by Sarabeth Parido
As the days grow shorter and the chill of autumn sets in, it’s time to think about preparing your wool harvest for the winter months ahead. Whether you're a shepherd with a flock of wool sheep or a fiber enthusiast who loves working with fleece, storing and processing your wool properly is essential to preserving its quality and ensuring you have beautifully soft and clean wool for spinning, knitting, and other crafts throughout the winter.
Skirting Your Fleece
After shearing, the first step is skirting—removing the dirty, coarse, and unusable parts of the fleece. This includes manure-stained wool, belly wool, and wool from the legs, which tends to be shorter and less desirable for processing.
Lay the fleece out on a skirting table or flat surface.
Remove any clumped or excessively dirty sections.
Check for vegetation, burrs, or other debris and pick them out carefully.
Skirting ensures that the clean, usable parts of the fleece are separated, making the next steps of processing a much more enjoyable experience.
Scouring the Wool
Scouring, or washing, the wool helps remove lanolin, dirt, and any lingering debris, leaving you with clean fibers ready for spinning or felting. Here’s how you can wash your fleece at home:
1. Fill your tub or basin with hot water (at least 120°F) and a small amount of wool-specific detergent or a gentle dish soap like Dawn. Make sure the water is hot enough to melt the lanolin but not so hot that it shocks the fibers.
2. Submerge the fleece carefully, making sure not to agitate it too much (this prevents felting). You may want to do this in smaller sections of fleece
3. Let it soak for about 15- 25 minutes. Carefully drain the water and repeat the process with fresh water and detergent until the water runs mostly clear.
4. Rinse the fleece in water as close to the same temperature as what you just poured out in the final wash so as not to shock or felt the fibers.
5. Gently press out excess water, but avoid wringing or twisting the fleece, which can cause unwanted felting.
Drying the Fleece
Once scoured, spread out the fleece flat to dry on a clean surface, preferably outdoors in the sunlight, which can help naturally brighten the wool. These final sunny days of the early autumn are perfect for this step in the process. Proper drying is essential to prevent mold and mildew from developing. After scouring, spread the fleece on a mesh drying rack or a clean surface where air can circulate. If you’re drying it indoors, make sure it’s in a well-ventilated area.
Flip the fleece occasionally to ensure it dries evenly. Depending on humidity levels, it can take a few days for wool to dry completely. A hanging herb dryer can be of great use for this step, as it will keep your fiber contained and allow for good ventilation. Once dry, it’s ready for storage or immediate use.
Storing Wool for the Winter
If you’re not ready to process your wool right away, proper storage is important to maintaining its quality through the cooler weather months. Here’s how to store your fleece safely:
Use breathable bags like cotton, which allow air to circulate while keeping dust and pests out. If plastic bags are your only choice, avoid tightly closing the bags, which can trap moisture and lead to mildew or mold growth.
Add natural moth repellents such as lavender sachets, cedar chips, or rosemary to deter pests without introducing harsh chemicals.
Store in a cool, dry place. Avoid areas with extreme temperature fluctuations, which harm your fleece by encouraging sweating and moisture build up.
By taking these precautions, your fleece will stay clean and fresh until you’re ready to process it for yarn or other projects.
Processing Wool for Cooler Weather Projects
As the cooler months settle in, you’ll have plenty of time to transform your stored fleece into fiber for knitting, spinning, or felting projects.
Carding: Use hand carders or a drum carder to align the wool fibers for spinning. Carded wool can also be used for felting or weaving projects.
Spinning: Prepare your fleece by drafting (pulling out fibers) and spin to your preferred thickness and ply. This can be done on a spinning wheel or drop spindle.
Felting: If spinning isn’t your thing, raw or processed wool can also be used for needle felting or wet felting. This is a great way to make cozy, creative gifts like wool slippers, hats, or felted wool balls for your laundry use.
Making the Most of Your Wool in the Fall
The cooler months are the perfect time to settle in and work on wool-based projects. Whether you’re knitting sweaters, felting cozy mittens, or preparing your raw fleece for spring markets, the fall and winter give you the opportunity to make the most of the wool you’ve carefully harvested and stored. With the right storage and processing techniques, you’ll have high-quality wool ready for all your upcoming projects.
Sarabeth Parido, is the Director of the Kentucky Sheep and Fiber Festival and The Kentucky Fiber Trail. She raises her own small flock of sheep in Clark County, Kentucky along with her husband and four sons.
