The flax harvest has begun
The stems have been pulled and laid on the ground. They will stay there six weeks.
We did not cut the flax: we pulled it up, roots and all, as has always been done. Cutting would break the fibre at the base of the stem, exactly where it is longest and strongest.
The stems are now laid out in neat rows across the field. This is retting: rain, dew and the micro-organisms in the soil will loosen the fibre from the woody core over about six weeks. The rows get turned once or twice. The colour goes from green to blond, then to grey.
After that come scutching, combing and spinning. And around February, all being well, the first rolls will arrive at the workshop.
I will post pictures at every stage. In the meantime the shop is open as usual — and there is tea.
