North Ronaldsay sheep wool. An introduction to sorting this rare breed, double-coated fleece.

[@WibblyWobbly]

Id looking forward to see processing of this lovely wool)

[@jamesgeorge4480]

I shall make a video asap 😊

[@manicspinner1959]

Just received my first North Ronaldsey raw fleece from Auskerry Island up in the Orkneys. I've processed (by hand) a lot of raw fleeces, but this one is SO different from anything I've ever worked with, which had me googling videos and yours came up. Thanks for your video. You did not talk about "guard hairs"-- I have more of those than the double-coatedness that you talk about here. (I.e., I cannot easily pull the log fibers from the shorter). I'll keep googling.

[@jamesgeorge4480]

Thank you for your comment. How exciting that you have an Auskerry fleece. You are correct of course that the fleece has guard hairs, which I clearly forgot to mention, probably due to the heat that day! I always choose to leave the guard hairs in the fleece as it's never a problem for me, however yours sounds extreme which could be due to the fact that it was still produced on the island where it needs that protection from the elements. I suspect that mainland flocks may have lost the need for so much. I would certainly speak to the breeder that you bought it from and ask their advice as they do process their own into yarn too. Usually the only way to remove hair is by combing but then you would risk spoiling the undercoat, unless you were prepared to de hair that by hand and re comb the undercoat. I'd be happy to try some for you if you'd like to send me some.

[@sharonsouthey3235]

I loved watching this vlog, and that you keep your sheep. You make it so interesting with the info you give. Not sure I’ll ever get to prepare a fleece, but loving the journey of learning all about it with my beginner spinning to. Xx

[@jamesgeorge4480]

Thank you Sharon. I'm glad you enjoyed it. Maybe one day you'll try spinning from a fleece too ! In the meantime enjoy your spinning.

[@sondragingery5949]

Thank you. That was lovely to see the fleeces.

[@jamesgeorge4480]

I'm glad you enjoyed it. Thank you.

[@tracysmith7935]

I've just stumbled upon your video. I truly enjoyed watching you with the fleeces. I've been told that I keep too much of the full fleece when I skirt them. But who is really that well off to waste very good fiber? I've made some very nice rugs with the "trash" parts of the fleece. Spinning up the coarser fibers makes me feel that a rug under foot made of them is a worth while endevor. I am excited to see your next video.

[@thespinningbarnbytheresage1139]

Thank you for your comment. I am glad you enjoyed it. I believe there should be minimal actual waste fibre as most of it can be used for other projects whether that's spinning, felting etc etc. Just enjoy it and make the best use of such a fabulous resource.

[@micahmilne]

Gorgeous fleeces! Do you have an idea what project you're going to do with them yet?

[@jamesgeorge4480]

I'm thinking of blending them all and making one big blanket but I'm not quite sure yet.