Guidelines for Choosing Fibers
Coated or Uncoated Fleeces
There is no doubt about it, coating sheep in a protective jacket helps to dramatically reduce vegetable matter (VM), sun damaged tips, and improves fleece overall. So why are some of our fibers from uncoated sheep? There are a few reasons. One is availability. Covering sheep is still relatively an uncommon occurrence around the world. It may be impossible to spin that rare breed of sheep if we made it a necessity that it be covered. Some sheep reject covers. Can you imagine some of the more primitive sheep breeds dressing up? We can’t either. Some countries pride themselves on raising their sheep au natural. In those places, coating a sheep is rare and considered a detriment to the quality of fleece. Are these fleeces inferior? Not at all. They will have been skirted heavily, have much of the vegetable matter removed, but they will be dirtier than a covered fleece. The fibers will still be of high quality.
Guidelines for Choosing Fibers
In our experience, new spinners learn better and quicker when using high quality fiber. When you are just starting out, it is tempting to skimp on raw materials. But does it make sense? A beginner spinner has entered a new world of textures and colors and can’t wait to begin! It is an exciting time where every fiber is a potential learning experience. We want to make sure you are free to do just that: learn. New spinners can get frustrated with their spinning because they are using inferior products. Many a beginner spinner has lost confidence and stopped spinning because they were trying to spin poor quality fibers and blamed themselves for the resulting poor yarns. Please remember this as you learn to spin. It may not be you but your fiber choice. We want you to succeed!
Raw or Processed Wool
So many fibers! So little time! Which preparation to choose?
Raw
Simple. Pure. Natural. Explore the unique, inherent qualities of your fibers without someone else making the decision of how it will be processed. For the fiber artist, sheep lover, and adventurous in spirit, these wools are for you.
Sliver (Top)
Beautiful, smooth, combed fibers. For those of us who want our fiber ready to spin. Wool slivers have been commercially combed. The fibers lay parallel and are perfect for spinning worsted style yarns, spinning from the fold, and for your own blending experiments. The results are smooth yarns. This is the stuff dreams are made of. Inspire yourself.
Roving
Is time of the essence? Do you love long draw? Roving is your answer. Unlike slivers, the fibers prepared into rovings are carded so that they overlap and are not parallel. If you are looking for a yarn that has loft, bounce, and are soft, choose rovings, batts, or rolags.
Batts
Batts are made from fibers that have been processed by a drum carder or other carding machines. They are suitable for woolen spinning. The fibers will overlap like they do in rovings.
Rolags
Rolags are produced with hand carders. They are easy to work with, are similar to roving, and the fibers overlap. For instructions on how to make a rolag, see here.
Testing for Fiber Soundness
Our favorite way to test for fiber soundness was taught to us by Lucy Lee of Mind’s Eye Yarns in Cambridge MA. We hope you like it too.
1. Hold a lock of fiber by each end using both hands.
2. Place the middle of the lock near your ear and give a very good tuck in opposite directions.
3. Ping! Did you hear it? That is the sound of healthy fiber. If your fiber breaks, it is unsound.