PO Box 200 . Amisk, AB . T0B 0B0 (780) 856-3738 mail@nordinfarms.com

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This list is not comprehensive; rather, each link is one of the best I have found on the subject described. Scroll down to browse the links or select one of the following categories: Scottish Blackface Specific Sheep Breeds Sheep Management Wool Processing Wool Dyeing Rug Making Felting Spinning Weaving Knitting Cooking More Links

Scottish Blackface Specific Scottish Blackface Breeder's Association (UK) Basic information about the Scottish Blackface breed such as History, Characteristics Wool Type, Advantages, etc. Scottish Blackface Discussion Group Dedicated to discussing our Scottish Blackface Sheep - breeding, care, health, shearing, raising, standards, sales

Sheep Breeds Breeds of Sheep Oklahoma State University A good place to find out about about many different breeds of sheep.

Sheep Management Sheep 101 A wonderful introduction to basic sheep information. Montana Farm Flock Sheep Production Handbook A good reference guide for the care and management of sheep. Sheep Pocket Guide North Dakota State University A concise reference and excellent aid for any shepherd. ISU Publications Iowa State University Various fact sheets about sheep health issues. Some are downloadable, others must be purchased. Sheep Tail Length A good article about where to dock tails. How to Inject Animals A concise guide to disinfecting and subcutaneous, intramuscular and intravenous injections. Do It Yourself Fecal Testing A step by step guide including instructional photos and photos of parasite eggs. Hypothermia (Chilling) in Newborn Lambs An excellent factsheet with instructional photos on the prevention, identification, and treatment of hypothermia in lambs. Transcervical AI University of Guelph Information about a new form of AI under development for sheep. Caseous Lymphadenitis This site focuses on goats, but the same generally applies to sheep. A detailed site including illustrations of abscess sites, treatment and control, and a discussion on other causes of abscesses. CL - Managing with Formalin by the same author, may also be of interest, although I do not know if this method has been tried in sheep. Inbreeding Farm Animals This relatively technical site will help you extend the breedability of your flock by helping you determine exactly how related any two given animals are. Information about Pasture Based Farming While the information on the advantages of pasture feeding is geared towards cattle, the same advantages can be applied to sheep. Canadian Poisonous Plants While navigation of this site is in the obfusticated style typical of our government, you can eventually find out the poisonous plants in your area. Canada Plan Service (Sheep) Plans for everything from sheds to feeders. The plans are for wooden structures so if you are handy with a hammer you can build away. I will note that some of the structures may not be suitable for Scottish Blackface rams in cold climates. Extreme cold makes wood brittle and easily broken by an agressive ram. Premier Supplies Excellent source for everything from electric fencing to prolapse retainers. Pipestone Sheep Supplies Catalog Another source of sheep supplies.

Sheep! Magazine This magazine explores a wide range of topics of interest to sheep growers and product marketers at all levels of experience. 6 issues per year. The Sheep Book (Online PDF files) by Ron Parker An excellent primer and reference text for the shepherd. Raising Sheep the Modern Way Another excellent primer and reference text for the shepherd. Beginning Shepherd's Manual A good primer for a beginning shepherd. Unfortunately the index in the second edition is a bit mixed up making referencing topics an occasional struggle. Veterinary Book for Sheep Farmers The shepherd's answer to the question, "What's wrong with my sheep and what am I supposed to do about it?"

Newborn 'Crinkle'

Wool Processing How to Clean Raw Wool How I wash my wool. How to Clean Raw Wool Detailed instructions for washing a raw fleece. Wool Grade by Breed A comparison of wool grades (fine vs thick) for various breeds. Rittel's Tanning Supplies for purchase only - no online instructions Rittel's offers tanning kits with instructions that are specially designed for tanning sheep skins. Wool Eating Insect FAQ Questions and answers about insects that damage wool and woolen fabrics.

Wool Dyeing How to Hand Paint Roving & Yarn This site has step-by-step instructions with accompanying photos making it easy for you to create your own rainbow dyed roving or yarn. One Pot Dyeing Step-by-step instructions with photos showing you how to make multi-coloured roving or yarn using a single dye pot. Mordanting for Natural Dyeing Informative website about various mordants. Pro WashFast Acid Dyes Online Catalog Commonly used by professionals, these protein reactive dyes will give you a rainbow of creative choices. The online supply also includes other essentials like a choice of acid, etc. Pure Colours of Pro WashFast Acid Dyes Which washfast acid dyes are pure colours rather than mixtures. Rit Dyes While this common household dye may not be the first choice, it is still an effective way to dye wool. The only disadvantage is that the dye contains a mix of both cellulous and protein reactive dye. This makes colour matching more difficult and means that you will be pouring the cellulous dye down the drain. On the upside, these dyes are often available in local craft stores for a few dollars a box (dyes about 1 lb of wool). If you want a cheap way to try dying your wool and you want more colours than Kool-Aid offers, then this might be for you.

