When spinning for a project, the fastest way to get to the actual spinning is to start with purchased commercially prepared fibers. While this saves a big chuck of time, it limits the spinner to using the type of fiber, fiber blends, and colors that are commercially available. If you want something besides what can be purchased, then the only thing to do is to start with the raw fibers and do the processing yourself.
Once a grease fleece has been selected, it must be processed before it can be spun. Your fleece should have been skirted before you purchased it but lay it out and check to see that this has been done. If not, please see:
(Skirting A Fleece) The next step is to check the fleece for variences in fineness from one part of the sheep to the next. Select the finest quality of the fibers, weighing it to make sure that there is enough for your project with some extra for sampling.
Washing, also called scouring, comes next. Use your favorite washing method or, if you have not washed a fleece before, there are some recipes here (Washing Grease Wool Part1) and here (Washing Grease Wool part 2) Choose a method which fits your fleece – for example, a fine Merino fleece may need to be washed by the lock method while a Romney fleece may work will in a hot water bath, and a Shetland may come out very nicely with just a cold washing.
After the fleece is washed, there is a decision point. If you plan to do some dyeing, this is the time to decide if you want to dye the fleece or wait until it's spun up and then dye the yarn later.
Another decision to be made now is how to process the clean fleece for spinning. The fleece can be either carded or combed so now is the time to decide between spinning worsted or woolen yarn. If you're not certain which type of yarn, woolen or worsted, would work best in your project, process a small sample each way, spin it up, and make a small sample of the fabric.
Fibers can be carded to spin either woolen or worsted style, the only difference being in how the rolag is made from the batt.
Once you have your samples and have the exact yarn you want, make a control card to keep near your wheel while spinning. Measure the wraps per inch of both the singles and the plied yarn and note that information on the card. Then wind a piece of both he singles and plied yarn around the card. This gives you an easy reference for spinning to the exact size throughout the entire project and is invaluable when you have to take a break from spinning.
