Our lamb and wool products are certified organic, and if standards for organic fiber processing become finalized, we anticipate adding that certification. In any case, we will continue to use mild scouring agents without added scents.

THIRTEEN MILE WOOL MILL PRICES

Note:    As a small mill, we provide a set of services that are not easily duplicated. We hope that story is meaningful to you, for we cannot compete with the larger processors based on price alone. We can provide: the ability to handle small lot sizes; customized, quality workmanship on a wide spectrum of fiber types; one stop for the full sequence of processing; a willingness to experiment; our commitment to renewable energy (solar hot water and wool-drying), non-petroleum-based scouring, and participation in a decentralized, rural economy that celebrates the potential of what grass can grow.

 

SCOURING: based on incoming raw weight of fiber. We reserve the right to reject fiber if it is heavily contaminated with vegetable matter, bugs, or if some other reason we think we will not be able to get it clean enough for effective processing. We prefer that you send raw fiber. You may send scoured fiber, but if re-scouring is required for proper performance on our equipment, we must charge accordingly.

$4.00 / lb	All fibers
$3.25 / lb	For washing your pre-washed fiber (we don't encourage this; it seems it's harder to get a good result with fibers that have been washed, dried, stored and later re-washed
$1.50 / lb	For each extra wash that is required
	Note: Our normal wash cycle consists of pre-wash (initial rinse to remove the bulk of dirt), two washes, two rinses. Therefore an extra wash is generally not required. However some particularly greasy fleeces (e.g. rambouillet, corriedale) or fine clays combined with grease demand extra washing.    Fleeces that have been stored for years sometimes require extra washing.

Note: We always sort through the wool in preparation for scouring, but if your fleeces have a lot of unacceptable debris such as burrs, heavy chaff, manure tags, we will need to charge $25/hr. for the extra time required for handling. If the contamination is extreme, we will return the fleece at customer's expense. It's in your best interest to provide well-skirted fiber.

CARDING: based on incoming raw weight of fiber.

$9.00 / lb

Includes wash/pick/card into roving or batts (Add $3/lb for exotic fibers - alpaca, guanaco, mohair, bison; we do not charge extra for llama unless it is very contaminated) We can card as little as 2 lbs, but we must charge a minimum of $50 due to machine cleanup time required for all lot sizes.   Note that some mills charge for carding based on finished weight, and some charge based on raw weight.   We choose the latter because it is easiest for you to determine costs up front, and it provides an incentive for you to send us well-skirted wool; the cleaner your clip, the better your deal, and the more efficient our mill will be.

 

PIN-DRAFTING: based on incoming raw weight of fiber

$11.00 / lb

for wash/pick/card/pin-draft into sliver (Add $3/lb for exotic fibers -alpaca, guanaco, mohair, bison)

 

SPINNING:   based on finished weight of yarn.   Price includes drafting and spinning.   See separate fee above for washing/carding, and below for plying/skeining or coning.    The yields from raw wool to carded wool, and from carded wool to yarn vary a lot, depending on grease, dirt and vegetable matter, and on fiber type and tip damage.   That is why we must institute separate fees for washing/carding (based on raw weight)   vs. drafting/spinning (based on finished weight).     Otherwise growers with clean wool end up getting penalized, which is illogical and unfair, OR we end up bearing the increased labor and maintenance costs of handling contaminated or damaged wool; that will quickly force us out of business.

We strive for as high a yield as possible, but we can't make predictions before we try out your fiber.   Our spinning frame can handle staple lengths ranging from 2.5 to 12 inches.   If you have a sample of the yarn style you would like us to match, send it along with your fiber.   Otherwise give us as much description of your objectives as possible: twists per inch, yards per   pound, etc.   If you'd rather have us make an assessment of a suitable yarn for your fiber, we're happy to do that. The spinning frame does seem to run most smoothly at particular speeds for particular fibers.

If we observe characteristics of your fiber that we believe may hinder a consistent, attractive, spin (e.g. gummy tips, weak fibers, excessive short fibers), we'll discuss that with you before beginning processing. You may choose to have us proceed at your risk (sometimes imperfect fibers yield imperfect, funky, wonderful yarns), though we reserve the right to reject fibers for spinning in cases of extreme contamination or other problems.

$18.60 / lb*	for drafting/spinning into ~800-1600 yards/lb singles, i.e. suitable for knitting worsted and bulky weight 2-ply yarns.
$19.80 / lb*	for drafting/spinning into >=2400 yards/lb singles, i.e. suitable for sportweight and finer 2-ply yarns, or knitted worsted 3-ply yarns.

* For lot sizes less than 10 lbs finished weight, there is a setup fee of $45

 

PLYING   2- or 3-ply

$1.50 / lb

Call to discuss pricing and feasibility for more than 3-ply

SKEINS

$0.30 / lb

To exact skein weight. No extra charge for skeining whatever weight is on bobbins

CONES

$0.20

per cone

FELTING

$20.00 / lb

Basic charge for plain felt; Please request quote for specific felting jobs

*  Prices are subject to change without notice