08/29/2025
"Slow Fashion, Flockin' Awesome
One does not simply shear a fleece and wear it the next day.
Even the best fleece goes through multiple stages before it becomes yarn or clothing.
Each of the stages: scouring, carding, spinning, dyeing, and weaving are all artforms in their own rite."
Slow Fashion, Flockin' Awesome
Congratulations to the Topsy shepherds Kyle and Kayleigh for the incredible feat of trimming every hoof in the flock.
The completion of hoof care marks the end of the weaning proces.
The sheep are now ready for grass again.
We've been giving them hay as a way to tell their body to turn off the milk faucet.
As with anything sheep, this is best done slowly.
It is fitting that working with the wool from sheep is also done slowly (nailed that transition).
One does not simply shear a fleece and wear it the next day.
Even the best fleece goes through multiple stages before it becomes yarn or clothing.
Each of the stages: scouring, carding, spinning, dyeing, and weaving are all artforms in their own rite.
Think of it this way, no two fleeces are exactly alike, even from the same farm.
Then consider attempting to clean (scour) each one to the point where they have the same cleanliness and lanolin content.
Consistency is vital for the next stages.
Too much lanolin oil and the machines will bung-up.
Too low lanolin content and the wool becomes brittle, full of broken (stabby) fibers.
The carding process puts these millions of independent thinking wool strands into line.
Carding is wool's infantry boot camp.
Once all the individual wool fibers are facing the same direction, they are ready to gain strength by joining forces.
This is where spinning comes into play.
Whether done with a drop spindle by firelight in a medieval hut in the 1100s or a modern day machine tuned by a computer, the goal of spinning is the same - give the wool strength by turning many into one.
Now you have yarn.
One time through the process and one ply yarn is created.
One ply is also known as fi*****ng - Topsy has some of the best fi*****ng.
Suits would be made from this.
Spin together two strands of one ply and two ply is made (ideal for socks and sweaters).
Dyeing may happen before or after spinning depending on the equipment and facilities.
Weaving deserves a post all its own - we'll likely do an interview with Liz designer of Topsy's Shoreline blankets.
We welcome any questions you may have.
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