Hello!

I do hope I'm posting this in right place?

Anyhow: we've a small herd of Icelandic sheep and I've a number of bags of skirted fleece from last spring's shearing. I'd like to find someone who can weave that wool into some very heavy weight blankets, like the old point blankets that used to be used in primitive camping. Ideally about the thickness of my existing blanket, which is just about 6 pounds at 86"x58."

 

Could anyone suggest which mill I should work with to have the fleece spun into fiber, and given the kind of end product I'm looking for, what size/type of yarn to request?

 

Also  - and I hope I'm not breaking etiquette asking this - but does anyone know someone who weaves such blankets on commission? 

While I'd love to get into weaving myself one day, I'm afraid the farm and day job aren't going to leave me time to add a new hobby for a few more years. :(

 

Thank you very much for your help!

 

Comments

Sat, 07/29/2017 - 09:03

ReedGuy

Where are you located Jennifer? Here in New Brunswick we have a woollen mill called Briggs and Little, that spin yarns and sold across Canada. They do not weave blankets, but they send their wool to PEI to another woollen mill named MacAusland's. However, they weave a lighter blanket than an HBC point blanket. The HBC blankets are still wove in England.

https://www.macauslandswoollenmills.com

Sat, 07/29/2017 - 23:21

sandra.eberhar…

Reed Guy is right.  You probably have a mill not too far from you that can spin your wool (here in Michigan there are two).  You can look for a local weavers' guild that could find a weaver that takes commissions.

Sun, 07/30/2017 - 06:15

sally orgren

Peggy Hart (near Shelburne Falls, MA) weaves commission blankets. She may also be able to guide you on domestic mills.

Sun, 07/30/2017 - 15:30

JenniferC

Thank you all! I don't suppose any of you know what type / weight of yarn I should ask the mill for? I've spoken briefly w/Ms. Hart, and may well be asking to go on her list. It seems she weaves lighter weight blankets as a rule though (and there may be a technical issue with Icelandic fleece) - so I wanted to explore what all the options are before committing. Thank you all so much!
Mon, 07/31/2017 - 17:46

ReedGuy

You'll find worsted weight 860 ypp is a bit heavy on the bed. Hard on the ankles. Would make a sleeping robe. :) I have one I wove in queen size from Briggs and Little 'Heritage' (860 ypp). I would be more inclined to go with something 1200-1400 ypp range for a heavy blanket and have it not be too heavy. 1700-1800 ypp is the weight of Briggs and Little blankets.