Where to buy roving: Sheep Shed Studio testimonials

[oddacity]

Really? I know it is quite a lot, but I'd say only if you're buying very small amounts. For me, I calculated 6 pounds (white mill ends) plus shipping to be roughly $60 (USD). At $10 a pound, I've not seen many places that are that cheap, and if they are, it's before shipping. That's great for someone who wants a bunch o' wool they can dye themselves or whatever. Obviously I'd never ever pay that much for shipping if I was going for smaller amounts and/or more specialty stuff.

I'm curious though...what other online retailers are cheaper that you know of? Because I'm a poor, about-to-be college student who is always looking for cheapness now that she picked up this expensive hobby!!

[Belladune]

I'll jump in and say that I think SSS shipping is outrageous, so much so that I've stopped buying wool from them.They used to have the cheapest wool available but that's just not true anymore; ounce for ounce, once shipping is factored in, it's as much if not more than wool from other online retailers.

yes at 55$ then add another 55$ for shipping (total 110$) for a 10 lb white grab bag, that still only 11$ a lb.... maybe thats not so exorbitant? perhaps it is.  I've honestly never payed much attention.... stinking recession.... LOL 

[freefolk]

If I were to order a pound of mill ends from SSS, it would cost me $17.52 with shipping. My last two orders of wool according to PayPal were $18.42 for one pound of gorgeous merino roving all in one length. The other order was $28.68 for over 2# of roving from a farm in California; again, real roving not mill ends. So, $16.34 a lb.

Mill ends require more work and you don't have the option of selling that wool as a dyed roving. It being the cheapest available used to make it worth it, but like I said, it's not cheaper or it's only negligibly cheaper than roving. Not worth it.

I don't have a regular go to person online; I just watch eBay for good deals. I never pay more than $1 an ounce for wool (before shipping).

[something_wierd]

I have found that SSS mill ends take less work than most other fiber I have spun.  The stuff of comparable price at my local spinning shop is like spinning polyester stuffing.  Lots of pre-drafting. My stuff from SSS came in huge long lengths of up to 20 feet.  Once it was dyed, it looked just like the expensive stuff at my local shop and spun much better.  Zero pre-drafting.

I guess it is kind of a risk you take when buying mill ends.  I have never had a problem.  Shipping isn't that bad for me.  It comes out to just under $10 a pound if I buy 15 pounds. 

[SewMamaLady]

I bought 2 pounds from SSS and I was happy with it. I haven't seen anything processed for near that cheap. The shipping only went up a about .70 when I added my second pound. I was also really happy with my wool. It spins nicely and takes in dye nicely too. I wouldn't use the SSS roving to sell, but I don't think it's horrible. It is desirable as I've had it claimed in STS. I'm pretty sure I've claimed some too and lapoli even has some up right now. I really liked spinning the mill ends undyed. They're really soft. I also had huge lengths in my box. Two of them were at least 15 ft long.

[bigboots]

Bought three pounds (1 each of white, black tones, and turquoise tones) just a second ago. I haven't even gotten the spindles made on Ponoko yet. Just got too excited I guess! It worked out to 11.683USD/lb after shipping. *finally prepares email to Ponoko for design consultation*

[fancyarbor]

I watch for sales on Paradise Fibers.  If you order in larger quantities, you can get a really good deal when they put their stuff on sale.  Plus, they ship quick and I've never had a problem with them.  Though, I will definitely be checking out those other stores!

[lissaw70]

  .............Time to head to the Shed again.............l ol...........15# didn't last as long as I thought it would.............. ....

[lariarocket]

Reading all these posts has gotten me so jealous! I can't believe I'm just now reading this thread. I just bought a loom yesterday so fiber for spinning is out of the question at the moment, but you better believe I'll be buying from them VERY soon! They sound amazing!

[Jane Doe]

I've just re-read this thread too
It's got posts in it that are 5 years old!
When I have some more time, I'm going to read through the lot, check all the studios mentioned are still in operation and do a new summary post.
Gee there's a lot to read through