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Post by zara on Feb 17, 2015 1:04:37 GMT
Now you have got me looking at WOW too. So much wool and other fun things that I have never tried... On one hand very tempting, on the other it feels almost ridiculous to buy more wool when I have a couple of sheep of my own and I buy raw Gotland fleece from a farm in a neighboring village for about £2 / $3 per kg... But it would be fun to try something else one day... ;-)
I had a look at some of the Swedish web-sites that sell domestic wool (including Gotland), and none have any info in English or info about shipping abroad. Perhaps the Swedish shipping rates are too high (up to a kg within Europe costs around £10/$17) or the tax system for foreign sales too complicated?
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Post by zara on Feb 17, 2015 1:16:23 GMT
I just compared prices for washed Gotland between WoW and a Swedish webshop. WoW is cheaper, the Swedish one charges £3 / $4.6 per 100g - but the locks do look much nicer on the photo on the Swedish site. www.filtmakeriet.se/show/object.asp?oid=124
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Post by Pandagirl on Feb 17, 2015 3:02:04 GMT
Thanks for the comparisons Zara. I think the point is trying something new, at least it is for me. You are so lucky to have the sheep, although I admit I wouldn't do all the work you do to get the final wool. I no longer have the stamina or energy to do that, but you are young and capable. :-)
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Post by Shepherdess on Feb 18, 2015 1:52:24 GMT
if you are buying fleece washed or raw it is better to go to a small place. At wow you are not getting a fleece but rather some fleece. As in hands full of fleece out of the big bin. it is fine wool just not the same. I have bought BFL form wow and picked out the nice curls.
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Post by zed on Feb 18, 2015 11:24:07 GMT
As much as I love WoW, there is no comparison between their washed/scoured Gotland and the one in your link, Zara. Even the nice soft Gotland from wollknoll can't compare. Like Ann said, it's just washed fleece, there are some identifiable locks to picks out, but it's nothing like that. I'd definitely buy that, if I could understand the site Oh, no, I clicked the arrows, now I want it all!
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Post by koffipot on Feb 18, 2015 13:36:54 GMT
Getting stuff from source is good. This is just down the road from me, it's all just gorgeous Wensleydale. I've bought yarn from them, which is lovely to knit with and really must get some fibre. The locks are just beautiful. yellowbutterflyrecipes.com/?product=fleeces-tops
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Post by zed on Feb 18, 2015 16:01:14 GMT
You've had the washed fleece, Judith? I've had scoured Wensleydale from WoW, but it doesn't look like the locks on there, less locks, more matted etc.
I'd love to buy local, I do searches all the time and come up with nowt. I applied to Raw Fleeces Europe, but never got accepted, even though it's full of foreigners.
I did come across one fleece seller, but they or their shearer had some right wing crap about drug testing benefit claimants on their Facebook, so I left.
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Post by luvswool and dyestuff on Feb 18, 2015 19:55:25 GMT
Judith, it would be so cool to have a place like Wensleydale Sheep Shop just down the road where you could grab a fleece and some nice long locks. Visit the sheep, too, I suppose? Much more satisfactory than ordering on-line!
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Post by zara on Feb 18, 2015 22:59:23 GMT
And even though ordering ready batts would be so much less work than preparing the wool myself, I do enjoy "growing my own locks". Below a recent photo of my sheep (mixed Swedish breeds, with part Gotland in them).
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Post by MTRuth on Feb 18, 2015 23:08:41 GMT
What gorgeous babies I keep thinking I should get my own sheep, we do have 4 acres, but then I think how much work it would be.
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Post by halay on Feb 19, 2015 8:30:28 GMT
Zara, I envy you. Wonderful locks!
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Post by jwugg on Feb 19, 2015 9:16:25 GMT
Zara - gorgeous girls! Did you ever think of selling some of their fleece? I'm thinking you have a ready made little customer base here.... When you are shearing & preparing a fleece, please do share it with us, I would love to see & hear about all the stages involved
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Post by zed on Feb 19, 2015 10:20:32 GMT
They look gorgeous, Zara!
Ruth, I saw someone on Facebook yesterday, charging $5 a person to come to their open day, and asked for helpers to skirt and clean their fleece!
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Post by luvswool and dyestuff on Feb 19, 2015 14:12:13 GMT
Zara, your sheep are so cute and the fleeces and locks are lovely! I don’t know the first thing about farming or sheep-herding, but right now I am feeling envious! It must be thrilling to felt knowing you are using the bounty from your own sheep.
Yes, please keep us posted on your sheep-work. I agree with Jill--you have a ready-made customer base on the Forum!
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Post by Shepherdess on Feb 19, 2015 15:30:56 GMT
there are people around here that invite people to help with the shearing. You get to skirt the fleeces. and for the help you get no discount. It amazes me how exited people are to work for free. I wonder if I could invite them out to pick rocks?
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