| Archive for Downsizer For an ethical approach to consumption |
| Frewen |
getting fleece in bulk processedWhere can I get lots of fleece scoured and carded into batts?How much do I need to find, both in terms of weight of fleece and monetary cost? It's not a right now project, but maybe next year 
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| Cathryn |
What a handy question.  There is a mill somewhere near here that will take it to thread I think not sure if they will do just carding. Will see if anyone else knows before trying to dig out their contact details.
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| Frewen |
Well I know you have a lot of mule and want to make rugs 
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| sally_in_wales |
25 kilos is normally the minimum amount a mill will take. Got some contacts somewhere, I think woolcount.co.uk were the people I liked the look of most when I was looking into this but that was last year, my info may be a bit out of date now | ||||
| sally_in_wales |
http://www.coldharbourmill.org.uk/Shop.htm#carding will card by the kilo at £6.60 a kilo you have yo wash it yourself though
http://www.moralfibre.uk.com/moralfibre-mill.html will wash and card to batts or roving, but its £24 per returned kilo- |
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| sean |
£24  Should they be called brassneck rather than moralfibre?
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| Cathryn |
Welsh Mountain actually, the mule's yours. 
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| Frewen |
I like cold harbour's site 
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| Frewen |
As long as it felts I care not 
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| RichardW |
Owch at both those prices. How much is finished wool yarn / felt worth per kg?
Richard |
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| Frewen |
That's why I'm looking
- I'm trying to find out whether as a fledgling felt maker, it's viable to process fleece rather than buy from a supplier
But to answer your question - like so many other things, it varies. |
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| sally_in_wales |
I'd be tempted to buy a decent drum carder and spend a few days a year washing fleece ready to cardup. Yes, its a fairly big job, but I reckon you could make it viable compared to the outlay cost. | ||||
| Cathryn |
Or borrow one from a Guild for a few pounds for a month...
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| Frewen |
I think that may be the way to go
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| wellington womble |
We should share one and do it all together as a co-op. One of those jobs that's hideously huge to tackle on your own, or a lot more fun with a few friends and some easy cider!
There was a company I noticed in country smallholding the other day - sheepcoats? I'll check. There's also the natural fibre company. |
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| Frewen |
That's a good idea
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| Sarah D |
How many fleeces will you have?
Drum carder will make short work of it, once washed and dried. Shame you're not nearer, you could have used mine. |
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| Rob R |
Send it all to sean, he has a bit of time on his hands & can do it for less...?
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