At Gentleman Farmers we think its important that people know a little about the fibre they are buying. Different breeds of sheep produce different fleece that is suitable for different projects.
With the input of farmers and experiencd crafters we are creating a resource that enables everyone to buy good fleece for their project and raise the profile of different breeds that are often looked.
We'll add new breeds as their fleece becomes available to us.
The Greyface is one of our favourite natives. Sheep need shearing twice a year to keep their fleece in good condition and can produce staple length of up to 14 inches (thats our longest at Boasley anyway!) It's a coarse staple, lustrous, curly and the lambswool is much softer and finer. To create a yarn its a challenge to spin alone so best mixed with a down breed like Dorset, BFL or Romney. Great for dolls hair, taking dye, needle felting and woven products needing a hard wearing fibre.
The tough little sheep with the curly coat and our county's most ancient breed.
Another Devon rare breed, our Closewools are owned by our youngest and our oldest farmers. At 81, one shares her farming knowledge with the 13 year old who helps with feeding, hay moving and mucking out duties. The Closewool is a much underrated sheep. It produces a lustrous fine to medium down fleece with lots of crimp and bounce and is perfect for every kind of project for both beginner and experienced crafters. They also would be capable of taking the 'smiley sheep' award from the Southdowns
Our Devon and Cornwall fleece is coming from sheep who have some of the breeds oldest DNA. They are part of the Dartmoor Tweed flock and this is Petroc the first ever Tweed lamb. DnC's are a rare breed, they have the heaviest fleece at 10kgs. It's a fine lustrous lambswool good for weaving and knitting, not a beginners spin unless mixed, great for dolls hair and takes dye beautifully, difficult to felt but good for needle felting on or nuno felting.
Another Devon rare breed.
Occasionally you find surprises on farms and we have been fortunate to come across some of these raised under Devon sun as a pure and mixed breed. Great for locks.
A popular choice amongst Devon farmers combining good meat with good wool. An easy use fleece thats great for all projects and beginners particularly in spinning.
Shetland fleece is one of the most versatile. 5000 years old it has been used over time to construct Viking sails to gossamer silk. Its used for Fair Isle knitting and woven tweeds. The white takes natural and acid dyes wonderfully and it comes in a range of colours from cream to black and brown - known as 'moorit". Great for beginner and experienced spinners and crafters alike!
The big sheep hailing from Germany. Great fleece bouncy and easy to use for beginners, particularly in spinning and felting.