The Shepherd's Mill processing and services offered

Washing

Washing is the most important step to quality processing.  We prefer to wash your fibers in the mill to assure every possibility of a quality finished product.  Our wash system cleans up to three separate color batches at a time.  We use a citrus based liquid soap to rid the fleeces of grease, dirt and oils.

Dyeing

Dyeing can be done at several different points in the process to achieve different effects in the finished product.  Most solid colors and many of our blended colors are dyed before the fiber is even washed.  This allows us to run a complete wash cycle after the dyeing to assure color fastness.  Our dye pot also allows us to steam handpainted rovings and yarns for rainbow effects.  As artists we enjoy working with color and know your customers will too.  We’re happy to work with you to develop colorways exclusive to your farm.

Blending

Blending is the process of mixing fibers or colors.  We carry silk, soy silk, kid mohair, wool and alpaca to blend with your fibers or send us your own blend and we’ll do it to specifications.  Color blending expands the range of possibilities for unique rovings, batts and yarns.

Fiber Separating 

Fiber Separating or Dehairing adds value to double coated fibers or fiber with fine vegetable matter or second cuts.  Especially useful for separating guard hair from cashmere, llama and camel, this process can be used to separate only the finest fiber from a fleece.  Clean waste from the dehairer is perfect to make into felt.

Carding Services

Our carding service returns your fiber to you as roving, batts or clouds.  You choose which form fits your marketing needs.  Price includes washing the fiber, picking to open locks and matting, and carding to align the fibers and remove small amounts of vegetable matter.  Roving is returned coiled in a plastic bag.  Batts are folded in tissue paper and returned in plastic bag.  Clouds are sent back loose in a bag.

Drafted Rovings

Drafted roving gives you the choice of the thickness of your finished rovings.  Our standard is dependant upon the amount fed through the carder for your type of fiber.  Want it different?  Just ask us to draft it for you.

 Spinning

The spinning services at The Shepherd’s Mill have met with rave reviews from Colorado to Missouri and from Minnesota to Oklahoma.  We’ll spin the size of yarn you want and do our best to provide you with a quality yarn you’ll be pleased to use and proud to sell.  One, two or three ply yarns from lace to bulky, if you’re not sure what you want, we’ll be happy to offer our advice based on your fiber.  

 Felting

The felting process takes raw fiber and through the use of heat, moisture and agitation turns the loose fiber into a durable non-woven felted fabric.    Available in three weights and in a 4’ x 6’ piece, uses for felt are limited only by your imagination.  Twelve ounce felt uses 3/4 of a pound of clean, carded fiber for fabric that is perfect for mid-weight clothing.   One pound felt requires one pound of clean, carded fiber and is perfect for felted vests and jackets.  Two pound felt requires two pounds of clean, carded fiber and is useful for rugs, etc.  Other possibilities exist for the felt table and we are willing to work with you to create a felted fabric that will meet your needs.

Retail packaging and labeling

Retail packaging and labeling offers our producers the opportunity to have their yarn returned labeled for resale and ready to price and put on the shelves.  We’ll create a label for your farm from your artwork.  We want to be your full-service processor.   

 Custom Weaving Services:

Weaving services are available to those who process yarn with us.  We work with our producers to create a distinct line of scarves, shawls and throws to offer as gifts or sell through retail outlets.  Other items are available through special order and the artists at The Shepherd’s Mill thrill at creating uniquely special one-of-a-kind originals.

Fiber Processing Pricing

Services Pricing