Corriedale Cross wool roving....braided??

[billieanne]

Was buzzing around Etsy and came across this posting. www.etsy.com/listing/122247767/corriedale-cross-wool-roving-undyed?ref=sr_gallery_19&ga_search_query=wool+roving&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_ship_to=US&ga_ref=auto6&ga_search_type=all
What does braided/unbraided mean? Is this how some people work with wool roving? I've just started felting and have only bought the "balls" of roving. "*Ecru fiber is sold unbraided. If you want us to braid the fiber for you, please make a request at checkout."

[koffipot]

Braiding compresses the fibre for transit and also protects it from 'matting' together. Sometimes the braids are made in cooordinating colourways. Braided yarns also make for interesting dyeing!

[zed]

I've always wondered what the deal was with braided roving, too
I assumed it was to encourage crimp or something. or just look nice

[billieanne]

Judith, Thanks for the information. I thought the braids were pretty but don't understand the rainbow of colors. Are all those different colors mix up in 1 length of roving?
Zed, I've braided my hair and bread dough so figured if I had to braid wool I was ready.

[Shepherdess]

What I have seen as braided roving is actually crocheted. You just keep pulling the roving up through the loop to make new loop and keep going till its all "braided". so not like braiding your hair. I sometimes sell it that way at shows. It keeps it neat and tidy for display. If you do it in a ball people keep making a mess with it. It shows off fancy die jobs nicely.
Judeth are we talking about the same thing?

[koffipot]

Ann, no, I don't think we're on the same wavelength this is just like braiding your hair, (plaiting in UK). I'm thinking of a length of roving which has been plaited rather than just wound, it's quit a thick plait/braid. Photographers often use it as a prop in baby photos. They wrap it around baskets and the like then plonk a beautiful naked baby in amongst it.

I've seen some recently, but can't remember where. Will carry on looking.

Here we are!


www.etsy.com/uk/listing/126455986/big-braid-basket-filler-photography-prop?ref=sr_gallery_1&sref=sr_3fbfe7056c48b362aa7e1b53456f6b07eb96cca8db308e9b47e66e667788e90e_1370551521_14243029_prop&ga_search_type=all&ga_includes%5B0%5D=materials&ga_search_query=newborn+prop+wool&ga_ref=related&ga_page=1&ga_view_type=gallery

www.etsy.com/listing/95982653/13-feet-2-wide-undyed-braided-wool-fiber

[Shepherdess]

Ok it just looks the same. I will try to take a picture of mine to show you.

[billieanne]

Now I'm confused.....doesn't take much. When I think of crocheting I think of those little hook needles making little chains of stitches. How was that for an explanation!! LOL. The braids on Etsy look BIG like my braided hair.
Judith, The photographers props are very cool. They look more like the braids I'm seeing in the link I posted.

Ann, tap, tap, tap.....I'm waiting to see your beautiful braids.

[zed]

I think you'll be having too much fun felting, Billie, to get bored enough to start braiding the fibre

[billieanne]

Zed, No braiding the wool for me. The wool is disappearing here faster than I could braid it.

[koffipot]

I would advise forgetting the braiding, just get some fibre and get felting!

Certainly don't pay extra for something you're going to take apart as soon as it arrives.

[billieanne]

Judith, When I start a new craft I jump in with both feet and an open wallet. Now I'm sure I don't have as much wool as the rest of you but I'm working hard not to have a wool shortage in my house. lol
One of you lovely people, posted a link to Etsy and I did a search and the braided wool came up. I just wondered why it was braided. I don't want to pay for something I don't need. I've been doing small practice pieces and reading the book I bought on felting. This time of year I get to do a lot of mowing at my house, my great grandparents and an older neighbor that needs help with his lawn. So it's a lot of mowing and weed whacking. I have a sister that's going blind but she's still active. She and I run in my woods. That's why I'm always keeping the trails clear. Don't need her tripping on something. Plus I have a full time job. So right now I'm reading and learning from all of you.
p.s. I've got a online cart building on Dharma and getting another order ready for New England Felting Supply. I'm gaining on you....

[Shepherdess]

I tried to upload the pictures this morning but it wouldn't work. I am trying again now

Attachments:

[koffipot]

Ann - that's it. What do you do with it once you've braided it?

[zed]

We've been collecting for years, though, Billieanne
One thing I really like about felting is how little it costs, and how far the supplies go. Also, there are so many things that can be included that can be picked up cheap, like fabrics and yarns etc.