The Accidental Smallholder Forum
Livestock => Sheep => Topic started by: Bionic on June 02, 2013, 04:32:44 pm
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The subject line probably says it all. Once they have been shorn I want to know the proper way of rolling the fleece up. I think that ultimately you tie it with the neck wool but I'm not sure what happens before that.
I can't find anything on u-tube although have probably been searching incorrectly.
Anyone got a good link?
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Here you go… :sheep:
http://www.britishwool.org.uk/fleecefpres.asp?pageid=53 (http://www.britishwool.org.uk/fleecefpres.asp?pageid=53)
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Thanks badgerface. Why didn't I think of looking at the Wool marketing board? Doh.......
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You're rot Bionic - I searched a bit too and nothing came up under the usual terms. How odd. Glad you got yr link though. We are going to do ours soon.
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If you're sending them to the Wool Board then yes, wrap them as shown.
If you're keeping any for handspinning, you may want to amend the process slightly. If you can manage it, skirt them thoroughly first, then wrap as for Wool Board but not so tightly. Fleecewife has written up somewhere that if you can let the fleeces air stretched out flat for a while before wrapping, that's helpful. Ideally, don't stretch and distort the neck wool - and you may prefer to not make a hole in the fleece to tuck the neck wool in, but simply hold the fleece together while you put it in its paper, cotton or polyprop sack and tie the neck of the sack (or pillowcase.)
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Thanks Sally, yes as you have guessed they are definitely NOT going to the wool board. I have my poly sacks ready for use.
I can stretch them out in the stable for a bit bit will skirt them before I wrap them.
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I have just had my few sheep shorn and have the fleeces to wrap so this is a very timely post :thumbsup: not sure what to do with them now though... I don't spin or anything myself. Who will buy them? I have 4 mongrel (pet lamb) fleeces and 5 Portland fleeces. Any tips?
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Freecycle? or Ebay for the Portland ones? Quite unusual!
Maybe local SWD Guild?
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I folded mine as per the instructions on the WMB website and when I took one to the spinning group with me someons said "oh its so nice to see a fleece folded properly".
I felt quite chuffed :)
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Portland can be really nice for handspinning - do you have a spinning group or Guild near you, LadyEarth?
The pet lamb fleeces are less likely to be very interesting.
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No clue about a spinning guild ??? Will google...
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No clue about a spinning guild ??? Will google...
Affiliated Guilds are listed here (http://www.wsd.org.uk/guilds.htm). Non-affiliated Guilds, and local spinning groups, may be listed on Ravelry here (http://www.ravelry.com/discuss/uk-fibre-and-yarn-events/2321941/1-25#1) for regular meetings or here (http://www.ravelry.com/discuss/uk-fibre-and-yarn-events/1997414/1-25#1) for special events.
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Ladyearth, If you are anywhere near Somerset there is a fleece sale tomorrow at Hatch Beauchamp. I am taking mine there for the first time :fc: . The fleeces have to be rolled, weighed and priced ::) . Other groups may have sales in your area.