When I first laid eyes on the wool adorning the backs of my friend’s flock of Navajo Churro sheep, I was in love. Never before had I seen such creatures, primitive and humble in their beauty. The first time I dug my hands in their fleece and felt the lanolin coat my fingers, a softness overcame me. A blanket.

This black and white image is from my first shearing with Jesscy and Leif and their flock of sheep in the shadows of the Crazy Mountains in Montana. The sheep are shorn expertly and while the rams and ewes jump off one side of the shearing trailer, we carefully pick any organic matter out of their long wool–which will be felted into living wool rugs by Jesscy.

One such rug lays across the back of my couch, it’s massive size taking up the whole couch. Another lines my canvas bedroll, keeping me warm and softening the ground beneath me.

We welcome you under our blanket this winter, huddle in with us and enjoy the sounds of winter.

-cn