The International Back to Back Wool Challenge

Many are tested....few are chosen. But this Finish Land Race Border Leicester Cross is a special breed, with the perfect fleece for the ultimate challenge. As she's led in, shearer David Nueman begins his part in a very unique contest, as the group who call themselves the Murray Bridge Woolly Chambermaids look on...and wait.

David's a blade shearer, part of a tradition which stretches back through the ages, but one which is now the preserve of a select few.

"It's a dying art, there's not many people around here who can do it properly anymore".

But for the International Back to Back Wool Challenge, David's skills are essential. This group, along with non-mechanised teams from around the world, will soon take part in a competition, which will certainly take them back to the basics, removing this from the sheep's back, to spin, ply and knit a jumper in less than a day. With David's job done, the rest of the team is in action.

"Once you learn to co-ordinate your feet and hands, you're right".

In ten days from now, teams from throughout Australia as well as Canada, the US, Japan and Scotland, will take blade shears and knitting needles. But the most feared are the legendary Shetland Islanders.

"Their record is five hours and nine minutes".
"....a bit more than that".

In fact, the feats of those from the Shetlands are enough to give these knitters the shakes. But Yvonne Rowe is also a dab hand with the needles, and while the pace isn't as frantic as those on the spinning wheels, she's into a constant rhythm which can falter depending on certain distractions. There's plenty of knitting know-how here, in fact, collectively more than 115 years of handspinning experience.

The International Back to Back Wool Challenge gets underway at the Murray Bridge Town Hall on June the 7th. The race starts at 9.00am. Admission is a gold coin donation with proceeds going to Cancer Research. Commences 9am

For more information you can email info@postcards-sa.com.au