Since the 1970’s, traditional wool has seen a decline in use in clothing and other products compared to synthetic fabrics. Synthetic materials are cheaper, made in a factory, and made on-demand. On the other hand, traditional wool requires a more labor-intensive and time-consuming production process to care for the sheep. Even if it’s not as …
Wool is a highly sought-after material for a plethora of different reasons used in a variety of industries. This is just one reason why proper handling, storing, and marketing of wool fleeces is so important. It’s just as important for wool producers to know what to do with sheep wool after shearing. That will preserve …
If you have decided to raise sheep for wool production, then you will first need to learn how to keep sheep wool clean and free of contaminants. Most fleece produced on small farms is marketed to hand spinners who will either require raw fleece or roving. Spinners will be looking for wool in many different …
Shearing, skirting, and spinning are part of the cycle for farmers on sheep fiber farms. They are activities that require hard work to ensure that the fleece is ready to be sold at a high standard. However, the quality of the fleece your sheep produce relies on effective management practices. The way you take care …
Sheep Nutrition for Wool Production (what to feed) Read More »
For thousands of years shepherds have been raising sheep for wool in countries all over the world. Sheep wool is a preferred fiber because it is easy to work with (the crimp of each strand makes it easier to spin as the fibers “catch” one another more easily) and the fact that wool clothing provides …
If you’re new to spinning it can be a bit daunting to learn how to use a spinning wheel. Many communities have a local spinning or knitting group that you can use as a knowledge base, resource and it’s also a great place to make friends who share your interest – people who can offer …
It’s disappointing. If you go to the typical store, wool has been processed into clothes that look pretty much the same. Different breeds of sheep have different kinds of wool, but that sweater you buy is probably made up of a conglomeration of wool where the distinctiveness of each type of wool has been lost. …
When you think about it the idea for spinning wool probably came easily. At some point in history, someone must have looked at a sheep and thought, “Hmm, all that wool would really keep me warm.” Obviously, though, a pile of freshly-sheared wool doesn’t do anyone much good so the idea to shape sheep wool …