Fleece Shearing and Skirting ~ Love Ewe Farm's Romney, Mr. Bates

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Fleece Shearing and Skirting ~ Love Ewe Farm's Romney, Mr. Bates

Рет қаралды 23,022

7 жыл бұрын

Video #2 in the series following Mr. Bates' fleece, showing you all of the steps involved in hand processing a fleece through to the finished item.
I went back to Love Ewe Farm on the 24th of April 2017 for their shearing.
The shearer is Emily Chamelin, www.chamelinshe...
Feel free to post a comment and let me know what you think of the video and ask any questions you like !
--
My website: thenaturalspin...
To contact me directly, please send email to: thenaturalspinner@yahoo.com
Find me on Ravelry: TheNaturalSpinner
If you’d like to see things I’ve made to sell, check out my Etsy Shop:
www.etsy.com/s...
For some older blog posts: kimberlysheirlo...
If you would like ‘in person’ help, I’d be happy to Facetime/Zoom/Skype with you, just email to set up a time.
Periodically I offer classes on fleece selection, combing and spinning. Check my website for the current list of offerings. If you, your guild, or someone you know is interested in having me come and teach, please send me an email.
-Kimberly ☺

Пікірлер: 68

@marthadisarlo9011 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you! Excellent teaching and appreciate the close ups. A little hard to hear you but the best instructor I’ve seen yet! Love Mr. Bates, too.

@thenaturalspinner 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you Martha! I need a microphone, yes, I did realize it got a bit hard to hear when I went far from the ipad that was doing the recording.

@stonehill599 7 жыл бұрын

What a lovely fleece! Something about seeing a fleece processed by hand from start to finish... from shearing to yarn or a finished item... is such a wonderfully satisfying feeling. Thank you for sharing all your experiences and suggestions!

@thenaturalspinner 7 жыл бұрын

Agreed! :) -K

@sharonking7978 3 жыл бұрын

What a gorgeous fleece! He was such a good boy when she was sheering him. I thought they were both old hands at the process. I would have loved to have that fleece. How blessed you were.

@angeladent4175 7 жыл бұрын

Thankyou so much for sharing. I have just got my first fleece and you have given me confidence in tackling it. Wish I had a MR BATES!

@thenaturalspinner 7 жыл бұрын

Congrats on your first fleece! It's so cool to have one of your own. Just take your time and have fun with it. Feel free to ask any questions you may have while working with your fleece. I'd be glad to help you in any way I can :) You have so many options when working from the raw. What breed is your fleece? Thanks for your post!! -Kimberly :)

@simonamaloney5258 7 жыл бұрын

Thank you for all the work you put in ALL your videos. Looking forward to your next.

@stampbykory 5 жыл бұрын

Oh my gosh! I love how you share. REAL! It was cool to watch the process. I just got into wool. I’m learning and I fell in love! I’m hooked. I am starting to teach classes on wool and the LORD! I’m excited Putting the two together! Thank you for sharing your knowledge. God bless you ! Have a smile on your face today!!!!

@thenaturalspinner 4 жыл бұрын

I'm so glad you enjoyed it! Thank you! -Kimberly

@dukeofpurl 7 жыл бұрын

Great video! Thanks a bunch! I'm partial to "shades of greys", so Mr Bate's fleece has particular appeal. Your informed opinions are invaluable. 👍 🍷

@thenaturalspinner 7 жыл бұрын

Thanks so much! I may not be the only opinion out there, but it's the only one I've got ;) lol. You'll see more of his fleece coming up soon with the washing video and then the combing and spinning!! Always nice to hear from you :)

@dukeofpurl 7 жыл бұрын

I learned to knit 4+ years ago. Now I'm slowing getting into spinning. I just bought a Louet S75 wheel. Maybe a big mistake as a first wheel! 😟 Knowing me, I won't stop there, and I'll be processing fleece sooner than later. LOL So fleece washing etc is going to be extra interesting!

