wool terms - roving, batting, washed, carded, etc.

[nurturebaby]

Okay - I have a question. I tried to wet felt a ball with wool roving and although it did form into a ball, it just didn't turn out very 'firm' and felted looking.

then I got some wool batting and felted it into a ball and it is awesome! Felted so well.

I've heard of felting balls using both materials (don't really even know the exact difference between the two - I'm not sure the roving I got was really the good stuff - just bought from the craft store. I got the wool batting (I called it stuffing when I ordered - I think that's batting, right?) from WEst Earl Woolen Mill.

So here's my question - the felted batting ball I made smells like sheep. I don't really mind it so much, but I'm just wondering if I used the right stuff to make it - I've heard that the place I got the batting from is where a lot of people order for their waldorf-inspired toys. Is this stuff cleaned, etc - ready to be incorporated into toys and dolls? Does it usually have a faint sheep smell or do I need to order something different?

As far as roving - actually, can someone just tell me what all these terms mean? roving, cleaned, carded wool, etc. I'm so confused and haven't found much help with google searches:

Thank you so much for any help!!!
Maggie

[beemama]

only have a sec, re: the sheep smell, is it still wet? That usually goes away when dry.
Carded is when it has been brushed. Not absolutely sure on the rest.

[nurturebaby]

yes - it's still a bit wet - so glad to hear that it seems to be normal! I didn't notice the sheep smell until I submerged the ball, then it really hit me! So it probably is only when it's wet

Thanks so much for your reply!