Blog
Shearing the saloias
It was shearing day for the Saloias of Casal da Freira. As you already know, we like to work in partnership with Marty and Susana O'Connel whenever possible. Perfectly shorn fleeces. Well skirted and sorted, this year with a little help from Guida Fonseca and Pedro. We never get tired of seeing the satisfaction on the producers' faces when they see their animals' wool really valued.
About Saloia sheep and the saloias from Casal da Freira
This year we wanted to find a Saloia sheep producer who was aligned with our values and with whom we could collaborate not only in the purchase of wool, but also in other initiatives that we have been developing in favour of Portuguese wool. That producer, Mr António Cardoso from Casal da Freira, came to us, and very well, through Guida's hand.
Materializing the wools of Trás-os-Montes
One of the components of the project that gave us the most pleasure to produce was undoubtedly this showcase of samples of wool from the five breeds of indigenous sheep from Trás-os-Montes that have been processed. What is the wool of a Bragançan churra used for? What is its yarn like? How does it behave when felted or woven? This was one of the main aims of the project, to work only with the wool of local breeds and show its potential, when and if worked by hands that know, revealing and showing the community the potential of the wool that surrounds them.
The Same But Different: Revisiting, Rethinking and Renewing the Wool Crafts in Vinhais
Our intervention in the “Culture for All in Vinhais” project culminated in an exhibition that we inaugurated last August and which tells the story of the work we've been doing for almost two years.
Culture For All in Vinhais - Arts and Crafts
One of the projects we're very pleased to be working on this year is Culture for All in Vinhais, which will include workshops and themed workshops in the areas of Arts and Crafts, Theater and Performing Arts, Music and Dance, all areas with a very rich cultural heritage in Vinhais. The area we will be responsible for, as you can imagine, will be Arts and Crafts.
The path of the Black Merinos from Monte dos Cedros
Today we want to talk to you about Monte dos Cedros, owned by Carlos and Marta, two young producers, both with a degree in Animal Production, who started producing Black Merina sheep in 2019 under extensive and certified organic grazing.
The sexiest sheep
If I had to choose the sexiest sheep in Portugal, I'd say there's a good chance it would be the Churra Mondegueira breed, preferably a “Marialveira”. They don't bathe because they spend every day of the year grazing extensively, but their heavy fleeces with long, sometimes curly strands give them that special charm.
Combing wool in Trás-os-Montes
(...) it's the universality of the combing technique that Ti Paula uses. It's the same one I use (and I didn't learn to comb in Portugal), and it's also the same one that anyone who combs wool in the world uses, in most cases. In Miranda do Douro or on the other side of the world, wool is combed in essentially the same way and something as simple as this makes us understand that despite cultural differences, human beings face the same challenges and end up with the same solutions.
From Churra Mirandesa Fleece to Sock
These beautiful socks were made by Zaida from a fleece of Churra Mirandesa that she brought back with her from our shearing, back in June.
Teaching about Portuguese wool in Vimioso
The previous weekend was spent in Vimioso, at PINTA (Vales de Vimioso), leading a 2-in-1 workshop dedicated to Portuguese Wool and Woolworking.
Anatomy of a Burel cape
The subject of the burel cover came up in the weaving workshop, while Fernando was leafing through his sample cover, which contains some examples of traditional typologies, Portuguese and otherwise.
Portuguese wool in SPIN-OFF
The Winter 2018 issue of Spin-Off is out and inside you'll find an article dedicated exclusively to Portuguese wool!
Learning about Portuguese wool - May 13, 2017
Here are some images of the set-up for the very first workshop on Portuguese wool, which also happened to be the very first workshop given in Saber Fazer's new home.
Shearing at Quinta de Serralves - 2017
Another year, another brilliant shearing by Martin at Quinta de Serralves. The more I learn about wool and the more shearings I see, the more special I think this moment is that we are lucky enough to offer to the Foundation's public.
Churras. Bordaleiras. Merinas.
The 16 indigenous Portuguese sheep breeds can be grouped into three main groups, which are directly related to the type of wool they produce: Churros, Bordaleiros or Merinos. Knowing the basic characteristics of the wool produced by these three groups is a very effective way of getting a general idea of what a particular breed produces, despite the great variations that can arise due to the influence of various factors.
Combing and the other side of Portuguese wool
Combing wool with Louet's mini combs has been one of my latest pleasures. And combing this gorgeous light gray portuguese merino that I brought from Ancorme a few weeks ago, makes it even more so. I don't know if you can see in the photos how the light brown shades show in the roving. It's beautiful.
Felting a mosaic of Portuguese wools?
The small exhibition about Portuguese Wool that I improvised for the Festa de Outono worked out really well, but the raw fleece samples were in such a natural state that it was really easy to fall apart when we touched it.
Hanging around Portuguese wool
Today, a day spent organizing samples from raw fleeces from all our local sheep breeds, for a small exhibition that will happen in late September. So many different wools for such a small country!
![[wip] Portuguese wool - a practical guide](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/648982341579d12f2111cfb5/1687858372291-XW3CG5XCRV8I4N978MEQ/image-asset.jpeg)
[wip] Portuguese wool - a practical guide
The very tedious part of doing the sample photoshoot is the very satisfactory part of seeing your work finally come together.
![[wip] Portuguese wool - a practical guide](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/648982341579d12f2111cfb5/1687858404902-N0Z3Y2AQ41DDESC95Y97/image-asset.jpeg)
[wip] Portuguese wool - a practical guide
Well, There's a problem that I just never have...
Did I know that transforming bags of raw wool from every corner of our country into teeny-tiny envelopes like these would be so much work? Of course not. And I'm glad I didn’t, otherwise I would have chickened out.