• Blog
  • About
  • Contact
Menu

Abby Goodman Knits

Street Address
Chapel Hill, NC
Phone Number

Your Custom Text Here

Abby Goodman Knits

  • Blog
  • About
  • Contact

Leah's fleece

March 2, 2016 Abby Goodman

Sweet Leah, the ewe who gave me this beautiful fleece! Unwashed, it weighs in just under 5 pounds. The majority of the fleece is grey, but it's speckled with brown, black and tan bits that I've been carding to make a gorgeous heather. I've been working through it slowly and deliberately, savoring the feeling of lanolin on my hands and taking the time to admire every perfect lock. They're still so connected when you pull them out and away from the fleece, all bundled up in a ball in its bag, you can still see the clear lines of where the shearer cut the fleece away from the sheep and how it all was laid out in one huge motion. It's as close as I can get to this farm without actually living there! 

When I step back to think about it, working with these fibers sometimes seems crazy. I live in suburban North Carolina, and much of the processing that I do happens not in a farm yard in work boots amidst flocks of animals, but on my 10x10 back porch and in my kitchen sink. My fleece dries in our spare bedroom. Moreso, though, it makes me grateful for where I live, that my husband can pursue his passions at a major medical center 15 minutes away, and I can drive less than an hour out in to the country and bring back treasures like this one. Farmers are closer than you probably think! And to get to experience their way of life and the fruits of their labor is why I'm so passionate about this work. It's a really amazing thing.  

I hope this Wednesday, you get to work on projects that bring you joy! 

Tags wool, fleece, farm, shearing day, sheep
← Weaver's Packs and a new logoshearing day →
photo.jpg

Welcome friend! I'm Abby and in this space I write about knitting, sewing, slow fashion and other crafty goodness. I'm happy you're here. 

Find me on Instagram: @abbygoodknits

So clearly, I’m not going to finish this sweater by the official #fafkal #fringeandfriendssteekalong deadline (today😂) but that’s ok! Yesterday I got the satisfaction of joining the sleeves to the body and the magic of when something I’m making starts to look like an actual sweater 🙌🏻 and while I am incredibly slow I’m loving this colorwork chart and am already planning a thousand ways to wear this. #plotulopi is making me slow waaaay down (it’s so delicate) but every time I pick up this project I smile ✨😊
Heart-shaped hand pies and yarn dates, the most wonderful way to start this Valentines! ❤️ Love the chance to be with people who fill up my love tank (and this will definitely not be my last heart-shaped food of the day 😂)
Celebrated my birthday this weekend in an Airstream, on a farm, with knitting and my favorite restaurant (and 🐷🐷🐷). Grateful for a hubs that loves me so well and to be starting this new year of life! ❤️🐑✨
Looking suspiciously like a sleeve 💕 finally feeling like I have a hang of this unspun lopi and loving the fabric this is creating ✨😍🐑
Last nights’ desk mess: tea and my bullet journal, printed inspiration and dreaming about knitted tees and shopping my stash ✨🐑 There is something so good about filling my office with this inspiration that can be tangibly seen, arranged, connected. Need to do this type of work more often 🧶
Had a SUPERB(owl) Sunday casting on a new sleeve and hanging with some fave knit ladies 💕🐑👯‍♀️
This state park is a shorter drive than my grocery store but somehow I’ve not been in at least a year. Changed that yesterday and took my woolies for a hike: it was the perfect weather to go sit by the river and walk through the woods. I love winter because I feel like it brings so much clarity and stillness, and I’m hoping to carry that walk in the woods feeling with me all week this week ☀️🌲❄️
Two swatches later and I’ve officiallg@cast on my #ryðrauðcardigan 👏🏻 Wanted to make sure my gauge was pretty dang close, if not perfect, because I’m trying something new by casting on a size larger in the hem and decreasing in the body to where the arms will be joined. Hoping that this will make the cardigan fit a little better than a straight body. We shall see! 🐑💕✨
So clearly, I’m not going to finish this sweater by the official #fafkal #fringeandfriendssteekalong deadline (today😂) but that’s ok! Yesterday I got the satisfaction of joining the sleeves to the body and the magic of when something I’m making starts to look like an actual sweater 🙌🏻 and while I am incredibly slow I’m loving this colorwork chart and am already planning a thousand ways to wear this. #plotulopi is making me slow waaaay down (it’s so delicate) but every time I pick up this project I smile ✨😊 Heart-shaped hand pies and yarn dates, the most wonderful way to start this Valentines! ❤️ Love the chance to be with people who fill up my love tank (and this will definitely not be my last heart-shaped food of the day 😂) Celebrated my birthday this weekend in an Airstream, on a farm, with knitting and my favorite restaurant (and 🐷🐷🐷). Grateful for a hubs that loves me so well and to be starting this new year of life! ❤️🐑✨ Looking suspiciously like a sleeve 💕 finally feeling like I have a hang of this unspun lopi and loving the fabric this is creating ✨😍🐑 Last nights’ desk mess: tea and my bullet journal, printed inspiration and dreaming about knitted tees and shopping my stash ✨🐑 There is something so good about filling my office with this inspiration that can be tangibly seen, arranged, connected. Need to do this type of work more often 🧶 Had a SUPERB(owl) Sunday casting on a new sleeve and hanging with some fave knit ladies 💕🐑👯‍♀️ This state park is a shorter drive than my grocery store but somehow I’ve not been in at least a year. Changed that yesterday and took my woolies for a hike: it was the perfect weather to go sit by the river and walk through the woods. I love winter because I feel like it brings so much clarity and stillness, and I’m hoping to carry that walk in the woods feeling with me all week this week ☀️🌲❄️ Two swatches later and I’ve officiallg@cast on my #ryðrauðcardigan 👏🏻 Wanted to make sure my gauge was pretty dang close, if not perfect, because I’m trying something new by casting on a size larger in the hem and decreasing in the body to where the arms will be joined. Hoping that this will make the cardigan fit a little better than a straight body. We shall see! 🐑💕✨

