[Jacob-list] Karakul Fleece?

[Neal and Louise Grose]

How 'bout a about one cent's worth:
Coarser fleeces will make you a lover of combs. With a little practice, you will be spinning shiny worsted. And you will have some nice weapons to boot.

Neal
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Linda 
  To: Gotothewhip at aol.com ; jacob-list at jacobsheep.com 
  Sent: Saturday, December 08, 2007 5:48 PM
  Subject: Re: [Jacob-list] Karakul Fleece?


  Just my two cents worth (since no one else will give me two cents *smile*), I think a  typical Jacob fleece is way easier to process and spin than a Karakul. There is no crimp or elasticity to Karakul (no "grab") which makes it harder to spin to where it will hold together. You can spin Jacob with hardly any twist and it will make yarn - it's a very forgiving fiber. Ten years or so ago, I bought alot of raw fleece from different breeds to process and spin up just to play with some fibers. Jacob is one of the best beginner's fleece - easy to process and easy to spin.  Unless wool staple length is really short (less than two inches, maybe), it won't have as much to do with ease of spinning as fleece structure. If there's some "bounce/crimp/elasticity" in the staple, there is a natural tendency for the fibers to adhere to each other - they spring back and comingle when you release them onto the bobbin.  If there is no "bounce/crimp/elasticity", you have to put alot of twist to hold it together.  It's like trying to twirl your hair into yarn. A fleece length over 6" can be hard to process on hand cards.  Just try it and see how it goes - you'll learn something (and see why you decided on Jacobs!).  


  Linda


   
  www.patchworkfibers.com
  Registered Jacob Sheep, Angora Rabbits, Handspun Yarn


  > Please remember I am a complete newbie at this....
  >
  > I am just getting started spinning processed Jacob Roving....
  >
  > Then today at a local craft fair, i bought a white Karakul fleece ,
  > unprocessed for $20 because the seller was talking about how easy
  > the Karakul is to process yourself and spin...
  >
  > I have a set of hand cards, so this may be a good opportunity to
  > try my own processing, and the staple length is long so it may
  > indeed be easy to spin...
  >
  >
  > But I need some insight?
  >
  > Jennifer Tucker
  > Moose Mtn. Ranch
  >



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