We are a custom fiber processing mill and want you to get the finished product you are hoping for. Each order is a custom order and therefore it is important that you communicate clearly to us what you are hoping to get from your finished product. Different people have different opinions on what they like in their product, such as wanting it very clean, versus liking to feel a little lanolin still in the wool. Some people like their blending to be extremely thorough, others like it to be less thorough and more obvious the different fibers blended together. Some like more twist to their yarn, others less twist. If you have specific things that you like and want from your finished product, please be sure to let us know so that we can do everything in our power to create something you will love.
Custom processing is just that – custom – we do small batches and thus there is a lot more variation in the fiber and the finished product than large mills. Each custom mill has its own style. We will work with you to make your product as close to what you want as possible, but each fiber is unique and won’t always do exactly what you want. We will communicate with you throughout the process if it isn’t going as we had originally discussed with you. You can choose for us to stop at that point, or move forward with a new plan. You will be responsible to pay for all the work completed even if the fiber won’t run as you requested.
3 lb. washed weight (approx. 5 lb. raw wool or 4 lb. raw alpaca) minimum for processing to yarn.
4-11 inch staple length accepted for yarn. Blending is an option for shorter staple length fiber to yarn.
Skirting:
All fleece must be thoroughly skirted before you send them to us. Skirting is important because it will decrease your processing wait time and your costs, and it will increase the quality of your finished products.
Washing:
If you choose to wash your fiber before sending in it you will save on washing fees. However, we reserve the right to re-wash fiber as we deem necessary because fiber that is not properly washed can damage our processing equipment.
Processing and Fiber Weight Loss:
Many factors affect the ability to process fiber. If your fiber is not processing well we will contact you to discuss your options. You will be charged for all processing we complete.
Fiber weight loss is an expected part of processing. The amount of weight lost is affected by many factors including cleanliness of the fleece, sand content, guard hairs, etc. It can range from 25% all the way to 75% in extreme cases. Most of the time it is around 30-40% loss. We do our best to keep the loss as low as possible.
Yarn Skein Lengths:
Standard skein length from WCFM is 250 yds. All yarn orders will be run at that length unless you mark otherwise on your order form. Yardage is measured before skein washing. We cannot predict shrinkage of each different fiber during skein washing. Some will shrink more, some less. Different methods of washing effect shrinkage as well. You need to take this into consideration when you choose your skein length.
Yarn Weights:
Yarn weights vary from processor to processor. We choose to use wraps-per-inch (wpi) to set our weight standards. These measurements are made before the yarn blooms from washing. Different yarns will bloom different amounts, but usually the change is just slightly larger than when it comes out of processing.
WCFM Yarn Weight Standards:
Lace – >20 wpi
Fingering – 16-19 wpi
Sport – 13-15 wpi
DK – 10-12 wpi
Worsted – 8-9 wpi
Bulky – 6-7 wpi
We are happy to accept custom yarn weight orders. There will be a one-time $15 set-up charge for custom weights. If you want us to match a yarn, please include a sample.
Clean Scraps:
When fiber is spun into yarn there are short scraps of roving lost during the pin-drafting and spinning processes. These cannot be added back into the yarn, but are clean and can potentially be used for felting, etc. If you want these pieces back you must write that on your order form. If you don’t write it on your order form we will keep them and use them.
Skein Washing:
Even though your fiber will be washed before processing, the finished skeins will need to be washed again. During the milling process, your already-cleaned fiber will have an anti-static product sprayed onto it to help keep your fiber loss down and to keep the equipment running smoothly. In order to remove that from your yarn you can either choose our skein washing services, or you can hand wash the yarn yourself at home. In addition to cleaning the yearn, the washing process helps the yarn to bloom and gain its full softness and loft. Washing will also cause some shrinkage depending on the fiber (see yarn skein lengths description above).
When your order is complete:
We will call you and email you an invoice. Your invoice must be paid in full, including shipping charges, before we will ship you your processed fiber. Payment is due within 10 days of the invoice date. Balances not paid by 30 days from the invoice date are subject to legal action and/or become the property of Willow Creek Fiber Mill.
Payment Options:
Paypal
Visa, MasterCard, Discover, American Express
Check
Orders over 200 lbs. will require progress payments as fiber is completed.
By submitting your fiber to Willow Creek Fiber Mill you are agreeing to and accepting our policies.
