Info & Pricing

At Good Shepherd Mill, our floor space is limited so we ask you to hold onto your fiber until we are within 1-2 months of being ready to process it. Currently our Wait list is ONLY 5-6 months, but is quickly filling up.  CLICK HERE TO JOIN!

When we are ready for your fiber, we will contact you to ship your fiber or do a drop off.  (See more on sending your fiber below).

Fiber length for spinning: 

Assessing your fiber for spinning on our machines includes considering its, crimp, micron count, coarseness and staple length. The spinning machines that we use are called “long staple spinners”.  Currently we can spin lengths from 3.5 inches to 10 inches. Longer than that won’t draft properly, and shorter than that will fall apart in the drafting zone.  We reserve the right to add 10-30% of Merino top to any fiber to allow us to process it on our equipment.  This is required when fiber is too fine or too short to be able to process on its own. 

• Anything under 3 inches can possibly be made into roving, batting, corespun or felt, but not yarn on our machines.
• For most types of wool and Huacaya alpaca, if the staple length is between 3.0 - 3.5 inches, we can process if 30% merino top is added. 
• Longwools are curly,  have less crimp and long staple lengths. They include (but are not limited to) Bluefaced Leicester, Border Leicester, Coopworth, Cotswold, Lincoln, Romney, Teeswater and Wesleydale.  Longwools between 3.0 -  4.0 inches we can process if 30% merino top is added. 
• Depending on the fiber type and length, for exotic breeds such as Llama, Mohair, and Angora, we recommend adding Merino top of 10%-30%.  Adding a small amount of Merino top to some fibers can improve the quality and reduce loss due to fibers not holding together.  It also provides memory to the finished product.
• We will NOT process 100% Suri Alpaca or Gotland into yarn. All that is sent for spinning will have 30% merino added.
• If we can not get your fiber to spin at the desired type, we will attempt to spin it at a different weight.  If we cannot spin your fiber (all types), after it has been processed for spinning, because of its length (short or long), it will be returned to you as pindrafted roving, and charged as such. If we decide before processing that it won’t spin, we will turn the fiber into roving unless you specify otherwise in the “Special comments or instructions” section on your intake form.
• If you want 100% alpaca or llama yarn and specify that no wool can be added for spinning, and we believe we cannot spin it in that condition, we will return it to you as roving.  There will be a charge  for processing into roving, unless you specify on your order form to send it back raw. 
• If you send your fiber for spinning and we believe that we can not spin it, either because of length or texture, we will automatically add 15-30% merino top, unless you specify “not” to add  on your form.
• If in doubt, call to discuss your fiber before you pay to ship it to us.

Washing & Skirting

Wool typically will lose 30-50% in weight during processing depending on final product.  Main areas of weight loss is in washing and skirting. 

• We will wash ALL incoming fiber to ensure that it can run optimally in our equipment.  This is built into our pricing.  Pre-washing will cut down on your incoming weight, which our pricing is based on. If you  choose to pre-wash, please do not use conditioners, oils or fabric softeners.  
• We will skirt each fleece during the wash cycle  to remove vegetation matter (VM) and areas of poor, damaged, matted or marked fiber. If skirting takes us extended time beyond 15 minutes, there will be an additional skirting charge of $4/pound.  By skirting prior to sending it to the mill, you will minimize your processing cost and increase the yield of your fiber. Pricing is based on incoming weight, so save yourself some money and save us the trouble. 

Misc

• Minimum batch size of 4 lbs incoming weight.  This is due to setup time required.  A batch is a particular type of processed fiber you want. AS OF January 20, 2025 there will be a $25 service fee for batch under this minimum.  So, for example, if you send in 9 lbs of incoming fiber and desire it split into three separate 3-lbs batches, that would mean 3 underweight fees. 
• We reserve the right to refuse fiber if the VM is excessive or if there is evidence of moths/eggs present.

(Updated 5/15/25)

Current pricing is subject to change.

All fiber must go through a washing, drying, picking and carding process.  

The following prices are based upon incoming weight.

Spun yarn includes plying and skeining.  Coning is a separate charge.

When two prices are listed, first is for standard wool, second is for exotics.

