The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Sheep => Topic started by: Rosemary on March 10, 2010, 09:54:24 pm

Title: What to do with fleece
Post by: Rosemary on March 10, 2010, 09:54:24 pm: Thnikng ahead, I'll have 8 coloured fleeces this year plus two from last year. My Pa-in-law probably won't have much time for handspinning this year - anyway, he'd need Rumplestiltskin to spin that amount. I don't want to waste them but what are my options?

Do I have to sell them via the Wool Marketing Board?
Title: Re: What to do with fleece
Post by: garden cottage on March 11, 2010, 06:08:47 am: hi rosemary, think the wm board will pay peanuts, weve had people down our way with small flocks burning wool seems terrible waste, seen fleece on ebay maybe outlet to sell? maybe dan would like 500 pairs socks for xmas..................................neil
Title: Re: What to do with fleece
Post by: dixie on March 11, 2010, 09:23:17 am: Contact Thewoollyshepherd on here, she uses fleece and can help you get the most from yours.
Title: Re: What to do with fleece
Post by: sagehen on March 11, 2010, 10:26:18 am: Neil's right, I've heard nothing but grumbles about how much the wool board is paying for fleeces, and someone I know even had a bill off them for cleaning the fleeces because apparently they were too dirty. I'd love to have them but you're too far away, and I'd probably be inundated with fleeces later anyway (I'm just being greedy here ;D). Is there a spinning group/knitting group near you that would appreciate the fleeces if you donated them? There's also ebay - people do sell whole fleeces there but the postage will be pretty expensive obviously because of the weight.
Title: Re: What to do with fleece
Post by: woollyval on March 11, 2010, 01:52:18 pm: Hello Rosemary

I can process your fleeces ready to handspin.....they comeback all washed and ready carded! Or I can just wash them for you to sell on!
Coloured Ryeland is fantastic for knitting and processing wool is what I do for my living!!!

If you can get 75kg plus of coloured Ryeland down to me....join with some other breeders to get enough, it can be commercially spun after I have done my bit!

Ryeland does not wet felt well but we will have a 60inch needlefelter in operation in the next few weeks so can neeclefelt it into long rolls of felt if you wanted (any quantity!)
Title: Re: What to do with fleece
Post by: dixie on March 11, 2010, 01:58:32 pm: Hi Woolly, do you want mine? I'll have 7 mule, 1 jacob, and 2 black fleeces?
Title: Re: What to do with fleece
Post by: MurmuringWheel on March 11, 2010, 08:40:47 pm: Sagehen is right.

If you can be bothered, bag it up in small lots and stick it on eBay. You will make more for 1-200g at a time than you will for a whole fleece in some cases! Looking at ended listings, some white Ryeland has been selling for about £1.70 for 200g raw.

Is there anyone near you who teaches spinning that would welcome them? I get through tons when I'm doing workshops. I would offer to have them myself as I know that your wool is lovely but having a shearer for a brother means I have an over abundance of fleece already!

I will keep my ears open in case I hear of anyone who might be interested too.
Title: Re: What to do with fleece
Post by: woollyval on March 11, 2010, 10:12:29 pm: I will take your fleeces Dixie.....but can I make anything out of them for you....mule is often really good quality.......due to the blue face sire!
Title: Re: What to do with fleece
Post by: dixie on March 11, 2010, 11:00:56 pm: Thanks woolly I will speak to you nearer the time, I cant throw it away, usually I give it away to forumers that want it!!