobe, but it’s too dumb to write up the pattern. I am going to spin some sport/dk Hello Yarn (but which one!?) and write up the pattern. It’s seamless, fun and fast!
But first, I must do my Carnaby reknit for knitty and this cool locker thingy I’m working on for craftzine.
Ooh! I’m also going to apply for interns going forward! My guardian angel Shannon is helping me out (yay, Shannon!).
Until that’s official, heads up: if you’re looking for an internship and want to help hook me up with your school’s program, get in touch! It would be unpaid, but you would get free accommodations in one of The Harveyville Project’s classroom studio/guestrooms. We have a lot of miscellaneous equipment you’d be able to use. I’m looking for interns who want to learn about running a residence and/or workshop facility, a nonprofit rural arts program, a fiber business, general fiber arts, or knitwear design. If you’re into slave labor, fiber, country living & sheep, send me your resume! f
i think those alien weed things are illinois bundleflowers–a kind of mimosa. do the leaves fold back when you touch them? i don’t think they are classified as a weed but a wildflower or prairie legume, even. sheep supposedly love ’em.
You’re right! The extension emailed me right after you posted. I’m psyched the sheep will like them–they’re supposed to have a good protein content as well!
yay!