Finished Products                                   (standard/exotic)

Finished Roving                                          $15/$19

Finished Roving Pin Drafted                  $20/$24

Finished Batting                                         $15/$19

Finished Felting (non-wet)                    $20/$24

Finished Core Spun (rug yard)             $21/$25

Spin - Single Ply (all thicknesses)       $29/$32

Ply - Chunky, Worsted, DK, Sport        $32/$35

Ply - Fingering/Lace                                  NO LONGER PROVIDING

Steam Skeins                                               $2 per skein

Added Merino top                                      $28 (per pound added)

Added Exotics                                              Varies

(Prices in pounds | Exotic fibers include but not limited to: mohair, llama, alpaca, rabbit & dog hair)

Add Ons

Extra Skirting                                               $4

Extra Wash                                                    $5

Dyeing                                                             $15 - 20 *

Blending fee for Merino Top in             $5

Blending Exotics (listed below) in      $6

Variegating Colors (core spun)            $5

Separate Fleece Colors                           $4 **

Cone Wind (instead of skein)                $2

Wash only                                                      $10

(Prices in pounds | Exotic blends include but  not limited to:  silk, sari silk, bamboo, tencel, angelina, nylon, alpaca, angora, merino specialty blends etc.)

*Dyeing costs varies with $15 for solid color and up to $20 for special techniques requested.

** Cost of requesting the separating the varying colors in a fleece.

DEPOSIT (based upon incoming weight)

Required Processing Deposit Fees:

• Spinning orders $15/pound
• Roving, Batting, Core Spun, Felt $10/pound

Fiber will be weighed upon receipt at the mill to determine incoming weight.  An invoice for your deposit will be sent when it comes time to process your fiber.  (Please DO NOT send check for deposit with your fiber).  All deposits must be paid before we will work on your order. All processing charges must be paid in full before we will ship your fiber back to you. Deposits will be applied to final invoice when all product is completed and ready for shipping/pick-up.

OVERDUE INVOICES

Outstanding accounts will be assessed 1.5% charge per month on any balance due over 30 days. 

Any unpaid invoice after 60 days of being notified payment is due, will result in your fiber being considered abandoned, become the property of Good Shepherd Mill, and will be sold to cover the processing charges.

Wait List - (CURRENTLY 4-5 MONTHS)

Fiber is only taken in for those who are on our wait list.  To get on our wait list click here.

Wait for direction from the Good Shepherd Mill manager before sending or dropping off wool.

Local Drop-Off

You can choose to drop-off your fiber and pick it up.  Drop-off is by appointment ONLY.  We will NOT accept fiber that is dropped off without being on our wait list.

Sending Your Fiber

Please wait for direction from the Good Shepherd Mill manager before shipping  fiber.  Fiber  sent without our permission will be returned at your expense. When your wait list spot arrives we will give you our shipping address.

We are happy to, and currently do, process fiber from all over the continuous US. Here are some tips on sending your raw fiber to be processed at Good Shepherd Mill

• Send any way that is cheapest for you (UPS, post office, etc). Most shipping costs are for dimension of box as much as weight. If you ship your fiber in a box that is 2 times larger than it should be, your costs is going to be 2 or more times more expensive than it should be. Compressing your fiber will not hurt it. Vacuum seal it, or sit on it before taping it up if you need to.  Use the smallest box that you can in order to save yourself some money.
• If you want confirmation your package has arrived, please arrange for delivery confirmation with the shipper. It takes us a lot of time to search for your box to let you know it’s arrive – time we could have been processing fiber in!    
• In the box, PLEASE include your name (not just your business name), phone number, email address, your mailing address AND the address you want your finished fiber sent to, and your telephone number.
• For your convenience, we will be emailing you a copy of our Fiber Intake From when it is time to bring your fiber in. This form asks for all the information we need to handle your order the way you want it.  Please include a form IN YOUR BOXES for EACH different type of product desired.
• We ship back by UPS or USPS unless otherwise requested. 
• You need to include a shipping address other than a PO Box in your instructions.  
• If you are using a private shipping company to ship your fiber,  PLEASE MAKE SURE YOUR NAME IS ON THE OUTSIDE OF THE BOX.

Please feel free to email us if you have questions about what we are able to process or fees.