The Accidental Smallholder Forum
Food & crafts => Crafts => Topic started by: Shnoowie on November 02, 2012, 09:56:50 am
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Hi everyone,
I'm looking for a bit of help! :-\
I've got a lovely lot of fleeces from our Ryelands this year and I would like to get them cleaned, carded and spun ready for selling. I can do all of this but my spinning is not quite uniform enough (in my opinion) to sell, and I don't have enough time to spin 20 fleeces!
The Natural Fibre Company is only half an hour or so from me, but I can't afford their prices (being a student who is trying to save for a wedding and pay half a mortgage - what was I thinking?!). I spoke to Cold Harbour Mill today and was told that they don't spin it, but will card it...but I still have to wash it and then get it spun.
Can anyone help? I'm happy to wash and card the wool, but I just need somewhere/someone who can spin it at a price I can afford! :sheep:
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Shnoowie, your spinning is probably perfectly good enough. People who want to buy handspun don't want a uniform yarn that looks machine-made; they'd buy a machine-made yarn if they did! ;) :D
But yes, 20 fleeces is a lot.
Your local Guild of Spinners, Weavers and Dyers (http://www.wsd.org.uk/guilds.htm) will probably have one or two professional spinners who may be prepared to spin up your fleece for you. They will also be able to give you advice about how and where to prepare the fleece for spinning; it's really not just a matter of washing it and shoving it through the drum carder, that just gives you neppy awfulness that is no pleasure to spin and makes garments that pill. (And be aware that there are some operations offering a carding service who don't seem to know that. ;) )
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Thanks, Sally. :D I've been looking at a variety of washing and carding techniques and have been trying out different sorts to see how the wool comes out when spun.
I shall have a look at my local group and see what they can do!
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It won't be cheap however you get it spun :( .
The slight advantage of millspun is that it's cheap(er) and consistent but to most buyers it's just like any other yarn they may buy, so is priced accordingly. Handspun is very special but has a limited market because it has to be sold at such a premium. Skilled hand dyeing will add greater 'must have' so should sell better.
My advice would be to investigate your market and do your sums before committing to getting it spun anywhere, especially when money is so tight.
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Hi Shnoowie, I know you're west and we're east side, but I have heard many good things said about these people, if it helps at all...
http://www.diamondfibres.co.uk/site_map.htm
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Thanks, SmallTime. I'll have a look at them!
I've got a while to do some research; I've got to wash and card all the fleeces before they even see a wheel!