Are you a Farmer or Smallholder with a flock of sheep, goats or alpacas, or perhaps you have bought some fleeces and would like to make something from them? We can help! We specialise in turning shorn fleeces into processed fibre/used for felting or hand spinning/into yarns suitable for knitting, crochet, weaving or machine knitting.
We can advise what to do with a particular fleece type and what you can do to adjust the results by using different processes or blending. We are expert at unravelling the technical aspects of processing. Take a look at our leaflet to find out more: Services for Farmers and Smallholders
- What sort of fleece do you have?
Fleece is a very versatile raw material and it is wonderfully sustainable, with great high performance properties, and can be made into a huge range of end products from baby clothes to heavy duty carpets, from sculptured felt to insulation and from household goods to high fashion items.
The different breeds of animal make a very varied range of different types of fleece, and some are more suitable than others for different end uses. Please take a look at our NFC Wool Chart for information about the various types of wools and yarn types that can be produced.
- How much do you have?
We accept the following minimum batches of fibre:
10kg for washing and preparing for felting or hand spinning/scouring and carding to can coiled rovings
25Kg for Woollen Spinning.
We can also source from our contacts and add suitable fibre from our own stocks to make up your desired quantity.
- What kind of yarn do you want and how do you plan to market it?
The price we charge will depend upon what services you choose and what form your finished yarn takes – cones, skeins or balls, with or without labels. Our minimum order of 25 kilograms will, after the fleece is scoured, generally yield an average weight of 10-15 kilograms. If you plan to use your yarn for weaving, the yarn spinning will be cheaper but bear in mind that spinning and then weaving cloth with a traditional weaver may cost up to £2,000, providing you with enough to make about 20 throws or 100 scarves (depending upon the market prices at the time).
Follow this link for further Advice and Information about adding value to your fleece. We are always delighted to receive enquiries and happy to help whenever we can!
Taking Your First Steps
- Join the Waiting List
The first step is to contact us via email ([email protected]) to ask to be added to our waiting list. We need details of the breed you have, the estimated incoming weight that you will give us and the processing services that you require. We will call in your fibre when we are ready to process it, the waiting time can vary and we can advise you about this.
- Place Your Order
Complete and return the Order Form with your fibre when it is called in, providing details of what services you would like. Our Advice and Information page includes our terms of trade and a wealth of background information on processing. For price information please email us.
- Carriage Services
Once on the waiting list, when we are ready to process your fibre we will contact you. We can arrange collection/delivery of your fibre/yarn using our preferred supplier, DX Delivery Service. There is more information on our Carriage page via the link here. Alternatively, you are welcome to deliver your fibre sacks and collect your completed order from the mill at a pre-arranged time. Please email us for pricing and further information: [email protected]
Main image credit: Pauline Crerar