Roving

Pleased to be an official fiber provider for The Livestock Conservancy's "Shave 'Em To Save 'Em" program! 

All our natural and dyed wool roving is from our sheep flock and is offered directly to you for all your spinning pleasures. Other fibers included in blends are carefully selected for color and texture compatibility with our wool.

Spinning oil (a vegetable product) is added by the processor when roving is created to control the static electricity in the fiber as it flies through the machinery. If your roving should feel tacky or sticky, it is only a result of this added oil. It can easily be washed out by soaking in hot water and detergent either before spinning, or after the fiber is spun into yarn.

All dyeing is done here at the farm by hand. No two dye lots of roving will ever be quite the same, so be sure to purchase enough for your project. When it's gone - it's gone! If I do not have a sufficient quantity left to fill your order I will contact you immediately.

Remember that all computer monitors show colors a bit differently, plus my camera skills are not so great. If precise shade is important for your project please ask for a sample to be sent to you before ordering.

Note: Shipments outside the US will likely incur higher shipping costs than are calculated on this site. Please contact me prior to purchase so I can determine pricing for you.

Are you a felter? Wondering how Cotswold behaves? It does felt easily but being a fiber without much crimp it doesn't shrink much side-to-side or have a bouncy 'give' to the finished felt. It does have excellent strength even when thin, so don't be afraid to try some! Here's one felter's experience:

         " Recently I asked you about wet felting with cotswold, followed shortly by an order for two of your roving blends. (which delighted me upon their arrival. They are cloud soft!) You expressed an interest in my view after I'd had a chance to try felting with it. The short version is that my view is much like yours. I am a beginning felter but have a little experience with both romney and merino, and now just one experience with your cotswold.

It came out well in terms of structure, and beautiful in terms of your color blend. It's flat and uniform. It handled easily for me, similar to romney and easier than merino. I don't full as much as some other people so my piece is not as hard as it might be. However, it seems strong. It's not cushy but I can hardly keep my hands off it, and it's soft enough that I'm thinking of making a neck scarf.

I like it well enough that today I plan to order a little more. Thank you for such a high quality product! "

Carol T.