Belfast Mini Mills

We are pleased to announce that, for the first time since 2008, Belfast Mini Mills will attend the New York State Sheep & Wool Festival in Rhinebeck on October 17-18th.

Our Senior Technician, Andrew, will attend and represent Belfast Mini Mills. We will be located in Barn 26, space number 6. He will be there to answer any questions you may have about our equipment, the purchasing process, brochures, and samples of products made on our machines. Unfortunately, due to scheduling and logistics, we can't bring any equipment for display this year, but we are already arranging that for next year, maybe with a new, exciting addition to our catalogue. 😜

So stop by barn 26, space 6, and have a chat, or just say hi! We are very excited to be part of this amazing event again after 18 years.

See you all there!

Meet Karoline, the proud owner of Nordborg Hørfabrik and a highly experienced weaver, knitter, and all-around fibre enthusiast. Karoline’s dream was to own a facility that offered weaving and hand-spinning classes, a place where people could come and learn a new skill as well as utilize second-quality fibres, transforming them into a high-quality product.

After retiring from her career as a taxation lawyer, Karoline decided to pursue this passion. The first step was to purchase a location, which in itself is a large undertaking. After searching, they found a location they must have: an old building- a building that was originally used for a flax mill; it was meant to be! Nordborg Flax Mill was established on this site in 1865 for the laborious, time-consuming processing of flax into fibres and yarn. In addition to flax production, which mainly took place in winter, the mill also processed sheep's wool.

The factory employed 10-12 people and used a six-horsepower steam engine. Processing the flax produced a great deal of shive, which fueled the boiler. However, business did not go well in the early years, and the unprofitable operation was closed down in 1908. This marked (for the time being) the end of the flax processing mill in Nordborg. Since then, the old flax mill unfortunately burned down in 1928, and the building was rebuilt as we see it today; it then became the home of joiner and furniture maker Franz Nicolia, who built a woodworking factory at Storegade 82, which still stands today. Over the years, outside the joiner’s workshop, it served as a rehearsal space for the Danfoss Orchestra and hosted other activities such as art exhibitions.

Now, Nordborg Hørfabrik has moved in to restore the property’s original history: fibre processing. Karoline has achieved her dream of opening a location where fibre and weavers can come together. The lower floor, where the carding machine and core yarn maker is housed, will transform alpaca fibre into core-spun yarn, which will then be taken to the second floor, where you can see the amazing weaving studio she has created. Believe it or not, the public donated every loom you see because they wanted to see this amazing project flourish. Also, this building needed zero renovations; it was a turnkey facility, which is another reason Karoline had to own it. Nordborg Høfabrik will offer not only weaving and hand spinning classes, but it will also offer a community location where members pay a membership fee and have full access to the weaving studio as they wish, a communal facility that gives the public a place to go and enjoy what they love doing whenever they want.

Nordborg Høfabrik may be small in terms of equipment, but they are mighty! This project is an amazing display of community support, taking history and making it a beautiful story again so we had to tell the full history of this amazing facility.

Congratulations, Karoline. Welcome to the Belfast Mini Mills family!

Happy weaving

Andrew Carpenter will be attending and one of the guest speakers this week at the ASI (American Sheep Industry) conference.
🐑🐑🐑 on behalf of Belfast Mini Mills.

Being held in Sheridan, Wyoming.

Attached is the itinerary.

Hope to see you there!
https://www.sheepusa.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/ASI-Mill-Meetup-Agenda.pdf

This is one of our newer mills in Norway called ARBE Sandefjord.

It’s a centre for people with disabilities. They added our mill equipment to provide another option for students to work, as well as utilizing local wool. 🐑🐑🐑

Our world traveller, Andrew, had the pleasure of setting up and training there too.

On top of their wool production now they provide wood working, culinary work, art, weaving, robotics, computer programming, car detailing and much more.

We’re very proud to have had a little part to play in this amazing place with these amazing people.

Eye candy to start your Sunday. 😊💭🐑

Lovely dyed wool drying on a sunny day.

This is an old photo folks. Back when we had a shop.
Just showing the awesome possibilities of owning your own mill. 😊🐑

This is ‘Telespinn’ our largest mill set up in the world. Located in Norway and was established in 2008. It is now our first generational mill with the second generation now operating.

They have 2 3/4 sets of equipment/machines and specialize in mohair. All yarns they produce under their brand have at least 70% mohair.

They also specialize in rug yarn, mixed with 50% mohair. (The chair in one of the photos is actually made with their rug yarn.)

Their mill expanded as demand grew, adding more equipment/machines to grow with their clients demands. This shows it’s possible to go from a mini mill to a mid range mill and beyond.

We visit ‘Telespinn’ once a year for servicing the machinery. Although our machines are easy to maintain, we’re the only manufacturer that offers on site serving to anyone who wants that as an option.

Imagine running your own mill and store like this one!!!!!
Check out our website for more information about the equipment we build.

https://minimills.net/

Roving

Roving is what gets spun into yarn.
🧶
Before it’s spun into yarn though, roving is used for needle felting and hand spinning which are massive hobbies for folks.

Look into buying equipment today to start your own amazing fibre production business. Endless possibilities!!!!!

Along with all the machines we also build drying racks…… so after your fibre leaves the washing machine we build it gets spread out to dry in layers before heading to the next stage.

In the photo is individual dyed merino wool….. it eventually went on to become roving for hand spinners and needle felting.

The possibilities are endless for what you can make with our machines. 😊

https://www.ullfestivalen.no/en/pages/program

And we’re off again. 😊. We will be set up at this show in Norway this week. 😊.

Programme The Ullinsvin Wool Festival will be held in Vågå from 2-5 July 2026. See the programme with courses, activities, lectures, market and more.

Yesterday, the boys (aka owners Mat, Evan and Tyler), had an amazing day being interviewed and filmed by ‘Backyard Green Films’.

Filming took place at the assembly shop in Belfast and the fabrication shop close to Murray River.

🎥 🎥🎥🎥