We currently ship within the United States only.

How long does it take for my order to ship?

Orders typically ship within 1 business day of purchase. During Black Friday and the December gift season, please allow up to 3 business days for processing due to higher order volume.

Do you accept returns or exchanges?

Yes. We accept returns up to 30 days from purchase on new, unused fiber. If you're not happy with the color or feel of what you ordered then please contact us within 5 days of delivery for a refund or exchange. We cannot accept returns of used fiber.

What payment methods do you accept?

We accept credit and debit cards and Shop Pay at checkout through our secure Shopify store.

Do you offer wholesale or bulk pricing?

Not at this time, but reach out through our contact page if you're interested in a larger custom order.

Where does your fiber come from?

Our fiber is sourced from a variety of places. The carded batts, hand combed roving and lock are from small US farms in NY and PA. The blended colorways are from a larger mill we partner with.

Will the colors match the product photos exactly?

Colors are photographed in natural light to be as accurate as possible, but monitor settings and dye-lot variation mean slight differences are normal. If color accuracy is critical for your project, feel free to message us before ordering.

Can I request a custom blend or custom-dyed batch?

Not yet as a standard offering, but message us; we do take on select custom requests. This is also something we plan to expand as our fiber-processing capabilities grow.

Do you offer custom fiber processing (sending in your own raw fleece)?

Yes we do! If you have a fleece you would like hand processed we would be happy to help! We also process cat and dog fiber if you want yarn made from your beloved pet's fur. Please contact us to see how we can help with your custom fiber needs.

Can I have my pet's fur spun into yarn?

Yes! We offer custom pet fiber spinning for both cat and dog fur — dog fur yarn is sometimes called "chiengora." For the best results, send us the soft brushed undercoat rather than guard hairs or a shaved coat, since undercoat spins much more successfully. Contact us with your pet's coat type and how much fur you have saved up, and we'll let you know if it's a good candidate along with pricing and turnaround time.

What is combed top, and what is it used for?

Combed top is fiber that has been combed to remove short fibers and align the remaining fibers in parallel, creating a smooth, lustrous strand. It's a popular choice for spinning worsted-style yarn, since the aligned fibers create a smoother, denser finished yarn.

What is roving, and how is it different from combed top?

Roving is fiber that has been carded rather than combed, so the fibers lie in a looser, more textured arrangement rather than perfectly parallel. It spins into a fluffier, woolen-style yarn with more loft, while combed top spins into a smoother, denser yarn.

What is a batt in fiber prep?

A batt is a flat, rectangular sheet of carded fiber, often blending multiple colors or fiber types together. Batts are popular for both spinning woolen style (torn into strips first) and needle or wet felting, since the loose, layered structure felts easily.

What are wool locks used for?

Wool locks are the raw, un-carded curls or clumps straight from the fleece, and they're used in spinning (for textured "art yarn"), needle felting, weaving embellishments, and doll hair or wig-making for fiber artists.

What's the difference between top and roving?

The core difference is the preparation method: top is combed (fibers aligned, smoother result) and roving is carded (fibers more jumbled, loftier result). Spinners often choose top for a worsted yarn and roving for a woolen yarn, depending on the project.

Can I felt with roving or combed top?

Roving felts more easily than combed top because its looser fiber structure tangles together faster. Combed top can still be felted, especially for wet felting, but it typically takes more time and agitation to full than roving or batts.

What fiber is best for beginner spinners?

Corriedale and Romney are commonly recommended for beginners because their natural crimp gives more grip and control on the wheel or spindle. Merino is beautiful and popular, but its fine, slippery fibers can be trickier to manage for a first-time spinner.

How much fiber do I need to spin a sweater's worth of yarn?

A good starting estimate is 1 to 1.5 pounds of fiber for a lightweight adult sweater, though the exact amount depends on yarn weight, sweater size, and your personal spinning tension. Smaller projects like hats or cowls typically need 2 to 4 ounces.

What does staple length mean?

Staple length is the measured length of an individual fiber lock, usually given in inches. Shorter staple lengths (2-3 inches) are common in fine wools like Merino, while longer staple lengths (5+ inches) are typical of breeds like Romney or Wensleydale, and staple length affects both spinning technique and the finished yarn's character.

What does micron count mean, and why does it matter?

Micron count measures the diameter of an individual fiber strand — the lower the number, the finer and softer the fiber. Fibers under about 24 microns are generally considered soft enough for next-to-skin wear, while higher micron counts are more common in durable, hard-wearing yarns like rugs or outerwear.

Is superwash wool different from untreated wool?

Yes. Superwash wool has been treated to remove the microscopic scales on the fiber surface, which means it can be machine washed without felting, while untreated wool will felt and shrink if agitated in water. Untreated wool also tends to have more natural loft and grip while spinning.

