What do you do with all of that wool?
We get asked that question a lot. In the past we have sold raw fleeces after they are skirted.
This year we are doing something different. We are going to take it from raw fleece to a roving (which is processed wool that is ready to spin, felt, etc.)
The first thing we do is take a fleece and skirt it. Skirting is the process in which VM(vegetable matter) or other debris is taken out of the wool along with wool that is stained, matted, or is inconsistent with the bulk of the fleece. Belly, head, and leg wool has already been discarded at the time of shearing.
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| Removing a burr found in the fleece |
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| Removing Short pieces of wool not consistent with fleece |
We use a table to skirt the fleeces on. We would like to build a skirting table which is designed with just the right spacing for second cuts, dirt, and VM to fall to the floor. That is on the to do list...
After a fleece has been skirted it is ready for washing.
Your sheep must feel so naked after all that comes off, lol.
ReplyDeleteI know the girls always laugh at how funny they look when it comes off.
DeleteThe sheep don't seem to mind :)
So interesting -- love the idea of using your own wool/fleece for knitting, etc... Thanks for sharing this. xo
ReplyDeleteOh this is very interesting I know nothing about sheep and wool. B
ReplyDeleteAhh, I'm interested to see what you do with it after it's roving. Will you spin it? I have just learned this past year to spin and it's really relaxing once I get 'in the zone'. I'm spinning angora wool right now, I haven't tried anything else but rabbit.
ReplyDelete~Kristi@Let This Mind Be in You
I am a novice spinner but plan on using some. We are hoping to be able to sell the Roving.
DeleteWow, so much work!
ReplyDeleteVery interesting. Thanks for coming to the HomeAcre Hop. Come back and see us this week: http://everythinghomewithcarol.com/self-sufficient-homeacre-hop-3/
ReplyDelete