The Neurodivergent Cogitators & Creators
Fleece Processing Glossary & Terms Explained
What do these fibre words mean?
Fibre crafts come with a lot of specialist words. You do not need to know them all before getting in touch with ADHCrafts.
This glossary explains common fleece processing, spinning and fibre preparation terms in plain English, so you can feel more confident reading the guides, completing the enquiry form or talking about your fibre.
How to use this glossary
You can read this page from top to bottom, or just look up the word you need. If a term still does not make sense, that is okay — you can choose Ask us a question :) No silly questions. Fibre words are tools, not tests.
Fleece and fibre condition terms
Fleece
The coat shorn from a sheep, alpaca, llama or other fibre animal. A fleece can include different qualities of fibre from different areas of the body.
Raw fleece
Fleece that has not yet been washed or processed.
Skirting
Removing the dirtiest, shortest, matted or least useful parts of the fleece before processing.
Vegetable matter / VM
Bits of plant material caught in the fleece, such as hay, straw, seeds, burrs or grass.
Second cuts
Short pieces of fibre caused when the shearer clips the same area more than once. These can cause lumps, weak spots or extra waste during processing.
Staple length
The length of a lock of fibre from cut end to tip. Staple length helps decide whether fibre is suitable for spinning, carding or another use.
Staple strength
How strong the lock of fibre is when gently pulled. Weak fibre may break during processing.
Matting / felted areas
Areas where fibre has tangled, compacted or started to felt together. Heavily matted fibre may be difficult or unsuitable to process.
Guard hair
Coarser hairs found in some fibres, especially alpaca or llama. Guard hair can affect softness, comfort and finished use.
Crimp
The natural wave or curl in wool fibres. Crimp can affect bounce, elasticity and how the fibre spins.
Processing terms
Washing / scouring
Cleaning fleece to remove dirt, grease, sweat and other residues. Wool needs careful handling during washing to reduce the risk of felting.
Lanolin
The natural grease found in sheep wool. Some of it is removed during washing.
Picking / opening fibre
Gently loosening washed fibre before carding or further preparation.
Carding
Brushing fibres into a more organised preparation using hand carders, a drum carder or carding tools.
Combing
Preparing fibre so the fibres are more aligned. Combed fibre is often smoother and can suit worsted-style spinning.
Blending
Mixing fibres together, such as sheep wool with alpaca, or combining colours and textures.
Yield
The amount of usable fibre or yarn returned after processing. Yield is usually lower than the starting weight because dirt, grease, VM, short cuts and unsuitable fibre are removed.
Batch
A specific amount of fibre processed together. ADHCrafts keeps batches labelled and separate unless a blend has been agreed.
Fibre preparation terms
Washed fibre
Fibre that has been cleaned and dried but not necessarily carded or spun.
Batts
Sheets or rolls of carded fibre, often made on a drum carder. Batts can be used for spinning, felting or blending.
Rolags
Small rolls of carded fibre, usually made with hand carders. Rolags are often used for woollen-style spinning.
Roving
A long, continuous preparation of fibre that can be drafted for spinning.
Sliver
A long, continuous strand of prepared fibre, similar to roving but usually without twist.
Locks
Small natural groups of fibre as they come from the fleece. Locks can be used for spinning, felting, texture or decorative work.
Felting fibre
Fibre prepared for needle felting or wet felting rather than spinning into yarn.
Core wool / stuffing fibre
Coarser or less refined fibre used inside needle felted projects, toys, cushions or craft pieces.
Spinning and yarn terms
Hand spinning
Using a spindle or spinning wheel to twist fibre into yarn by hand.
Singles
A single strand of spun yarn before it is plied.
Ply
Twisting two or more singles together to make a balanced yarn. For example, 2-ply yarn uses two singles.
Skein
A looped bundle of yarn, often used for washing, drying, storing or selling yarn.
Cake
A centre-pull wound ball of yarn, often made using a yarn winder.
Yarn weight
The thickness of yarn, such as lace, 4ply, DK, aran or chunky.
DK
A medium yarn weight commonly used for knitting and crochet.
Aran
A thicker yarn than DK, often used for warmer garments and accessories.
Twist
The amount of twist added to fibre while spinning. Twist affects strength, feel and behaviour of the finished yarn.
Booking and service terms
Enquiry
The first step where you share information about your fibre. An enquiry is not a confirmed booking.
Consultation
A more detailed discussion about your fibre, options and next steps.
Fibre assessment
Checking the fibre’s condition, likely suitability and best processing route.
Deposit
A payment used to secure agreed processing work or a limited offer space.
Booking confirmation
Confirmation that the next step, timing, payment/deposit and start date or delivery window have been agreed.
Delivery window
The agreed time period when fibre can be sent or dropped off.
Processing log / fibre journey record
A record of key details such as incoming weight, observations, processing method, clean weight, yield and final presentation.
Quick links to related guides
You do not need to know all these terms before starting an enquiry. The glossary is here to support you, not to test you.
If you have fibre and are not sure what to ask for, choose “help me decide” on the enquiry form