October 2025 happenings at Withers Wool and Farm
Farm and Animals
Meteorological fall is here! The sheep and goats (and I) are so happy to enjoy some brisk temperatures again. Fleeces on both the sheep and goats are getting longer and any temperature over 70 is uncomfortable for them. (The Angora goat fleeces are ~ 3 inches in length and they will be sheared in November.)
The biggest news regarding the animals is that I put an Angora buck in with three Angora does on 21 Ocotober so they could breed. The Angora does start going into estrus at some point in September. They cycle in an out of estrus about every 19 to 21 days and their “heat” lasts about 22 hours. I will leave them all together for about a month as this will ensure every doe goes into estrus and is receptive to the buck at least once. The buck and these three does go into a separate field every day away from the other goats.
I am still mowing some fields. The fields get new growth and grow faster in the Spring if the field starts with shorter grass. So, if a field now does have long grass, I have found it is best to mow it in the fall, or early winter, so the cut grass can decompose over the winter and the field is ready in the Spring to really start growing.
The chickens went on strike! Well, the Blue Cochin hens only lay about an egg a week normally and they started molting towards the middle of October and completely stopped laying eggs. I expect they will start again in a week or so.
All the peacock feathers have dropped so no more pretty feathers to pick up until next year.
I have had some yard/farm work done this month. First I had some mulberry trees cleared out and then planted a couple of American beautyberry bushes; this is a multi-branched shrub that features showy clusters of bright purple-blue berries in late summer and fall, which are a food source for birds, and grows 6-8 feet tall. I also had some gates put in place behind the shop/barn, next to the silos, to keep the goats and sheep away from my tractor and trailer when parked. (And a few more things will be done in November.)
Angora goats eating the leaves off of the cleared mulberry trees
Fiber and Shop
Withers Wool and Farm now has sock yarn - received from a new mill I am using, Round Barn Fiber Mill. The yarn is composed of 40% Merino, 40% Mohair and 20% nylon (for strength) and is a 3-ply worsted weight yarn. The three plies makes it rounder (and stronger) and is what is normally used for sock yarn. There are three different (natural) colors: cream, grey and white. Additionally, I have dyed some of the yarn - steel blue and teal - and will dye a few more in other colors.
Between recovering from the external shows (Shenandoah Valley Fiber Festival) and doing shows (Fall Frederick Fiber Fest) and talks (at Kinder Farm Park), there has been less hand-spinning this month. Still, a number of handspun yarn were cranked out: (1) a few of our “puffs” yarns were done and I posted a video on how to make them on 12 October (which had a lot of views and likes); some beaded yarns - and posted on that process on 28 October; some two-plies and a few spiral plied yarns.
The small batts (displayed on the left as you enter the shop) have been selling so I made 10 more of them. I use our small Patrick Green carder to make those batts.
A good problem to have is items selling well (even selling out) at the shop and shows. I keep a count of which items sell so I know what to work on. For example, at the Fall Frederick Fiber Fest all 12 of the cat mats I had made sold, so I am making more cat mats to have them stocked in the shop and for the upcoming Maryland Alpaca and Fleece Festival.
The “puffs” yarn
Events
And speaking of the Maryland Alpaca and Fleece Festival, it will take place on 8-9 November at the Howard County Fairgrounds. As normal Withers Wool and Farm will be in the Dining Hall building. I will be setting up on Friday 7 November so the shop will be closed 7 and 8 November.
On 27 and 28 September, I was at the Shenandoah Valley Fiber Festival (SVFF) in Berryville, VA. at the Clarke County Ruritan Fairgrounds. And on 25 October I was at the Fall Frederick Fiber Fest at the Frederick County Fairgrounds. Thanks to everyone who stopped by. I saw many who have previously either come to Withers Wool or stopped by at a show and it was great engaging with y’all and also with new folks.
On 20 October I was at Kinder Park Farm to discuss my farm, raising the goats and sheep, and farm life. (I made a powerpoint presentation I talked from.) That event went well and people also got to meet Peaches and her two kids - Squall and Windsong - who I brought to the park.
On 29 November the last Fiber Art Studio Tour of the year will take place; more information on that will come out in November.