Fleece Sample Evaluation for Jane Perkins of Agley Acres Raising Border Leicester Sheep
- Ali Ritter-Ries
- Aug 15, 2016
- 2 min read
We will start off with the best and work our way through the Samples.
High Quality
White Fleece #1
Lovely Large Intact Curl/Wave
Nice Healthy Long Locks
Yolking or Yellowing of the Fleece with ½ the locks yellowed
Very Little VM
Somewhat Coarse
Excellent Luster
I would recommend tail spinning this style fleece.
White Fleece #2
Fine Curl
Soft
Good Luster
Long Staple
Some Light Yellowing
Brittle Tips which need removed
Low VM some “Fines” in the Tips.
White Fleece #3
Medium Luster
Medium Coarse
Locks are not well defined
Low VM
Good Tips
Grey Fleece #4
Nice Strong Locks
Good Curl
Nice Sun Kissed Tips
Variation from Light to Medium Grey
Very Soft
Nice Luster
Low VM
Some Small Fines in Locks
Recommend for Tail Spinning or other Art Yarns
Medium Quality
White Fleece #5
Nice Tight Curly Locks
Good Luster
Medium VM
Recommend Combs to Remove VM from Locks
Both these Fleeces looked like nice fleece. Low VM but they both had breaks in the locks. #6 Break was 3/4 up the lock meaning it could still be used for spinning with some extra effort. #7 Break was in the middle though this fleece had short locks I would not recommend this fleece for spinning but would be great for felting.
Product Loss:
Standard Border Leicester Loss from Washing is around 30% and this is what I did see after Washing these Samples.
Percentage After Washing:
35% Excellent Locks
40% Too Much VM
20% Breaks in Locks
5% Felted
Overall Impressions and Recommendations
Overall Nice Fleeces
Great Lock Structure
Great SOP Fleeces
Be Ruthless in Skirting (Skirtings can still be profitable by being sold for $1 or $2lb depending on conditions
Keep an eye on sick animals and record this for your future notes
My Opinion: I loved finding these gorgeous locks tucked in the samples! They have a nice shine that I adore! I, myself, will be buying Fleeces from Mrs. Jane Perkins of Agley Acres!
Visit Jane @ Agley Acres on Facebook
