When I first got my spinning wheel, there were two things that really intimidated me: (1) My wheel and (2) Buying raw fleece.
Happily, after awhile, I became friends with my wheel, but I was still wary of buying raw fleece. There so many choices and things to consider. I was afraid of making a mistake and no matter what I read, I still didn’t feel confident. It is an aspect of the craft where there is a lot to be learned.
So, when I had the chance to go fleece shopping with Esther Rodgers of Jazz Turtle Creations last month, I thought it was also a good opportunity to get out the video camera so we could share Esther’s tips with you.
If you’d like to learn more from Esther, go to her web page to see her class offerings. If you are in Europe, you are in luck, because Esther is teaching in Holland this month and I think there is still a space or two — click here for more details.
Enjoy learning more about this fascinating topic from Esther!
{ 9 comments… read them below or add one }
Fascinating! So much knowledge, work and creativity goes into a skein of yarn.
This video is spot on for what you should be looking for in your fleece purchase. That’s for making it.
I see that you were there at the same time I was since I see myself walking into your background at about 5:02, LOL
Really great……….makes me want more fleeces….I still have at least 15 to clean….such a pack rat ……I am….
Wonderful presentation! The first time buyer will learn lots.
awesome! this was great! just in time for our colorado fibre festivals. thank you. i agree that you don’t need to spend $50 a pound for good fleece!
Awesome Experience!
this is great information , I find as a shepherd that even within a breed the diversity of fleeces is amazing. I breed fine corriedales, and am always selecting for softer, longer, more luster etc..my flock gives me a few fleeces that I love to sculpt with with my needlefelting, but they also give me such nice spinnable fleeces, that the diversity works great for me , I also find, that the fleeces I like to needlefelt with , are much higher quality than many might believe, and many “spinners” guidelines are also applicable to the wool I use for felting . thanks for this video.
I also meant to say that in the past 2 years, the price of sheep feed has more than doubled.. a bag of pelleted grain for the sheep has gone from 6$ to 15$ this MAY affect the prices of fleeces. I know last year I did not pass along my feed prices in my fiber in any way but HAVE to this year.. something to think about
Thanks for sharing this video of the Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival! Wow, do they have WOOOOOLLLL! I’m glad to hear that there’s a variety of prices and natural colors there. Someday I’ll get there too.