So, I got the phone call to say that the fleece was all bagged up and ready for collection. Stuart very kindly picked it up for me on his way home from work. I was curious. What did 10kg of fleece look like? I didn't have to wait long. Look, this is what it looks like! Filling the back of out large 7 seater car's boot!
Yesterday was wet, so it had to stay in the car. The first glimpse of blue skies today, and I was out trying to skirt the fleece. I laid it out to the best of my ability, but it was all tangled up. Anyhow, I set too, sorting the brown from the white, and removing the REALLY dirty bits and the second cuts. Looks like there are two fleeces per big bag, and possibly one in the smaller feed bags. That's alot of fleece.
It is so gorgeous! The white is so creamy, although I think it will wash to more of a white than cream.
The brown is beautiful, such subtle changes of colour in it, I can't wait to experiment with it all, blending and spinning it. It is virtually dripping in lanolin, and you can imagine my disappointment when another shower of rain hit us, and I had to quickly pack it all away!
I'm going to have to be a little more patient. I have the weather to contend with to start with, plus I have to finish spinning the merino/alpaca yarn to free up the bobbins, and then I have to spin some more of the grey zwartble cross for a couple of commisioned iPad covers! Patience will really be a virtue!
It does indeed look beautiful.
ReplyDeleteThought we might get a dry day, started off well with SUNSHINE! but then it spoiled itself.
Carol xx
I have read people are currently washing small amounts of fleece at a time due to the weather. You have done a great job skirting it and sorting it already. What a stroke of luck, that ought to keep you happy and out of mishchief for quite a while :) It is lovely you were able to rescue it! xxx
ReplyDeleteLucy, if you fancy helping me out at all, you are more than welcome. Can you believe this beautiful Jacobs fleece was just going to be dumped, just like it was last year :( in fact, they've said I can have next years shearings as well, and there was un-named black fleeces and white fleeces that they asked if I wanted too!
DeleteYou'll have fun with that! I was given bags and bags of raw alpaca! But now I can't find my carders! I must get some new ones I guess. ((hugs)), Teresa :-)
ReplyDeleteOooh it looks like you are going to have fun with that fleece! Years ago, I worked at a Civil War reenactment centre, and we washed a fleece the old fashioned way.....in stale urine! It was certainly an experience!
ReplyDeleteThink I'll give that one a miss!
DeleteHave fun!
ReplyDeleteLooks like you have a nice future supply set up too. Did you find out what the black and white breeds were? Might be some good stuff there too.
Dawn! You are a bad influence!! I need no encouragement! I'm looking forward to having fun with this though, already planning yarns!
Delete