Tuesday, April 21, 2009


Sheep

I have always had a thing for sheep. How well I remember the perfectly delicious feeling of having a chubby white ewe take treats from my little flattened palm under a cavernous tent at the state fair when I was a child. What a treat it was to enjoy a personal encounter with an animal that I had only met on the pages of story books. I have sat amused in my car on isolated, one-lane tracks in Scotland, patiently waiting for the flock of woolly wanderers gazing in my windows to deem me worthy of passage by moving out from the center of the road. And once, I sat on a windy hill by the sea and watched in fascination as a flock of sheep suddenly turned from the hillside and began to make their way, single-file and sure, out to the steep, winding road, over a small stone wall, and down to the beach below.
What an enchanting sight to see.... sheep enjoying a day out at the beach.

Maybe it is my new found love of knitting that has caused me to appreciate these remarkable creatures anew. I walk into my favourite knitting shop and stand there happily tempted by the myriad of colour and variety of texture they are capable of producing. Shall I choose Black Welsh or Jacob? Suffolk or Bluefaced Leister? I feel in partnership with them somehow, as together we team up to create such lovely things and Lord knows, I could not do it without them. Knitting is such a tactile activity, and as I sit for hours watching as a simple ball of delicate wool is transformed under my own ten fingers, I cannot help but wonder about the sturdy hillside fellow that sent it my way.

There are those who say the only thing that exists inside the mind of the sheep is a dial tone. But I don’t believe it for a minute. Especially after reading this truly wonderful new book by Leonie Swann. It is entitled
Three Bags Full and I most highly recommend it, even for those who might not be as besotted with sheep as I. It is the story of a certain flock of sheep who were read to every evening by their shepherd and consequently developed a higher, albeit quirky, intelligence than might otherwise have been afforded them. When their shepherd is murdered...in the first few pages...they take it upon themselves to solve the crime. Witty, original, and delightfully sheepy, I looked forward to my time spent inside its covers and I would be the first in line to purchase a sequel if one appeared.

34 comments:

  1. I've always been envious of those who could create beautiful hand knit items. My aunt tried to teach me once, and it didn't take! :P

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  2. There's nothing like working with natural fibers for knitting, crochet, or weaving.

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  3. Just popping in to say hello from my busy 9-5, nose to the teak, day job (wink). Missy D would like me to send her special hello to Oh So Handsome Edward and Miss A. xo S & les Chats

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  4. Sounds like a book I would like to read. Hope you'll show one time your knittings:) I did so in my post From the beginning to the End (I believe Jan. 09)

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  5. That book sounds delightful Pamela and I am sure sheep are misunderstood. Don't forget to show us some more of your knitting when you finish, xv.

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  6. If there were a goddess, I would have enough land to have a crew of border collies and enough sheep to keep them from being psychotic. I think the interaction between sheep and herding dogs is a beautiful thing.

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  7. so okay, Pamela, sheep have never really been on my radar, however, you have made me look at them with new eyes - the book sounds wonderful and I will definitely put it on my list! sheep - hmmm- okay, I'm thinking about them.....sheep...wooly things...

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  8. I have a thing about sheep also,they are a good subject to paint as they are so rounded, I especially love Samuel Palmer's sheep paintings.

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  9. A petting zoo, with lambs and young goats, nibbling and sucking on my hands and clothing, one of the most engaging and durable memories of early childhood.

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  10. They seem like gentle creatures - I only knit scarves. That's all I have patience for :). I would love to see what you've knitted!

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  11. I'll put the book on my list! I love recommendations! Thanks!

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  12. Knitting is a beautiful talent! As close as I got was untangling a ball of knots. Enjoy! xoxo

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  13. The little lambs in the fields here in England are so enchanting! The other week, I was driving along the motorway and saw a bunch of newborn babies. They were precious!!

