Man first domesticated sheep more than 10,000 years ago. The sheep provided milk, meat,
wool and skins. Nothing was wasted when a sheep was killed. The bones and horns were used
for utensils and tools, the gut or fastening the skins for leather.
   In Biblical times, ones wealth was measured by the number of sheep they had in their flock. It
is believed that Roman's introduced their fine wool sheep to Britain and Spain 2,000 years ago.
The climate in Spain was ideal for rearing sheep and in the province of Tanaconensis the Merino
sheep was developed by crossing the Tarentine with the Laodicean from Asia Minor. Only the
wealthy were allowed Merino sheep, which was prized and protected. A special gift of these
sheep was made to the King of France who kept them on his farm at Rambouillet.

   In 1685, the Huguenots immigrated to North America bringing their sheep with them. The
restrictions on the export of wool and yarn from England to the new world forced the settlers to
start their own industry. Massachusetts General Court ordered each Family to spin yarn. Each
assessed person in the family was to spin a pound of yarn a week for thirty weeks each year.
   A married couple would often have an unmarried sister living with them. This sister would be
responsible for spinning for the family to pay for her keep, whence the term spinster. 
   Sheep are now raised in every country of the world for the production of wool, the leading
countries are: Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and South America. Australia is famous for
it's Merino sheep. The Cheviot and Shetland sheep have become well know because the fabrics
and yarns named after them. 
   Wool shares the same properties as mohair and alpaca. It has a high water absorbency and has
the ability to produce heat when wet. Wool will be dissolved by strong alkali but is resistant to
acids and takes dyes well. Wool's high elasticity allows for quick recover.
      Wool comes in many spinning forms. In fleece form, the spinner has many options as to how
the wool will be prepared. It can be spun as is or washed. After washing te wool can be combed,
carded or spun from the locks. Combed tops and carded rovings are commercially prepared and
are usually spun as they are. Worsted yarn is produced from combed tops (all fibers are the same
length and parrel) and woollen yarns are made from carded roving (different lengths and no
alignment).
   End use and spinning method varies depending on the type of wool used and at what age the
wool was harvested. In the form of a lamb's fleece the coarser wool will be softer and have more
end uses.
   Each breed of sheep produces a variety or type of wool which can be broken down into five
categories: Double coated, Long wool, Down wool, Medium wool and Fine wool. 
    DOUBLE COATED: Icelandic and Scottish Blackface are some of the breeds that produce
double coated fleeces. The outer coat is usually coarse, long and hair like, while the under coat is
shorter soft down. The outer coat is considered as rug wool and is mainly used for rugs,
tapestries and upholstery fabrics. When dehaired the down can be as soft as some of the exotic
fibers.
   LONG WOOLS:  Lincoln, Leicester, Massam (Massham), Cotsworth, Romey and
Wenslydale are some of the breeds that produce long wool, also called luster wool because of
the sheen. The lock is thin, curly and very long. The wool fiber is of medium diameter. This
fiber is suitable for outer garments, blankets etc.,
   DOWN WOOL:  Suffolk, Dorset, Hampshire, Oxford and Southdown are some of the breeds
that produce down wool. This lofty short wool has a close crimp and a springy hand. It is
suitable for outer garment and blankets.
   MEDIUM WOOL: Corridale (Lincoln x Merino), Columbia (Lincoln x Merino), Targhee
(Lincoln x Merino), Falkland (Corridale cross) and Perendale (Cheviot x Romney) make up
some of the breeds of medium wool. This wool is suitable for clothing and outer garments.
   FINE WOOL:  Merino and Rambouillet have the finest wool, although it can range from a 58's
to a Sharlee count of over 90. It has a very tight crimp that felts very easily. This wool is suitable
for fine clothing. 
 
 
 
 

Home