I have now received the fleece(s) I was promised and there are some of different types. The Polworth looked the dirtiest so I have started with that one. Picture above showed how it arrived.
Characteristics
Mature ewes weigh 50 to 60 kg (110 to 130 lb) and mature rams weigh 66 to 80 kg (146 to 176 lb). Ewes are excellent prime lamb mothers producing lambs that have good lean carcases. The high yielding fleeces weigh an average six to seven kilograms, with a fibre diameter of 23 to 25 microns[3] (58–60s).[2][4][5]
The Polwarth Sheepbreeders’ Association of Australia was formed in 1918 and the studbook closed in 1948.
Polwarths are now mostly found in the higher rainfall regions of south-eastern Australia that have improved pastures. Polwarths have been exported into many countries, including South America where they are known as Ideals.[5]
Polworth Sheep
First I washed it, three times. Then after a thorough rinse, I put it out in the sunshine to dry.
Larry bought me some carding combs so I could stroke the fleece into submission!
It’s important to keep one comb for the left hand and the other for the right. So I marked them to make sure I didn’t get them mixed up.
When the fleece was washed, dried and combed, it looked like this. I have stored it and can’t wait to try spinning with it soon. It looks like a cloud of happiness to me 🙂
I’ll come back and show you as soon as I start spinning.
Oma
Oma 
Oma, this is pure delight to me.. I so remember carding some wool when in school… Love how your cloud of happiness looks now all washed and combed 🙂 Brilliant.
Sue xox
It was really fun to do, Sue. Whilst I was doing the carding, I felt glad the wool was not still on the sheep. When I was small I had very long hair and I still remember the pain of my mother’s ministrations combing out the tangles in my hair.
What a busy woman you are! I love the recent sweater and seeing bits of your garden. Can’t wait to see what you do with these fleeces!
I’ll keep the thread updated Vicki. I was really lucky that the lady in question gifted me these bits of fleeces so I could have a practise on the different kinds. I thought at first that I was just going to get the one fleece, but it has turned out to be a variety of smaller amounts.
I think “cloud of happiness ” is a very apt description of the wool , and it looks heavenly !
I haven’t been spinning for the last few months for various reasons but started again this week, I’m hoping that I still have some polworth stashed away as it is my favourite spin….also I have promised myself not to buy any fleece this year so I use up some of my stash!