Welsh Mountain

Bovey Belle · Welsh Mountain

I have a whole Kg of this to spin up (never send OH shopping for wool tops for you . . .) and started with it last night, as we have to bring several small skeins for our Dyeclass the week after next. It spins quite nicely but has longer hairs which stick out. Don't think I'd care to wear it. Anyone else had experience of this? What did you use it for?

Spinning Fishwife

I was given a whole Welsh Mountain fleece last year from a Welsh workmate of my Hubby`s. I checked up on what kind of fleece WM was, and basically it`s a carpet sheep, with the finer parts being used for outerwear. It`s nice and springy and cushy, easy to spin but no, I wouldn`t wear it.

I spun some up into very thick slubby singles and used it for weaving a small rug. I put it across the back of my office chair and it was lovely and cosy for a while...then the kittens found it. They love it. So basically I spent a term at weaving class making a cat blanket, it seems!

(Nice to have your work appreciated, though, even if it is only by the cats.)

Bovey Belle

We have 5 inside cats, so I guess ours may appreciate a woven rug too! OH has to mend my loom first though, but at least I can spin it and dye it in advance. I have been spinning it thicker (much thicker than the Merino I started with), so I shall spin it thicker again and not worry about the lumpy bits! (Still have L-plates up). I thought it looked suspiciously itchy . . . Have you tried felting with it? P.S. Loved you "basically it's a carpet sheep" . . . I shall never look at one on the mynydd in quite the same way again!!!

Spinning Fishwife

It would be brilliant to use with a peg loom, I think. Quicker too.

I`ve not tried felting with it, no. I`ve not reallygot into felting either yet so no idea this fleece would be good for this or not.

Bovey Belle

I have downloaded the instructions on how to make a Peg Loom and it is on OH's list of "fings to do" . . . I'll keep spinning meanwhile . . .