Mérino d'Arles

I bought 2 Mérino d'Arles fleeces 2 years ago locally and while I had some time off from work at the beginning of July, and as

it was so hot, decided that it was time to start washing them.

Washing:
The fleeces were very greasy so I used very hot water and soda crystals and did not leave the fleece to soak more than 10 to 15 minutes in each bath, so that the grease did not resettle as the water cooled down.





First wash: soda crystals and washing liquid
Second wash: washing liquid
3 rinses
4th rinse: addition of fabric conditioner

I put the wool in the washing machine in the spin cycle to drain it of water and left it to dry outside in the shade. As it was so hot, it was dry in half a day.

Preparation:
As the locks were mostly intact, I decided to use a dog comb rather than carders to prepare the wool, then the drum carder. But it is going very slow....... and I have still have a lot to do

Dyeing:
Rather than dyeing the wool after spinning it, I will dye it before to allow the colour to blend when spinning.