Why Single Breed Yarns?

Because all wool is not the same. 

Spinners learn early that each breed of sheep, and even fleeces within the breed, differ. The qualities of crimp, luster and, length of staple, mean that each yarn can have different qualities. I want to bring that experience to knitters.

Sheep are adaptive animals. They develop a taste for the vegetation in the new environment and eventually produce a decent fleece. An example is the Romney breed. The name of the breed is taken from Romney Marsh, a coastal plain that is below sea level but habitable due to an ancient system of seawalls and drainage ditches. The sheep were introduced early, and after a few hundred years, they adapted to the humid, wet environment and produced a nice fleece.  Man saw this and decided to “improve” the native sheep by selective breeding. In the nineteenth century it was popular to cross native sheep with Leicester bloodlines. Selective breeding produced the Romney breed, as it is known today, a long wool that tolerates humidity and is very adaptable to new environments. Today, you can find Romney sheep on most continents, even in Hawaii.

Romney was not the first breed improved by intensive, selective breeding. Man has been “improving” sheep as long as sheep have been domesticated, around 5000 years. This habit led to the myriad breeds of sheep that exist today. Sheep were bred for different reasons, some intended for meat production, other sheep breeds were developed to create a fleece with specific characteristics. Some breeds were developed to both maximize the carcass for meat production and to have a fine fleece as well. There are also breeds of sheep that have changed very little since their origins. 

Read on for more information about the specific breeds featured by the Purveyor of Fine Yarns.

Clun Forest - Historical breed, native to England’s western coast. A hardy, dual purpose (raised for meat and wool) sheep that changed little over the centuries. The breed was improved during the 1860’s through breeding with Kerry Hill, Shropshire and Hill Radnor breeds. In 1970’s imported to Canada from Ireland. Clun Forest is listed as threatened, by the Livestock Conservancy.

Clun Forest fleece is of uniform quality, staple length is 3-4 inches, with locks being blocky. Fiber is not soft to the touch (micron count varies between 25-33). When spun semi-worsted the yarn has a softer feel. The fiber is strong and wears well. Clun Forest is ideal for items that take abuse; mittens, outerwear sweaters and everyday shawls.

Wool is sourced in south central Wisconsin. Available in DK weight as woolen spun (in Wisconsin) and spun semi-worsted (in eastern Iowa) in both dyed and natural cream.

Corriedale - Development of the breed began in the 1880’s on James Little’s ranch in New Zealand. Little crossed Lincolns and some Leicesters with his Merino ewes to obtain a stable breeding population. The goal was to produce a sheep that did well on intermediate grasslands. Corriedale sheep were imported to the agricultural research station in Wyoming in 1914. Corriedale is a medium soft fiber (25 - 31 microns). The Corriedale breed has a wide range of natural colors; white, gray, black and several shades of brown. Many people consider Corriedale “next to the skin soft”, but the fiber is also durable with luster and well defined crimp that leads to loft and excellent elasticity. Corriedale is often described as “crisp” or “crunchy”, an excellent fiber for sweaters, socks, blankets, etc. 

Wool is sourced in central Wisconsin and available woolen spun (in Wisconsin) in DK, Sport and Fingering weights. Corriedale is currently available dyed, as a marl (spun so that two colors remain visible) and in natural brown.

Cormo - was developed during the 1960s in Tasmania, Australia by crossing Corriedale rams with Merino ewes. The shepherd, Ian Downie, utilized computer databases and the scientific analysis led to Cormo fleeces being extremely consistent (17 - 23 microns), and in the “next to skin” category of softness. The name, Cormo, is a contraction of Corriedale and Merino. Cormo were imported to the USA in 1976.  Cream is the most common color, but gray and brown are known. The fiber has well defined crimp, excellent elasticity and good stitch definition. Perfect for baby items, fine sweaters, etc.

Wool sourced in Western States, woolen spun in Wisconsin. Available in DK weight, 10% gray.

East Frisian - is a German dairy breed known for its high milk production. The sheep were imported to Canada in 1992 and then to the USA in 1993. The wool is an afterthought and little information is available. Fiber can range from 26 to 30+ microns. Colors are white and black. The East Friesian offered by the Purveyor is soft to the touch, blindingly white with luster and a good hand. It knits up nicely. 

Wool sourced in Manitowoc County, Wisconsin, spun semi- worsted (Eastern Iowa). Available in DK and Worsted weights, natural white or dyed

Polypay - developed in early 1970s in Idaho by crossing Targhees to Dorsets and Rambouillets to Finnsheep, the crossbred sheep were then recrossed. The goal was to create a dual purpose (meat and fine wool) sheep with early puberty, short gestation, multiple lambs and do well on  range or farm pasture. The wool is white, staple length 3 - 5 inches, fleece fine (22 - 29 microns) and durable. The fleece is soft to the touch and can feel silky. Polypay is an excellent all around yarn for sweaters, hats, blankets, etc.

Wool sourced and spun woolen in Dane County, Wisconsin. Available in DK and Bulky weight, natural cream or dyed.

Romney - history is given at the top of the page. The wool is frequently white but brown, black, and silver are known. The fleece has consistent quality, good luster with bold, uniform crimp. Usually not “next to skin soft” (29 - 36 microns), great for cardigans, mittens and hats.

Wool sourced in eastern Iowa, spun semi-worsted (Iowa). Available as DK weight in a black & cream Marl (two colors spun so that both colors remain visible).

Romeldale / CVM (California Variegated Mutant) - Development of Romeldale began in California in 1915, by crossing Romney and Rambouillet. Only a handful of breeders in California were active with Romeldale, primarily the Stone Valley Ranch. For many years their clip was sold to Pendleton Woolen Mill. Pendleton wanted only white wool, so the occasional colored lamb was culled. However, a neighbor took two badger faced colored lambs and bred these sheep focusing on color and fleece quality. He focused on selling the fine fleece to hand spinners. Breeders with colored Romeldales followed his lead. Romeldale has a range of natural colors, white, brown, black, gray and sometimes spotted or striped. The fleece is fine (21 - 25 microns), appropriate for next to skin garments. Fiber is dense, with well defined crimp, it can be absolutely springy. There was controversy as to CVM being a breed separate from Romeldale. To be classed as CVM the sheep must have badger markings. Flocks are often referred to as Romeldale/CVM.  Listed by Livestock Conservancy as a threatened Heritage breed.

Wool is sourced Portage County, Wisconsin and Eastern Iowa, spun semi-worsted (Iowa). Available in DK and Fingering weight, in a natural Marl, natural gray and dyed.

Cheviot - while not in the core Down breeds, Cheviot wool is similar. Cheviot is primarily raised for meat, less is written about the wool. The breed has been established for centuries in the area known as Cheviot Hills in Britain. The breed was imported to New York in 1838.  Cheviot fleece is known for having a unique three dimensional crimp, bold and uniform. The crimp and the disinclination to felt make it an excellent candidate for sock yarn. 

Source of Cheviot is Pussytoes sock yarn from High Prairie Fibers (Iowa)