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Volume 2, Number 2 April 1998
Deb Kimball, Editor
Spin That Belly Wool
Helen McFarland
(Warning: this article is for dedicated wool gatherers only!)
I had heard that the belly wool on the sheep was the softest, best-handling
part of the fleece, but because of its unfortunate location it can also be the
dirtiest, most vegetation-laden and matted part of the fleece, so is often
thrown out. However, undaunted by these negatives, I saved all belly wool from
the fall shearing (8 months growth) and put them aside to be dealt with later.
When “later” came, it was discovered that some of the belly wool was just
too short to be spinnable; some was glued together in dirt laden felted clumps,
and other was candidates fora wash, combing and spinning.
Everyone has a different process for washing and here is what I did with the
belly wool. Each “belly” was put into its own mesh lingerie bag. My washing
machine was filled with HOT (probably 142 degree water) and “TIDE” was added
and dissolved. Then the bags of belly wool were very gently pushed down into the
washer with a large spoon (as the water was too hot for my hands) and allowed to
soak until the water had cooled to warm. The washing machine was allowed to
drain and spin (but never, EVER to agitate) and the bags were removed. If the
fleeces (bellies) were still dirty, the process was repeated. (In the future I
will try “Basic H” a Shaklee product recommended by Quail Hill Carding Co.,
as Tide leaves the wool with a “dry” handle, although it does remove the
dirty.
Anyhow, after two washes, the process was repeated with one or two rinses, using
hot water and soaking until warm If the water drains clean and clear after the
first rinse, the second may not be necessary. Then the bellies were spun-dry and
air-dried in a warm room for several days. Then, with a fine toothed dog comb
(10 teeth per inch), I flick-combed each lock of wool and was rewarded by a
lovely, soft tog-and-thel combination, ready for spinning! The tog was up to
8” long and the thel about 3 1/2” which I never would have believed looking
at the belly wool as it came off the sheep!
Some belly wool may appear too short or too matted for use at first, but when
a lock is gently separated out and stretched, it may actually be alright. So
give them a try before tossing those bellies on the compost heap!
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