Getting Started with Fiber Processing
New to fiber mills? Start here.
If you have never sent fiber to a mill before, the process can seem complicated. It is not — but there are a few things worth knowing before you ship your first fleece. We have written guides that cover each step in detail.
Step 1: Choose a mill
Not all mills handle all fiber types, and pricing, minimums, and turnaround times vary widely. Our guide covers what to evaluate, the questions to ask, and the red flags that save you from a bad experience.
Step 2: Prepare your fiber
Most mills want raw, well-skirted fleece in breathable bags. Skirting — removing belly wool, tags, second cuts, and heavy vegetable matter — is the most important thing you can do before shipping. Our guide walks through the full process from shearing day to the mailbox.
How to Prepare Your First Fleece →
Step 3: Know what to expect
After you ship your fiber, the mill will wash, pick, card, and (if you ordered yarn) spin it. The full process takes 6 to 16 weeks depending on the mill and season. Expect to get back 40 to 60 percent of what you sent — the rest is lanolin, dirt, and processing waste.
What Happens When You Send Fiber to a Mill →
Decide: roving or batts?
If you are ordering carded fiber (not yarn), you will need to choose between roving and batts. Roving produces smoother, stronger yarn. Batts produce loftier, warmer yarn and are the standard for felting. Our comparison covers when to order each.
Roving vs Batts: What to Order →
Learn the language
Carding, scouring, staple length, micron count — fiber processing has its own vocabulary. If you run into an unfamiliar term, check our glossary.
Find a mill
Browse our mill directory to find processors by state, fiber type, and services offered. Each listing shows minimums and turnaround times when available.