16 September 2011

Navajo-Churro Fleece

I'm always on the hunt for new fleece to work with.
I saw an ad on craigslist for fleece and drove and collected some Navajo-Churro fleece.
This was the best of two Ewe's fleeces. Beautiful rich brown color.

Raw in the bag when I got it home.

So I laid it out on a sheet on the floor in the fiber room and began sorting through it.
It's interesting how many differences there are in fiber from the same fleece.
 And this was a mixed bag from two different sheep.

3.5 to 4" staple length. Good crimp.


 The first batch I washed up was the best of the bag.
I then flicked the ends and drum carded it up into batts.

Full batt on the drum carder.


Batt of Navajo-Churro.
Rolled batt lengthwise before drafting.
Nicely rolled ball of drafted fiber ready to spin.


I then spun up a sample, rather thick. This isn't a next to the skin kind of fleece.
So I was aiming for a nice thicker yarn for maybe a hat or sweater.


The finished yarn. Two ply.



Overall, I very nice fiber that made a pleasing yarn!