The Sheep's Back home is nestled in the Northern Southland hills just an hour south of Queenstown.
We farm a flock of Romney breeding ewes with an Angus beef cow herd. The farm features developed pastures, blocks of native bush (protected by QE11 covenant) and some steeper tussock blocks. We feel privileged to be able to live and work on this picturesque multi-generational family property that hosts many special natural features - we farm, enhance and protect our land.
We love wool. We use it wherever we can - it is throughout the furnishings in our house, in the clothes we wear, we even use the bits and pieces as bedding for housed animals that need to be kept warm during winter months.
I learnt to knit as a child, taught by Mum - the lesson was quick, the basics taught then I was left to knit as I wished. There the lifelong journey began and this simple repetitive hand skill gradually progressed.
I recall making Peggy Squares during primary school - this involved school children knitting squares and sending the completed wool blankets over to war or famine ravaged countries. On cold wintry days we would be inside the classroom during lunchtime working away at knitting our Peggy Squares, locals coming in to help out with the learner knitters and eventually sewing them all together.
Nowadays these early acquired skills are put to work making warm jerseys and hugely warm blankets. Thick and glorious like nothing you could buy. Time has been spent with the local school teaching children how to knit, and it is a hugely rewarding experience being able to pass on this important skill and to see the joy and satisfaction in the children. One day they may be able to start knitting for their family too.
There is much to be gained by young ones learning to knit - not just a useful skill, but a boost to self-esteem, confidence and cognitive exercise.
This is why I have started The Sheep’s Back. To teach the basics. After these simple skills are mastered, you can choose your own path. Perhaps become an expert? Or stay simple. Either way - learning to knit will provide you with a relaxing hobby that will be with you for the rest of your life.
I’ve also created a kit for dying wool with natural materials - you can’t help but marvel when pulling the wool out of the dye pot to see what colour has been made! It’s safe for children to do (some supervision is required) and encourages them to get outside and get familiar with botany, observing what is available in their environment and what is in season.
