The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Food & crafts => Crafts => Topic started by: egglady on July 06, 2011, 10:40:31 am

Title: 3 shetland fleeces.....
Post by: egglady on July 06, 2011, 10:40:31 am
and not sure what to do with them!

anyone nearby that can show me by any chance please?
for felting or wool would be great..or anything else I've not thought of of course....
Title: Re: 3 shetland fleeces.....
Post by: Anke on July 07, 2011, 10:33:28 pm
I have had a look at peg looms at Woolfest (a rare treat to go for me nowadays...) and thought that you could make a good felt-type rug straight from the fleece.... now I just need some time, a peg loom, ......

But if you have some fine dog brushes, you can brush individual locks/bits of fleece (like carding) and felt them or make a spindle and try to spin some yarn (loads of stuff on U tube I think) or even use for stuffing cushions...
Title: Re: 3 shetland fleeces.....
Post by: Fleecewife on July 07, 2011, 10:44:54 pm
First thing to do is to skirt and pick them over so you can store them safely while you make up your mind.  Polypropylene sacks, or pillowcases tied tightly will keep the moths out but allow air to circulate - don't store them in bin liners.
Title: Re: 3 shetland fleeces.....
Post by: ellisr on July 08, 2011, 03:04:45 pm
I have had a look at peg looms at Woolfest (a rare treat to go for me nowadays...) and thought that you could make a good felt-type rug straight from the fleece.... now I just need some time, a peg loom, ......

But if you have some fine dog brushes, you can brush individual locks/bits of fleece (like carding) and felt them or make a spindle and try to spin some yarn (loads of stuff on U tube I think) or even use for stuffing cushions...

I am making a rug on a pegloom (we sell them) strsight from the fleece you do not need to card or even wash as you can do the washing after the rug is made
Title: Re: 3 shetland fleeces.....
Post by: YorkshireLass on July 12, 2011, 08:34:57 pm
*shameless plug*  ;D

http://www.accidentalsmallholder.net/forum/index.php?topic=15591.msg159467#msg159467 (http://www.accidentalsmallholder.net/forum/index.php?topic=15591.msg159467#msg159467)

My first attempt - the colour bands worked really well, but I didn't allow enough for shrinkage. I had very gently washed the raw fleeces, but washed the finished rug in hot soapy water. I kinda want it to felt a bit as I'm worried about tufts coming loose!
This took a long afternoon with many distractions/breaks - maybe 5 hours continuous? Not bad for a newbie  :sheep:
Title: Re: 3 shetland fleeces.....
Post by: ellisr on July 12, 2011, 10:40:07 pm
*shameless plug*  ;D


I have no shame at all just need to survive as OH has not found a job yet. I remember doing the looms with grandma I had just forgot how much I love doing it. I found some wool in the cupboard that I bought ages ago and have just started a casual jacket for winter on one of my finer peg looms. I also have a 6'x4' rug on my large loom which is actually sold to a customer from this weekends show ( I haven't even finished half of it yet) and I have been asked to teach people how to loom with different mediums. I had great interest in some rugs and bags I made with rags on the loom and place mats from raffia.
I am now looking for different things to weave with, I had thought of trying baleing string that got collected from last winters bales.
Title: Re: 3 shetland fleeces.....
Post by: YorkshireLass on July 12, 2011, 10:45:40 pm
I bow to your loom skills  ;) I haven't thought beyond "flat and square-ish"
Are there patterns out there for different things, or is it more judgement/experience?
Title: Re: 3 shetland fleeces.....
Post by: ellisr on July 12, 2011, 11:25:42 pm
There maybe patterns out there I just draw it then weave it, but I do the same with sewing and felting
Title: Re: 3 shetland fleeces.....
Post by: ellisr on July 13, 2011, 09:12:27 pm
This is a rug on my large loom about 2 foot into a 5 foot rug. It is made with raw wool that has only had a light wash, no carding or spinning