AboutBJ Heeke Expertise I can answer questions about spindle spinning, low whorl, high whorl, & supported spindles. I can answer questions about navajo plying on a wheel, & andean plying from a spindle. I can also answer questions regarding making one`s own spindles from CD`s or wooden wheels and dowels.
I have limited weaving experience, but if I do not know the answer, I surely will find someone who does!
Experience I have been spinning for 20 years. I make my own spindles. I have taught spindling classes.
Organizations Northwest Regional Spinner's Association, Texas Fiber Guild, Heart of Texas Spinners & Weavers, & Spindlitis. Past member of the Little Flock Handspinners of Seattle (disbanded) and Valley Spinners (opps, lapsed membership).
Publications I have written a series of articles for NwRSA's newsletter 'Loose Threads' for spinners about finding information on the Internet called 'Wired Threads'.
I have served as an editor for the Contemporary Handweavers of Texas as well as membership chair for 2 years. I also taught a spindling class at the 2005 conference in Austin, TX.
I will be teaching at Kid 'n Ewe in Boerne, TX November 10-12, 2006.
Expert: BJ Heeke Date: 3/11/2006 Subject: processing raw fleeces
Question Hi Bj,
I do some spinning and have washed and carded some raw fleeces.I have a fleece i recently bought that i'm not too thrilled with.It looked great and had nice length and crimp and was very soft.My problem is lots of tiny little lumps in it that I can't get out.Is this a problem with the fleece itself or am I just not cleaning and carding thoroughly enough?I use either "Tide" or "dawn" detergent and very hot water with several hot water rinses.When dry i card it on hand carders.I was also wondering if it might be salvaged by sending it off to a place that washes and cards wool professionally and what it might cost and how do I find such a place.This fleece is marino wool.Hope you can help.I would love to do something with this wool but don't want to necessarily throw good money after bad so to speak.The fleece weighs just under four pounds raw.
Thanks for listening,
Jo
Answer Hey Jo (sorry I could not resist-Jimi Hendrix fan here-& you would have to be as old as me to get it I guess)
I like your name as it is my middle name too!
Anyway on to your question. Are these little lumps tangled up fiber or do they look like short cut pieces? What I am trying to determine is if they are noils or second cuts. Second cuts come from the shearer making a second pass over the same area just shorn. The noils come from stretching the fibers while carding and they just snap back and tangle together.
Merino is notorious for being persnickety to card. Since the fiber is so fine and crimpy it just lends itself to noiling.
Are the lumps greasy? They could be balls of lanolin that did not wash out. Can you send me a photo of the lumps? If you can, email it to nwspinner@txwi.net and then I should be able to give you a more definitive answer.
Fiber processors can pretty much handle any type of fiber, they would charge for washing again and the carding, but your roving would be a delight to spin! There are quite a few all over the country. A list of them may be found at http://hem.bredband.net/ronpar/Processors.html
