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Turn your wool into Roving and Yarn!
Contact us to get in the queue!
Take advantage of our current lack of backlog - turnaround for roving is typically less than 2 months, and for yarn is currently 4-6 months.
To get in line – just call or send an email with contact info, fiber type & estimated quantity.
Communication is so important – with our hands in dirty wool and running large machinery, we may not always be able to answer the phone, but we will get back to you!
570.972.3033
Pricing is on the order forms – download either the roving or the yarn forms below.
- Yes, we can do part of your order as roving and part as yarn.
- No, you don’t need to print the order form – unless you are shipping me your wool. If you’re dropping off, I have copies here to fill out as I weigh the wool.
- Yes, you get to see the machines when you drop off!
Weight Requirements:
incoming "dirty" weight for roving: 5 pounds minimum per batch
"clean" weight for yarn: 10 pounds minimum per batch
Fiber Requirements:
Length for roving only: 2"min up to 12"max
Length for yarn: 3"min up to 9"max
Processing Wool
The process to take raw wool to roving and yarn takes the following steps:
Skirting:
This is the part that you do before you bring me your wool (unless you want to pay me to do it for you). Spread the wool out for closer inspection and remove any unacceptable bits – such as matted areas, vegetable matter, manure, hoof trimmings, and short fibers. Basically you should bring me what you want in your roving or yarn. If you have any questions about this process – please ask! I’d be very happy to schedule a video chat before you bring or ship your fibers so that we can look at it together & talk through any potential issues.
If there is any evidence of moths in your fibers – you will need to take it back immediately or it will be disposed of.
Also - please no wood chips as they will damage the teeth on the carder.
Opening:
After the skirting, the fiber is opened before it is washed. Basically, I pull apart the fleeces into small chunks so that the water & soap can penetrate better to get the fibers clean. This means that you are welcome to pull apart your fleece as you skirt if that helps, as it's going to happen anyway.
Washing:
The wool is put in mesh baskets and moves through a series of sinks with very hot water. A typical cycle includes 2 washes and 3 rinses. Extra greasy or dirty wools that require additional washes and rinses will be charged additional fees. After the last rinse, the wool is transferred to a modified washing machine for the spin cycle to wring out excess water. Then it is spread out on drying racks. Fans are directed at the racks so that the fiber dries overnight.
Picking:
The dried wool is sent through the picking machine that separates the fibers, creating a wool ‘cloud’ instead of clumps. The machine has a conveyor belt infeed table, and it deposits the wool in an enclosed space for collection.
Carding:
The picked wool is sent through the carding machine which stretches out and aligns the fibers through a series of rollers. The machine has a conveyor belt infeed table where wool is fed in weighed amounts. The output from the machine is roving – a thin sliver of fiber that is coiled for packaging.
Spinning:
Roving is sent to Battenkill Fibers in NY where it is pindrafted to make it even more consistent and then spun into yarn. Then it returns to the mill here in Tobyhanna.
The Best Part:
You get your wool back! Seeing your excitement to take your wool on the next step in its creative journey is one of my favorite things.