The fiber types in our flock of Soays range from very very fine to somewhat coarse. The colors in our Soay flock range from lightest tan to darkest brown and even black!
Spinning is a relaxing, enjoyable, and productive pastime. Soay fleece is a joy to spin. I have found that I can easily "spin in the grease" the wool from a Soay ewe. Rams' fleeces will usually require washing beforehand! Beautiful and efficient wheels can be found from many makers of spinning wheels. This one happens to be a solid cherry Jensen, with double treadle and two flyers. Double treadle spinning wheels are easier to operate and much easier to learn to spin on. I learned to spin on a single treadle, and found it comparable to learning to ride a bike with one pedal.
Spinning is a hobby that does not require much space, and a lovely wheel adds a graceful, antique presence (or modern, if that is your choice) to any room in your home.
Above is a photo of 3 ply Soay yarn. Click
the photo to see this yarn in full scale. At
right is a close up of single ply Soay yarn
on my wheel. You can see the lock of
fiber hanging from the front of the
mother-of-all at lower right, with the drafted fiber going up to the orifice into the flyer.
This doily was handspun and handknit from Triumph's fleece by Barbara Ballas of Toledo, Oregon. This doily is much darker than Triumph's unprepared locks of fleece. I would describe Triumph's locks as the color of maple sugar candy, while his spun fiber appears to be the color of milk chocolate. When the wool is still on Triumph, it looks like a dark blonde or very light tan.
The locks of fleece below were rooed from Greener Pastures Eomer, a yearling American Soay ram. This fleece is a medium brown in color, soft and crimpy. The lock at left has not been altered or prepared in any way; this is exactly what it looks like when plucked right off the sheep. The lock at right has merely been combed, and is ready to spin into a lovely yarn.
Above: Locks of fleece rooed (plucked) from one of our British ewes. The lock on the left side of the photo has not been altered or prepared in any way. The lock at right has merely been combed. This fleece is dark brown in color, very fine and crimpy.
Our fleeces are rooed (plucked by hand) and are completely natural. Your experience with our fleece will be much like fleeces were experienced thousands of years ago. A limited supply of pelts are available at this time.
I've been asked how I comb my Soay fleeces and with what tools. I use nothing more than a humble dog comb! I fold a deer hide so that it is doubled across my lap, for 2 reasons; to catch debris and to protect my legs and clothing from the short metal teeth of the comb. I hold with my left hand a lock of rooed fleece near one end, and with my right I comb in one direction. Once I'm satisfied that the fibers are aligned, and any vegetable matter is removed, I turn the lock around and comb in the other direction. I fill up a basket with combed locks, and then begin spinning. I prefer not to wash Soay fiber before combing or spinning.
Shown below is a close up of the lamb fleece of Greener Pastures Gwaihir; our finest fleeced lamb of 2001. Gwaihir was used as one of our flock sires that fall, producing wonderful lambs.
