Wool Washing ~ Love Ewe Farm's Romney, Mr. Bates
Вставка
- Опубліковано 25 лип 2024
- Video #3 in the series following Mr. Bates' fleece, showing you all of the steps involved in hand processing a fleece through to the finished item.
Feel free to post a comment and let me know what you think of the video and ask any questions you like !
--
My website: thenaturalspinner.com
To contact me directly, please send email to: thenaturalspinner@yahoo.com
Find me on Ravelry: TheNaturalSpinner
If you’d like to see things I’ve made to sell, check out my Etsy Shop:
www.etsy.com/shop/TheNaturalS...
For some older blog posts: kimberlysheirloomcrafts.blogsp...
If you would like ‘in person’ help, I’d be happy to Facetime/Zoom/Skype with you, just email to set up a time.
Periodically I offer classes on fleece selection, combing and spinning. Check my website for the current list of offerings. If you, your guild, or someone you know is interested in having me come and teach, please send me an email.
-Kimberly ☺
So helpful, no fuss, simple foolproof care methods, keeping the fleece's integrity the whole time. I like the pre wash rinse in cold water, so much dirt gone allowing the detergents into the greese.
Hi Sue, I now soak for about 20 minutes in tap hot water which I think works a bit better than cold overnight except in instances where there is caked mud or the like, where time is needed to loosen the dirt. Twenty minutes in hot is extremely good at removing dust, suint and other loose dirt.
Hi Kimberly! It’s Laura from the MD Sheep & Wool fleece barn! 😊 This video is so inspiring! I’m excited to wash & comb Angie’s fleece, and I feel like your basket system is just right for me. Thank you again for all your help! 💗
Hi Laura, I hope all goes well with your washing and combing! Let me know if you ever have any questions, I'm always available to help, via email or Zoom.
OMG I also use those tray baskets from the Dollar Tree to wash my fleece. I was wondering the whole time why it was necessary to be so careful with a whole fleece to keep it intact. But you’ve answered my question by doing lock by lock. I feel it’s easier to get vm out that way. I like the basket method too. Thank you so much. I am new to this whole raw fleece and spinning thing.
Hi Dana, Yes, I LOVE those baskets, they are perfect for lock washing! I just did some locks recently for my upcoming combing class at the Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival and they turned out so perfectly intact! If you ever have any questions, don't hesitate to contact me via email. -Kimberly : )
Best video I've watched for washing raw fleece. Loved the basket ave bucket method. This helped me figure out how to wash mine that will work for me. Great video. Thank you.
You're so welcome! Thank You for your comment. I'm glad it helped! :)
I will soon be washing my first fleece, and I’m so glad I ran across your video. It looks like the best method by far of all the fleece washing videos I’ve seen. Thank you so much for taking the time to create this. I also really enjoyed the combing video. I’ll be watching all of the videos when I get a chance.
Hi Mary, Glad to help. I tend to do things in a very controlled way. I measure the Power Scour and set a timer for the same time for each wash. I add boiling water to the tap water when needed and also check the temp with a thermometer. This allows for the same results each time and really clean fleece. I'm easy to reach via email and always happy to help. Thanks for posting a comment. -Kimberly : )
TheNaturalSpinner: over the last two days I washed my first fleece after buying some baskets similar to yours from a dollar store. It turned out beautifully! I went from a stuck-together, dirty fleece to a huge pile of silky soft, fluffy fiber. I still have to comb it, but I’m very happy with the results and could spin it as is if I wanted. Thanks again!
Really like your videos....thankyou so much. Like you, I absolutely love fleece, and love all the processes, today im washing .....its exciting...thakyou again. Im in Australia and its a very hot day...perfect for drying. Im in my happy place. Cheers
Thank you Janice! Fleece = Happiness…absolutely!!
Great video! Thanks so much
You're so welcome! Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment! ~ Kimberly
Thank you for providing this awesome educational video! You’re a fabulous speaker and instructor.
Thank you for the kind words :)
Excellent video. I especially liked your use of plastic baskets from the dollar tree. Im heading out to buy some right now!
Thanks! Did you find any and did they work for you? -Kimberly
Ooooooo I would love some Mr Bates fleece. It would be my second raw fleece adventure. And with this video it should be MUCH easier than my last attempt.
