SHETLAND WOOL
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SHETLAND WOOL |
These delightful sheep also produce lovely wool. Shetland wool is soft, durable, and warm, and the finest of any wool produced by a British breed.
Fleece type can vary among sheep—from a well-developed crimp (sometimes described as ‘kindly’ or soft) to a wavy, sturdy fiber with a silky hand (‘beaver’ or double-coated). Staple length will also vary, but typically is about four inches. The wool comes in a variety of color (there are 11 official colors and 30 markings—some very rare).
White is the most common Shetland fleece color
(and often the finest). The other colors are black, shaela (dark steely grey),
emsket (dusky bluish grey), grey, light grey, dark brown, moorit (shades between
fawn and dark reddish brown), mioget (light moorit, yellowish brown), musket
(light greyish brown), and fawn. Shetland wool has traditionally been used
for fine knitting yarns. The Shetland Islands are famous for their Fair Isle
garments as well as their knitted shawls that can be drawn through a wedding
ring.
Besides being a sheep raiser, I am also a spinner, weaver and knitter; so I understand how important it is that you have really nice wool for your projects. We select for animals with the finer type wool and strive to produce quality fleece—wool that is soft, clean, and processed as beautifully as possible. In order to minimize chaff in the fleece, our sheep wear ‘jackets’ during the winter months when they are eating hay. Our shearer is New Zealand trained and is kind to the sheep and their wool. Depending on the weather and the availability of the shearer, the sheep are normally shorn around April shortly before lambing.
We
offer raw, skirted premium fleeces, roving, and some yarn. Wool is available
much of the year, although the color selection may be limited as the year goes
by. I carefully hand wash individual fleeces that will be processed into roving
in order to keep a nice feel. The roving I have made is specially processed—first
as a roving and then pin-drafted to thin out the roving and align the fibers (a
semi-worsted prep). My customers love this roving and say it almost spins
itself. It is available in various natural colors as well as some blends with
exotic fibers.
If you are looking for a particular fleece or roving—whether it’s the color, handle, quantity, etc., please check our wool sales page. Or contact me; I’ll try to work with you to see that you get what you want. Contact Us
Wool can be shipped to you. Or visit us at our booth at one of these wool market events.