Free Merino Wool

[Aleatha]

all wool will felt given the proper treatment. you need hot water, soap and agfitation. felting happens whent he cuticle (scales) on the outside of the wool fibers open which is caused by the soap and warm water. if then agitated, those open cuticles grab onto one anotehr and they form felt. I would not felt Merino, though as spun it is SO much nicer!

That isn't quite true. Down breeds are naturally felt resistant. Generally those breeds are meat sheep.

 

[cmzaha]

Hopefully everyone will have patience with me. I will try to email the gal today and see what I can schedule with her for a pickup. Problem is I do not know when I have to be in AZ. refer to evil sister thread...

 

[cmzaha]

I will be picking up some wool on Monday or Tuesday

 

[ilovedoxies]

I’m interested! I’ve been wanting to make a felted cat cave. Can you send some photos when you get it? Thanks!!

 

[MullersLaneFarm]

It does felt, she showed pictures of some sizable animal,sculptures a gal makes with the wool, which are felted

Sculptures are generally made using Needle Felting, this is a different technique than felting with soap, water & agitation. Superwash wool and other non-feltable items can be used in needle felting.

all wool will felt given the proper treatment. you need hot water, soap and agfitation. felting happens whent he cuticle (scales) on the outside of the wool fibers open which is caused by the soap and warm water. if then agitated, those open cuticles grab onto one anotehr and they form felt. I would not felt Merino, though as spun it is SO much nicer!

Superwash wool has been chemically treated to remove the cuticles so felting (and fulling) do not occur.

What is the difference between 'felting' and 'fulling', you ask?? Felting occurs with fiber, fulling occurs with fabric. Shrink your favorite sweater or sock? You fulled it. (but I'm just being anal about terminology!)

That isn't quite true. Down breeds are naturally felt resistant. Generally those breeds are meat sheep.

I love spinning down breed fiber into woolen yarns for socks, hats & mittens because of their resistance to fulling.

 

[cmzaha]

I will test it and see if it wet felts and yes I do know the difference between wet and needle felting.

 

[Zany_in_CO]

Thanks for the update, Carolyn. None for me, tho... I decided I'm kidding myself if I think I have time to make dryer balls... it's better if I just go buy them on Etsy.

 

[madison]

I don't mind having some, if possible.
Thank you

 

[cmzaha]

I am picking up wool tomorrow, so will see how it is. Apparently she has no problems with takers for the wool.

 

[cmzaha]

I am very interested in this. Did she give you any information about the size of the pieces?

I have some pieces here that are at least twin bed size.

There's merino and there's merino -- not all merino is the long staple super premium fiber that spinners and knitters lust after. If it's being used for stuffing mattresses, it's definitely going to vary in quality. Some parts of the batts, maybe large parts, might be decent for spinning, but I'd bet other parts will contain short staple or otherwise less-than-prime fiber for yarn making.

I have to agree that I do not think this will work for spinning. It does seem to wet felt and she recommends if anyone makes pillows etc to wash it due to shrinking. It is sheets of merino wool batting with a few bits of sticks, albeit little bits. Will post a pic in a little while. This is also pretty uniform in thickness. They purchase in huge rolls and throw away what does not fit perfectly on the bed, since they do not piece it. We watched them assembling mattresses today. I can see where this would be wonderful for making small or any size animal sculptures.

The camel down wool would not wet felt for me. But, wow it is really soft and fluffs up. I did not get much of it, so stingy me is keeping it.

 

[SideDoorSoaps]

What kind of mattresses use wool?

 

[cmzaha]

This is the link to the company and their mattresses are beautiful and comfortable. If I had know about them when I had my custom boat mattress made I would have gone to them. Absolutely beautiful work. Hubby and I toured the factory today. Mattresses are not kept in stock they are made when they are ordered. These are not mass manufactured mattresses.
https://www.berkeleyergo.com/

Here is a couple of pics of the wool, the large amount is piled in my extra bathtub at the moment that is not used This was only 2 bags of wool and she was hoping I would take 6. I can make thousands of dryer balls with all this wool. The rolled up one is the one that would be close to twin bed size

 

[earlene]

Those look wonderful for quilt batting. I know modern quilters don't use wool batting so much anymore, but come winter in the snow areas, a quilt with wool batting would be so cozy.

 

[cmzaha]

I have been playing with packing this stuff and so far I might be able to get 2 lbs in a larger flat rate box at 19.95. I was playing with long strips with varying widths from 3-6 inches wide. Not exact just an estimate. I have not tried a folded sheet of the wool batting to see how much I can fit in. It does wet felt fine.

Just reminded myself I am allergic to wool Yup need to get out gloves

Those look wonderful for quilt batting. I know modern quilters don't use wool batting so much anymore, but come winter in the snow areas, a quilt with wool batting would be so cozy.

It just needs to be washed and dried so it does not shrink if using for a quilt. They do make Duvets with a choice of the camel or merino wool. Do not know the price

 

[Katherine Nosrat]

Did she mention what mattress company she's from? Is she the owner and authorized to do this? I've wanted a wool pillow for a long time but the price is......discouraging. Should you end up going to pick some up, I'd be interested.

I am the Administrative Specialist at Berkeley Ergonomics. We use 100% Merino Wool as a flame retardant in the cover of our mattresses instead of harmful chemicals. go to www.berkeleyergo.com/art-and-upcycling to see what some other artisans have made with our discards. please email me at [email protected] if you have questions.

 

[cmzaha]

@Katherine, this makes wonderful dryer balls. I also used some for packing a box containing fragrance oil. Made really nice reusable padding.

 

[decisions]

I'd be in for a couple of pounds What do I need to do?

 

[Zany_in_CO]

I go to www.berkeleyergo.com/art-and-upcycling to see what some other artisans have made with our discards.

What an amazing group of artists and artisans! Thank you SO much for sharing. I thoroughly enjoyed looking all the different uses folks found for your discards.

 

[cmzaha]

They make some pretty fantastic things just upcycling. Thankyou for the pictures Katherine