Spinning raw fleece or washed fleece?

I often hear the question asked, Do you prefer to spin raw fleece or washed fleece?

For some people there may be an easy answer.  You simply may not like the smell or feel of raw sheep's fleece or have no desire to spend time preparing the fibre in any way.  Nicely washed and carded roving is your preferred starting point.

Not all fleece and fibre are the same.  My advice if you are newish to spinning is to keep an open mind and be prepared to try something different from time to time.  And even try something again that you didn't like the first time.

Some fleece, like Merino are high in lanolin (spinners may call this grease) and can be sticky to the touch.  Other fleece such as Border Leicester or Suffolk (I have both) are not so high in lanolin content but some people may find it just as sticky.  I have found that the degree of stickness depends as much on the temperature of your surroundings as it does on the fleece.  I find that the warmer weather melts the lanolin so that it doesn't feel as sticky.  A raw fleece in winter will be a little harder to draft if you are not in a warm room.

Fibre such as Alpaca, Camel, Mohair and Angora (often bunched into a group called hair fibres) do not contain lanolin so many people will spin them after combing, carding or just a good shake.  It is even said by some that it is easier to spin these fibres dirty.  (A word of advice when trying this though, is to place an old sheet under your working area.  I find a lot of dust drops from some fibre and I prefer this not to be on my carpet!!)

So if you prepare raw wools, flicking the tips to get rid of dirt may be sufficient.  The hair fibres often respond well to carding before spinning.

Of course if you choose to wash your wool before spinning you can card or comb without fear of getting your tools sticky from the lanolin.

So, Do I prefer to spin raw fleece or washed fleece?

I don't mind spinning either.  The decision may depend on what I plan on doing with the spun yarn or I may decide to spin a particular fleece a certain way for the experience.

You choose.  But as I said earlier, even if you didn't like it the first time, try it again when you are more experienced.  You may surprise yourself that your view has changed.

Happy Spinning. :-)