I just discovered your videos. I've found myself watching every single one, one-by-one, they're so informative and lovely to watch. Thank you for taking the time to make them! I've learned so much and can't wait to tackle the fleece I have.
Happy to enable ;-) I'm so glad you enjoy the videos :) I hope you find joy in processing your fleece! -Kimberly
Thanks for a brilliant video. I love washing wool also. We have muddy fields in western Washington so lots of dirty tips which I have been known to soak for a week in rainwater. Since I use only rainwater I heat on an outside double burner camp stove with large canning kettles. I'm washing Romeldale right now so I'm letting it sit until lukewarm. I skim off any lanolin before taking out. Love your drying racks. You have done another great video. Thanks so much!
Extremely informative! I was relaxed watching you work the fleece. Thanks for sharing.
It's relaxing to do it :) -Kimberly
Your way of washing locks is ingenious. This is very helpful! Thank you.
Glad you found it helpful. I didn't invent this, but I do enjoy passing on knowledge.
I love this video! Helpful, concise, no music to distract! I've had problems before trying to clean fleece. This is the way I will process from now on. Thank you for the upload.
You are welcome and I'm very happy you got something useful out of the video! -Kimberly
Thank you for this video! I'm in the process of start washing raw fleece, spin it and knit with it so this was very helpful and still is 😂 I keep watching it waiting for the wool to come 🤭🤭🤭
I am very glad you found it helpful! -Kimberly
I have learned so much from your videos. You have given me the confidence to process fleece. I am thoroughly enjoying it. Thank you so very much for sharing and giving me a chance to experience it. Your videos are my favorites and I recommend them to others quite often.
That’s really very kind of you :) I’m so happy that you find them useful. Hearing that always gives me the motivation to continue making more!
Thank you so much!! -Kimberly
I am glad you show this process
You are welcome and I hope you found it useful : )
Thanks for posting I found this very interesting I'm a hand piecer and hand quilter I enjoy see all different kinds of crafts and artist at work take care
Glad you found it interesting and thanks for posting! -Kimberly
I would love to try Mr. Bates fleece, thank you !!!
Thank you! My first fleece which is a Romney will be arriving soon. This is VERY helpful!!!
That's wonderful! Do let me know how you like it and what you do with it : )
wow this is a really nice setup you have figured out!
Thanks! I find it works really well. :)
Your videos are informative and very relaxing to watch. Your voice is very calming.
Thanks for the kind comment! -Kimberly
I would love some of Mr. Bates' fleece. One can never have too much fibre in their stash!!! I think you and I were separated at birth, I wash my fleece just like you with mesh baskets... works brilliantly! I also can spend hours just sorting the fleece for washing. I LOVE your drying rack wonderful way to repurpose. I use bread bread bins from a bakery that are stackable, works wonderfully. You have inspired me to want to make some videos of my own... happy washing and spinning. xx
I love to be inspired and if feels good to be someone else's inspiration!
I certainly didn't Invent this method, but it does work wonderfully!!
-Kimberly :)
Thank you so much for sharing your tips and fiber washing techniques. I just finished spinning up a pound of raw Romney fleece, but would love to try some of the 'Mr. Bates' fleece as well :)
You are quite welcome, glad to be of help!
-Kimberly :)
Thanks for posting another lovely video! I am still trying to find time to pick up fiber and play with it, but the TdF has helped with that a bit. I definitely miss fiber prep, but this video is another poke to do it :D I have lots of raw alpaca to play with. I'd also love to enter the drawing for some of Mr Bates' fleece.
TdF has helped me to get some fibers out of hibernation and spun up!
-Kimberly :)
I’ll try this method. Thx
Super video. I like your process. My CVM couldnt handle that much squeeze, but the trays would be perfect. Thank you!!
Hi and thanks for leaving a comment! Glad you liked it :)
-Kimberly
Great way to wash and separate out a fleece. I also spin and knit.
Thank you for sharing! Much easier than the way I have been doing!
Glad you found it helpful!
Great video. Love your drying racks!
Thanks! They're pretty handy to have : ) - Kimberly
thank you so much, such great ideas. love it
Glad you like it!
Oh wow! I am just AMAZED at your method. How very cool is that. I'm off to the Dollar Tree to buy those plastic trays. What a great method. I hope they still have them. I have a Jacob's fleece I bought and it will be such an easier way to do the washing. I'm going to watch all your videos. Thanks so much!
