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From Raw Fleece to Finished Skeins

From Raw Fleece to Finished Skeins

Inside Our Thompson-Nicola Regional District Mill

Explore the meticulous process and vibrant results of our semi-worsted artisan milling. See how we transform quality fleeces into professional-grade yarns and rovings.

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Updated wait times for artisan milling services

Current Processing Lead Times

Due to high demand for our semi-worsted processing, the current wait time for finished yarn orders is approximately 12 to 18 months. We remain committed to quality over speed, ensuring the health and integrity of every fleece we process.

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Explore the transformation of raw materials into high-quality yarn at Thompson Okanagan's only artisan fibre mill.

From Fleece to Finish: Our Artisan Portfolio

We maintain a high standard for every fleece that enters our mill. This gallery highlights the meticulous stages of our semi-worsted processing—including scouring, carding, and spinning—alongside the vibrant, finished yarns and handcrafted products that define our shop. Witness the care and technical expertise that goes into every skein we produce.

A product shot featuring several hanks of hand-spun or artisanal yarn arranged side-by-side on a plain light background. The yarn varieties include marled patterns in shades of grey, dark brown, cream, and white with navy blue accents. The composition is horizontal and emphasizes the soft, tactile texture of the natural fibers. The mood is rustic and cozy.
A detailed macro photograph showing the texture of natural grey and brown wool fibers. The fibers are arranged in a swirling, circular pattern, creating a sense of depth and tactile softness. The color palette consists of organic earth tones, including silver-grey, charcoal, and warm beige. The lighting is soft and natural, emphasizing the fine, crimped texture of the individual hairs. This close-up perspective highlights the quality and raw nature of the material, likely intended for spinning or knitting.
A mechanical wool tumbler or skirting machine filled with raw white fiber. The machine features a wooden frame with a hexagonal wire mesh drum, powered by an electric motor and chain drive on the left side. The device is situated outdoors on a concrete surface against a brick wall, with a portion of a white vehicle visible in the background. The wool inside is fluffy and voluminous, indicating a processing stage for fiber cleaning or preparation.
A close-up photograph of raw, unwashed sheep wool. The wool is a creamy off-white color with tight, curly locks and visible bits of straw and organic matter. It sits atop a dark metal mesh or wire screen, suggesting a cleaning or sorting process. The lighting is natural, highlighting the tactile texture of the fibers.
A close-up shot showing several large, thick coils of off-white wool roving being processed in an industrial setting. The soft, fibrous material is coiled into neat cylindrical piles and fed upwards over a blue horizontal guide bar into a metal processing machine in the background. The scene is set in a workshop with industrial equipment, an orange bucket, and a black chair visible. The lighting is clear and even, emphasizing the tactile texture of the natural wool fibers.
An industrial scene showing thick strands of white wool roving being processed through a textile spinning machine. The composition uses a diagonal line following the metal hooks and fiber strands into the depths of the machine. The setting is a manufacturing facility or wool mill, with industrial equipment, storage boxes, and tools visible in the background. The mood is functional and industrious, highlighting the manufacturing process.
A close-up photograph of industrial textile machinery. The image features multiple spools of cream-colored yarn at the top, with individual threads being fed through a series of complex metal rollers, guides, and mechanical components. The color palette is dominated by neutral tones like beige, silver, and grey, accented by small yellow and blue parts. The composition uses a shallow depth of field to emphasize the intricate workings of the machine in an industrial setting.
The image captures raw wool fibers in shades of dark charcoal, brown, and grey being processed on industrial machinery. The tangled mass of wool sits on a flat white surface, feeding into a silver metallic grooved roller. Parts of the surrounding machinery are painted a bright green. The shot is a medium close-up, emphasizing the coarse texture of the natural fibers and the mechanical nature of the processing environment. The lighting is direct, casting soft shadows on the white platform.
A top-down view of a dual-compartment industrial stainless steel sink. In each compartment, multiple large blue mesh bags filled with shellfish, likely oysters or clams, are submerged in murky, yellowish-brown water. Some white foam or bubbles are present on the water's surface in the right basin. Plumbing fixtures and black hoses are visible above the sink, suggesting a food processing or commercial kitchen environment.
A close-up, high-detail photograph of a thick, twisted skein of brown wool yarn. The image captures the coarse, fibrous texture of the individual strands, highlighting its natural and rustic quality. The yarn is a rich chestnut or copper-brown color, set against a plain, neutral light gray background. The composition is diagonal, focusing on the tactile surface of the material, suggesting warmth and hand-crafted quality.
A close-up studio photograph of twisted hanks of variegated yarn. The yarn features a mix of vibrant purple, magenta, and muted gold or tan strands. It is presented against a clean, neutral white background, highlighting the fibrous texture and color blend. The composition is simple and focused, typical of product photography for craft materials.
A close-up shot of a clear plastic container holding metallic felting needles. A white label wrapped around the container features bold black text reading "STAR FELTING NEEDLES". Below this, smaller text specifies "100 x 38 Gauge needles. Suitable for fine detail and finishing." The needles are visible at the top and bottom of the label through the clear plastic. The image is a straightforward product shot highlighting the label information.
A close-up, macro shot of a bundle of vibrant hot pink or magenta unspun wool roving. The image emphasizes the soft, fibrous texture of the wool, which is coiled and layered, creating natural highlights and shadows that give it depth. The overall mood is tactile and warm, suitable for crafts, textiles, or knitting-related content. There is no visible text or branding, and the background is a neutral white that is mostly obscured by the wool.
An extreme close-up, macro photograph of coiled off-white wool roving or thick unspun yarn. The image highlights the soft, fibrous texture of the material with a shallow depth of field that blurs the center of the coil and the background. The color palette is neutral and warm, featuring shades of cream, beige, and light gray. The composition is circular and tactile, evoking a cozy and natural mood.
A close-up photograph of a vibrant emerald green yarn skein. The image highlights the fuzzy, twisted texture of the wool fibers. The composition is tight, with the green yarn filling the frame against a neutral, light-colored background visible at the very edges.
A flatbed semi-trailer loaded with heavy industrial machinery, including a unit with a yellow safety cage and another labeled 'Platt Saco Lowell'. The equipment is secured with heavy-duty straps and partially protected by blue moving blankets. The scene is outdoors on a paved road with a white industrial building and a hilly, tree-lined landscape in the background under a clear blue sky.
An outdoor candid photograph capturing two workers engaged in industrial machinery relocation. An orange Toyota forklift is being operated to lift a large, grey industrial machine labeled 'Platt Saco Lowell' from a flatbed trailer. A worker wearing a high-visibility safety vest and cap stands by, observing the process. In the background, a second yellow forklift is partially visible alongside industrial buildings under a clear blue sky. The lighting is bright and direct, casting the foreground subjects in shadow while highlighting the blue sky and green grass in the lower frame.
A close-up photograph of a skein of dark charcoal grey yarn. The image captures the intricate texture of the spun wool, showing individual fibers and a slightly heathered appearance with lighter grey flecks. The yarn is twisted into a loop and set against a clean, minimalist light grey background. The lighting is soft, highlighting the tactile quality and depth of the material.
A top-down view of a rectangular, laser-cut wooden yarn weight gauge tool resting on a bright lime green surface. The light-colored plywood tool features various notches of different widths along its left side, with corresponding text labels etched into the wood on the right, including categories like 'Super Bulky', 'Chunky', 'Aran', 'Worsted', 'DK', 'Sport', 'Fingering', and 'Lace'. It also includes small ruler markings for one inch at the top and bottom and a circular hole in the upper left corner. The lighting is direct, casting a soft shadow beneath the object.
Three heart-shaped wooden buttons or charms are arranged diagonally on a vibrant lime green surface. Each heart features a dark, dashed border detail and a metal wire bridge in the center. The buttons have a natural wood grain and laser-cut appearance. The lighting is bright, casting soft shadows to the side of each object.

