About Gilead Fiber Farm
Kristen moved to Vermont from New York City in May 2000. A lifelong knitter, she began spinning in 2006, and rapidly found herself longing to have a little flock of sheep and goats out grazing her pastures. The lure of home grown fleece was strong. She started her fiber farm in 2009, when she won an online contest created by Susan Gibbs of Juniper Moon Farm. She started out with 5 angora goats, who produce gorgeous mohair. First, a couple of rescued Shetland ewes joined the flock. Then she bought a registered breeding pair of Finnish Landrace sheep, or Finn sheep. There have been lots of twists and turns along the way, and a long learning curve. But, currently, in 2019, the farm is home to 18 purebred Finn sheep and 3 Finn/Shetland crosses, along with 2 dogs, and 2 cats. A full Shetland ram, named Prince Archie was added to the flock this fall, to bring some more of the shetland fiber features back into the flock. He’s a lovely chocolate brown color and it is hoped that will bring some brown wool into the flock.
The sheep are shorn twice a year, in the Spring and Fall, providing wonderful fleeces that are then skirted, brought to a processing mill here in Vermont, Mad River Fiber Mill, and turned into gorgeous roving for handspinners and yarn for knitters, crocheters and other fiber artists. Finn sheep and the Finn/Shetland crosses, come in many natural colors and have beautiful sheen, crimp and softness. They produce truly luxurious, one of a kind yarns and rovings.
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