Thank You! You are so welcome and I am very happy that you enjoy the videos :)
I just love your videos!
I'm so happy that you love them! Thank you :) -Kimberly
Great video with a lot of specific information.......loved it! It helped me to see how you prepared your fleece for washing. I have washed fleece once and hoped I was doing it correctly. I have some fleece with locks to wash so this is a great help. Thank you. I also would like to be in the drawing for Mr. Bate's fleece.
Experience is the best teacher. I've been doing it long enough to know what not to do and along the way I've figured out more effecient ways of doing it.
Glad it helped you :)
-Kimberly
congrats!!
Thank you for the great video!
You're welcome! Glad you liked it! -Kimberly
I would love to process and spin some of Mr. Bates fleece. Romney is one that I haven't gotten to work on from the raw fleece. I like to spin in various public demonstrations, and try to have as many different fleeces and finished yarns as I can to show people how varied and versatile different wools are.
thankyou Kimberly . i am a beginner and i like your methods.. xx off to buy baskets.
My local Dollar Tree just got in new baskets! Yay!!
I hope you enjoy washing your fleece :)
-Kimberly
Thank you for your tips on skirting and washing. I look forward to washing my next fleece using your technique which is much simpler than the way I did my first two. OMG why didn't I find your technique first. Please enter me for Bates' fleece.
I hope you have better results with your future fleece adventures :)
-Kimberly
OMG What a fabulous video 😀Will definitely be using your method. Thank you so much for taking the time to show us newbies how to do it properly. Will you be making anymore videos?
Yes, eventually.
Hi Kim :) What a great way to wash fleece, thank you so much for sharing. Already looking forward to your next video. And could I please be entered in the drawing for Mr Bates fleece? I'd be willing to pay for the shipping to Sweden myself... Best wishes, Lisa :)
Thank you so much! Like you said there are so many ways of doing things and I am totally new to this. YOU made sense to me and answered so many of my questions! Thank you!
So glad! Feel free to ask questions any time. -Kimberly
@@thenaturalspinner Thank you! I do have a question about getting any locks out after you wash a grouping, like in your round baskets. I have played around with washing, not agitating, and I still have a problem actually getting locks out as so much is just connected fibers that are all stretched out. Feels like I will waste a lot. How do you make sure you can still locate locks? Though I am going to use your separate lock way of washing now!
In my combing Mr Bates video I show how I pull locks out of the round basket washed fiber. I'm not concerned about direction, just that they are parallel. That should help. Also, don't overload the comb. Put on just a bit, comb it off, then add more and comb that off until you have filled the moving comb to desired amount. Does that make sense? It will help to reduce waste doing it that way, as opposed to fully loading up the stationary comb and combing it all off in one go. The little bits at a time can be spread out, which will help to reduce waste. Give it a try and let me know how it works for you. I may have to make a short video focusing on just that technique. - Kimberly
@@thenaturalspinner thank you. I watched that video but your wool looks so wispy and long compared to what I have. I made a couple combs and hackle and have attempted that technique. I got a lot of waste which is ok as I will use for stuffing. I am working with rambouillet and bfs right now. Do they behave differently than your fiber? Also love your lock washing technique! My son couldn't find those baskets so I took racks and put clothes between them. Found baskets at dollar tree today! Excited. Thanks for listening and helping. You are straight forward and think outside the box and I love that.
Hi Juju, Glad you found the baskets, they are wonderful (and not expensive). Rambouillet and Blue Faced Leicester (I'm guessing that is what you meant by bfs?) are different from each other. Rambouillet is fine and the locks are usually blocky and tightly packed, whereas the BFL is curly and the locks are like little fingers. Each needs to be worked differently. Too much to go into here, but it does give me ideas for future videos. I just posted a video on what I do with combing waste. Thanks for posting a comment! - Kimberly
Very helpful. Thanks.
You are very welcome and I'm glad you found it useful! -Kimberly
Yeah!! I can finally stop holding my breath! This was a great video. Thanks for doing it. Now I just have to find those baskets and trays and a couple of large buckets ! Please add my name to the Bates fleece drawing.
Great video
Thanks!
Sensational videos!😎🤙
I got my 1st fleece ever. Free. Way Dirty . But wow in a bucket of Dawn and hot tap water it went from yellow to white in the 1st wash. I did 2 more washes then 1 rinse. But its wet and I think I felted it. What characteristics are felted wool?
