Call for Wool Samples

An opportunity for fiber farmers led by Hannah Thiessen Howard (www.slow-knitting.com)
One of the key elements missing in our Kentucky-Tennessee fiber supply chain, and in most US-based Fibershed affiliate regions, is the lack of bridge products. While we have a selection of artisan and commercially prepared single-origin farm yarns, we lack the availability of a regional yarn on offer for various industry needs, including:

  • Undyed yarn base for use by independent dyers and fiber artists
  • Dyed local yarns available at wholesale pricing for retailers, knitwear manufacturers
  • Dyed local yarns available at pricing to bridge the gap between single-origin and commercial brands.

In addition to these challenges at the “top” of the supply chain, there has also been a considerable lack of fair market pricing for farmers who are primarily wool and sheep producers and have no interest in becoming yarn brands and marketers. These farmers are being offered historically low (and frankly insulting) prices of only $0.10 per lb. for quality wool that falls short of hand spinning fleece resale standards but is still wonderful for production.

It is my belief that one of the first steps to securing and restoring our local and regional fiber supply chain is to create a viable product in this category. As a yarn industry professional with experience in all levels of sourcing, manufacturing, marketing and distribution of yarn, I feel well-suited to step into this role and create the product this region needs. I have a passion for supporting our farmers and for supplying crafters with the opportunity to use products sourced locally, produced thoughtfully and with maximum transparency and sustainability.

To this end, the first phase of this development project needs to be a round of wool inventory and sampling to determine the availability and ideal blend to represent Kentucky and Tennessee. I am proposing that interested wool farms help jump-start this process by submitting their wool for testing and potential selection through this process:

Submit a gallon sized, sealed bag of fleece from each wool breed your farm raises.

Please label the bag with:

  • Farm or Business Name and location
  • Contact information (First and Last name and phone number or email)
  • Breed of sheep represented (crosses are fine)
  • An approximate amount of wool you can offer of this quality (in lbs.) per shearing

 

Criteria:

  • All wool grades are accepted for consideration, even those not traditionally used for hand spinning (i.e., commercial grades).
  • Colored fleeces are also welcome. If you raise a mixed-color flock, please submit one bag of each color on offer and quantity available in that color.
  • We are not looking for scoured fleeces, but please select from sections that represent the overall quality of your wool and are well-skirted.
  • Avoid short clips, nothing under 4” will be considered suitable for this project.

Ship your bag to:
Hannah Thiessen Howard
1715 Stephenson Ln., Spring Hill, TN 37174

From here, your wool will be evaluated for potential inclusion in the project. We will be scouring, carding, blending and spinning samples with chosen wools to create the perfect first blend. Our first run will be upwards of 1000+ lbs and will include wool from several farms, to be purchased at a rate of $2 – $4 USD per lb.

We will be accepting samples through December 1, 2024, at which point the sampling process will begin. This full process is going to be extensively documented and shared–we hope even if you are unable to participate that you will follow along! This is what I hope will be the first of many years we collect wool.