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Author Topic: fleeces where to get them washed and spun devon  (Read 6625 times)

horsemadmummy

  • Joined Feb 2010
fleeces where to get them washed and spun devon
« 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

SingingShearer

  • Joined Mar 2010
  • South Yorkshire
    • Singing Shearer
Re: fleeces where to get them washed and spun devon
« Reply #1 on: April 30, 2012, 10:36:36 am »
Hi,

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

Philip :sheep:

Fleecewife

  • Joined May 2010
  • South Lanarkshire
    • ScotHebs
Re: fleeces where to get them washed and spun devon
« Reply #2 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.
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Pedwardine

  • Joined Feb 2012
  • South Lincolnshire
Re: fleeces where to get them washed and spun devon
« Reply #3 on: April 30, 2012, 12:39:26 pm »
I'd say Natural Fibre Co too.

SingingShearer

  • Joined Mar 2010
  • South Yorkshire
    • Singing Shearer
Re: fleeces where to get them washed and spun devon
« Reply #4 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:

woollyval

  • Joined Feb 2008
  • Near Bodmin, Cornwall
    • Val Grainger
    • Facebook
Re: fleeces where to get them washed and spun devon
« Reply #5 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.
www.valgrainger.co.uk

Overall winner of the Devon Environmental Business Awards 2009

smithycraft

  • Joined Apr 2012
Re: fleeces where to get them washed and spun devon
« Reply #6 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.

woollyval

  • Joined Feb 2008
  • Near Bodmin, Cornwall
    • Val Grainger
    • Facebook
Re: fleeces where to get them washed and spun devon
« Reply #7 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!
www.valgrainger.co.uk

Overall winner of the Devon Environmental Business Awards 2009

jaykay

  • Joined Aug 2012
  • Cumbria/N Yorks border
Re: fleeces where to get them washed and spun devon
« Reply #8 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........

woollyval

  • Joined Feb 2008
  • Near Bodmin, Cornwall
    • Val Grainger
    • Facebook
Re: fleeces where to get them washed and spun devon
« Reply #9 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!!!!
www.valgrainger.co.uk

Overall winner of the Devon Environmental Business Awards 2009

smithycraft

  • Joined Apr 2012
Re: fleeces where to get them washed and spun devon
« Reply #10 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.

jaykay

  • Joined Aug 2012
  • Cumbria/N Yorks border
Re: fleeces where to get them washed and spun devon
« Reply #11 on: May 01, 2012, 06:01:19 am »
Oh well, that had to be too easy  :D

MrsJ

  • Joined Jan 2009
Re: fleeces where to get them washed and spun devon
« Reply #12 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!

FiB

  • Joined Sep 2011
  • Bala, North Wales
    • Facebook
Re: fleeces where to get them washed and spun devon
« Reply #13 on: May 01, 2012, 01:59:56 pm »
a twin tub!!!!  (goes immediately to ebay.....) :wave:

woollyval

  • Joined Feb 2008
  • Near Bodmin, Cornwall
    • Val Grainger
    • Facebook
Re: fleeces where to get them washed and spun devon
« Reply #14 on: May 01, 2012, 04:53:53 pm »
a twin tub!!!!  (goes immediately to ebay.....) :wave:
:thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
www.valgrainger.co.uk

Overall winner of the Devon Environmental Business Awards 2009

 

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