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Assessing the fiber - when we receive
your fiber, we will visually access the condition and length of your fiber. The minimum length is 3" and the
maximum length is 7". We reserve the right to return any fiber which we feel we cannot process properly.
We have a minimum weight of 5 lbs per batch. There will be a set-up charge for batches less than 5 lbs.
Skirting the fleece - We will lightly skirt your fiber. Unskirted
fiber can lose up to 50% of it's incoming weight. It is to your advantage to skirt your fleece before sending it
to us. We will offer skirting demonstrations throughout the year to help guide you through the correct skirting
for our system.
Washing - We include washing all fleeces in our spinning price.
We have water which can reach 180 degrees so scouring is possible for sheep's wool.
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Picking the fiber - Our picking
machine takes out most of the dirt, debris and vegatable matter from your fleeces. Picking opens and separates the fibers
for carding. Blending of different fibers can be done at this time. We offer several natural fibers which are
suitable - wool, mohair silk and bamboo - for blending. You may also choose to blend different colors of the same fibers
to create lovely colors.
Carding the Fiber - the fiber is further opened and most
of the remaining second cuts, guard hair and VM are removed. As the fiber comes off the roller it forms a
web which will become either roving or batt. Well carded roving is a spinner's dream.
Pin
Drafting - we are among the few mills which take the additional step of pin drafting the roving before
spinning. This process further combs and aligns the individual fibers into smooth sliver. We can now create beautiful
semi-worsted yarn.
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Spinning into Yarn - this is the most important
of all the steps and it is here that each batch will be processed to its highest potential. Using precise calculations
and "feel", we tune our spinner based on staple length, fineness and strength. This is an important step since
over twisting will ruin the innate qualities of alpaca fiber and create a rope-like yarn.
Plying the
Yarn - this process twists the single strands of spun fibers together into a lofty 3-ply yarn in bulky, sport
or fingering weights.
The Final Step - Your beautifully spun yarn will be put onto cones
before it is weighed to determine the final weight and is ready to be returned to you. You may choose to have your yarns
made up into skeins at a small additional cost.
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