My grandmother used to sew wool into blankets for winter. She would create a dinner roll type shape with material then stuff each pocket with wool. I'd love to try it now.
Very good show on the video !
best wishes from Helga , Germany
Thank you!! -Kimberly
My favorite video on washing fleece. So clear & concise; so many great tips. Can you share the name of the fleece rinse that you use?
So happy you enjoyed the video and found it helpful! The rinse is Unicorn Fibre Rinse. It isn't necessary and when I run out I'll likely either experiment with some hair conditioner or not use anything in the final rinse.
I would love to work with Mr. Bates fleece, ~ Searean Moon ~
Good luck everyone!
I would LOVE a piece of Mr. Bate's fleece - and promise I will make something beautiful with it - and, of course, share the outcome with you. My fingers are itchy to spin up some of his lovely locks!
I have just enjoyed your video, thank you. This Thursday I will be having my 5 sheep sheared, This is my first time so am super excited. My questions are 1) how long do you leave the fleece before washing, 2) what washing agent do you use, as you said there is a lot on out there, Thank you in advance.
Hi Denise,
In a perfect world, it’s best to wash the fleece as soon as possible, but you can wait as long as you need to until you have time to get to it. The lanolin will be fresh and very soft on a newly shorn fleece. As time goes on, the lanolin will start to harden. I don’t mean rock hard, but it will feel more stiff over time.
Remember also that some fleeces will have more lanolin than others, even of the same breed. The more lanolin, the stiffer it will become.
Usually this takes a year or two, depending on how you store it. I have some fleece older than that, that I still haven’t washed. It may mean hotter water and an extra wash to remove the hardened lanolin, but it can be done.
There really are so many variables as each fleece is as individual as the sheep it came from. They also differ from year to year.
As for washing agent, I now use Unicorn Power Scour. I started out using Joy dish soap, which worked very well. I had to use more of it though in a less scientific way. I used to just squirt as much Joy as I thought would be good and usually it was enough. Now I generally follow the guidelines on the container for the PS and it works very well. PS suds less and I use only about a teaspoon per 4 ounces, so a large container of it lasts quite a while, even with all of the fleece I wash in a year.
I do have a tendincy to go into lots of detail, because with fiber work, there isn’t a one answer applies to all rule. Every situation is different and experience will help you decide the most efficient way of working with your fiber.
If you have any other questions, please don’t hesitate to ask.
Thank you so much! -Kimberly :)
Love watching your videos! I just scoured my first (Black with tan tip) romney and have some flakes which seem to Be mitigated by rinsing. So i need to rinse the full lot. I was wondering what type of Finished object you ended up knitting with this fleece. It is so beautiful! However, it does feel quite a bit coarser than what I normally would work with
I have had several Romney lamb fleeces over the years and even though they are lamb, most of them are not next to the skin soft for me (it has to be about 20 micron or less for it to feel soft to my sensitive skin). There are a few rare exceptions and I covet those fleeces. It is after all, Romney, which isn't known for it's softness. It has other wonderful qualities though, which is why I love it so much! I have not made the finished object yet. I will be continuing the video series to the end...it's just taking me much longer than I had originally anticipated. -Kimberly
Absolutely the best fleece-washing technique I have seen. I am new to the whole process and appreciate your explanations. As for the changes in water temperature; is there no worry about felting when going from cold water to warm/hot water? What about warm/hot water then to cool/cold water? Thank you.
Cold to hot should be ok as the scales on the fibers open up. Hot to cold (back and forth between the two) is usually used to slightly felt yarns and woven items. It wouldn't be good for raw fleece washing unless you are wanting to felt it for some reason.
Thanks for your comment! -Kimberly
👍🍷 Thx ...
I am completely new to processing a fleece. A friend just gave me a Clun Forest fleece for free so I am reading & watching everything I can to learn how to do it justice. My newbie question is why do you separate some locks out but batch wash too. Aren't they all locks? I would love to be included in the drawing for Mr. Bate's fleece as well. Thank you for your thorough videos!
Hi Judy, I've read that picking out locks to keep the tips and butts in one orientation aids in preparing a true worsted prep when you then comb those locks.
Yes, they are indeed all locks. The locks that I line up in the baskets and stack together, hold the locks in place, so they don't move around and get tangled.
