The information below regarding breeds is from New Zealand Sheep and Their Wool published by Wools of New Zealand, New Zealand and Its Sheep by Godfrey Bowen, The Fleece & Fiber Sourcebook by Deborah Robson & Carol Ekarius, and is also provided to us by Ashford Handicrafts.

New Zealand Specialty Wool Fleeces--2012:

Great news! We’re lucky and excited to be able to continue to offer these outstanding fleeces from New Zealand! This year we are able to offer 58 fleeces from nine different breeds. These sheep are raised on small, specialty farms and are ‘coated’ (the sheep wear coats to protect the fleece).

Orders

Orders will be taken on a first come first serve basis. When you send in your order please include the fleece number, breed, weight and color. It is advisable to include a second and even a third choice in case your first choice has already been spoken for.
Note: Fleeces will not be split.

Breeds and Available Fleeces

Border Leicester Part of the English Longwool family, the Border Leicester came into being in 1767. The Cully brothers from Scotland crossed Dishley rams with either Teeswater or Cheviot ewes to develop this breed. This versatile, easy-to-handle fiber makes a good alternative to explore if you like Romney and want to expand your horizons. It tends to have a bit more fullness in the hand and a less silky texture than a Romney Fleece. It’s an upright, reliable sort of wool.¹ Micron 38-40, Staple length approx. 17.5cm (7in). The wool is best as a medium-thick yarn, perfect for outdoor garments, wall hangings, furnishing fabrics and rugs. Border Leicester Ewes Border Leicester Fleece Breed Fleece # Color Weight (lb/oz) US$ /lb Price of Fleece (USD) Available Border Leicester 5104 White 4/7 20.00 88.75 Available Border Leicester 5105 White 5/8 20.00 110.00 Available Border Leicester 5107 White 3/15 20.00 78.75 SOLD Border Leicester 5110 White 3/15 20.00 78.75 Available

Corriedale & Corriedale Morrit The Corriedale is a cross with British longwool breeds (Lincoln and English Leicester) and Merino. It was developed on the South Island of New Zealand at the turn of the last century as Merino was not suitable to wetter country. British breeds were used to cross with the Merino giving it the strong body of a British breed and the medium to fine wool of the Merino. The lovely fine fibers and long staples have made this breed a favorite spinning fleece for many years. Flick card only and wash carefully in hot soapy water after spinning. Corriedale is most appropriately used for medium weight outer garments, worsteds and light tweeds, dress fabrics, and knitting yarns. It has a little more bulk (loftiness, filling power) than Romney. It also makes excellent felted floor mats and boots. Moorit (also spelled Morrit) is the name for sheep that genetically have brown skin, brown tongues, yellow eyes that look red in the dark, and all brown fleeces.² 26-35 micron, Staple length approx. 7.5-12.5cm (3-5in), medium luster. A very versatile breed, this soft wool is suitable for fine-to-medium weight yarn.³ Corriedale Ram Corriedale Rams Breed Fleece # Color Weight (lb/oz) US$ /lb Price of Fleece (USD) Available Corriedale 5373 Dark 5/1 20.00 101.25 SOLD Corriedale 5070 Med Multi Grey Brown 6/10 20.00 132.50 Available Corriedale 5079 Med Brown Mix 6/6 20.00 127.50 Available Corriedale 5434 White 6/13 20.00 136.25 SOLD Corriedale 5427 White 6/3 20.00 123.75 Available   Breed Fleece # Color Weight (lb/oz) US$ /lb Price of Fleece (USD) Available Corriedale Morrit 5060 Med Browns Light Tips 7/15 20.00 158.75 SOLD Corriedale Morrit 5058 Med Light Brown 6/10 20.00 132.50 SOLD

English Leicester A heavy, curly, lustrous wool, even in length and fiber diameter. You could show these lovely staples off using them as surface texture in felting or weaving. English Leicester is one of the Old English breeds developed in Leicestershire and dates back to the 1700s. For many years it was the most popular long wool sheep in the North of England with a dual purpose of large meat body, with a heavy strong fleece of wool renowned for its wavy crimp and big round locks. 37-40 micron, Staple length approx. 15-20cm (6-7.75in), silky, lustrous wool suitable for outer garments and rugs. (called Leicester Longwool in Britain). 4 English Leicester Breed Fleece # Color Weight (lb/oz) US$ /lb Price of Fleece (USD) Available English Leicester 319 Mid 6/3 20.00 123.75 SOLD English Leicester 321 Mid 6/6 20.00 127.50 SOLD English Leicester 325 Mid 5/15 20.00 118.75 SOLD English Leicester 5135 White 5/5 20.00 106.25 SOLD English Leicester 5137 White 4/14 20.00 97.50 SOLD English Leicester 5139 White 5/1 20.00 101.25 SOLD