    I envy you your knitting. I can never seem to get the hang of it. I'd would love to see one of your finished projects as well :-)

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  14. You summon up pastoral scenes from long ago and yesterday. A very enjoyable read.

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  15. There is something relaxing about watching sheep.
    Before my husband and I were married he worked as a shepherd for a few years and I was lucky enough to get to bottle feed the adorable lambs :) Something I would like to experience again sometime.

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  16. Sheep are wonderful, I love to see them in the fields and across the roads too in the national parks so you have to slow right down and let them pass by. The hillside sheep are amazing, how they don't fall from the rocks I've no idea - the books sounds interesting, I must look out for it:)

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  17. Hello P&E,

    I'm not so enamoured of sheep myself. Too many memories of wild ones rampaging through our garden in the highlands, churning up the lawns and eating the plants - not to mention an evenless welcome deposit!

    But I'm glad you like them!

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  18. The painting reminds me so much of William Holman Hunt's "Our English Coasts!" Three Bags Full sounds like a fun book--I'll have to pick it up!

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  19. Everyday, on my way to work, I pass flocks of sheep. At this time of year the lambs are fresh and new - I wish I had words to properly describe the new green grass, young lambs, blossoming trees - all against a background of bright blue ocean.
    The book sounds a treat - I'll look for it.

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  20. I LOVE sheep! They have the sweetest faces! I find it so calming to watch them move.
    No wonder people try to go to sleep by watching them hop the fence!

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  21. Pamela we have quite a few woolybacks still here and one could easily write a book about their cunning and love for one of my g-daughters. They are very sociable creatures and form deep bonds of friendship.
    Suffolk wool is great for socks and carpets because it is so springy.

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  22. Knitting? What can't you do Pamela?
    Or is it really sweet Edward knitting the goods? I am like Willow, in envy! That book sounds spellbinding!
    Carol

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  23. Wish I could knit- but when my Grandmother taught me, it always turned out too tight and would hurt my fingers. Some day, it's on my list! Lovely story Pamela.

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  24. Hi Pamela

    I love this sheep post and agree with you on so many points. Love those little woolly fellows to bits even if they do run away when I am trying to photograph them. I also envy your ability to make something from their coats. That book sounds great too.

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  25. There are more sheep than people in the Welsh county I live in. As I type I am looking out on our field which is full of sheep and lambs a- gambolling.

    That book sounds very 'original' The general opinion of farmers is that sheep are really 'dull' as they say here in Wales. or as I say 'thick'. I often wonder though....

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  26. That book sounds delightful, I'm adding it to my list of must reads immediately. Thanks for another lovely story.

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  27. Your encounters with sheep sound so charming and the book you mentioned sounds equally delightful! Thanks for sharing. xx

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  28. I enjoyed seeing all the variety of sheep when I visited Ireland. There is nothing as warm as wool!

    That book sounds interesting. Is it a little bit like "Watership Down"?

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  29. Knitting is such a joy. If I didn't wear so many hats already I would knit away!
    Catherine

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  30. Please stop by my blog and pick up an award that you can share with others if you should decide to do so.

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  31. During the foot and mouth outbreak in the UK, the mountain sheep farmers were worried that their flocks would have to be slaughtered. This would lead to a loss of "Knowledge of the mountain" which is passed from ewe to lamb- like where to shelter in snow and where to go in drought. It was a big worry that when the mountain was restocked the new sheep wouldn't have a clue. Sheep may be silly but they have a rare skill- being able to survive in places where man wouldn't.

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  32. I didn't realise you'd taken to knitting Pamela. I'd love to see some of it. The book sounds rather intriguing, doesn't it?

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  33. A wonderful painting which reminds me of the sheep we recently saw on the cliffs at Cuckmere Haven in East Sussex. The book sounds like a great read. x

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I love to read your comments! Each and every one! Though I'm always reading your comments, I may not respond in the comment section. If you want to write me directly, you may do so at pamela@pamelaterry.net. Thank you for reading!