hot day for playing with a fleece

Texel fleece for a comfortable lurcher

My son Matthew's mate has come for a play on this hot day. When Tommie was dropped off his Dad gave me two Texel fleeces. None of us quite knows what to do now! I don't quite know what i am doing with the fleeces and the boys don't quite know what to do to prevent boredom, because indoors and computer devices are banned! Only my dog Stellar has it worked out - see photo! My terrier, Pickle, has scarpered in case that giant tub of soapy water is for her.

Shetland wool spinning

Shetland fleece spinning.

we have been experimenting more with techniques!



from a rather dull looking fleece
...... to a nice wool

they definitely spin better in the grease, however we have tried just soaking them in rain water (this one was in for a week) rinsing gently to remove most of the dirt, then either spin without carding or card but use a diz to remove the fleece off your carders. This produces a very light airy wool with no neps

 left over neps!

For any of you that have never tried this technique, I can highly recommend it. I can show anyone when I'm at Woolly Wednesday or this series of videos explains it (just substitute carders for hackles they work quite well especially on the slightly shorter staple of Shetland)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gcYY1xF-JvY ....all 4 parts!

Alison

Fleeces to spin and knit

We have acquired two Kerry Hill fleeces, which I will bring to the next Woolly Wednesday meeting on July 2nd for all to share.

Also, remember Rachel, who gave us two Teeswater fleeces last year? I spoke to her today, she has more fleeces for us this year. I will collect them and likewise bring them to the next meeting. She would like some of the wool back ready spun, enough to knit a teddy bear!

Axle, a Teeswater shearling

I am happy to do this spinning as it is such lovely wool to work with it will be a pleasure. I will keep the fleece from her pet sheep Axle (a shearling, see pic) and bring the other three.

Manifold Show Winners in 2013

Woolly Wednesday at 2013 Manifold Valley Show
- the plants are all dye stuffs
- some samples that people have worked.

Very proud winners of the Best Stand at the 2013 Manifold Valley Show

We have a large gazebo that we take to shows - it is getting good use here

Come and see us at a local Show this year. - Spinning and Weaving Demo Dates for 2014

Woolly Wednesday in action at our June spinning and knitting day at Foxt Village Hall, Staffordshire

Next meetings at Foxt Village Hall, ST10 2HU:

July 2nd
August 6th
September 3rd
October 1st (we will be at the Brailsford Ploughing match, not in Foxt)
November 5th
December 3rd