New to Processing?
This page contains a Step by Step Guide to processing fibre, as well as Advice and General Information, and links to useful guides on various topics from Placing Your Order to Marketing and Selling Your Product.
A Step By Step Guide to Processing with NFC
For Price Information
Please email us: ([email protected]) for our price list.
Join the Waiting List
When you are ready to place your order please contact us via email to ask to be added to our waiting list, providing the following details: the breed you have, your estimated incoming weight and the processing services that you require. We will call in your fibre when we are ready to process it in the mill. The waiting time can vary and we can advise you about this.
For Helpful Information and Our Terms
Please download these guides: Customer Guidance Notes, Ordering From Us and Terms and Conditions of Trade.
Complete, Sign and Return the Non Organic Order Form – Once this is signed for compliance with pesticide usage requirements we can accept a scanned version sent in advance or you can return the form with your fibre. When sending in advance please return with a fibre sample attached.
Preparing, Packing and Sending Your Fibre – Contact us via email to receive some sacks to pack your fibre. You may wish to deliver the fleeces yourself at a prearranged time or we can arrange a courier service for an additional charge. Our preferred supplier is DX Courier Services. Please note we accept no responsibility for the fibre/yarn during transit (only whilst it is at the mill). If you wish to take out additional insurance please let us know at time of placing your order, as additional charges will apply. There will be surcharges for addresses in the Highlands and Islands and for pallets. Please contact us for pricing and more information.
Things to Know
The Minimum Order for Incoming Fibre that we accept is:
25 Kgs for Woollen spinning
35 Kgs for Worsted spinning
10 Kgs for Scouring and Carding only
Sourcing More Fibre – We can add to your order if you have less than the minimum quantity. We are able to supply from our own stocks that we hold in the mill as well as source directly from farms and smallholdings, providing full traceability.
Delivering and Storing – We are only able to accept deliveries of fibre during mill operating hours (Monday – Thursday, 9am to 4pm) and by prior arrangement. Due to limited storage space, deliveries that arrive without notice, or outside of these hours may be refused.
Visit this page for Frequently Asked Questions
You may find Our Glossary with words and terms we use when talking about sheep, fleece and processing useful and Woollen and Worsted – the basics
To find out What Happens to My Fleece? (also available en francais and auf deutsch)
To find out about Unspun and Felt information for Wool, Alpaca or Mohair products (other than yarns)
All About Sheep
Sheep shearing and maintaining quality of fleece
Alpaca shearing and maintaining fleece quality
Sheep Health* – Causes of diseases and how to control, prevent and treat. *Prepared with the help of Kate Steed, contributor of British Coloured Sheepbreeders Association newsletter and with reference to DEFRA, SCOPS and AHDB: Liver Fluke, Worms, Flies, Coccidiosis and Feet.
Our Annual Sheep Planner (Spring Lambing) provides lots of useful information, hints and tips. For general issues and information about sheep please visit out Blog.
- General and Marketing Advice
Our Marketing Pack provides information about marketing your yarn and adding value through making textiles with it. If you are planning to sell the yarn, you need to comply with the Weights and Measures (Packaged Goods) Regulations 2006. Balls of yarn are usually 50, 100 or 200 grams and the weight sold has to fall within given tolerances.
- Wool Ball Lengths
- NFC Machine Knitting
- NFC Yarn Washing
- NFC Yarn Weights with varying thickness, amount of twist, single or plied.
Main image credit: Jane Cooper