Is this fleece washed and ready to spin?
No. This is completely raw fleece straight from the sheep. It must be sorted, thoroughly scoured and carded or combed before spinning or felting.
Pure British Merino Raw Fleece – Unwashed
Fine, unwashed British Merino fleece from our own flock, supplied exactly as a raw natural fibre. Approximately 15–18 microns, with a characteristically short staple and high lanolin content. Suitable for experienced spinners, felters and hand dyers who are comfortable scouring and preparing raw wool.
Options Available
1kg
£30.00
500g
£15.00
250g
£7.50
Click to select item
£30.00
Selected Option:
1kg
Description
Explore the exceptional fineness of British-raised Merino wool with raw fleece from our own flock.
Merino is renowned for producing fine, soft wool. Our fleece measures approximately 15–18 microns, although fineness will naturally vary between sheep and across different areas of an individual fleece.
This is genuine raw fleece supplied as it comes from the sheep. It has not been washed, scoured, carded, combed, dyed or bleached. It will therefore require thorough preparation before it can be spun, felted, dyed or used in another textile project.
Suitable for:
- Experienced hand spinners
- Fibre preparation and fleece study
- Wet and needle felting after preparation
- Hand dyeing
- Fine-wool textile projects
- Crafters wishing to process fleece from its raw state
- Merino fleece is naturally dense and contains a substantial amount of lanolin. It may require several careful scouring stages before most of the grease and dirt have been removed.
Its staple is shorter than that of Romney wool, making fibre preparation and spinning more technically demanding. For this reason, this fleece is best suited to experienced spinners or confident beginners who specifically want to learn how to process fine, short-stapled wool.
Available pack sizes:
- 250g
- 500g
- 1kg
The fleece is sold by weight and may contain wool from different sections rather than arriving as one complete, intact fleece.
As an honest, minimally handled agricultural material, you should expect natural variation. Raw fleece may contain lanolin, dust, vegetable matter, dirty or compacted tips, discoloured fibres and occasional second cuts. Some fibre will be lost during sorting, scouring and carding or combing, so the clean prepared weight will be lower than the purchased raw weight.
When carefully prepared, the resulting fibre is beautifully fine and soft and can be spun into yarn suitable for next-to-skin garments and other projects where softness is important.
£30.00
Selected Option:
1kg
What should I expect when buying raw Merino fleece?
Raw fleece naturally contains lanolin, dust and some vegetable matter. You may also find dirty or compacted tips, discoloured fibres and occasional second cuts. These are normal characteristics of minimally handled fleece rather than prepared wool fibre.
Will I receive one complete fleece?
No. The wool is sold in 250g, 500g and 1kg quantities and may contain sections from a fleece rather than arriving as one complete, intact fleece.
What does 15–18 microns mean?
Microns measure the approximate diameter of individual wool fibres. A lower micron generally indicates a finer fibre. The stated 15–18 micron range is approximate because fleece naturally varies between sheep and across different parts of the same fleece.
Is Merino easy to spin?
Merino has a relatively short staple and can be more challenging to prepare and spin than longer-stapled breeds such as Romney. This fleece is best suited to experienced spinners or confident learners who specifically want to work with fine Merino.
Why does raw Merino contain so much grease?
Merino sheep naturally produce a substantial amount of lanolin. Several careful scours may be needed to remove most of the grease and embedded dirt.
How should I wash raw Merino fleece?
Raw Merino should be scoured carefully using hot water and an appropriate wool-scouring product. Avoid stirring, rubbing or sudden temperature changes, as these can cause the fibres to felt. Several washes may be required because of its high lanolin content.
Will the fleece weigh less after washing?
Yes. The purchased weight includes naturally occurring lanolin, moisture, dust and other raw-fleece matter. Fibre is also removed during sorting and preparation, so the clean usable wool will weigh less.
Can I dye this fleece?
Yes. The fibre is undyed and unbleached, making it suitable for hand dyeing after it has been properly scoured and prepared.
Is it suitable for felting?
Yes, once it has been washed and prepared. It can be used for wet or needle felting, although the raw fleece must not be treated as ready-to-use felting fibre.
Is this suitable for a complete beginner?
It may not be the easiest first fleece because Merino has a short staple, dense structure and high lanolin content. Beginners may find your washed-and-carded Romney wool easier to work with.
Will the fleece be completely free from vegetable matter?
No. As a raw agricultural fibre, it may contain grass, seeds or other vegetable matter. Sorting, washing and carding or combing form part of the preparation process.
Can I use this raw fleece as building insulation?
No. This fleece is supplied solely for textile and craft use. It has not been treated or certified for building insulation, including treatment against moths, pests or fire. Please use a purpose-made, appropriately treated and certified sheep’s-wool insulation product for construction or renovation.
How should I store the raw fleece?
Keep it cool, dry and protected from moths and other fibre pests. Avoid storing damp fleece in sealed plastic, as trapped moisture may cause deterioration.
Is Merino a native British sheep breed?
No. Merino is not a native British breed. This fleece comes from Merino sheep raised in Britain as part of our own flock.