@thenaturalspinner 7 жыл бұрын

Cool!! I hope you'll find it helpful :)

@lisah3858 7 жыл бұрын

Hi Kim. This is indeed a gorgeous fleece. I'm so looking forward to see how you process it, and what it will become in the end. Thank you for taking the time to do this... I love all your videos... :) -Lisa in Sweden :)

@thenaturalspinner 7 жыл бұрын

Hi Lisa, thank you for your kind words :) So many possibilities with his fleece, we shall see... -Kimberly

@thenaturalspinner 7 жыл бұрын

UPDATE: WASHING VIDEO IS UP AND YOU HAVE UNTIL AUGUST 28TH TO LEAVE A COMMENT UNDER THAT VIDEO, TO BE ENTERED IN THE DRAWING FOR BATES' FLEECE!! GOOD LUCK!! So, I just had the idea of a fleece giveaway (maybe 8 ounces of Mr. Bates' raw fleece). What do you think and how should I go about doing that?? Hmmmm...ideas anyone?? -Kimberly :)

@hollynoscar3534 7 жыл бұрын

that's a fun idea. perhaps on your next video have your viewers comment on what they would make with it. and or ask a question what is their favourite fleece to spin and why? just something quick and fun to get viewers engaged.

@SeareanMoon 7 жыл бұрын

I love that idea! Like Francesca said, maybe have people comment on the next video!

@thenaturalspinner 7 жыл бұрын

Yes, great idea! Once the washing video is posted, I'll set a deadline with what the comment has to say so that I know you (anyone who views the video) would like to be entered in the drawing for the fleece. It will be at least 8 ounces, maybe more once I get into the washing myself. Trying to make what I do more interactive with all of you :) Thank you!! -Kimberly :)

@dukeofpurl 7 жыл бұрын

If I had even half a clue about fleece and processing it, it would be a hoot to participate in the draw. As it is, your gracious give-away fleece is going to better served in the capable hands of someone else - I'm sure! :/

@manicspinner1959 7 жыл бұрын

Looking forward to this. I love Romney; a group of us are doing a sheep-to-shawl next month in Virginia. I'm the carding/spinning part of the team, and we're using a Romney fleece from Solitude Wool. I just scoured it and carded and spun a small sample. LOVE Romney. Scoured very nicely, and frankly, if it were all mine, I'd comb, not card it.

@joanmiller7519 5 жыл бұрын

Hi, I just found your You Tube channel and am feeling so lucky. I bought a black Romney fleece on Saturday at a small local fiber event. I did it on a whim. I’ll be dropping it off at a local mill tomorrow for processing. I’m feeling more confident about my purchase having watched your videos. I will be having the wool spun for socks and sweaters. Any suggestions or things to think about? Thanks for doing this series. They’re very well done and so informative.

@thenaturalspinner 5 жыл бұрын

Hi Joan! Happy you are enjoying the videos. The mill is spinning the wool also? What are you asking for suggestions about? How the wool should be spun or ? Just not sure, so asking for clarity. Two more videos and the series is complete. Thanks for posting a comment! -Kimberly : )

@SeareanMoon 7 жыл бұрын

that was a gorgeous sheep, looked so like a zebra, what kind was it? Very informative and helpful video!

@thenaturalspinner 7 жыл бұрын

Mr. Bates is a Romney. That was what my first bought fleece was and I've loved them ever since :) I'm so glad you found the video helpful. Thanks for posting, -Kimberly :)

@jonlilley9161 5 жыл бұрын

Wow, Kimberly! Thank you very much for the information. I had no idea. I just joined a local Spinning & Weaving Guild to learn more about the whole process. I'm even going to take a class on fleece judging at the Great Lakes Fiber Festival next month. Wish me luck! I won't be coming home empty handed. LOL!

@thenaturalspinner 5 жыл бұрын

I'd love to find a fleece judging course near me. It's been on my wish list for a while now and I'd love to be a judge someday at a festival :) Good luck with it and I hope you really enjoy it! -Kimberly

@howlingwind1937 5 жыл бұрын

I believe that if you find dander further up the fleece, the animal may have missed a shearing. Ive learnt it's best to shear them each year because if it's left the sheep can get water in under the fleece and cause skin problems even causing the fleece to come away from the skin and that could cause infection at the skin. Thank you for the video it was informative and the fleece looked gorgeous. Cheers!

@thenaturalspinner 5 жыл бұрын

I am glad you enjoyed the video. I have seen my fair share of dander in different fleeces. Never a desireable quality in any fleece though. Can be difficult to remove, especially in the middle of the staple. Thanks for posting a comment. -Kimberly

@howlingwind1937 5 жыл бұрын

TheNaturalSpinner that looked like a really lovely fleece, beautiful colour, and it's so good you can shear them yourself, you made it look easy! Thank you for sharing. Cheers!

@jonlilley2832 5 жыл бұрын

I can't get over how still Mr. Bates sat while being sheered. I would've expected a lot more escape attempts and a lot more squirminess. And the color difference in the fleece was really interesting. Thank you for sharing!

