How do you choose and package wool?
Fleeces from the Farm:  I am a hand-spinner:   I know what makes a good wool and take the time to get to know the shepherds with whom I purchase wool.Sound Locks:  The first thing I do is test a few locks to make sure they are sound.  That there is no breaks in the locks and that the tips don't break.  With a lambs first shearing the curly tips can sometimes break off.  This is common with a lambs hogget fleece.  If this is the case, it will be noted in the description so you know how to process the fleece.Vegetable Matter:  Also known as "VM".   I try to photograph a true representation of the fleece as possible, including VM.  The description also indicates the quantity of VM.  Most VM consists of hay and grass and is easy to get out of the wool during processing.  If there is excessive VM or very fine VM that I believe will be difficult to remove I will note it in the description.Dirt:  Most of the sheep on the SE2SE program are not coated and many are grown for their meat so, the wool is a secondary product.  Many of these sheep will have dirty tips.  I sample wash: a handful of every fleece to see how well they scour.  When there are dirty tips on a white wool it will usually cause staining which leaves a yellow appearance to the tips.  This can not be washed out.  When the wool is carded or combed the blended wool may have a creamy color instead of bright white.  This is usually an acceptable white color.  I photograph a before and after scouring sample so you can see if there is staining at the tips so you can determine if it will work for your project.  Stained tip wool is often used for dyeing.General Fleece:   When you purchase a Full Fleece there are different types of wool within the fleece.  Most spinners will separate the fleece into 2 or 3 categories based on length and softness.  All fleeces are skirted.Fleece by the Ounce or Pound:  If you purchase smaller amounts of wool I try to choose consistent areas of the fleece.  I attempt to keep the sections as intact as possible.  If the breed has various colors, like Jacob, I pack each bag with some of each of the colors on the sheep.  For SE2SE and Breed Study I believe you should receive a good representation of various parts of the fleece so you can see what the entire fleece would give you.Questions are Welcome:  If you have questions that I have not addressed in the listing, please, send me an email.  My main goal is to make you happy.  I can send you sample locks of a fleece if that would help you with your decision.  I also offer tutorials on YouTube as well as in my blog on the website, to help you learn how to scour, comb, card and process the raw wool. Please, don't hesitate to ask me any questions.  I want people to use the Rare Breed wool and sometimes it needs a little more processing than other breeds.  If you learn the proper ways to process the different kinds of wool you will have a better outcome.