Archive

  • January 2019
    • Jan 22, 2019 oh hai blog Jan 22, 2019
  • August 2018
    • Aug 28, 2018 Building a wardrobe: 2018.5.20 Winslow Culottes Aug 28, 2018
  • June 2018
    • Jun 27, 2018 Building a wardrobe: 2018.2.20 Wiksten Oversized Kimono Jacket Jun 27, 2018
  • May 2018
    • May 3, 2018 slow fashion, and other deep thoughts on a seemingly not philosophical topic (what we wear) May 3, 2018
  • July 2016
    • Jul 29, 2016 Teaching on Skillshare Jul 29, 2016
  • June 2016
    • Jun 3, 2016 a long spring Jun 3, 2016
  • April 2016
    • Apr 15, 2016 shop update for the weekend! Apr 15, 2016
    • Apr 7, 2016 the month of march Apr 7, 2016
  • March 2016
    • Mar 16, 2016 Weaver's Packs and a new logo Mar 16, 2016
    • Mar 2, 2016 Leah's fleece Mar 2, 2016
  • February 2016
    • Feb 22, 2016 shearing day Feb 22, 2016
    • Feb 16, 2016 handspun & naturally dyed: blackberry love Feb 16, 2016
    • Feb 11, 2016 a birthday sale! Feb 11, 2016
  • January 2016
    • Jan 29, 2016 happy friday! Jan 29, 2016
    • Jan 28, 2016 knit year resolutions 2016 Jan 28, 2016
    • Jan 25, 2016 sewing stitches: fen dress Jan 25, 2016
    • Jan 20, 2016 natural beauty Jan 20, 2016
    • Jan 12, 2016 handspun: a treat Jan 12, 2016
    • Jan 7, 2016 The world spins madly on Jan 7, 2016
  • December 2015
    • Dec 30, 2015 the year in yarn Dec 30, 2015
    • Dec 12, 2015 two new yarns Dec 12, 2015
  • November 2015
    • Nov 9, 2015 off the needles: sweet magnolia handspun Nov 9, 2015
    • Nov 2, 2015 natural dyeing: black tea Nov 2, 2015
  • October 2015
    • Oct 30, 2015 handspun: alpaca cloud Oct 30, 2015
    • Oct 21, 2015 Rhinebeck 2015 Oct 21, 2015
    • Oct 9, 2015 natural dyes: goldenrod & harvesting color Oct 9, 2015
    • Oct 5, 2015 handspun: "aztec" BFL/silk Oct 5, 2015
    • Oct 1, 2015 Slow Fashion October: You Oct 1, 2015
  • September 2015
    • Sep 27, 2015 natural dyes: mushrooms take 1 Sep 27, 2015
    • Sep 23, 2015 love list: two very fall cabled cowls Sep 23, 2015
    • Sep 16, 2015 goodstitch fibers Sep 16, 2015
    • Sep 11, 2015 a little crafty stop Sep 11, 2015
    • Sep 9, 2015 love list: vests and such Sep 9, 2015
    • Sep 4, 2015 for spinners seeking a wheel Sep 4, 2015
    • Sep 1, 2015 off the needles: laurus Sep 1, 2015
  • August 2015
    • Aug 31, 2015 a little for a monday Aug 31, 2015
    • Aug 25, 2015 off the needles: trellis scarf Aug 25, 2015