This can make combing much easier with less waste and also if you are wanting to comb all of the fibers in the same direction, say, with the cut end on the stationary comb, this makes that very easy. The handfuls randomly selected and put in the round baskets is faster and I usually wash more at a time, but when I'm ready to comb the fibers, it can be harder to find the correct end for lashing on in all the same direction, if that's the intention. I comb both ways. Locks all going the same direction and also random, with both cut and tip end being lashed on. All in the same direction gives you a true worsted yarn. It will be as smooth as it can be since all of the scales have been spun in the same direction, always cut end first, feeding the fiber into the wheel(or on to the spindle) flattening the scales as the twist enters the drafted out fibers, as opposed to working against them. When the fibers(scales) are going both ways, it will not be quite as smooth. This is easier to tell with the coarser wools than with the finer wools, I find. It is usually negligible though. All of the commercial top is mixed direction. I know of no way for large production places to make true worsted yarn, with all of the scales going the same direcion. They make combed top, but it's in random directions. When processing by hand, we have complete control of the fibers and what we do with them. It really depends on the type of yarn you are making and what use you have planned for it. So, so many variables with how to prepare fiber and how it is spun. The world of fiber and hand processing is just fascinating! I love it.
Thanks for your question and I hope I didn't ramble on too much and you could follow my explaination. Feel free to ask any other questions and good luck with your Clun Forest. I've never worked with that breed.
-Kimberly
Hi, me again. in your video you show us how you wash your locks in baskets. I have done this and it worked out great with my Dorset, I think? Anyway, do you have a video on how your spin your locks? thanks. Or do you comb, card, blend, etc before spinning your locks? I have never worked w/locks, this is why I am asking.
I’m working on the combing video and there will be some talk about the locks in that. Washing in lock form is helpful if you are going to spin from flicked locks. It reduces combing waste as well because the fiber isn’t tangled as when washed by the handfuls in buckets. If you want a truly worsted spun yarn, where all the fibers are the same direction, it makes it much easier to see which end is which. Others may have different reasons, but these are my first thoughts. Thanks for your questions! -Kimberly :)
Thank you for this great video. How many trays can you stack to wash at a time? The three plus top, or can you do more?
Hi Alison, I just did 6 (plus the top one) the other day. I guess it really depends on the depth of the container they're in and how many you can comfortably hold. I usually do 4 or 5, 6 was pushing my limit a bit. But it the locks came out amazingly clean and perfectly aligned! I wish you lots of fun and success in your washing : ) -Kimberly
Drawing will be on the 28th of August 2017 at 8pm, EST.
Good luck ! :) Congratulations to Cheryl Dambrowski, winner of the Bates’ fleece!
Hi . Love this video. Thanks so much for posting. I have a couple of questions. Does each basket with locks weight 4 ounces or is the total of the 4 baskets 4 ounces? How do you determine which locks to save as locks and what goes into the big baskets? Thanks.
The weight is the locks only. I add the basket to the scale and make sure it is tared to zero, then I add fiber. I usually look for the most in tact locks for washing in lock form. Anything that isn't easy to pull out neatly, gets added to the round baskets. Thanks for your question and I'm really glad you enjoyed it :)
-Kimberly :)
Solution for you oblong wash containers, a storage box has a lid, some have clip lids. 😀💐
Great idea! Thanks, - Kimberly
Thank you for sharing with the community. I get so excited when I see a new video from you! When you heat water to 140/150, what do you use (dedicated heat element and pot, or dedicated pot on kitchen stove, or something else)? Please enter my name in the drawing for a portion of Mr. Bates' fleece. Thank you!
I use an induction hotplate and a huge kettle, over one gallon. If I fill it with the hottest tap water, it takes about 10 mins to heat to boiling and sometimes I get impatient and don't even let it get to that point. Sometimes it's just a simmer, but it's hot enough! Thanks for asking :)
Great video! I am a needle felter and I just bought natural Romney fleece for the first time. I am wanting to preserve the integrity of the locks to used them for gnome hair and beards. You were talking about using something called powder or power scaler? Can you please tell me what that is?
Unicorn Power Scour. Formulated specifically for wool, but does work for other fibers, just use less the the recommended percentage.
