Author Topic: wanted a fleece for a novice spinner... central scotland... (Read 2603 times)

bloomer · « **on:** October 05, 2014, 05:42:20 pm »

hi

dearest daughter is getting a spinning wheel for christmas (her request) i am after a fleece for her to practice on it doesn't need to be super duper but ideally something that will spin easily enough...

can collect in central scotland or pay delivery etc let me know what you have available please...

thanks

animalcrackers · « **Reply #1 on:** October 05, 2014, 06:06:03 pm »

I would suggest you contact BALLOCH they will be able to help

Womble · « **Reply #2 on:** October 05, 2014, 06:08:24 pm »

How about one from one of our Manx Loaghtans Bloomer? They're sitting here just begging for somebody to do something with them, and I have neither the time nor talent!

We roo'd the fleece off this year, and it was their first shearing, so super soft and lovely!

bloomer · « **Reply #3 on:** October 05, 2014, 06:10:52 pm »

yes please mr womble sir....

thank you that sounds ideal

ellied · « **Reply #4 on:** October 06, 2014, 08:59:36 am »

You do know that if you're starting her from a fleece she needs a lot more presents than just the wheel? Carders and such?

Plenty know more than I do but my guess is the early stages will be crucial to her longer term aspirations but might add complexity to the challenge of learning spinning itself for a beginner?

Womble · « **Reply #5 on:** October 06, 2014, 09:44:07 am »

OK, you're on!

Depending on how she gets on, I'd love to buy some of the finished product back from her too. The wonkier and more uneven the better of course!

Anke · « **Reply #6 on:** October 06, 2014, 12:13:08 pm »

I am not sure if Manx Longhtan is one of the easier fleeces to spin for a novice - it may be more successful to buy carded batts from one of the suppliers so she can get on with actual spinning rather than having to spend a lot of time with the fleece preparation... Carding is a skill that has to be learned too, and I now find that using a drum carder makes so much nicer (and larger batts) than the tedious (and often painful) hand carding...

Slightly rougher wool is also easier for a beginner.

Fleecewife · « **Reply #7 on:** October 06, 2014, 12:23:54 pm »

I started with a kilo of BFL carded tops - not v expensive and great to learn on

. After that I proceeded on to raw fleece. Starting with the tops meant I could learn what the fleece prep needed to achieve, and I could do some straight spinning without having to stop frequently to sort and card more. It gave me an idea of the extra equipment I needed too. So I agree with Anke's suggestion. Try Scottish Fibres, but still get Womble's Manx fleece

Bionic · « **Reply #8 on:** October 06, 2014, 03:23:17 pm »

Yep, agree, start with tops

bloomer · « **Reply #9 on:** October 06, 2014, 03:40:12 pm »

have ordered some tops for her to start on and am after a fleece as well so she has options of where she wants to start, there are carders and some other stuff organised as well i believe (mrs b in charge) i just told to find some fleece that if it really goes wrong doesn't matter :-)

BALLOCH · « **Reply #10 on:** October 06, 2014, 07:04:09 pm »

Hi I sell raw fleece,and also carded batts of wool can do mixes of different colour and breeds,also sell washed uncarded fleece too,lots of rare breeds and x breeds to choose from,also have drop spindlespeg looms and some spinning wheels for sale,can post message me if you need any help.Agree that manx wouldn't be easy to start with as quite short fibre.