Happy Wednesday! Looks like you had a good trip to OFF! That super dark Romney is gorgeous, especially with the brown alpaca mixed in. Any thoughts on another Mill Day?😁💜
I'd also love to hear some info for how much one should pay for fleeces - it obviously varies a lot by quality of the fleece and breed etc, but is there a ballpark for maybe avg not amazing fleeces vs high end hand spinning fleeces? it's so hard when you're new to buying them to even know where to start, and I find since many raising sheep aren't doing it for the wool they often don't have a good idea on what's a fair price either so it's helpful to have a fair starting price when you approach them. ty!
What is the name of your washing machine, and could you go over the washing process in more detail in a future video? I have always soaked for a day or two in cold water, as you did, and then I soak in soapy water, maybe five to fifteen times before the fleece is clean, longer for alpaca because they are dusty buggers. I have been looking for a better method for years. I have often thought of trying enzymes, because they are said to clean the fleece without stripping of its lanolin, and without any agitation, but alas, I cannot find a company who makes such enzymes.
Hi! I have handspun ouessant yarn that I soaked in cold water for 20 min before spinning. After spinning I did hot water with hand soap for 20 min then rinse it out with hot water. My zwartbles wool came out beautifully this way but my ouessant yarn keeps stinking. It smells like dirt and it's still very oily. Do you have any tips?
The cold water soak is only going to loosen up some of the dirt. You need to have very hot water and soap to get off the greasy lanolin. After a cold soak i wash the fleece in hot water and soap. This should help take the smell out too.
Yes. I'm not sure I'd use the word tear but disorganized for sure. If you are wanting to comb the fibers this is not the ideal way to go. You could still cold soak but much more organized. Since I'm generally carding at my mill or carding in general, intact lock structure is not as important due to picking, carding etc.
You inspired me to try to cold soak some fleece and it worked great!! Thanks a bunch!
Wonderful!!! So glad you liked it. I was thinking I better get my dirtiest fleeces done before it gets too cold!
It would be great for you to go over buying a fleece. What to look for, what to avoid, what would make a good beginning fleece to spin. What to avoid
I did do a recent audio podcast on this! Within the last month or so. I could certainly touch on it on a video episode too
Loving your episodes!
You made my day! Thank you!
omg! that romney/alpaca!!
I know!!!!!! I want to run away with it. The color blend is beautiful chocolate.
Thanks 😊 dear
Happy Wednesday! Looks like you had a good trip to OFF! That super dark Romney is gorgeous, especially with the brown alpaca mixed in. Any thoughts on another Mill Day?😁💜
It is lovely!!! Mill day, likely not until very end of October. I have 2 trips in the next month. Phew!
I'd also love to hear some info for how much one should pay for fleeces - it obviously varies a lot by quality of the fleece and breed etc, but is there a ballpark for maybe avg not amazing fleeces vs high end hand spinning fleeces? it's so hard when you're new to buying them to even know where to start, and I find since many raising sheep aren't doing it for the wool they often don't have a good idea on what's a fair price either so it's helpful to have a fair starting price when you approach them. ty!
Great! I'll be sure to talk about this. You are right it totally varies but I can give you some good guidelines for sure.
About how much are you paying for fleeces? I have my own Merino but I bought an alpaca fleece for $40. Not sure if that was a decent price?
I'll be sure to talk about this in my next episode. In theory $40 is a great price! Totally depends on fleece quality etc. Thank you for the question!
What is the name of your washing machine, and could you go over the washing process in more detail in a future video? I have always soaked for a day or two in cold water, as you did, and then I soak in soapy water, maybe five to fifteen times before the fleece is clean, longer for alpaca because they are dusty buggers. I have been looking for a better method for years. I have often thought of trying enzymes, because they are said to clean the fleece without stripping of its lanolin, and without any agitation, but alas, I cannot find a company who makes such enzymes.
Hi! I have handspun ouessant yarn that I soaked in cold water for 20 min before spinning. After spinning I did hot water with hand soap for 20 min then rinse it out with hot water. My zwartbles wool came out beautifully this way but my ouessant yarn keeps stinking. It smells like dirt and it's still very oily. Do you have any tips?
The cold water soak is only going to loosen up some of the dirt. You need to have very hot water and soap to get off the greasy lanolin. After a cold soak i wash the fleece in hot water and soap. This should help take the smell out too.
This method seems to tear up the lock structure.
Yes. I'm not sure I'd use the word tear but disorganized for sure. If you are wanting to comb the fibers this is not the ideal way to go. You could still cold soak but much more organized. Since I'm generally carding at my mill or carding in general, intact lock structure is not as important due to picking, carding etc.