Wool processing mini mill

[delilah]

Finished our shearing today, Dorsets and Portlands. Had the young farmers learning the fine art of fleece rolling.

 

[delilah]

Carded batt of our Dorset wool. We will soon be ready to start accepting raw fleece for processing, so if you have a favourite fleece from this years clip you would like to get back as batts then keep it out of the wool sheet

 

[B R C]

Just thought I’d post this in case it might be of interest to anyone as a possible diversification or add on. My uncle has a company selling all things to do with woolcraft and has built a great reputation over the years. Sadly his wife passed away recently and he is wanting to retire. The company is https://www.pmwoolcraft.co.uk
Please pm me if of any interest.

 

[BobTheSmallholder]

It may be a slow burner but I'm really enjoying this thread, keep it up!

 

[delilah]

Thanks; we've still got building works going on so can only process fleeces when there's no cement dust in the air. Once that's completed, and we have taken delivery of picker, carder and felter, will be able to pick the pace up a little.
Pictured some Ryeland fleeces on the drying rack yesterday, most likely destined for felt making.

 

[BobTheSmallholder]

I think being able to make your own wool and turn it into clothing along with tanning hides is one of the key elements missing from a lot of "self sufficient" smallholdings. I don't want to walk around looking like something out of the stone age but feel like if TSHTF then it's an incredibly important skill to have!

 

[joe soapy]

Local spinning groups often have the gear, used to be one in tavistock that Mother belonged to,
She got 4 Jacobs for the fleeces, b-----y tame ram lamb got in with the Sufflok ewe lambs one night and was there for a week
Not big enough to do any damage it was said..
The spinners thought the coloured wool would knit up in the same pattern as the skins

 

[delilah]

Quick update: Kicking our heels slightly whilst our picker, drum carder and felt roller are being built for us. In the meantime being prepping for a forthcoming course in natural dyeing. Pictured orange (madder), blue (woad) and green (weld over-dyed with woad).

Mitts, hand spun and knitted from our Wensleydale wool.

 

[Old Tip]

Any further progress @delilah, we’ve just sent a load of wool of to be scoured and spun so it reminded me of this thread

 

[delilah]

Any further progress @delilah, we’ve just sent a load of wool of to be scoured and spun so it reminded me of this thread

Yes sorry an update is imminent; the felt roller arrived from Finland a couple of weeks ago, picker and carder on their way from Shropshire this week. Photos soon

 

[delilah]

Getting to grips with our new toys:
Electric carder, with picker in background. Both supplied by Classic Carders in Shropshire.
And the beast from the East; felt roller all the way from Finland.

 

[PostHarvest]

In Kyrghyzstan, all they use for felting is a quiet bit of road and a field roller behind a tractor. They make thousands of metres of felt for their yurts. Hey if they can close miles of roads for bike races, why not close them for something productive??

 

[Old Tip]

@delilah are those mini spinning wheels above your head ?
By the way we just bought a wool winder and skein holder, makes winding balls a doddle

 

[The Business Barn]

Hi there,

Here is an interesting case study from Lily Warne Wool: www.thebusinessbarn.co.uk/a-story-of-heritage-inspires-wool-business%20?search=lily%20warne. They are the only farm in the UK to rear the three traditional breeds of Longwool sheep native to Devon.

Best wishes,
The Business Barn

 

[delilah]

@delilah are those mini spinning wheels above your head ?
By the way we just bought a wool winder and skein holder, makes winding balls a doddle

Ha no, full size wheels, it's only the mill that is mini .
We need plenty of wheels for our regular training days teaching all aspects of wool processing. Just held a couple of natural dye workshops.

 

[Old Tip]

So they are not small just far away

 

[delilah]

So they are not small just far away

 

[delilah]

This weeks new product line
On the outside: Photos of our livestock.
On the inside: 100% pure wool from our sheep. No synthetics, no microplastics. Hopefully a timely sales pitch.

 

[delilah]

For anyone in our neck of the woods looking for stylish and sustainable gift ideas, come and find our stall at the Leeds Castle Christmas Market, Sat 8th and Sun 9th.
Everything produced at The Woolshed, 100% pure wool, including that from our own sheep
www.leeds-castle.com

 

[Old Tip]

Hope you have a successful day