Processed Fleeces

I had sent some of my older fleeces away earlier this year to the Dakota Fibre Mill for processing.  As I'm sure is the same with many of you, I have more fleeces than I can process on my own.  This was my first time sending fleeces away and my friend Nicole has had fibre processed at this mill in the past (she even took them down for me!)   I sent of my very first fleece which was from a Corriedale sheep named Viv.  I bought this one from Val Fiddler of Woolly Wool of the West when we took our Wool Judging course together in 2012.  I also used this fleece in many of my classes as a great example of Corriedale.  I didn't want it to continue to sit in my basement and now I can spin it up!  It. Is. So. Wonderful!  Val's fleeces are always exceptional and this one was no surprise.  I also had a giant Rambouillet that I bought at the Drake Sheep Show & Sale several years ago.  It was from a Manitoba Producer named Graham Rannie who I've not met on a bunch of occasions art different wool shows.  He also won Grand Champion with his Rambouillet at the All Canada Classic in 2015.  I knew a fleece of this size would be too much for me on my own and it is so fine, I was a bit scared I would wreck it so off that one went.  The 3rd fleece I had processed is a Romney X.. and to be quite honest, I can't remember where I got that one but wow is it squishy.  Overall I am so incredibly happy with the quality of the fibre and the care that went into making the roving.  I paid $145 for the 3 fleeces which came out to 5 bags full.  I will start spinning and weighting as I go.  These will be sweaters FOR ME!  They are so nice and light now without the lanolin, sweat, VM, etc.  So light in fact that I dumped the entire Romney fleece out into the snow without even realizing - oops hah

I often get asked which mills will process single fleeces and besides the Dakota Fibre Mill you can now also process your fleeces at Long Way Homestead in Manitoba!  Anna will be the next person I send my wool to (and I do have more of course). 
 really am happy that I could have each fleece kept separate.  Especially for others like me who have special fleeces that they want to use for a specific project.  I can't wait to show you how it all comes out!