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Pasadena, CAJust reading up on the various wools and came across Debouillet "softer smaller micron" wools. Wondering if any of you have used it?
Creative Design Studio (RKR4CDS)Can you give us/me the source? I don't think I have a sample of that particular breed/cross.
As to its softer smaller micron, that means that it's a thinner fiber, and 'soft' but does it say what it's *softer than*?
The Debouillet, for example, is a Delaine Merino x (cross) Rambouillet, making it softer & thinner (micron size) than a Rambo, but which would also give a bit of its firmness to a very soft fiber (Merino species).
Is that confusing?? All to be explained in my book - as they are well-known facts about wool & other fibers are already commonly kown in the spinning/knitting/weaving/wet felting world - it's definitely on the docket for the next 12 months. Because what works for those skills & past-times, don't equate to the same results for dry felters. I hope to do most of the experimenting for us and publish the results, to help the newcomers avoid some of the costly mistakes I made in both time and purchases.
Pasadena, CAHi Bobbie,
Here is the link to the website.
http://www.mielkesfarm.com/types_of_wool.htm
I do look forward to your book!
Creative Design Studio (RKR4CDS)Ah, Andrea, Amy & brother Adam! I hadn't seen this page yet.
One thing I note is that this info is still geared toward Knitters/spinneres/weaver/wet felters. What works well for those skills does not necessarilly work for dry felters (us)
For instance, in the Medium category, (and pls realize that fiber will vary from sheep to sheep and on the same sheep during each year as well as during its productive lifetime:
there are 'Down' breeds listed (as originating in the 'Down' areas of the UK as opposed to the 'Mountain/Hill' breeds)
Suffolk & Dorset, which began as primarily meet-producing breeds and do not traditionally wet-felt as well as other breeds, so their fleece, when gathered is used for oter-clothing and very stabe types of woven fabrics.These are very spongy & springy: no matter how long you needle them - and it is possible to get them rather firm - the resulting product will always be able to be folded in half, yet it will return to its upright position.
In the same list is Clun Forest & Tunis, other springy, curly fibers.
And Perendale is a beautifully soft fiber, a bit softer and longer than Corriedale with crimp rather than curly springiness.
But Polworth is quite a finely crimped, short fiber that needles exceptionally well, and they're followed in the same list by Navajo/Churro, which is one of the stiffest, straightest fiber I've ever needled.
So, Class, what have we learned from today's Lesson: that all fiber info up to the last few years has been directed towards other fiber uses and all must be re-examined for its apprropriatness for NFing.
Pasadena, CAWell, I'll be following your lead when it comes to choosing fibers Bobbie. My first two felts were of Alpaca and Angora.... yikes!
Now using your suggestions and I'm much happier! You did say you have contacts for Polyworth and I think it's Polyplay?
Creative Design Studio (RKR4CDS)Clipped from another email:
I'm always happy to recommend my suppliers! On my website, both the 2 smaller Thumper Rabbits are made of this color/fiber.Â
http://www.beyondbasicbears.com/bears_k … umper.html
The Romney wool comes from Wilde Bros in Philadelphia, a very old family company:
http://www.wildeyarns.com/history_of_wilde_yarns.htm
http://www.wildeyarns.com/dyed_carded_wool.htm     -    Autumn Gold is the color you have
http://stores.ebay.com/Wilde-Yarns
When I order for the business, I use the regular company contact but that requires sending a check and waiting for it to clear before they ship. The fastest way (delivery in a week) is to buy from their eBay shop. I like that it's sold in small amounts - 4 oz - And I buy as many 4 oz lots as I think I'll need for my project. Then I order from the regular service for my inventory.
Here are other companies I highly recommend - They are all 'small' flock owners who deal directly with the public.
Ask for their minimum amount to order and tell them Bobbie sent you!
These are ranked from first to last in terms of 'larger to smaller micron' but all of them are very thin/fine fibers.
All of these people also have extremely 'clean' fiber. Many times the processed fiber has a LOT of VM in it - very annoying. These 4 ppl take pains to send only the best, w/little-to-none VM.
Merino x Rambouillet cross
Barbara Marr
Marr HavenÂ
http://www.marrhaven.com/index.html
mhyarn@marrhaven.com
This 2" long Polar bear Stalking in my avatar over there was made with this fiber, which has slightly more 'body' than Merino, Polypay, Polworth & Cormo & the other fine gauged fibers, due to the Rambouillet breed (RAM bow lay) it's crossed with
Polworth: I buy white Polworth to be the top coat for Polars & Pandas
Liz CowdryÂ
Linden Lane Farm
http://www.fibersofmichigan.com/
rcowdery@htdconnect.com
The fine-gauged Cormo comes from Elizabeth Ferraro at Apple Rose Farm - her white is also in my kits for skinning over the polar bears with:
http://www.applerose.com/
mail@applerose.com
She has some great new gold/rust browns that I blended together to skin my latest Grizzly bear with. It will be my major competition piece this year.
I bought my Polypay from Sandra in Apr 06 on eBay.
Subject: Your invoice for eBay purchases - item #8263889434, Creamy White PolyPay Roving for spinning or Felting
Reply-To: rumplestiltskins@nwadv.com
solacefarmfiber@yahoo.com
http://www.nebraskasheep.com/directory/Breeds/Polypay/
Sandra Willford
Solace Farm
30119 N. Spotted RD
Deer Park, WA 99006
United States
509.276.7160
Sheep Breeders Directory: Breeds
For anyone looking to experiment with different fibers, I cannot recommend more highly that you go directly to the flock owners. They know their sheep & fiber!! Explain what you're planning to use it for: sometimes they'll send you a small pinch sample to test before buying, sometimes you need to purchase a minimum of 4 oz...
Either of these will show you how responsive the owner is to your queries (they have no idea if you're the customer who will pre-purchase their entire next shearing!!) the qualities of the fiber, and how the owner handles their flock - i.e., how much vm in the fleece, how dirty it is. Don't be surprised by the 'dirt', it's in all fleeces. A soak in Dawn or similar grease-cutting detergent will work: just KEEP THE TEMPS UNIFORM - no Hot to Cold shocking - and DO NOT AGITATE, RUB OR MOVE the locks.
