How do I get a sheep fleece please?

[becks77]

Hi All,
I have this idea that I would like to purchase a sheep fleece and see if I can do all that is necessary to then make it into a wearable item of clothing.
There have been the suggestions on this forum that fleeces can be obtained inexpensively direct from the farmer, but how do I find out who owns the sheep I see in the field or is there a local list of farmers somewhere. I've looked on internet and cant find anything suitable, perhaps my search criteria are not right.
Ooh Freecycle might be the way to go, its certainly local.
Can anyone point me in the right direction or sell me a fleece please, any advice gratefully received
Thanks
Becks

[red]

I'd ask neighbours.. down the pub etc. perhaps stick a notice up in local farmers suppliers.

you might have better luck nearer to shearing to time, varies a lot but around here is May onwards

[becks77]

Thanks, some good ideas there

[snapdragon]

I got my first one off freecycle from someone's garden in east sussex !?! (sister lives near and she spotted it for me) So well worth a wanted in there I'd say

I've had them off e bay at anything from 99p (collected from Kent whilst visiting little sis) up to 5£ (collected from Dorset whilst visiting big sis)
worth checking out e bay if you're unlucky locally, (search on 'knitting' or 'spinning' in crafts rather than 'fleece')
There was a shepherd selling two fleeces in a bag for 99p recently but mid winter isn't an easy time to get them scoured and dried so I didn't go for them.

[Berti]

you are lucky enough to live in a country with lots of sheep.........and the best way is just drive up the farm and ask.
it's hard to believe still a lot of farmers just toss the fleeces when shearing.......keep that in mind and you are in for a bargain.
you could always pay a little bonus if it is really nice stuff or if you like the people etc :)

and ebay, search for RAW fleece, that should do th trick.
ebay can be tricky too, there is also some shearers trying to get rid of their crap, sometimes with the dung attached........be aware what you pay for.
so, ALWAYS ask if the fleece is well skirted or ask around for sellers on ebay that others have good experiences with.

gee, I wish l lived in your country.......we have sheep in netherlands but ..........
berti

[becks77]

Thanks everyone,
Its probably the wrong time of year to be looking but I will try all your brilliant suggestions start local and move on up toEbay LOL

[ina]

Now - if you were around here, I could get you a few... Don't know whether it's worth mailing one? Mine are all in storage at the moment - winter really isn't the right time to start working with them. Best would be right after shearing; warm weather helps. And if you have never worked with wool, make sure you get one that's easy for a beginner (right breed, length etc), depending on what you want to use it for, too!

[snapdragon]

...
And if you have never worked with wool, make sure you get one that's easy for a beginner (right breed, length etc), depending on what you want to use it for, too!

nod nod BFL (Blue faced leicester) seems to be popular
LOL I wish someone had said that to me before I got my first one Ina - very mucky and short - but newbie determination overruled commonsense and I just continued getting cheap ones and I do what I can with what I get

some years ago I was given a bit of Merino 'roving' and loaned a spindle - but couldnt get the hang of it - I've found that if I start with raw I get a much better feel for it
not perfect but I'm still practising

[Berti]

I realised I DO have some sheepfleece (top notch!) that I am willing to trade......yes even when I live in the netherlands. PM me if you like, with offers.
Berti

[becks77]

Hi there,
The fleece has arrived and the drop spindle made, I'm now reading the book for next instructions!!

[hamster]

I got some at a local Guild of Spinners, Weavers and Dyers event. Might be worth contacting your local guild if you have one as there will be people there who will know where to get them locally (or have sheep, alpacas etc themselves).

[snapdragon]

Hi there,
The fleece has arrived and the drop spindle made, I'm now reading the book for next instructions!!

pull twist pull twist pull twist twiddle wrap

Enjoy - it's addictive

some mini-vids on the joyofhandspinning blog/site

[red]

some mini-vids on the joyofhandspinning blog/site

oh yes we like that website alot. in fact himself bought a spinning wheel, watched the vid on that website and started to spin.... we didn't know the done thing was to join a guild!
I'm knitting a jumper which his first attempts at the mo.. and the knitting group i go to all said how good it was and were stunned it was a first attempt

sometimes not knowing makes life easier!

[snapdragon]

very useful site

.... we didn't know the done thing was to join a guild!

me either - after a while i went to an open day at a guild but didn't join.

sometimes not knowing makes life easier!

X

of course getting the first one for free and most of the rest for a pound apiece learning by trial and 'not knowing' wasn't a problem

[Gert]

Hi

I don't know if people are still looking for fleeces. My partner uses ours for spinning herself, but we live next to a sheep farmer and she might well sell some on, she has Texels and Southdowns, If people are interested I'll ask her.

Gert