Music: Happiest Year by Jaymes Young
Earlier this year, I had an incredible opportunity to tour my local fiber mill, Wool 4 Ewe, when I dropped off my raw sheep fleece to be processed. This was my first time visiting a mill and seeing the steps involved in transforming raw fleece. Historically, I’ve always spun from roving that was already pre-processed and hand-dyed, so taking part in the entire journey—from washing to carding and spinning—felt like a whole new world. You can review more details in my past blog post, Processing Wool Fleece at a local mill: Lessons learned.
I recently received the email that my fleece was finally ready for pickup. After months of anticipation, I couldn’t wait to see the results of the processing. The raw fleece I brought in weighed around 5.395 pounds, and after scouring and processing, it yielded five beautiful bumps of 110-gram roving each. Now, if you’re doing the math, you might notice a discrepancy in weight. The difference stems largely from removing the lanolin in the scouring process, which can reduce the original fleece weight by up to 30-40%.
Ann, the owner of Wool 4 Ewe, kindly documented the processing steps with photos, showcasing the journey from a raw, lanolin-rich fleece to clean, fluffy roving. The fleece underwent several stages: it was first scoured (washed) to remove dirt and lanolin, then picked and carded to untangle and align the fibers, and finally drafted into rovings. The transformation was amazing, and I now have five soft bumps of roving, ready for crafting.
What’s Next for My Valais Blacknose Roving?
Now that I have the roving in hand, I’m contemplating what to make with it. This is my first time working with Valais Blacknose wool, and it’s known for its long staple length, which is ideal for spinning into a single-ply yarn. My goal is to achieve a sturdy single-ply with minimal fraying and piling, allowing me to use it for multiple projects. I’m leaning towards incorporating it into an upcoming weaving project, but I’ll need to assess how it feels once spun—if it’s too scratchy for wearables, it may be better suited for items that won’t sit directly against the skin, like a cozy throw.
One possibility I’m excited about is exploring rug hooking with this roving. The fluffy, dense texture would work well to create soft clouds in scenic designs or even the illusion of fur or textured details in animal motifs. Another practical use I’m considering is using the roving as a natural stuffing for pillows or knitted toys. Typically, I use polyester filling, but I’m shifting toward more sustainable materials, and the density and softness of this roving would provide fantastic definition and texture for stuffed crafts.
The Joy of Using Local Fiber
Using local wool has added a special connection to my crafting. Knowing that the fibers came from a nearby farm and were processed at a local mill makes each project feel more personal and intentional. Supporting local farmers and fiber mills has also become a meaningful part of my journey as a crafter.
This experience has been such a joy, and I’m excited to keep building my stash with locally grown fibers! Are you currently working with locally sourced fiber? Please feel free to comment below, I would love to hear from you.