    • Aug 24, 2015 organizing anew Aug 24, 2015
    • Aug 22, 2015 love list: a little lace Aug 22, 2015
    • Aug 19, 2015 a little giveaway Aug 19, 2015
    • Aug 17, 2015 swatching for timberline Aug 17, 2015
    • Aug 16, 2015 asheville is for (fiber) lovers Aug 16, 2015
    • Aug 11, 2015 sewing stitches: purl bee linen tunic with gathered shoulders Aug 11, 2015
  • July 2015
    • Jul 29, 2015 Is it too early to make a post about winter? Jul 29, 2015
    • Jul 27, 2015 Love: spinning dreams Jul 27, 2015
    • Jul 21, 2015 Spinning in color Jul 21, 2015
    • Jul 13, 2015 Off the needles: Dotted Rays Jul 13, 2015
  • June 2015
    • Jun 19, 2015 Off the needles: Pure Jun 19, 2015
    • Jun 1, 2015 Off the needles: Gable Jun 1, 2015
  • May 2015
    • May 20, 2015 The great debate for Pure May 20, 2015
    • May 17, 2015 Love: simple textured shawls May 17, 2015
    • May 14, 2015 Gable progress May 14, 2015
    • May 11, 2015 Carolina Fiber Fest May 11, 2015
  • April 2015
    • Apr 10, 2015 Love: fringe Apr 10, 2015
  • March 2015
    • Mar 31, 2015 Swatching for Gable Mar 31, 2015
    • Mar 30, 2015 Off the needles: Husband socks Mar 30, 2015
    • Mar 18, 2015 Love: knitted blankets Mar 18, 2015
    • Mar 17, 2015 Woolful feature Mar 17, 2015
    • Mar 15, 2015 Off the needles: Hansel Mar 15, 2015
  • February 2015
    • Feb 19, 2015 Mittens and kittens Feb 19, 2015
  • January 2015
    • Jan 15, 2015 Skiff: Or, a lesson in gauge Jan 15, 2015
    • Jan 12, 2015 Knit Year Resolutions Jan 12, 2015
  • December 2014
    • Dec 9, 2014 Another sheep related post Dec 9, 2014
    • Dec 4, 2014 Thoughts: being fiber-conscious Dec 4, 2014
  • November 2014
    • Nov 24, 2014 lovely randoms: vol. 1 Nov 24, 2014
    • Nov 19, 2014 Love: swinging hemline sweaters Nov 19, 2014
    • Nov 16, 2014 Off the needles: Mountain Moss Shawl Nov 16, 2014
    • Nov 4, 2014 Love: knit jackets Nov 4, 2014
  • October 2014
    • Oct 28, 2014 Off the needles: simple skyp socks Oct 28, 2014
    • Oct 25, 2014 Rhinebeck haul 2014 Oct 25, 2014
    • Oct 23, 2014 Off the needles: Late night seed stitch cowl (and pattern) Oct 23, 2014
    • Oct 22, 2014 Rhinebeck 2014 Oct 22, 2014
    • Oct 14, 2014 Designer: Gina Rockenwagner Oct 14, 2014
    • Oct 9, 2014 Love: sweet cardigans Oct 9, 2014
    • Oct 8, 2014 Off the needles: Offset shell stitch baby blanket Oct 8, 2014