Washing the fleece

It was the last day of half term. The girls were so eager to wash the fleece from the weekend. We weren’t going to let a bit of rain put us off. So we put on boots and went outside.

First we filled the old bath tub with warm water and added some wool care. The wool was plunged in. I had to remind the girls that we were not felting. Pushing down and a little swirling, but that was all.

We left it, as Grandma had told the girls, until the water was cold before emptying the water.

Every last drop. Isn’t the water a lovely colour. I was surprised how clean the fleece came up.

Then we put the wool in cold water to rinse it. Left for half an hour. I distracted the girls with another activity, otherwise I’m not sure they would have resisted swirling it a little bit more. I’ll show you that one tomorrow. Then emptied the water out.

The wool is so creamy that BL described it as being like ice cream. The brown wool like chocolate ice cream.

Next problem was where to dry it. Greenhouse was perfect. We hung it on the airer and then slid it into my already full greenhouse. I have to admit, washing the fleece provided me with a warm fuzzy feeling. The same feeling I get when we hatch our own chicken eggs and grow our own veg. It just feels right. Plus the girls loved every minute of doing it.

And the rain brought out this little fellow. Another type of snail for my photo collection. Beautiful pink blush. Doesn’t it look like someone has varnished it? Not me, I promise.

edited: Felted hair ties post here

I’m linking this up to The Magic Onion’s Friday Nature table. Lots more links, so hop over for some nature inspiration.