Online sources for wool roving?
October 26, 2010 3:20 PM Subscribe
What are the best and cheapest sources of wool roving online?
If it matters, I want to use the roving for felting, not spinning.
If it matters, I want to use the roving for felting, not spinning.
I think half my AskMefi answers involve this site, but I would (once again) recommend Ravelry.com. In spite of the "knit and crochet community" tag line; there are many groups there for people interested in felting (and dyeing). This (quick, free registration-required link) group on needle felting, for instance, has over 1000 members and seems to have a lot of posts on basic supplies, etc.
posted by camyram at 4:03 PM on October 26, 2010
posted by camyram at 4:03 PM on October 26, 2010
Knit Picks, perhaps? They just started carrying roving.
posted by pised at 4:29 PM on October 26, 2010
posted by pised at 4:29 PM on October 26, 2010
Pacific Wool and Fiber is where I get all of my top/roving. But I'm a spinner, not a needle felter so I don't know what you're after specifically. They've got the best prices on white merino top that I've found online.
http://www.pacificwoolandfiber.com
posted by elsietheeel at 4:53 PM on October 26, 2010 [1 favorite]
http://www.pacificwoolandfiber.com
posted by elsietheeel at 4:53 PM on October 26, 2010 [1 favorite]
Oh, and I dye all of my own wool (except black) because I think it's soooooo much fun. If you are looking for deadly specific colors, then buy what you want already dyed. If you're up for experimentation? Kool Aid and food dyes are awesome to play with.
posted by elsietheeel at 4:55 PM on October 26, 2010
posted by elsietheeel at 4:55 PM on October 26, 2010
It depends a lot on what you're looking for in a roving. As an all-purpose response, if you want super pretty colors, and to support indie dyeing artists, then Etsy is a great place to start!
posted by ErikaB at 6:50 PM on October 26, 2010
posted by ErikaB at 6:50 PM on October 26, 2010
I don't know much about roving but this brick and mortar store is near my home and I pass it all the time - New England Felting Supply. They have an online business as well, they sell various kinds of roving, and they're hand-felting specialists.
posted by mskyle at 8:34 PM on October 26, 2010
posted by mskyle at 8:34 PM on October 26, 2010
For instance, should I be buying undyed wool and dyeing it myself to save money?
I can't speak to the specifics of undyed vs. dyed roving, but I will say this. When it comes to craft supplies, buying the less processed item may appear to save you money, but in the long run, when you start factoring in additional supplies and equipment, it probably doesn't.
If you enjoy dyeing -- and a lot of people do -- then by all means, buy undyed roving and dye it yourself. If you do enough of it, the cost of the roving, plus the cost of the dyes will probably not be much more than the cost of having bought the roving already dyed by somebody who buys their both in much larger quantities than you will.
But if you don't enjoy dyeing, it's unlikely to save you much money, if any at all, and if you factor in your time, it'll definitely be at a loss.
posted by jacquilynne at 9:16 PM on October 26, 2010
I can't speak to the specifics of undyed vs. dyed roving, but I will say this. When it comes to craft supplies, buying the less processed item may appear to save you money, but in the long run, when you start factoring in additional supplies and equipment, it probably doesn't.
If you enjoy dyeing -- and a lot of people do -- then by all means, buy undyed roving and dye it yourself. If you do enough of it, the cost of the roving, plus the cost of the dyes will probably not be much more than the cost of having bought the roving already dyed by somebody who buys their both in much larger quantities than you will.
But if you don't enjoy dyeing, it's unlikely to save you much money, if any at all, and if you factor in your time, it'll definitely be at a loss.
posted by jacquilynne at 9:16 PM on October 26, 2010
I've been very happy with the roving I've bought at Paradise Fibers. I've tried dyeing, and it's fun... I'm very into natural colors lately, though, and they're pretty well stocked on that too...
posted by Pickman's Next Top Model at 7:20 AM on October 27, 2010
posted by Pickman's Next Top Model at 7:20 AM on October 27, 2010
Ooh wait no. I buy all my stuff at Paradise Fibers, not the aforementioned Pacific. The P's always confuse me.
So yes, another vote for Paradise!
posted by elsietheeel at 6:45 PM on October 27, 2010
So yes, another vote for Paradise!
posted by elsietheeel at 6:45 PM on October 27, 2010
You really can't beat the prices at the Sheep Shed Studio. The website is a bit of a mess, but I've been impressed with the quality of everything I've ever received from them.
posted by magnoliacoffee at 7:56 PM on October 27, 2010
posted by magnoliacoffee at 7:56 PM on October 27, 2010
A bit late, but I've had great luck with R H Lindsay. They're aimed at people purchasing a lot at once, but they don't have a minimum order requirement, and the stuff I've bought has been just lovely.
posted by MeghanC at 11:42 PM on October 28, 2010 [1 favorite]
posted by MeghanC at 11:42 PM on October 28, 2010 [1 favorite]
Oh wow. Thanks for that recommendation MeghanC. Those are excellent prices and it looks like nice quality wpol too. It's a shame it's all the way in Boston. I love that Paradise is on my coast, so it gets here super fast.
posted by elsietheeel at 12:01 PM on October 29, 2010
posted by elsietheeel at 12:01 PM on October 29, 2010
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by kitcat at 3:23 PM on October 26, 2010