Janna’s Fleece Transformed

Back in 2008, I went to SAFF for the third year in a row and decided it was finally time to buy a fleece. I actually ended up purchasing 1.5 fleeces (I split a baby alpaca fleece with Regan) but this story is about the 6.13 lb fleece of a Lincoln Longwool Sheep named Janna. When I saw it, it was love at first sight. I mean, who wouldn’t love this beauty?

Look at those lovely lady locks! And I honestly don’t remember how much it was, but I’m pretty sure I got it for a steal. I brought home this amazing fleece and then promptly did nothing with it for TWO YEARS. What I didn’t realize is that subconsciously, I was waiting for Jen and Jared to get Fleury Sheep & Wool off the ground so I could send them my fleece.

I gave them my fleece on August 7 and got it back today. I didn’t expect my roving until SAFF so I’m basically getting it a whole MONTH before I expected it. Really, this is just Christmas in September as far as I’m concerned. So anyway, I sent in 6.13 pounds of fleece and got back 4.03 pounds of roving.

Let that sink in for a minute.

FOUR POUNDS OF ROVING.

What does FOUR POUNDS OF ROVING look like? Why, it looks like this:

Y’all, that is A LOT OF ROVING. A lot of really pretty roving.

Heaps of pretty roving.

Mmmmmmm….

I would roll around in it, but it’s not dissimilar to mohair and I prefer at least a thin layer of clothing between the roving and myself.

Of course I had to spin up a bobbin to see how it looks as yarn. I started out with my faster flyer and it was too fast, so I switched to my lower ratio to spin a larger single. I’m thinking that with FOUR POUNDS OF ROVING (there is really no other way to say it. Seriously.) I have enough yarn to spin up aran or maybe even bulky weight yarn. And I should have enough yarn spun up when it’s all said and done to make a sweater. I’ll probably have WAY MORE than enough yarn for a sweater. But right now? I’m focusing on spinning enough for one sweater. I’m thinking maybe an oversized cardigan. I’m also thinking about kettle dyeing the yarn once I have enough spun up. I’m thinking green.

I know, I know, you want to see YARN! So behold.

I know it’s a little washed out around the edges, but the center is pretty true to color. And now that I’m spinning at a slower ratio, it’s an absolute dream to spin. Now if you’ll excuse me, I’ve got empty bobbins begging to be draped in Lincoln.

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