The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Sheep => Topic started by: horsemadmummy on April 30, 2012, 10:32:26 am

Title: fleeces where to get them washed and spun devon
Post by: horsemadmummy on April 30, 2012, 10:32:26 am

i want to get organised this year for my fleeces and would like to get them washed and spun so I could knit with them (we have 5 children) I live in devon anyone tell me how I would go about this?  thanks in advance for replies

Title: Re: fleeces where to get them washed and spun devon
Post by: SingingShearer on April 30, 2012, 10:36:36 am

Hi,

You could try http://www.halifaxspinningcompany.co.uk/ (http://www.halifaxspinningcompany.co.uk/) he can do from 1 fleece upwards and isn't too expensive.

Philip :sheep:

Title: Re: fleeces where to get them washed and spun devon
Post by: Fleecewife on April 30, 2012, 12:02:16 pm

Halifax did my last couple of lots and made a great job of them, but they are up in Yorkshire.  The Natural Fibre Co are down in the SW so could be more appropriate, although they have a minimum run of about 20kgs (if you don't have that much in one year or of one colour, you can save up a couple of years worth if you store it carefully). 
There are also a number of smaller enterprises setting up with MiniMills, so try googling.

Title: Re: fleeces where to get them washed and spun devon
Post by: Pedwardine on April 30, 2012, 12:39:26 pm

I'd say Natural Fibre Co too.

Title: Re: fleeces where to get them washed and spun devon
Post by: SingingShearer on April 30, 2012, 01:23:22 pm

I would compare the prices, Paul at Halifax Spinning Mill does a good job and uses mill machine's which can do a better job than mini mills.

Philip :sheep:

Title: Re: fleeces where to get them washed and spun devon
Post by: woollyval on April 30, 2012, 03:41:49 pm

If you just want them washed its really easy to do it your self...seriously!.... and I can run a day here if anyone in SW wants to know exactly how to do it and bring a fleece along to sort and wash. Having had a wool business and washed hundreds and hundreds of fleeces I know exactly how to get the perfect result!

However if you want fleeces washed and spun I reccommend a big mill....like NFC or Halifax as big mill machinery is best in my opinion.

Title: Re: fleeces where to get them washed and spun devon
Post by: smithycraft on April 30, 2012, 04:22:49 pm

I'm just in the middle of washing a fleece - any tips welcome for a better result.

Title: Re: fleeces where to get them washed and spun devon
Post by: woollyval on April 30, 2012, 09:37:18 pm

60 degrees minimum for washing AND rinsing otherwise the lanolin cannot 'melt' and wash out. Use soap flakes and washing soda combined. Wear rubber gloves and always spin using spin dryer or washing machine that goes straight to spin. Never machine wash or use bio detergent......hope that helps!

Title: Re: fleeces where to get them washed and spun devon
Post by: jaykay on April 30, 2012, 09:59:05 pm

Seriously, you do it in the machine?
I thought I had to do it in the bath........

Title: Re: fleeces where to get them washed and spun devon
Post by: woollyval on April 30, 2012, 10:10:27 pm

Nooo sorry if not clear! Only spin in machine.....and only if its one that goes straight to spin!!!!

Title: Re: fleeces where to get them washed and spun devon
Post by: smithycraft on April 30, 2012, 10:19:53 pm

Thanks for that, never tried soap flakes and washing soda.  I'll give it a try.  I'm using a twin tub to soak with very hot water and a separate spin dryer.

Title: Re: fleeces where to get them washed and spun devon
Post by: jaykay on May 01, 2012, 06:01:19 am

Oh well, that had to be too easy  :D

Title: Re: fleeces where to get them washed and spun devon
Post by: MrsJ on May 01, 2012, 10:52:26 am

I did mine in a plasterer's bath in the kitchen.  Only when I'd finished the first wash did I realise that I had no way to empty the water away, other than bail it out!!!  I should have done it in the ordinary bath but thought I'd save myself having to clean it afterwards.  Duh!

Title: Re: fleeces where to get them washed and spun devon
Post by: FiB on May 01, 2012, 01:59:56 pm

a twin tub!!!!  (goes immediately to ebay.....) :wave:

Title: Re: fleeces where to get them washed and spun devon
Post by: woollyval on May 01, 2012, 04:53:53 pm

Quote from: FiB on May 01, 2012, 01:59:56 pm

a twin tub!!!!  (goes immediately to ebay.....) :wave:

:thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup:

Title: Re: fleeces where to get them washed and spun devon
Post by: Bramblecot on May 01, 2012, 10:15:07 pm

And I've just given away my mum's old spin dryer  ::) ::) Doh!