Why does my fiber smell a little like sheep?

A faint natural smell, especially in fiber with some lanolin still present, is normal and not a sign of a problem. If you prefer a stronger-scoured, scent-free fiber then our combed top is a better choice.

How should I store spinning fiber to prevent moths?

Store fiber in a sealed container or bag rather than left loose in the open, since wool moths are drawn to exposed animal fibers. Cedar blocks, lavender sachets, or a dedicated moth trap in your storage area add extra protection, and periodically checking stored fiber catches any issue early.

Do I need to wash raw fleece before spinning?

If you've purchased raw, unwashed fleece, yes, it typically needs to be scoured to remove lanolin, dirt, and debris before spinning, unless you're intentionally spinning "in the grease." All of our fiber is sold already washed/processed and ready to spin.

How do I care for handspun yarn made from your fiber?

Hand wash in cool water or warm water with a wool-safe soap such as Euclan or Soak — we do not advise using 'Woolite'. Avoid agitation and temperature shocks (which cause felting), and lay flat to dry. None of our fiber is superwash so it will felt if not washed correctly.

Roving vs Combed Top vs Batts: Which is right for you?

Combed top, roving, and batts are the three most common ways spinning fiber is prepared, and the difference comes down to how the fiber is processed. Combed top has its fibers combed straight and aligned, producing a smooth, dense, worsted-style yarn - think drape and shine and not fluff. Roving is carded rather than combed which gives it a looser, more textured structure that spins into a fluffier, woolen-style yarn. Batts are flat sheets of carded fiber, often blending colors or fiber types, and are as popular for felting as they are for spinning. Which one you reach for depends on the yarn, and the project, you want to create.

What Is Combed Top?

Combed top is fiber that's been run through combs to remove short, uneven fibers and nepps and align everything that's left in parallel, running in the same direction. That alignment is what gives combed top its signature look: a smooth, lustrous dense appearance.

When you spin from combed top, the fibers slide past each other in one direction, producing a worsted-style yarn which is smooth, dense, and strong, with a subtle sheen. It's a favorite for projects where drape and stitch definition matter, like fine shawls, socks, cables or anything where you want the color and texture of the fiber itself to show clearly. You will also have minimal pilling of your yarn with a worsted style prep and spin.

What Is Roving?

Roving is carded rather than combed. Instead of aligning every fiber in one direction, carding brushes the fiber into a looser, more jumbled arrangement, trapping air between the fibers as it goes.

That trapped air is exactly what gives roving its character. Yarn spun from roving is a woolen-style yarn — lofty, airy, and warm, with more visual texture and less shine than a worsted yarn. It's a natural choice for cozy garments like sweaters and mittens, where warmth and loft matter more than drape. If you think about it in any type of insulation it's the trapped air that helps retain warmth so woolen spun yarn with a woolen prep fiber will be the warmest and loftiest type of sp

What Is a Batt?

A batt is what carded fiber looks like before it's ever divided into strips: a flat, rectangular sheet, often blending multiple colors, breeds, or even fiber types (like wool blended with silk or sparkle nepps) into one piece.

Batts are versatile in a way top and roving aren't. Spinners tear them into strips before spinning, giving a similar woolen-style yarn to roving but with more room for color-blending and unpredictable texture. Felters, meanwhile, use batts largely as-is — their loose, layered structure is exactly what makes wet and needle felting work well, since the fibers are already positioned to tangle and full together easily.

Combed Top vs. Roving vs. Batts: Which Should You Choose?

A quick way to think about it:

Want a smooth, dense, worsted-style yarn? Reach for combed top.
Want a warm, lofty, woolen-style yarn? Reach for roving.
Want to blend colors freely, or you're felting rather than spinning? Reach for a batt.

None of these are strictly "better" than the others — they're suited to different results. Many spinners keep all three on hand and choose based on the project in front of them.

Roving vs Combed Top vs Batts: Which is right for you?

September 27, 2026

Ready to try one of these fiber prep types?

Combed Top for Handspinning

Natural Wool Carded Batts for Spinning and Felting

Roving for Handspinning and Felting

Frequently asked questions

Both are beginner-friendly, but roving's looser structure and slightly more forgiving draft make it a common first choice, especially when paired with a beginner-friendly breed like Corriedale or Romney.

Yes, though it takes more time and agitation than roving or a batt, since combed top's aligned fibers resist tangling more than carded prep does.

Not necessarily, the same breed's fleece can be prepared as top, roving, or a batt. The difference is in the processing method, not the source fiber, though some preps are more traditionally used with certain breeds.

Absolutely. Some spinners blend a bit of top into a batt for extra shine, or ply a worsted-spun singles with a woolen-spun one for a yarn with both structure and loft.