Paradise Fibers Light Grey Suffolk Sliver-Roving

I got this fiber hoping to help a beginner learn to not just prepare fiber but spin as well plus have a great economic value too. Well it accomplished all that and more. It has very long fibers making it PERFECT for beginners to learn drafting and spinning, plus the price point is simply unbeatable. Now A lot have said this product was scratchy and stiff. I found that once washed, worked with, conditioned, and knitted up that is not the case. I would use it for outer wear, but it still it a great product and over great value. PERFECT for beginners and this amazing fiber dyes up very nice and has deep rich tones tones to it. I will be buying this again and again and I would highly recommend it to beginners and to those who are looking for durable outer wear spinning needs and socks, this spectacular fiber will stand the test of time.

I needed new mittens, the kiddo needed new mittens, and this wool is perfect mitten wool. Durable, well prepared, and lovely to spin. I kind of like the kemp in it, it makes the mittens look a little fuzzy.

It's also nice for blending with other fibres on my carder, and it's a good wool for learning. I have a Louet out on loan and also recently sold a wheel to my neighbour, both Sally and Colin loved the Suffolk as well.

This fiber is great for people just learning how to spin as the fibers stick together wonderfully whether you're spinning very thin or thick yarn (or "wobbly" yarn, as many of my early attempts at spinning ended up being). It's a little coarse, making it great for hats, gloves, and outerwear, but might be too itchy for some to use for a scarf or sweater.

As a new drop spindler, I have found this to be an ideal fiber choice. The resulting yarn is so pretty because it is not just a solid color. I am ordering more because it is fun to spin! I am most interested in spinning fine yarns, lace and fingering, and I am not having any trouble getting that quality even with a rather heavy spindle.

This is probably not a bad fiber, but as a new spinner I was discouraged by it greatly. The fibers are apparently shorter, but I didn't know any better. I do love the color and the feel so I imagine I will eventually card it into something else to make it easier to work with. I would just hold off getting more until I gain more experience.

I overdyed the natural grey to get some gorgeous muted purples and teals. The salt and pepper look almost makes the yarn sparkle. This is a homey, comforting wool.

This fiber does has a lot of guard hairs but it adds to the quality of this fiber. I also found it to be softer than other reviews let on. Its not soft as Merino, but especially after fulling, this yarn will open up.

See the Fleece and Fiber Sourcebook re "grey Suffolk." If you understand that you may not be getting traditional Suffolk, then this is fine. It's coarse and has quite a bit of kemp, as others have mentioned, but is very easy to spin. I certainly wouldn't describe it as "still pretty soft" as on the label!

I purchased this fiber after reading some of the reviews on here. I agree with others that there is a distinct "sheepy" smell to fiber, when you first open the bag it can be a bit over powering but it does start to go away if you can air it out some. Being relatively new to spinning I am enjoying the long staple length of the fiber, and the color blending makes spinning this interesting. As others have mentioned it is very coarse, and so I don't plan on using it for any close to the skin garments. However, I would still recommend this to beginning and experienced spinners out there, as an interesting fiber to use.

Very pleased.

I purchased this sliver for a study of Suffolk fleece but was surprised and disappointed to find that it's something else entirely - a combination of various breeds from Suffolk, enjoyable to spin for outer garments. It has black, white, and gray with lots of kempy fibers, 8 inch staples, and makes a nice rustic yarn. True Suffolk fleece is white, no kemp, 4-5 inches in staple length and with a lower micron count. I'll spin up the pound and tuck it into my stash until I figure out what it wants to make of itself.

The fiber spins well, and easily, but as another reviewer mentioned, it's a little "sheepy." When I opened the box, the smell about knocked me over. With a little time, that dissipated, but not a lot. After letting my yarn soak overnight in some mild soap, and hanging outside in the sunshine all day to dry, it's STILL sheepy. I had intended to use it to make a sweater for a trip to Scandinavia next winter, but now I think it may have to become heavy boot socks for everyone in the family just because I don't think I can stand to wear it by my face.

Also, the roving doesn't appear dirty, but after letting it soak the water I pulled it out of was a murky reddish brown. Still not sure what that's about.

On a positive note, while this isn't the softest spinning fiber, it does become airy and light when plied.

Would I recommend it for spinning? Sure. Would I recommend it for clothing? Not so much.

The fiber spins well, and easily, but as another reviewer mentioned, it's a little "sheepy." When I opened the box, the smell about knocked me over. With a little time, that dissipated, but not a lot. After letting my yarn soak overnight in some mild soap, and hanging outside in the sunshine all day to dry, it's STILL sheepy. I had intended to use it to make a sweater for a trip to Scandinavia next winter, but now I think it may have to become heavy boot socks for everyone in the family just because I don't think I can stand to wear it by my face.

Also, the roving doesn't appear dirty, but after letting it soak the water I pulled it out of was a murky reddish brown. Still not sure what that's about.

On a positive note, while this isn't the softest spinning fiber, it does become airy and light when plied.

Would I recommend it for spinning? Sure. Would I recommend it for clothing? Not so much.

[...] great prices! I'm so glad I found Paradise Fibers!

This product spins easily. I have not figured
out what I am going to do with it. I have
been spoiled by the Merino wool, so this is
a biased review.

Due to the courseness of it, I am thinking of
making bags out of it.

I have primarily used this felt in order to make large felted panels (approx. 18 x 48") and it has held up remarkably to a seamless felt. When needle felted to silk it took well but the fineness of the wool made it take a bit longer than a coarser wool, however that was not detrimental. I am intending to use it as a spinning fiber in the near future and have great hopes in it's performance to do just as well.