Fiber Friday - Skirting

Spent Fiber Friday, appropriately enough, supervising my niece as she skirted her two natural colored Romney fleeces prior to show.

Skirting is the process of removing undesirable wool from a fleece prior to processing. You remove any dung tags, vegetation, kemp (sometimes wool animals will grow some 'hair' instead of wool along their legs and/or belly - it's undesirable and if excessive is a major disqualification in some breeds), and any other unwanted items from the fleece.

In my niece's case, it's a little tougher because the fleece is being skirted for exhibition. She will be 'showing' or competing her fleeces along with her two sheep at the county and state fairs this summer and fall. It is a challenge trying to find a balance between having a nice looking fleece and having animals with the right amount of wool for show (on their bodies). With only two ewes to work with you simply have to do the best you can. This year's fleeces are probably a bit too long. They are showing some sun damage. It will be interesting to see what the judges comment on the clip. Otherwise, she should do reasonably well; her ewes have nice fleeces (both before and after shearing) and come from a high quality flock.

My niece and fellow competitors/friends and their Romney sheep at last year's State 4-H Fair. Harriett (the sheep in the middle) looks pretty good for an old ewe! She has a beautiful fleece.