I need some enablers!

Welcome NWRancher!
I have Shetland, 3 wethers, and don't jacket mine. In fact, their fleece is really not great. I am terrible at second cuts. But, I wash and spin it just the same!
I figure since I am still learning what can I loose??

I know you will get tons of info here, and lots of encouragement!
Can't wait to see pics of your knitting.

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Ok gang, I'm moving forward thanks to all of you. I had a busy weekend turning an old woodshed into a greenhouse, which is done and I'm going to start populating with plants tonight. Aside from that though, my head is spinning with thoughts of fiber. I just returned from town, where I picked up some wool yarn and knitting needles. I got medium weight wool yarn, it has a number 4 on it, whatever that is. I purchased three sizes of needles, 8, 10.5, and 15. I have to admit, those eights look awful small for my ham fists, so I am guessing I'll be following Forerunner's lead and using the baseball bats most likely. I'm excited, if I get tired of the greenhouse tonight I'll try to figure out how to cast on for the first time. (See, I'm learning!)

I also bought a whole stack of 3/8" dowels, and will for sure have a peg loom built in the next day or two. That looks like it's right up my alley, and if it stops raining I'll grab an ewe and knock the wool off to play with on the peg loom. So, I have a couple more questions, regarding the peg loom and wool preparation.

I've seen the threads on washing, I'm not going to get into the fermented craziness right yet, so what's the most basic method? A tub with a mild soap and a couple day soak? I get the no agitation thing.

Secondly, how do I use the raw fiber on the peg mill? Do I still need to card? Do I kinda spin the stuff together as I go? Do I just weave handfuls in there? Sorry for the newbie questions. Even links to stuff where these things are explained would be great, I'm sure the questions have been asked a million times. Thanks in advance, you all are great!

I will put in another "mans" point of view with the fiber arts. I am totally not the typical spinner and knitter.

First....second cuts will happen no matter how great you are at shearing sheep. You are using a flat cutting surface, on a round object. Now, you can cut down on the number of them...but never get shear a fleece that is totally free of them.

Second...to wash a fleece...this is how I do it. I use the big round tub that licks for cattle come in...they are 18 gallons roughly. Fill with hot water, add 1 to 2 cups of powder of tide soap. Let set for about 30 minutes. Then two rinses of clear water...the same temperature. They set on something to let it drain/dry.

For knitting...I HATE using anything over a US size 7 needle. I prefer to use in the range of US 0 to 3. But, I have been told that I am a faster knitter than most. Also, I like the less bulky items...ie socks, fair isle style sweaters. Look around on youtube and see what style of knitting you will like to do...continental, english or lever. I do both continental and lever. As I can still handle the smaller sizes with large hands.

Hope this helps.

That's great info FMO3, thank you.

Agreed, second cuts happen, but you can minimize them with careful shearing.

No, you do not need to card the fiber. (But you can if you want to, you would just get a different look.) Take some locks of fiber, pull them out a bit to thin them to the thickness you want, and start weaving. A couple of pegs before you get to the end of that bit of fiber, take more locks, pull them to the correct thickness, lay them together with the bit that you are weaving with, and continue weaving.

This link has photos and a good explanation of weaving with locks of wool. Heart and Soil - Stock Wood Farm: How to Use a Peg Loom

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I found, for myself, the quickest and most efficient approach to shearing was to make narrow passes, across the top of the sheep, starting at the neck, from right to left, peeling the fleece further to the back with each pass, thus leaving very little opportunity for second cuts.
This was by far the fastest and the clippers seemed to prefer this to all other possibilities attempted.

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III

Now you've done it, Annie. I went to that website and saw how easy it was to make a rug. I must now make a peg loom. I'm thrilled that I'll be able to make something without having to comb it or card it first, or even spin it!