YARN SPINNING SERVICES

Spinning into yarn is most economical if done in lots of 50 pounds of clean (washed) wool. We can do batches as small as 20 pounds of clean wool, but we have a minimum charge for the set up of the machinery for each batch. If grease wool is sent, we recommend sending 100 pounds because the wool can lose as much as 50% of it's weight during washing. We cannot spin wool with a length of greater than 5 inches stretched out even though we can card wool up to 6 inches for roving. If you are in doubt about the 5 inch length, please measure. Also, we cannot spin slippery wools without adding crimpy wool to hold it together. Slippery wools include Romney, Lincoln, Border Leicester, Cotswold, Coopworth and other luster wools.

The finished yarn can be either wound onto paper cones for use on knitting machines or for weaving or it can be skeined, which is necessary for washing and dyeing. The washing removes the spinning oil and allows the yarn to regain it's natural loft. You can do this washing yourself (instructions are provided), or we can do it for you. The yarn returned on cones still has the spinning oil on it which is desirable for use on knitting machines and for weaving.

In addition to the losses in weight that occur during the carding process, there is an additional loss during the spinning process (generally 10%), but losses from luster wools and mohair blends may be greater. Some of the spinning losses can be recovered and will be returned in the form of roving.

Because the goal of this service is to provide custom spinning, we encourage you to ask if you want something special done with your wool. Please move to other parts of our home page to find out details concerning how to ship wool to us and the current price list for services.

If you are interested in examples of the different weights and twists of yarn that we are able to produce, please e-mail, write or phone, requesting the "Yarn Capabilities" sample card. There is no charge for this card, but it does differ from the "Yarn for Sale" card, which is much more extensive and for which there is a $7.00 charge.