Whether or not you card your raw wool fleeces before you spin them, the wool fiber must be picked and virtually free of vegetation before it is spun.
Yes, a small amount of vegetation is normal in handspun yarn, but I have some fleeces that are just as much hay as they are wool.
To make this job easier, COVER your fiber sheep! I can't stress the importance of this statement. If you don't raise your sheep and you purchase raw wool fleeces, look for those that state the animal was covered. This will make your job of spinning the fiber so much easier.
Sheep are sheered only once a year. So, they have all year to get dirty, roll in the grass, have their hay thrown on top of them, etc. ... you get the picture. Not to mention goat heads and foxtails that can cut your fingers when you try to pull them out.
Covers can easily be purchased or made at home. Patterns for covers can be found online. Basically this is just a rectangle canvas cloth with a hole in it for the head to fit through and elastic straps that will go around each rear leg to keep the cover in place. In cold weather, the covers act as added protection against the elements.
I am an advocate for just letting my animals be animals. I don't mess with them unless they need me. But covers are a wise investment for the added comfort and protection of my sheep and my fiber. This I do for me!
Tina Baltazar is a mom, a rancher, a wiccan, a handspinner, a weaver, felter, knitter, crocheter, and the owner and operator of Summerland Fibers. View her work at http://summerlandfibers.ecrater.com Comment on her blog at http://summerlandfibers.wordpress.com
Source: www.isnare.com