Rug Making Felted Rug Instructions for using a traditional stomping method to make a felted rug. The project suggests you elicit the help of children, but you can use energetic stompers of any age. Felted Scottish Blackface Rug image only - no online instructions Link to a photo of a felted rug made with Scottish Blackface wool. How to Locker Hook a Rug Instructions and photos showing how to locker-hook a wool rug. This method locks loops of wool roving onto a canvas backer using wool yarn and a special crochet-type needle called a "locker hook". The finished rug resembles berber carpet. How to Latch Hook Instructions Instructions and illustrations showing how to use a latch hook. A "latch hook" is used to knot short lengths of yarn onto a canvas backer resulting in a shag-type rug. Knitted Rag Rugs While this site is about making rugs from rag strips, the rugs can also be made with heavy wool yarn. Though the site does not provide specific online instructions, some of the photos and descriptions will likely be enough to get even a beginning knitter started on a simple knit rug (e.g. the "Block & Strip Knitted Rug"). Crocheted Rag Rugs & Variations Similarly, while this site is about making rugs from rag strips, the rugs can also be made with heavy wool yarn. Though the site does not provide specific online instructions, some of the photos and descriptions will likely be enough to get even a beginning crocheter started on a simple rug (e.g. the round rug shown in the opening photo).

Rug Weaving Techniques: Beyond the Basics by Peter Collingwood This links to a Digital Archive of Books About Weaving, Textiles, Lace, and Related Topics. Look for (or use your browser's search feature to find) this invaluable online rug weaving book. The Shepherd's Rug A braided wool rug from roving. This "how-to" book (for purchase, not online) also includes information for selecting and harvesting quality wool.

Felting These links are all from the same source. They each have detailed instructions and accompanying photos or illustrations. Basic Felting Making Felt Balls Felting Flat Sheets Needle Felting Felted Rug Instructions for using a traditional stomping method to make a felted rug. The project suggests you elicit the help of children, but you can use energetic stompers of any age. Felted Scottish Blackface Rug image only - no online instructions Link to a photo of a felted rug made with Scottish Blackface wool. The Felt Lady for purchase only - no online instructions Felting kits and supplies.

Spinning Making Yarn with a Drop Spindle Before the spinning wheel was invented the world used drop spindles to make yarn. Today they are still used as an affordable and portable way to spin yarn. Making Yarn with a Spinning Wheel Text and online video instructions. How to Determine the Weight and Yardage of Yarn Figure out what weight of yarn you have made: Fingering, Worsted, Bulky, etc. Joy of Handspinning The Woolery Suppliers.

Weaving Build a Simple Frame Loom An illustrated site showing how to build and use a simple frame loom. This loom would be suitable for smaller primitive rugs and would go a long way to get you started weaving economically. Digital Archive of Books About Weaving, Textiles, Lace, and Related Topics A wealth of weaving information. Look for (or use your browser's search feature to find) Peter Collingwood's downloadable Rug Weaving Techniques: Beyond the Basics

Spin-Off A magazine filled with information, ideas and patterns. 4 issues per year. The Alden Amos Big Book of Handspinning A complete spinning bible that covers just about every spinning topic imaginable. The Spinner's Companion A good reference text that is small enough to keep beside your wheel.

Knitting Magical Mystery Sock Tour A kind group of sock knitters who knit and posted photos for many of the online sock patterns that lacked pictures. See the pictures and link to the patterns. Free Online Slipper Patterns Slipper patterns with pictures. Free Online Sock Patterns A kind group of sock knitters who knit and posted photos for many of the online sock patterns that lacked pictures. See the pictures and link to the patterns. Free Online Sock Patterns American Red Cross Museum Free online vintage knitting patterns originally provided to volunteers knitting for soldiers during WWI and WWII. Knitting Needle Conversions Helps you match needle size to your pattern (e.g. The pattern asks for UK 8 needles -- this page tells you what that is in US size and in mm).

Cooking Cooking with Lamb Recipes for enjoying delicious lamb.

More Links Maryland Small Ruminants Links to all kinds of information about raising sheep. Start with the selections down the left (green) frame if you don't want to be overwhelmed by the vast amount of information.