This half-day workshop will be a hands-on experience leading spinners through the process from acquiring a raw fleece to getting it ready to card or comb. We will consider two fleeces, one destined for carding and one for combing. Participants will experience the following steps (but not necessarily in this order): • Opening up a fleece, skirting and sorting • Picking the fleece and preparing for scouring • Washing and rinsing loose fleece and bagged locks (for carding and combing) • Drying fleece Participants will leave with samples of damp washed fleece. We will be handling raw fleece so participants should prepare to get a little dirty! At the end of this session, the participant will be able to… • Confidently prepare a fleece for washing • Decide on the washing method based on the end use and spinning technique • Successfully and efficiently remove grease and dirt from a fleece by washing • Dry fleece indoors or outdoors