I just think don’t squeeze! Ha ha. I have Moreno wool to clean. I need to get these baskets alright....perfect way. I will use warm water and shampoo and walk away. When I drain no squeeze yikes that really freaks me out so multiple rinsing and at end press down to “squeeze”
I 2 dimensional felt so I know it felts easily. I’m loving my new hobby. Weird but I like mindless repetitive things....maybe all the years I clean flowers and did floral design. It’s relaxing and felting isn’t hard on the body...
Thank You for your comment :~)
One question, between the first rinse with cold water and the second with not less than 140* temp, do you let the locks dry in order to avoid felting, or is that not an issue?
I do not let the fleece dry. As long as you go up in temperature, you shouldn't cause felting. If you are unsure, do a sample with just a little bit, to make sure.
Beautiful Romney! Where can we get a nice Romney fleece?
We are in Kansas.
Three of my favorite sources for beautiful Romney fleeces: Old Orchard Romneys ( facebook.com/cherylssheep ). Oak Creek Farm ( facebook.com/oakcreek.farm.92 ), and Pitchfork Ranch ( pitchfork.org/ ). There are so many other wonderful shepherds out there too!
Thank you for clearing that up! I have a couple of other questions and hope you can Answer them. Is there such a thing as over washing fleece? I am doing 2 cold water soaks and sometimes 3 hot water washes with Orvus paste or Dawn as the water is still beige after 1 or 2 hot water washes. After the hot water wash I usually do 2 hot water rinses. One with a little vinegar followed by one with lavender oil. My rinse water is clear both times. My fleece is never pure white even after all that washing. There is still a little VM in the fleece and some of the tips have a light brown gooey substance on them. If I dip
them in hot water it comes off for the most part. I am guessing this is lanolin? The fleece (clun forest) when carded feels a little dry and looks fuzzy. Is this what it should look like?
Yes, a fleece can be over washed. I have some Clun Forest and I find that one pre-wash soak, one very hot wash (140+), then normal tap water wash (around 125), plus a rinse or two, seems to do the job well. Goo on the tips could be lanolin. Without a picture, hard to be sure. I also use Power Scour, which is actually made for raw fleece. Dawn and Orvus could be a little harsh if you add too much or wash too many times. Did you try washing less times but were unhappy with the results? How long are you leaving the fleece in the washes? I set my timer for 20 minutes per wash for most fleece. Also, each wash gets less soap/detergent than the last. If the water isn’t absolutely clear, it really isn’t a problem. As long as most of the dirt it rinsed out, it should be ok. Your final yarn will get an additional set soak, so that should get out any remaining bit. As long as it isn’t enough to come off on you when you comb/card and spin, it’s usually ok. Another thing that could be a factor is your water. Hard or soft water can also affect the fleece differently. I do not add vinegar in the final rinse, but only because I’ve never felt the need to. It helps balance the pH. Perhaps I should do a vinegar experiment...hmmmm...
Thanks for your questions! Hope my repy helps :) -Kimberly
Hi, what brand of "fiber rinse" do you use? do you lake any one best? thanks
I have only used the Unicorn Fiber Rinse. I think it gives the fiber a softer handle. I have yet to determine if it helps with the static...
-Kimberly :)
I'm not sure - do you need to dry the fleece after the cold rinse, or is it okay to put it right to the hot?
Usually the water isn't cold, it's more room temperature or warm, depending on how long I've left it to soak. I haven't had any issues just putting it from the soak water into the wash water. If you are concerned about felting, take a small amount and put it into hot water and see what happens. Some fibers felt so readily that a change from cool to hot may have some affect. So far, I've not had any issues. Experimenting is your best bet to make sure you don't ruin a any of your fiber. Thanks for your question! -Kimberly
Drumroll please.......
And the winner is.........
Cheryl Dambrowski :)
Please send me a private message with your shipping details!
Thanks everyone for your lovely comments and for entering your names in the drawing!
Thank you, Kimberly :)
congrats Cheryl! show us what you do with it!
Thank you! Oh, my....so excited! I will figure out how to private email you.
TheNaturalSpinner....... I received Mr Bates' fleece today and oh, my. Just so beautiful and soft and what a nice crimp. I would love to post a pic but do not see that I can so you have to take my word for it.....beautiful fleece. Thank you so much!
I haven't figured out how to ad pics either. I'm not sure it's possible.
Enjoy Bates' fleece and link us to a blog or a picture site so we can see what you do with his fleece!!
