Processing Wool by Hand — FarmPal

Transform raw fleece into yarn through washing, carding, and spinning.

Time Required
Many hours per pound of fiber meditative work
Season
See notes

Benefits

  • •Creates warm, durable fiber from your flock
  • •Complete control over fiber quality and preparation
  • •Deeply satisfying handcraft tradition
  • •Reduces waste use the whole animal
  • •Valuable skill for self-sufficiency

Steps

1
Select and Sort Fleece

Choose quality fleece with good crimp and minimal vegetable matter. Sort by quality, removing stained or felted sections.

  • 💡 Best quality from shoulders and sides
  • 💡 Avoid belly wool and tags
  • 💡 Second cuts (short bits) clog processing
2
Wash the Wool

Soak in very hot water with dish soap to remove lanolin and dirt. Do not agitate this causes felting!

  • 💡 Multiple soak baths, no agitation
  • 💡 Water should be as hot as possible
  • 💡 Rinse in same temperature water
3
Dry and Pick

Lay washed wool on screens to dry completely. Pick apart locks and remove remaining vegetable matter.

  • 💡 Wool must be completely dry before carding
  • 💡 Picking is slow but improves final yarn
  • 💡 A picker speeds the process if processing volume
4
Card or Comb

Hand cards align fibers for woolen spinning. Combs prepare fiber for worsted spinning (smoother yarn).

  • 💡 Hand cards create rolags for spinning
  • 💡 Work small amounts at a time
  • 💡 Fiber should be airy and aligned
5
Spin into Yarn

Use a drop spindle or spinning wheel to twist fiber into yarn. Ply two or more strands together for strength.

  • 💡 Drop spindles are inexpensive to start
  • 💡 Practice on commercially prepared fiber first
  • 💡 Consistency comes with practice

Tools Needed

Raw fleece
Large tubs or bins for washing
Dish soap or wool wash
Drying screens
Hand cards or combs
Drop spindle or spinning wheel
Niddy noddy for skeining

⚠️ Safety

  • •Hot water can scald
  • •Lanolin can cause skin reactions in some people
  • •Spinning equipment has moving parts
  • •Proper posture important for repetitive motion
Seasonal Notes
Shearing in spring. Wash wool in summer heat. Spin year-round.