[laurelrus]

Our three pet Ouessants were sheared (shorn?) this morning and I'm not sure where or how to go about getting the wool processed. We'd like to have it back as knitting or crafting wool. If anyone can point me in the right direction I'd be grateful! (We're in Buckinghamshire).
Thanks

[bj_cardiff]

If you look on youtube there are lots of clips about how to do it yourself

[Fleecewife]

You mostly need to have 20-25 kg of fleece for it to be processed to yarn by the big companies.  Do a search for small processors who might do such a small amount.  The weight requirement is because the machinery has to be cleaned after each batch.
With just 3 small sheep, learning to shear and spin yourself is the best way to go  .  Handspinning retains the character of the fleece and it remains something special.  You could save up your fleeces for years to get the required amount for mill processing, but it would be a long time before you had enough, and it would need to be stored carefully.


It's vaguely possible that someone, for example on Ravelry (which is a huge international knitting, spinning and weaving forum, which has many British groups) would spin it for you, for a fee.  It's worth trying there.


Oh yes, it is 'shorn' 

[kanisha]

after skirting its unlikely that you will have a great quantity of fibre. far better to use what you have to learn a few skills  and understanding of wool - fibre care and preperation. For example is it VM free or at least relatively? has it felted at all? any second cuts?.
Ouessant wool can be extremely good and or very poor dependng on how hard a life its had and the quality of the fibre to start with.

You can get started for little to no cost with dog slicker brushes to card and a drop spindle to spin   a few hand spun yarns of mine. Only after many goes at learning and with help from fellow fibre enthusiasts.

http://ravel.me/kanisha/rwo

http://ravel.me/kanisha/wpoa

http://ravel.me/kanisha/w1