| |
Wool Breeds - Things to Know about Sheep Wool Fiber
Below are some of the more common sheep wool breeds of interest to spinners and knitters. Sheep were among the first animals domesticated and bred, and the centuries have seen the development of more than 200 distinct breeds worldwide, and an increasing number with the further crossing of established breeds. It is generally agreed that domestic sheep originated from mouflon, of which there are two wild populations in existence - the Asiatic mouflon and the European mouflon.
If you love to see pictures and want to read more about individual wool breeds, go to
Breeds of Livestock
or
American Sheep Industry Association
Note about wool counts: Wool is now more commonly graded using microns, that is the diameter of the fiber in micromillimeters (1/25,000 of an inch). The smaller the number, the finer the fiber. But for handspinners, the count system is still a useful one. This is based on the number of hanks, a hank being 560 yards long, that can be spun from 1 lb. of wool top. So a 60 count would yield 33,600 yards. In this case, the higher the number, the finer the fiber.
In general, anything finer than 25 microns can be used for garments, while coarser grades are used for outerwear or rugs. The finer the wool, the softer it will be, while coarser grades are more durable and less prone to pilling.
Counts and staple lengths below are general guidelines and may differ from various sources as well as between the same breed from different countries. When purchasing fibers, this information should be provided.
Fine Wool Breeds
Merino
Count: 60s-70s
Microns:20-24
Staple length: 3-4 inches / 75-100mm
Wool is soft and finely crimped. Super fine merinos are regarded as having the finest and softest wool of any sheep. Originally from Spain, 80% now comes from Australia. There are many varieties of merino sheep.
Booroola Merino
Count: NA
Microns: 18-23
Staple length: 3-4 inches / 75-100mm
Developed in Australia. Produce a dense, fine-wool fleece.
Delaine Merino
Count: 64s-80s
Microns: 22-17
Staple length: 2.5-4 inches / 65-90mm
Predominant in North America, developed from Spanish Merino. Fine, high quality fleece, colour is white to straw.
Debouillet
Count: 64s-70s
Microns: 18-22
Staple length: 3-5 inches / 60-90mm
Originated from a cross between Delaine-Merino and Rambouillet, developed in New Mexico. High quality, long-staple, fine-wool fleece with a deep, close crimp.
Rambouillet
Count: 60s-80s
Microns: 18-24
Staple length: 2-4 inches / 50-100mm
This wool breed is also known as the Rambouillet Merino, they originated with Spain's merino flocks, sent to France to improve native French stock. Largest and strongest of the Merino sheep. High quality wool.
Polwarth
Count: 58s-64s
Microns: 23-25
Staple length: 5-7 inches / 100-120mm
Established in Australia from 75% Saxon Merino and Lincoln as a dual purpose breed but emphasis has been directed towards improving the wool aspects. Ultra white long-stapled wool with excellent crimp and soft hand. Low “prickle” factor. In South America they are known as “Ideals.”
American Cormo
Count: 46s-56s
Microns: 17-23
Staple Length: 2.5-4 inches / 70-100 mmOriginated in Australia from Lincoln, Australian Merino and Superfine Saxon Merino. Produce a white, long stapled, high yielding fine-wool fleece with a high degree of uniformity.
Medium Wool Breeds
Cheviot
Count: 50s-56s
Microns: 27-33
Staple length: 2.5-4 inches / 68-100mm
Originated in hills between Scotland and England. Medium grade wool; meat producers.
Columbia
Count: 50s-60s
Microns: 23-29
Staple length: 4-6 inches / 100-150mm
First breed developed in the US from Lincoln and Rambouillet. Yield heavy, medium-wool fleece with good staple length but primarily a meat breed.
Corriedale
Count: 50s-58s
Microns: 25-31
Staple length: 3.5-6 inches / 85-150mm
Originated in New Zealand from Lincoln, Leicester and Merino. Yield heavy, medium-wool fleeces with good staple length and luster; raised also for market lambs.
Dorset
Count: 48s-56s
Microns: 26-32
Staple length: 3-4.5 inches / 75-115mm
Primarily a meat breed, originating in Southern England. Medium wool fleeces.
Oxford
Count: 50s-58s
Microns: 28-34
Staple length: 3-5 inches / 75-125mm
Primarily a meat breed, originated in England. Medium grade wool.
Perendale
Count: 48s-56s
Microns: 29-35
Staple length: 4-6 inches / 60-90mm
Originating in New Zealand from the Border Cheviot and Romney. Produce a light, lofty, long-stapled medium fleece.
Southdown
Count: 56s-60s
Microns: 24-29
Staple length: 2-3 inches / 50-75mmMeat breed; one of the oldest breeds, originated in England. Medium wool fleece.
Shetland
Count: 56s-60s
Microns: 20-25
Staple length: 2-4.5 inches / 50-120mm
Old British breed, retains many characteristics of wild sheep. Fleece comes in one of the wides ranges of colours, including besides white, reddy/brown, silvery grey, fawn, grey, dark brown and black, so often used undyed. The wool is prized by handspinners.
Shropshire
Count: 48s-56s
Microns: 25-33
Staple length: 3-4 inches / 75-100mm
Meat breed, originated in England from native sheep and Southdown, Leicester and Cotswold. Medium grade wool.
Targhee
Count: 58s-64s
Microns: 21-25
Staple length: 3-5inches / 75-125mm
Developed in the US from ¾ fine wool and ¼ long wool breeds. Produce market lamb and heavy, medium-wool fleece with good staple length.
Long Wool Breeds
Border Leicester
Count: 44s-46s
Microns: 30-38
Staple length: 5-10inches / 125-250mm
A wool breed originating in England from Leicester and Cheviot. Yield a long-stapled, lustrous, course wool. In high demand by handspinners.
Coopworth
Count: 44s-50s
Microns: 30-36
Staple length: 5-8 inches / 125-200mm
Originated in New Zealand from the Border Leicester and Romney. Wool is relatively coarse with a long staple length.
Cotswold
Count: 36s-48s
Microns: 33-40
Staple length: 12-15 inches / 180-375mm
Originated in the hills of Gloucester, England from indigenous stock and one of the oldest breeds known, contributing to the ancestry of other breeds. Noted for their long, stout-fibered, lustrous fleece with natural wavy curls.
Leicester Longwool
Count: 40s-46s
microns: 32-38
Staple length: 150-250mm
The fleece is heavy, curly, soft handling and lustrous, with a spiral-tipped staple. Other names include: Bakewell Leicester, Dishley Leicester, English Leicester, Improved Leicester, Leicester, New Leicester Despite of its historical significance, it is considered critically endangered.
Lincoln
Count: 36s-40s
Microns: 34-41
Staple length: 8-15 inches / 200-375mm
Originated in England from Leicester and Old Lincoln. Produce a heavy fleece that is very coarse, highly crimped, long and lustrous.
Navajo-Churro
Count: NA
Microns: 10-35
Staple length: 3-12 inches / 75-300mm
Wool is classified as coarse so most suitable to textiles. Admired for its luster, silky hand and wide variety of colours. Produces very little lanolin, making it very clean and nice to handle.
Romney
Count: 44s-52s
Microns: 32-39
Staple length: 5-8 inches / 125-200mm
Developed in England's Romney Marsh region. Produce a coarse, long-stapled fleece well suited to spinning.
Wensleydale
Count: NA
Microns: 33-34
Staple length: 10-12 inches / 250-300mm
From the United Kingdom, recently introduced to the US. A very large, prolific, long-wool sheep.
Go from Wool Breeds to Blue Castle Fiber Arts Home page
Go to Exotic Fibers Page 1
|
