Not all fleece is worthy of a handspinner’s skill. It is a great joy to spin fleece as it comes off the sheep while it is still warm and the best parts easy to locate – but no joy in trying to spin fleece that is matted, smelly, dirty or tangled with thorns or straw. Shearing is a bit later this year due to the wet weather, and as supply always exceeds demand, it makes good sense to pick the best and compost the rest. Spinning in the grease saves time and effort in washing and work with a flick carder, hand carders, table carder, drum carder, or combs. And if preparation is all part of your pleasure it still makes sense to pick the best to start with as better quality fleece will inevitably yield a better quality yarn. And higher quality and greater productivity will increase the pleasure and satisfaction from your skill. No, not all raw fleece is worthy of the handspinner’s skill.

An easy to spin staple length is about the width of your hand. And there is the question of purpose i.e is it for a scarf or a rug or just to practise with? Quality varies enormously between breeds, and within the breed, and within the specific fleece itself where, the easiest part to spin is mostly found where the saddle would go if it were a horse. Feel, smell, knowledge, nous and even hearing all play a part in making the important choice that may – or may not! – bring you joy in winter. For more information on choosing the best see: Ch.4 Fleece Nature’s best, ‘Handspinning – essential technical and creative skills’ (now in paperback) or request an extract.