It is hard to say exactly when sheep were first raised for the purpose of harvesting the commodity called wool. Certainly, by the time of recorded history, wool had found its way into use. Throughout the Old and New Testaments, references to the 'lamb' and 'tending the flock' are found everywhere. To this day, sheep skin garments are recognized for comfort and warmth found in no other material. Modern fabrics woven from man made fibers challenge the qualities of wool for its resistance to heat and lightness, but wool continues to hold its place as one of the most recognized natural fibers known to man.
       With the industrial age firmly in place, tools for shearing sheep, spinning wool, knitting and weaving, reduce the time required to make that transition from "fleece to feet". Still, down on the farm, fleece production has seen little change over the years.  "Shearing day" on farms across the country has the same buzz of the electric clipper as a century ago.
    In this and following issues of Antique Knitters Circular, readers will surely form bonds of respect and admiration for these men and women who devote their lives to real down to earth labors of love.
       Beginning with this issue, Antique Knitters Circular is pleased to introduce a family of sheep farmers that apply knowledge handed down for generations.
       Pat Lees and her family raise sheep and llamas for the production of quality wool fleeces and yarns. Many sheep ranches produce large amounts of fleece to be sold to spinning mills where the process is carried on by large machines and the hands of strangers. Not so for the "sheeplady" from  Rosholt, WI. From the breeding of fleece bearing animals to the carding of wool, Wildflower Farm manages their fleeces for variety and quality, with the intention of spinning yarns, and knitting home produced garments for sale and personal use.
       Shearing day brings excitement and anticipation heightened by days of preparation. It is a day sandwiched between months of 'taking care of the little things', and more months of processing fleece into fabrics not unlike those found in the finest stores across the nation.
       Antique Knitters Circular is grateful to the Lees family for their photographs and information that form the structure of these articles. Thank you Pat, and thanks to all the hired hands.
the Publisher

       One of the most important things done throughout the year is keeping the wool clean. The longer wooled breeds, which have a more open fleece, wear coats to reduce the amount of hay and chaff that works its way into the wool. The rambouillet wool is so dense that the chaff doesn't work its way in.
        Most of the wool is sold to hand spinners who don't want to pick a lot of hay and chaff out of fleece before spinning. Special feeders are used to help keep hay out of the wool.
       The sheep are kept inside a day or so before shearing to be sure they are dry. You can always count on snowstorms or below zero weather the day before shearing!