tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1518028393928620421.post8311603536067662046..comments2012-05-04T16:52:45.457-07:00Comments on Diamond B Sheep Farm: FLEECES!!!!!!!!!!Diamond Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07650291619514240019noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1518028393928620421.post-89748923737391320602011-03-13T16:04:57.973-07:002011-03-13T16:04:57.973-07:00Samantha, I think purchasing raw fleece is about ...Samantha, I think purchasing raw fleece is about the most economical way to try many different fibers, and you learn a lot about the fiber when you process it yourself. I say it is economical because you mostly just invest time to get it to the spinning state. Even though I have all this fleece from my own flock, I still buy fleeces from other shepherds so I can try different breeds.<br /><br />I wash fleece in my sink or bathtub, depending on the quantity. I use super hot tap water (sometimes with near boiling water added) and blue dawn. Lots of people have different preferences for soap, but this works for me. I soak for 25 minutes, remove fleece carefully(I use lingere bags in the sink or lay it out on cookie cooling racks in the tub) refil with plain hot water, and set the fleece back in to soak for 25 more minutes. This begins removing the dirt and soap. I repeat the plain water soaks until the fleece is soap free. If it is still dirty, I start all over again. Then it goes for a spin in the washer to remove as much water as possible, then spread out on beach towels to dry. I like using a flick carder to open up ends and I either spin from the lock or run several through my drum carder and pull that into rovings to spin from. <br /><br />There are lots of different ways of preparing a fleece, but this is my method. You just have to find what works for you! You will eventually find a fleece somewhere you will just have to have, and then the fun will begin and you will be hooked like the rest of us!<br /><br />~LoriDiamond Bhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07650291619514240019noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1518028393928620421.post-72083451834092787242011-03-13T14:46:33.943-07:002011-03-13T14:46:33.943-07:00I'm very tempted to buy some from you but I...I'm very tempted to buy some from you but I'm new in the realm of spinning and am not sure the best methods to process the fiber-- I've gotten pretty good using my drop spindle and am anxious to get more practice in on my wheel. I've been doing a LOT of reading about washing and carding-- any advice (other than to dig in and see what works best for me)?Samanthahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13938414859608788108noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1518028393928620421.post-86104764170764607322011-03-12T17:59:42.363-08:002011-03-12T17:59:42.363-08:00I bet your 44 are smaller now, too! Mine looked p...I bet your 44 are smaller now, too! Mine looked pitiful without all their wool. I was looking at udders this evening, and we are still a ways off, I think. <br /><br />Thank you for the compliment!<br /><br />LoriDiamond Bhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07650291619514240019noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1518028393928620421.post-39167582638234111322011-03-12T17:43:09.542-08:002011-03-12T17:43:09.542-08:00Lori, what beautiful wool fiber. I bet it is hard...Lori, what beautiful wool fiber. I bet it is hard to decide what you want to keep...I always keep more than I need and then have a sale before shearing again. We sheared this morning, I am down to 44 ewes. Are you about ready to lamb?Keeper of the Pasthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06668665308937958460noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1518028393928620421.post-12855203850808518912011-03-12T16:15:30.234-08:002011-03-12T16:15:30.234-08:00Beautiful fleeces...Beautiful fleeces...Charlotte Epleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06847588402950812031noreply@blogger.com