@thenaturalspinner 5 жыл бұрын

Hi Jon, I've heard it said that most sheep, once positioned that way, will become more relaxed. I forget why they say that is. Perhaps a shepherd or shearer will see this and fill us in. His fleece is truly an amazing array of colors! -Kimberly

@alvexok5523 5 жыл бұрын

@@thenaturalspinner , correct me if I'm wrong on any of this, I thought that the reason why sheep kick and squirm while getting sheared is because the human-style sitting position that they're held in with their hooves sticking out into the air is an unnatural position for sheep. Sheep's natural sitting positions are with their belly laying on the ground and their hooves tucked under them, or laying on their side with their hooves lying along the ground in front of them. But they don't like being in a human-style sitting position with their hooves all off of the ground sticking out, and they wouldn't even be able to stay in that shearing position without someone holding them up, they'd fall over. Correct me if I'm wrong on any of this

@S_Eglington 4 жыл бұрын

@@alvexok5523 It's not a position a sheep could get into on its own! Animals relax when securely restrained sitting a sheep on its bum means it can't effectively fight back and so it submits. If you watch her it's very good handling of an animal that weighs more than her. She keeps him more on his back when doing the belly wool and first leg. She then waits till the neck is opened before putting her right leg between his legs which is a stronger hold when the sheep is most likely to struggle. She keeps him on his back as much as possible and uses her legs and knees to move him and keep her weight on top of the sheep. Mr Bates knows he can't escape so he doesn't struggle much.

@MsLadyhorse 2 жыл бұрын

I know this video is 5 years old, but I just found it, and it applies to my questions. I just acquired 4 churro sheep, and learned to shear them a month ago. I did alright, but my clippers kept overheating and I'd have to stop on each leg to let the blades cool off. Is there a way to prevent that? What oil do you use on your clippers? What tension are yours set at? What blades do you use? The last one, I actually got sick of fighting the clippers and switched to manual onion/scissors type hand shears. That poor girl got some skin nicks. The clippers also nicked, but not as bad. How did you not cut Mr Bates' skin? I've asked these questions of other people, but either got no response, or opposite/conflicting information. Maybe if I ask enough different people, I can put it all together and make something work for me. Thank you for your time to answer.

@thenaturalspinner 2 жыл бұрын

Hello Gloria, I won't be much help as I have never shorn a sheep, but Emily who is doing the shearing in the video, has a website. I would suggest reaching out to her and see if she can help you. Contact info here, www.chamelinshearing.org/take-action. Good luck!

@MsLadyhorse 2 жыл бұрын

@@thenaturalspinner Thank you! I will reach out. Appreciate the link.

@cintiapollock2486 6 жыл бұрын

wow what a beautiful animal so awesomely sheared it was easy to see his nice conformation and beautiful fiber : )

@thenaturalspinner 6 жыл бұрын

Hi Cintia, thanks for posting a comment! It was cool to be there and watch it being done and then to get to take that just shorn and still warm fleece to the skiring table and get to ‘play’ with it :) -Kimberly

@calandracooper8115 4 жыл бұрын

I have some raw fleece that has extremely tarry ends--can I simply cut off those tips?

@thenaturalspinner 4 жыл бұрын

You can always cut the tips off of a problem fleece. The length left will determine if it's still suitable for combing or if carding or other form of prep will be needed.

@jennywren2395 5 жыл бұрын

I have fleece envy. Oh that Mr bates, fabulous fleece. Having grown up here in New Zealand I recognized the shearing style and immediately felt at home with it. Well shorn. Your videos are fabulous and the sound and pace of your voice is very relaxing. Will you be doing any further videos of your expert fibre skills?

@thenaturalspinner 5 жыл бұрын

Hi Jenny, Yes, there are more videos in the works. It's been a while though. Thanks for your lovely compliments : ) We are dying to visit New Zealand...he wants to fly fish and I want to visit sheep! We're hoping it will happen in the next two years or so. -Kimberly : )

@vernonbowling5310 4 жыл бұрын

Great looking fleece.

@thenaturalspinner 4 жыл бұрын

'Tis beautiful!

