Tuesday, August 23, 2022 What is skirting a fleece anyway? I’m so glad you asked! 😊 I’ve taken a few classes on skirting fleeces and over the years I found my own way to do it that is not like any of the methods I’ve learned. Skirting a fleece for a show is very different than skirting a fleece for sending to the mill. And since we no longer show fleeces, I do what works for me. The goal of skirting for me is twofold: to remove any bits of vegetation and to sort through any different lengths or colors that might have been included with the blanket on shearing day. It’s not a bad way to spend a late summer afternoon and it helps me know the animals better and who produces the best fleeces. I got a late start this year and have many bags to go through! It’s all good.
Photo of the day: A rolled up fleece waiting to be skirted. This skirting table is a different height than the one we use on shearing day. That one is for standing and walking around, this one is a height for sitting. 
And here’s a video to show you how I skirt a fleece.
KATHIE CARPENTER
Can’t wait to see the finale!
Linda
It will be a while, but this is such a lovely fleece it will be sweet no matter what the finished product is. Yarn, roving, a cowl or hat?
Michelle
I would love to come up and help you with this process Linda. It would be so peaceful and calming to sit and work with the fleeces. If you ever want some help please let me know. I will even bring coffee and lunch for us.
Linda
You’re sweet Michelle. I’ll let you know! Sometimes my skirting adventures are squished between other activities and might be hard to plan ahead. But thanks for your offer. ❤️
Lana
What a gorgeous fleece! I have a few that are similar, but most of our animals are pretty old. I still skirt their blankets, but much of it gets graded down by the Fiber Pool. They make products for all grades, so we do get some use out of them. Wish we had more like yours!! You are right about the skirting being different for show. We too showed fleeces and that skirting was quite different!