-Kimberly :)
Hi can you explain (or do you have a tutorial video?) in short the steps from raw fiber to finished spun yarn, to me? exp: 1) raw fiber, 2) wash fiber, 3) card, comb, blend, etc 4) spin 5) ply... did I leave anything out? Thank you very much
Cydi,
The washing video here that you have posted under is the third video in the series I’m doing that follows one sheep fleece through all of the steps required to get it from the back of the sheep to some kind of finished item. The two previous videos are shearing and skirting(in the same video) and then the first one, when I got the idea to do the series, is just a farm visit, showing where the sheep lived and some info about Romney sheep.
Thanks for posting! -Kimberly :)
TheNaturalSpinner thank you for the; info
I’d love to know what your weights were at each phase (ie initial fleece weight, skirted weight, cleaned weight, combed weight) - you have quite a knack for teaching - thank you!
I should have record of each of those things, I just have to compile all of it into totals. I’ll see what I can do about that. Thank you!! -Kimberly :)
So me thinks that since you washed up Mr. Bates' fleece over a year ago that you have created something wonderful with it. What have you made?
Hey Deb, Oh, I would love to tell you yes, but alas, I bounce around from fleece to fleece so much, that no, I haven't made anything yet. I did the two singles skeins and also two, two ply skeins for the shepherdess, so she'd always have a piece of him(especially since he got so famous and all, you know ;)
That was done quickly and I didn't film any of that, so now I really have to get to work filming for the next video :) -Kimberly
I'm the same way - never met a fleece I didn't want to wash and process - something so zen about it. You have a gift!
That is kind of you to say :) Thank you!!
Hello! Where do you buy those baskets from? Do they have a brand type/name?
They were purchased at the Dollar Tree. They can be bought online, www.dollartree.com/search/go?w=baskets. The only catch is that they come in a case of 24. If you share them with your fiber friends, that might work, unless you're like me and you have a Mt. St. Helens stack of each type ;-)
Can't find those baskets anymore!!! BUMMED!!! Anyone have any info on them, I'd appreciate it! Thanks!
It looks like the flat shallow ones are available online, but you have to purchase them by the case. www.dollartree.com/essentials-woven-look-plastic-baskets-with-handles/235997. Maybe share with a friend? I don't see the round ones that I have right now, but there is a similar one here (again, only by the case unless your local store carries them), www.dollartree.com/large-round-baskets-with-handles/288796. Hope this helps.
How long do you wait before you put the clean fleece away in the plastic bags ? Thanks for the video!
Once the fleece is completely dried, I weigh each batch and then bag it. The bags aren't sealed, so even if there is a little damp left, it shouldn't really cause problems since the moisture can escape, but I recommend waiting until it's really dry, just to be safe. You wouldn't want mold to form. -Kimberly
@@thenaturalspinner Thank you!
I've been told not to handle too much differences in water temperature, to prevent vilting. So i'm curious now, you rinsed the fleece first with cold water, and then in hot water...did I see that correct? Without drying the fleece? I'm on the verge of washing my first fleece ever, so I don't want to ruin it. But I do want to rinse it first in cold water. Does it need to be dry then, to use the hot water & soap ??
I did soak in cold water before it went into the hot wash water, yes. I did not dry it in between. You can do this because the scales react to hot water by opening up, which alone doesn't cause felting. (Actual felting is a set of actions at the same time). However, if you take the fiber from hot water to cold water, the scales will close up and start to felt together. It won't felt into a completely solid mess, but it will start to stick together.
As you go through the steps to the rinse, just keep the water temperature fairly close to the temperature of the fiber.
If you have time, I recommend soaking in hot water (tap hot is fine) before the first wash. I have been doing this and am very happy with the results. Like with anything we do, we learn and evolve in our craft. All of my fleeces get a 20 minute hot soak before going into hotter water for the wash.
I hope this helps and isn't confusing. Let me know if you have any other questions. ~ Kimberly
@@thenaturalspinner Aaah makes much more sense now :D Sorry for the typos btw, I'm from the Netherlands. So from hot to cold = a no go. From cold to hot = ok. In between, it's from hot, very warm, warm, lukewarm, etc. I will start and find out what will work the best for me (learning/evolving, hihi). Thank you very much for your time and answer, Kimberly! Greetings, Eva
11:38 do you add soap?
Yes, there is Power Scour in the water, before adding the fleece.
thank you...