Comments on: How can I reuse or recycle a sheep fleece? http://www.recyclethis.co.uk/20100714/how-can-i-reuse-or-recycle-a-sheep-fleece Creative ideas for reusing and recycling random stuff Mon, 13 Feb 2012 15:39:52 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 By: Lizzy http://www.recyclethis.co.uk/20100714/how-can-i-reuse-or-recycle-a-sheep-fleece/comment-page-1#comment-1045573 Lizzy Thu, 22 Jul 2010 08:42:04 +0000 http://www.recyclethis.co.uk/?p=2830#comment-1045573 You could make a super-warm snuggly duvet if you filled a cover with it. Or just spin as much as you can. You could make a super-warm snuggly duvet if you filled a cover with it. Or just spin as much as you can.

]]> By: Nicole http://www.recyclethis.co.uk/20100714/how-can-i-reuse-or-recycle-a-sheep-fleece/comment-page-1#comment-1045398 Nicole Tue, 20 Jul 2010 15:47:33 +0000 http://www.recyclethis.co.uk/?p=2830#comment-1045398 Insulation Insulation

]]> By: Alexis http://www.recyclethis.co.uk/20100714/how-can-i-reuse-or-recycle-a-sheep-fleece/comment-page-1#comment-1044764 Alexis Wed, 14 Jul 2010 15:57:10 +0000 http://www.recyclethis.co.uk/?p=2830#comment-1044764 OH I did not even think about felting! if you look on youtube there are quite a few vids on how that's done - so if you're up for a bit of fun, and want to try something new I'd give that a go. OH I did not even think about felting! if you look on youtube there are quite a few vids on how that’s done – so if you’re up for a bit of fun, and want to try something new I’d give that a go.

]]> By: Kara http://www.recyclethis.co.uk/20100714/how-can-i-reuse-or-recycle-a-sheep-fleece/comment-page-1#comment-1044763 Kara Wed, 14 Jul 2010 15:43:50 +0000 http://www.recyclethis.co.uk/?p=2830#comment-1044763 Aren't fleeces sheared, not on skins? Anyway, they aren't that hard to wash and put up for later, and while they are stored in airtight bags or containers (I use the giant Ziploc bags, which are infinitely reusable for this task), they make good mothproof insulation. As long as it's stored in something reasonably airtight I have been able to store an unwashed fleece for over a year in my shed without any insect problems. You can add a little lavender, rosemary, or cedar oil to the final rinse when you wash a fleece to help keep the moths away. The fleeces can be wet felted into rugs. I don't know about other countries, but in the U.S. there are several places that will take fleeces and turn them into quilt batting, spinning preparations, or even yarn for a reasonable fee. Really dirty or undesirable fleeces make good mulch. Aren’t fleeces sheared, not on skins? Anyway, they aren’t that hard to wash and put up for later, and while they are stored in airtight bags or containers (I use the giant Ziploc bags, which are infinitely reusable for this task), they make good mothproof insulation. As long as it’s stored in something reasonably airtight I have been able to store an unwashed fleece for over a year in my shed without any insect problems. You can add a little lavender, rosemary, or cedar oil to the final rinse when you wash a fleece to help keep the moths away.

The fleeces can be wet felted into rugs. I don’t know about other countries, but in the U.S. there are several places that will take fleeces and turn them into quilt batting, spinning preparations, or even yarn for a reasonable fee. Really dirty or undesirable fleeces make good mulch.

]]> By: Bobbie http://www.recyclethis.co.uk/20100714/how-can-i-reuse-or-recycle-a-sheep-fleece/comment-page-1#comment-1044747 Bobbie Wed, 14 Jul 2010 13:10:51 +0000 http://www.recyclethis.co.uk/?p=2830#comment-1044747 Are the fleeces tanned? If so you can use them as is for a rug beside the fire or bed, they are wonderful. Here is a pretty one with some tips for care: http://auggiessheepskin.com/care.htm Are the fleeces tanned? If so you can use them as is for a rug beside the fire or bed, they are wonderful. Here is a pretty one with some tips for care: http://auggiessheepskin.com/care.htm

]]> By: Alexis http://www.recyclethis.co.uk/20100714/how-can-i-reuse-or-recycle-a-sheep-fleece/comment-page-1#comment-1044740 Alexis Wed, 14 Jul 2010 09:30:10 +0000 http://www.recyclethis.co.uk/?p=2830#comment-1044740 you can use the fleece to make a rug - no spinning required, but you'll need to "rig" up a frame or use a rigid heddle loom. the technique is very simple - you can see it in action here (I used yarn in this example - but staples from your fleece will work too) http://hourofscampering.com/scampervlog/?s=rug&searchsubmit= You can also see the technique - used with fleece - on pages 29-37 of "The Ashford Book of Rigid Heddle Weaving" by Rowena Hart (ISBN 0473084376) there are details there on how to prepare the staples, patterns etc. you can use the fleece to make a rug – no spinning required, but you’ll need to “rig” up a frame or use a rigid heddle loom. the technique is very simple – you can see it in action here (I used yarn in this example – but staples from your fleece will work too)

http://hourofscampering.com/scampervlog/?s=rug&searchsubmit=

You can also see the technique – used with fleece – on pages 29-37 of “The Ashford Book of Rigid Heddle Weaving” by Rowena Hart (ISBN 0473084376) there are details there on how to prepare the staples, patterns etc.

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