Psalm23Farm: Combed top

Wednesday, August 19, 2009

Combed top

I sent Zeilingers 16.5# of VMy, but very fine and soft Shetland neck and VMy kid mohair. They had to rewash it and the grease loss was 2.74 #. The waste (noils and VM) loss was 1.52#. I sent all different colors of neck wool-most was white, light grey, moiget or musket, but about 1/4 charcoal/black or fawn/moorit. The combing removed all the VM and noils and also removed dandruff. (Some of the mohair had dander and I was so happy it was combed out as I knew I was taking a chance.) I am very happy with this top!It's for sale http://psalm23fibers.blogspot.com Now maybe in the winter I'll make a shawl from some....

3 comments:

Becky UtechtAugust 20, 2009 at 6:54 AM
Thanks for posting this Laura. I've been saving all my very fine but VMy neck wool for ages, wondering if Zeilingers would be able to make it into something useful. I think I will try sending it in now that I've seen how yours turned out.
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Barb's PlaceAugust 21, 2009 at 7:36 PM
I'm still waiting for my "Combed top". How long does it take? It's the first time I've used Zeilingers.
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LauraAugust 22, 2009 at 11:36 AM
It took 2-3 months to get done. They probably will take longer in the Spring/Summer than Fall/Winter as more people send fiber in the Spring/Summer.
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Welcome to Psalm 23 Farm

I'm breeding my NASSA registered Shetland sheep for fine and med. fine lustrous single coated fleeces in both the crimpy and the locky, wavy fleece styles. I have a wide range of colors and makings as well as the bright pure whites. I'm emphasizing on production, mothering ability and sound conformation. I have both horned and naturally polled Shetland rams and a few horned Shetland ewes.

I also produce fast growing grass-fed market lambs and commercial ewes with excellent fleece. (Shetland x Coopworth and Shetland x Australian Corriedale.) These F1 (first generation cross) ewes are great maternal ewes to put under a terminal sire for the ultimate grass fed market lamb.

Angora goats are my other love. I'm selecting for fine yearling grade mohair in adult animals. All of my goats are CAGBA (colored) or AAGBA (white) registered. I'm also selecting for sound healthy goats.

Posts will be about the Shetlands and Angoras with an occasional post about the other animals on the farm. Posts will also be about wool, spinning and a variety of other topics.

Psalm 23 Farm sells raw "jacketed" wool and mohair fleeces, mohair locks, dyed and natural Shetland and Shetland/mohair roving. Also sheepskins, quilt batts, handspun yarn, mohair lock yarn, and mill spun yarn.

From the Shetland Sheep Society

"Shetland sheep have for generations been noted for their very soft and well crimped fleece. The wool is the finest of all native breeds and shows an amazing variety of colours and patterns. There are 11 main whole colours and 30 recognized markings.

By selecting from coloured fleeces a range of naturally coloured yarn can be produced. This eliminates the need for dyeing and therefore retains the soft feel of the natural fibre and is favoured by those who prefer a totally natural approach.

Shetland wool fibres are of a simple construction witha central cortex covered by a thin scaly cuticle, and have an average diameter of about 23 microns. However there is a range from 10-20 microns for neck and shoulder wool to 25 to 35 microns for britch wool. the average staple length is 3.5 inches. The amount of crimp varies, and is most important in providing the 'bounce' required for knitwear. There is a positive correlation between fineness and crimp, with wool of the finest quality being crimped at between 8 and 12 to the inch. Wool from Shetland sheep is used to produce gossamer lace, the famous 'Fair Isle' knitwear, and fine tweeds. Pure bred Shetland sheep tend to shed their fleece in spring. The growth of new fleece can cause a rise or weak point and where this is present the fleece can sometimes be plucked or 'rooed' by hand. The timing of this can be different in each sheep, however, it is worth taking the care to get it right as rooed fleece can be amongst the softest because the fibers have no harsh cut ends as occurs with a sheared fleece.

Shetland fleece can be handspun straight from the fleece or made into rolags and then woollen spun. It can also be worsted spun by hand, used on a peg loom or handwoven. It also felts well using either dry or wet methods. When processed commercially the wool can be made into the finest lightweight worsted cloth or heavier weight, harder wearing fabrics and tweeds."

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Wednesday, August 19, 2009

Combed top

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