@cyndidaves5313 6 жыл бұрын

Hi, you talked about "flicking" out dander in your raw fleece. what do you use to "flick" the dander off the fibers? thanks

@thenaturalspinner 6 жыл бұрын

Usually it's a small brush...think cat or dog brush with metal teeth. They are bent similar to carding cloth, but not as thick, so don't last as long. There are some makers who make specific flickers, or flick brush...Strauch, Fricke, Ashford, etc...You can do a search and they should come up. They are around $20, where as dog/cat brushes are around $5. It helps to have a piece of leather or canvas on your lap, so as you brush open the fibers, your clothing is protected. If you do a search on YT, I know there are videos that show flicking locks. I'll probably include it in a video eventually... Thanks for your questions. -Kimberly :)

@Cellottia 7 жыл бұрын

He's a Romney?! Wow, I thought he was a Wensleydale, looking at the length and crimp (shows how much I know - but I'm learning!) And yes, without his fleece, he does look like a Zebra; quite beautiful! The fibres look fairly coarse on the video; are they? What's the handle/feel like now, and will it change depending on how you wash, spin and ply? I think it would make a splendid winter jumper, with maybe a few cables, or maybe a modular knitting technique to show off the beautiful range of colours. Thanks for the video, I'll be very interested to see what you do with this lovely fleece. Best wishes! K

@thenaturalspinner 7 жыл бұрын

I'm thinking of sending off a sample for micron testing. The darker, almost black fiber is softer than the rest. The main body is near 30, I'm guessing. I have one Romney lamb fleece that is soooo soft, that I think even I can wear it as a cowl! I don't expect his to be really soft like that, but it's such a beautiful color and the fiber is strong, so will make good woven fabric for sewing or maybe knitting and felting parts of it. It's so much fund to plan, as the possibilities are infinite :) -Kimberly :)

@Makapida 7 жыл бұрын

Beautiful fleece!

@thenaturalspinner 7 жыл бұрын

His colors are rather amazing!

@shepherdewan 5 жыл бұрын

Was 🎅 nice 👍🏽 New Years 🎹🎹🎹🎹🎹🎹💥💥💥💥💥💥🔔🔔🔔🔔🔔🔔🌹🌹🌹🌹🎈🎈🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎷🎷🎷🎷🎤🎤🎤🎤🎤

@hollynoscar3534 7 жыл бұрын

that is one gorgeous fleece.

@thenaturalspinner 7 жыл бұрын

Isn't it!! I was wowed when I was sorting through it...I have actually washed just a little(but didn't record that), I had to see how it came out. I've spun one singles skein with it. It was entered in the competition at the Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival in May. (I just couldn't wait to spin some).Gorgeous color!!! I'm excited to continue working with his fleece :) I'm thinking of taking viewer opinions on what to make with his fleece...any ideas?? -Kimberly

@hollynoscar3534 7 жыл бұрын

well, i got three romney fleeces from maine last year, (white, and two greys much like mr. bates'). the plan is to make two specific projects, a hap (like a large blanket shawl), and a sweater. the rest will be used for weaving with my rigid heddle loom. my grey was just as variegated as yours is, and at first i was sorting it by light, medium and dark and going to card it separately, but then changed my mind and carded it all together... it came out as the most spectacular variegated grey... so excited to use it. i have three more maine romney fleeces coming to me first week of july and can't wait to get my hands on it. the washing is quite cumbersome and the flicking and prepping the fibre before putting it in the carder is quite time consuming but very enjoyable process. and the quality of the finished spun yarn is strong, and full and gorgeous. have fun with your fleece and show us your progress and/or what you decide to do with it.

@thenaturalspinner 7 жыл бұрын

I have thought about weaving a tight fabric for sewing bags with. At least some of it. The softer, darker part around the neck area I will likely keep separate and spin a finer yarn, although not sure yet what I'll knit with it. It will depend on the yardage and actual weight int the end. If you can link to your projects, please do. I always love to see what others are doing with their fleece :) Thanks, Kimberly

@hollynoscar3534 7 жыл бұрын

i post all my fibre related projects on instagram, as FrancescaDiLeo instagram.com/francescadileo/

@thenaturalspinner 7 жыл бұрын

Thanks for that link :) I see you love your pups! My sister has a Doxie, Pearl, who is the Diva of the household. I use plastic baskets for lock washing too ;) -K

@sarahwalker4434 7 жыл бұрын

All way love a good fiber video.. Thanks

@thenaturalspinner 7 жыл бұрын

Thank you! -Kimberly :)

@manicspinner1959 7 жыл бұрын

Was she (the shearer) doing demos a MdS&W?

@thenaturalspinner 7 жыл бұрын

Yes, Emily was doing the shearing demos all weekend at MDSW this year. . I stopped for a few minutes during one to watch. She also sheared one of the sheep for the sheep to shawl competition (The Hairspray team).