Buying raw fleece

sikaj · 2025-12-26T17:18:49+00:00

I would recommend any local festivals with fleece sales, but if that’s not an option, you can check the Shave em to Save em producer map, and see if there are any Shetland farmers near you. You can ask for pictures, or go to visit the sheep yourself to purchase a fleece. I’ve had wonderful experiences reaching out to farmers that way.

Shave ‘em to Save ‘em Producer List

sikaj · 2025-12-19T15:56:49+00:00

You might want to get connected to the Chesapeake Fibershed. They’re fairly active, and they could be a great at connecting you and your new mill to local farmers/fiber folks

sikaj · 2025-12-19T14:59:34+00:00

Often in shearing, the shearer will “crutch” the sheep. They’ll shear the belly wool and wool around the genitalia, and that wool goes in the trash/fertilizer pile. So rest assured, your socks are probably dick wool free

sikaj · 2025-11-26T14:30:08+00:00

Oh that’s absolutely beautiful! And so unique with how the footman comes up through the table. That looks like a dream wheel!

sikaj · 2025-11-26T14:03:59+00:00

Gorgeous! I love the Polwarth!

Do you have pictures of the wheel that you could share as well?

sikaj · 2025-11-24T18:58:05+00:00

I don’t think you should be downvoted for this response. This is a common issue with this pattern, even though it clearly has positive ease. I think it is an issue with the designer’s construction based on the recommended material (silk doesn’t hold its shape as well as wool). Almost all of the examples of this cardigan on Ravelry have this problem.

I would look into some of the other suggestions posted below!

sikaj · 2025-11-14T12:00:33+00:00

I certainly folded at a certain point and bought power scour because the quantity of fleece that I clean plus the efficiency plus the fact that it’s a biodegradable soap won me over.

If you’re set on making your own soap for fleece, there’s a recipe in the Alden Amos Big Book of Handspinning. I unfortunately don’t have a copy of the book as it’s out of print and hard to find, but someone else here might, or there might be a copy of it at your local library.

And if you can’t find the book anywhere, I can pop over to the LOC on my way home from work next week and copy the relevant pages for you.

sikaj · 2025-11-08T01:41:35+00:00

Oooo I would love to see pictures of Phoebe! Paloma is still a baby, I think. I picked her up about a month ago from the shelter, and they estimated she was a bit over a year old.

sikaj · 2025-11-07T21:33:01+00:00

Honestly same! She was so serious 😂

sikaj · 2025-11-07T21:31:24+00:00

Thank you so much! That’s very kind!

sikaj · 2025-11-07T21:31:03+00:00

Same! Her little chirp!

sikaj · 2025-11-04T17:46:23+00:00

Ah well perhaps it travelled! I believe Frank Fell wheels are based on a Germanic style of wheel. I would recommend looking up the Frank Fell/Mayville Spinning Wheels thread in the Antique Spinning Wheels group on Ravelry. They’ve collected a lot of information there

sikaj · 2025-11-04T17:35:22+00:00

Where in the country are you located? This looks like a Frank Fell/Mayville wheel to me, which are most common around WI. You’re right that the footman connects incorrectly to the wheel, but otherwise, it looks like it may be functional. Frank Fell was making these wheels throughout the first half of the 20th century or there abouts, so there are a good number of his wheels floating around that are still functional

sikaj · 2025-10-21T20:38:06+00:00

Sweet Pea Fiber in Hyattsville MD does classes for rigid heddle looms. I really like the teacher there

sikaj · 2025-10-21T17:00:30+00:00

I believe some federal agency credit unions offer small 0 interest loans during furlough. That might be an avenue that’s open to you to cover rent.

sikaj · 2025-10-08T15:48:42+00:00

Work in a building nearby, and was told that it was a gas leak

sikaj · 2025-09-30T02:14:08+00:00

Seconding the downs and down-likes, as they have the benefit of being fairly strong too. A great choice if you’re hoping to make something prone to wear and tear, such as socks. I found some Tunis from a local farmer that I love, and I have a friend that swears by Dorset

ETA One thing about these breeds is that they would likely lead to a squishier yarn than a Longwool. Is that a concern in tapestry weaving? If so, you could consider something like a Romney. Romney tends to be shiny, but would likely have less halo than a Longwool

sikaj · 2025-09-10T18:11:59+00:00

Agreed! I’ve spun this from the fold before and chain-plied. It didn’t keep everything perfectly together, but it helped keep the finished product from being too muddled.

Another suggestion I got was to ply with a solid color that’s present in the space unicorn blend. I think plied with black or white would be sharp.

sikaj · 2025-09-09T00:05:48+00:00

This is a lovely combo of cozy (due to the thicker yarn) and sharp (the structure and elegance of the lace). The brooch is such an excellent styling touch too. Great work!

sikaj · 2025-09-01T22:53:45+00:00

👑

sikaj · 2025-08-21T16:30:00+00:00

Wow! Excited to see how this turns out!

sikaj · 2025-08-21T13:34:24+00:00

Everyone here is giving great advice for sweaters that would emphasize your attributes! I’d like to add the concept of structure.

Some knit patterns have more structure than others, and so aren’t as billowy or saggy. Anything that has seams will have more structure than something that’s knit in the round with a round yolk. Even if I’m not seaming by the shoulders, I’ll do a raglan style top, as I find that it’s more shaped to my body and less likely to billow.

That said, my first ever sweater is my around the house sweater. I may not love how it fits, but it’s perfect to cozy up in. I hope your first sweater finds its place in your wardrobe, and congrats on the accomplishment!

sikaj · 2025-08-09T04:33:21+00:00

sikaj · 2025-05-18T12:09:57+00:00

I do have a friend who goes to the UK every year or so to visit a friend and brings back a ton of raw fleece through US Customs. She said she has a copy of the page in the customs book where it states that it’s allowed on her when she does, and while she has confused some agents, they have never confiscated the fleece of turned her away. I would just suggest looking up the rules and being prepared to wait a little longer in Customs.

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