A Showcase of Professional Milling and Fibre Excellence

Our Latest Artisan Creations & Collections

Explore the results of our specialized semi-worsted milling process. From vibrant hand-dyed skeins to perfectly aligned pindrafted rovings, each item in our gallery reflects our commitment to fibre health and technical precision. We take pride in transforming raw materials into high-quality products that serve the Interior British Columbia textile industry.

 

Dyed in the Wool Collections

Vibrant, Multi-tonal Artisan Skeins

Our bestselling hand-dyed yarns feature intricate layers of color, ranging from deep teals and purples to energetic multi-color blends. These yarns are expertly spun to highlight the unique characteristics of the animal fibre while ensuring the durability and sheen expected of professional-grade materials.

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Precision Pindrafted Roving

Consistency for the Discerning Spinner

Through our meticulous pindrafting process, we blend multiple rovings into a single, uniform fibre stream. This creates a strong, consistent roving that is exceptionally easy to manage. Whether you are spinning your own yarn or using it for specialty crafting, our pindrafted wool ensures a smooth, even draw every time.

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Heathered & Solid Yarn Series

Superior Stitch Definition and Durability

We offer a diverse range of semi-worsted yarns in both striking solid tones and complex heathered blends. Because we prioritize worsted spinning techniques, these yarns are pill-resistant, hard-wearing, and offer incredible stitch definition for your knitting or weaving projects, without any of the 'prickle' found in lesser products.

 

Specialty Blends and Exotic Fibres

Musk Ox, Alpaca, and Silk Innovations

Our mill specializes in the extra care required for exotic fibres. Our gallery frequently features limited-run blends including Shetland-Silk mixes and Alpaca-Romney combinations. We utilize specialized industrial equipment to ensure these delicate materials are processed with the highest possible yield and quality.

What Our Fiber Community Says

We are proud to serve as the only artisan fibre mill in the Thompson Okanagan. Our commitment to technical excellence and quality control ensures that every fleece is handled with the precision required to create exceptional textile products.

The level of care taken during the hand-scouring and tumbling process is truly impressive. My fleeces always return in beautiful condition, clean and perfectly prepared for further processing.

Sarah D.
A close-up view of an industrial textile machine in operation. The image shows several heavy-duty rollers and brushes processing a thick, white fibrous material, likely wool or synthetic batting. The machine is painted a deep green and has a weathered, industrial appearance. The focus is on the interaction between the mechanical rollers and the soft texture of the fiber as it is fed through the system.

Join our community of makers and artisans

Experience the Art of Fibre Processing

From raw fleece preparation to technical pin-drafting and spinning, we are passionate about every step of the craft. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram for daily mill updates, technical tips, and a closer look at our latest artisan yarn products.

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Our Location

That Darn Yarn Shop & Fibre Mill

Mon-Fri:

2:00 PM - 5:30 PM

Sat:

1:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Sun:

By Appointment Only

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We would love to hear from you and are ready to answer any questions you have. Fill out the form below to start a conversation with our team.

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