Wooly Paradise

One of my favorite things from both of our trips to Shetland was the Jamieson's Spinning Mill in Sandness on the West side of the main island.  You can just walk around and watch the tons and tons of wool become yarn,

sweaters:

and woven fabric:

I love how cleverly they can weave several different color ways on one warp.  This is only three of the several color ways of scarves that were on this particular loom.  They just slightly felt the fabric and then cut along the yellow lines in strips and then cut the strips into scarves.  Amazing how the weft works through all the warp colors.  They had bolts of warps ready to go onto the looms.  I was sad that the weaver(s) weren't there when we visited.  I did get to watch the women doing the joining on the knitwear though.  Very cool.

The staff are very kind and don't seem to mind visitors.  Even small, curious boys who make the knitting machines stop by accident.  :-O 

When we went there in '97 Daniel was only three but he loved it and cried when it was time to go.  On this visit we gave the boys their choice of where to go on the last day.  Even though we'd spent about three hours at the mill the day before, that's where they chose to go back to.  The staff greeted us with smiles and ran the boys around showing them different things that we'd missed... somehow... the day before.

Well, tonight's the big night.   First school night of the year.  Good thing next weekend is already a long one.   I think we'll need it.  Both boys are really excited.  I'm actually not ready yet.  The last month has been a blur so it kind of snuck up on me.   

Comments

[Robin in VA]

Glad you are back...and as far as the pictures go all I can say is---WOW!

[margene]

Welcome back to Blogland! It sounds like you have been on a roller coaster ride of emotions the last few months. It's so nice to see you here again.

[Cate]

So glad you are "back". The boys have grown so much over the summer. Loved the pictures from the airplane.

[Tamara]

Hi Jean - it's so good to have you back. That picture of the boys seems like there should be some handknitting, but it probably isn't cool enough yet, huh? I see you in Daniel, but little Joe is just the spitting image of his dad. They're so handsome. How did the first day go? You're probably having dinner right about now. I hope it went well and that Daniel especially meets some nice friends this year.

[Rachel]

What a wonderful trip that must have been. It's so cool that the boys loved the mill, too! On a different note, do you do much traveling with your boys while Dan is deployed? My husband leaves for Afghanistan in November, and I hate the thought of being in Europe for a year without any traveling. Problem is, my kids are small (4 years and 11 months). I suppose I could always take a USO tour. Anyway, I was just wondering what your experiences were. Thanks, and good luck with the first day of school!

[schrodinger]

The trip to the mill looks like it was a lot of fun, I would have been severely tempted to run out of there with that giant hank you were fondling.

[Catherine]

I was so happy to see your blog today. I check every day, even though I know that you were not going to blog for a while. Welcome back. I missed you. Catherine

[wool winder]

I have some Jamison's wool yarn in my stash. I wonder if it was spun at that mill? Wish I could take the tour.

[Kat]

Fine. Keep taunting me with the Scotland pictures and places to go. Don't make me break out more P-town photos. ;-)

[Norma]

That must have been SO cool! Welcome back to regular blogging, Jean!

[LisaB]

Great pictures! Definately a place I want to visit our next trip. Good luck with the first week of school!