Hello we are the Bulleid’s. My name is Andrea, my husband is Chris and our children are Dylan, Gemma and Blake. We are sheep and beef farmers at Longridge North (Northern Southland) on Glengordon Farm, an hour south of Queenstown. Also part of our team is Mum - Janice Potts. Mum taught me how to knit.
We farm a flock of Romney breeding ewes, and a breeding and finishing cow herd in conjunction. The farm is the north end of the Longridge featuring developed pastures, blocks of native bush (protected by QE11 covenant) and some steeper tussock blocks. We feel privileged to be able to live and work on this picturesque property that hosts many special natural features - we work to farm, enhance and protect our land.
We love wool. We use it where ever we can - it is throughout the furnishings in our house, in the clothes we wear, we even use the bits and pieces as bedding for housed animals that need to be kept warm. We use it to protect newly planted trees from drought and weather extremes.
We observe our pets and animals’ preference for wool also - the cats choose to sleep on the wool blankets (or my knitting), the horse will nuzzle against a wool jersey, wild birds will build their nests with wool. It’s attractive.
I enjoy knitting but I'm only human - you won't find us head to toe hand-knitted. I knit when I have time or when I feel like it. Like everyone I wish I could get more done but lets get real - For me it’s a way to switch off and calm my body and brain and I do love occasionally finishing a jersey or blanket. That's the cherry on the top.
I learnt to knit as a child, taught by Mum - the lesson was quick, the basics taught and I was then left to my own devices. There the lifelong journey began and this simple repetitive hand skill gradually progressed.
I remember the Peggy Square drive during my primary school years that involved school children knitting squares and sending the completed wool blankets over to war or famine ravaged countries. On cold wintry days we would be inside the classroom during lunchtime working away at knitting our Peggy Squares. Locals would come in to help out with the learner knitters. The squares might end up a little less than square, with the odd imperfection - but the oddities were overlooked and we felt good about what we’d learnt, achieved and given.
I believe there is much to be gained by young ones learning to knit - not just a useful skill, but a boost to self esteem, confidence and cognitive exercise.
This is why I have started The Sheep’s Back. To teach the basics. After you’ve mastered these simple skills you can choose your own path. Perhaps become an expert? Or stay simple. Either way - learning to knit will provide you with a relaxing hobby that will be with you for the rest of your life.
I’ve also included a kit for dying wool with natural materials - you must try this - it is astonishing! I can’t help but get a childlike excitement when I pull the wool out of the dye pot to see what colour I’ve made! It’s safe for children to do (some supervision is required) and encourages them to get outside and get familiar with botany, observing what is available in their environment and what is in season.
