When I first learned how to spin, I went crazy purchasing raw fleeces. There is something that calls out to me when I see an especially nice and clean raw fleece. I don’t know if it is the grease glistening on the crimpy fiber, the smell or the colors, but it just does. If you were to take a peek into my barn, where my roving stash is hidden, you would be amazed..
I am much better now. I only allow myself one fleece a year that is just for me and I usually get it from Skylines Farm.
I have to admit that my favorite part of preparing a raw fleece is washing it. I know…….that is pretty strange, but there is something magical about taking this greasy, sheepy smelling fleece and watching what happens to it after a few soakings with dish detergent and then a few more hot water soakings. It never ceases to amaze me just how dirty those dark colored fleeces can be
Last week I had a sneak peek at this grouping of fiber. What you see
is .5oz of Romney that was soaking in the above picture, .3oz of fawn alpaca and .2oz of
angora donated from Truffles, the bunny that was shorn last week.
Originally, I was thinking that I would like a sweater made with this combo, spun in a dk weight, but as I started spinning, the wool told me that it didn’t want to be a dk weight, which surprised me as the romney felt pretty scratchy. (Yup……my wool talks to me..can you believe it??)
As I spun, I just was not sure that I was going to like this combination
and I was thankful that I had only carded up 2 oz.
After it was plied, wet and dried out in the air, I found, much to my surprise, that I liked it very much. The yarn ended up somewhere between a fingering and a light sportweight yarn. I am thinking that I may just continue carding up some more to become the diamond lace cardigan sweater pattern that I purchased at Harrisville yesterday.
Mr. Bunny looks pretty pleased doesn’t he?
The Woolen Rabbit 
It’s actually starting to scare me, how much I enjoy dealing with dirty, greasy fleece. Thanks for making me feel like I’m not alone.
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He looks quite pleased. Does Skylines provide the Merino that you use in your roving?
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How pretty! The yarn (and fleece and other fibers) look lovely.I checked out the link you gave to skyline farms and I might just have to buy myself a fleece!
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I still have a pretty good stash of fleece in the stash room, but I’m trying to think of an excuse to buy a Skyline Farms one next year. They are beautiful!
Like your yarn; must be SOFT!
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Even tho I haven’t ventured in to the spinning world (yet!) I absolutely believe that your fleece/rovings speak to you! heh It’s kind of like meeting a new fabric that hasn’t been cut yet – I sometimes have to wait to find out what it wants to become. 🙂
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As you know, I love Melissa’s fleeces too. I sent off a bunch to Blackberry Ridge to be processed (yea, I know I just bought a drum carder) and am anxiously awaiting it’s return. I want to do lots of spinning this winter.
That skein looks so soft and petable. Yum!
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I love the washing too. It is magical.
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This is what I said to M just 2 weeks ago “Thank heavens the wool room is under control, everything is clean and I don’t have a fleece to clean.” Today I bought 2 CVM/romeldale fleeces. M just smiled. I can’t wait to wash them.
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