Gotland The Gotland originated on the Swedish Island of Gotland in the Baltic Sea. It is a native Landrace breed belonging to the North European short-tailed group of sheep. Lambs are born jet black and have developed their distinctive grey curly pelt by the time they are about five months. We are fortunate to be able to offer these lovely fleeces again this year. The color choice is varied and scrumptious as always. The fleece is extremely soft, silvery-grey, and curly. The fibres are soft and silky for spinning, with a high luster and low bulk. It is popular in the high fashion industry as well as with handspinners for knitwear and weaving as well as felting. 27-33 micron, Staple length approx. 10-15cm (4-6in), silky, lustrous, wool which makes soft-draping garments and is excellent for felting. Called “Gotland Pelt” in their native Sweden.5 Gotland Sheep Gotland Fleece Breed Fleece # Color Weight (lb/oz) US$ /lb Price of Fleece (USD) Available Gotland 5004 Black w/ Grey Specks 4/7 24.50 108.72 SOLD Gotland 5008 Grey Mix 3/8 24.50 85.75 SOLD Gotland 5005 Grey Tones 1/2 24.50 27.56 SOLD Gotland 5009 Grey Tones 3/15 24.50 96.47 SOLD Gotland 5101 Mid Brown Grey Tones 6/3 24.50 151.59 SOLD Gotland 5017 Mid Grey 3/8 24.50 85.75 SOLD Gotland 5012 Mid Greys 3/1 24.50 75.03 SOLD Gotland 5014 Mid Greys 2/3 24.50 53.59 SOLD Gotland 5102 Mid-Dark Brown Grey Shades 6/6 24.50 156.19 SOLD Gotland 5006 Mix of Grey 3/5 24.50 81.16 SOLD Gotland 5007 Mix of Grey 3/5 24.50 81.16 SOLD Gotland 5016 Multi Grey w/ Strong White Spots 3/15 24.50 96.47 SOLD Gotland 5015 Strong Grey 2/7 24.50 59.72 SOLD

Merino The Merino is the oldest established and most numerous breed in the world. It is believed to have originated from Spain or North Africa. Merino is a sheep apart from the many British breeds. It likes dry conditions and is renowned for its fine quality wool. New Zealand Merino is different from that of other countries. It has superior fiber length and strength, an intense purity of color, low levels of vegetable matter and hence reduced fiber waste. These superfine fleeces are easier to manage if you separate out the locks and wash them one by one carefully in hot soapy water to soften the lanolin before spinning. Spin them very fine with a high twist. For people wanting to spin some super-fine threads for the first time, we can recommend the book Merino: Handspinning, Dyeing and Working With Merino and Superfine Wools by Margaret Stove. This takes you through the step-by-step stages of sorting and washing and the techniques of spinning the fine Merino fibers. 14-25 micron, Staple length approx. 6.5-10cm (2.5-4in), little luster, fine soft wool often with a waxy tip. Very fine wool suitable for luxury garments and baby wear, and it is popular for felting.6 Merino Sheep Merino Fleece Breed Fleece # Color Weight (lb/oz) US$ /lb Price of Fleece (USD) Available Merino 5376 Black Dark 4/7 21.00 93.19 SOLD Merino 5378 Black Dark with light tips 4/14 21.00 102.38 SOLD Merino 5379 Black Dark 4/3 21.00 87.94 SOLD Merino 5380 Black Dark 4/7 21.00 93.19 SOLD Merino 5381 Black Dark 4/14 21.00 102.38 SOLD Merino 5388 Black Dark 4/14 21.00 102.38 SOLD Merino 5285 Dark Grey Light Tips 3/15 21.00 82.69 SOLD Merino 5288 Very Pale Brown Grey 6/10 21.00 139.13 SOLD

Perendale Developed in 1956, Parendales were bred by crossing a Cheviot over a Romney. Perendale is an easy care breed that can forage in the hill country of New Zealand. The fleece has exceptional “spring” which gives more warmth and comfort in relation to its weight, plus good shape retention for knitted garments. It has a high insulation factor in blankets. 30-37 micron, Staple length approx. 10-15cm (4-6 inch), low luster, bouncy wool suitable for clothing, blankets, and many other uses. Perendale wool does not felt easily.7 Perendale Sheep Breed Fleece # Color Weight (lb/oz) US$ /lb Price of Fleece (USD) Available Perendale 5283 Light Caramels and Greys 6/13 20.00 136.25 SOLD Perendale 5274 Mid Grey 6/6 20.00 127.50 SOLD Perendale 5278 Very Light Grey/Brown 6/10 20.00 132.50 SOLD Perendale 5116 White 4/10 20.00 92.50 SOLD Perendale 5127 White 4/10 20.00 92.50 SOLD Perendale 5132 White 5/1 20.00 101.25 SOLD

Pitcairn Information on this rare breed will be added in late January. Breed Fleece # Color Weight (lb/oz) US$ /lb Price of Fleece (USD) Available Pitcairn 5375 Light 9/4 20.00 185.00 SOLD   Polwarth The Polwarth is a dual-purpose sheep, developed in Victoria, Australia in 1880; they were first introduced into New Zealand in 1932. It is 75 percent Merino and 25 percent Lincoln. Polwarths produce a super type wool - stylish, white, long-stapled, soft-handling and high-yielding.8 For the spinner, Polwarth has become a popular fleece type, easier to prepare and spin than Merino, yet with a similar softness and handle. Being a waxy fleece type, it will need a hot scour (wash) in preparation for spinning.9 23-26 micron, staple length approx. 7.5-11cm (3-4.5in), more lustrous than Merino. Polwarth is a fine and soft wool, suitable for knitted or woven garments and excellent for felting.10 Polwarth Ram Polwarth Rams Breed Fleece # Color Weight (lb/oz) US$ /lb Price of Fleece (USD) Available Polwarth 5395 Light Mid Grey Tones 4/7 20.50 90.75 SOLD Polwarth 5399 Light Mid Greys 3/15 20.50 80.72 SOLD Polwarth 5120 Light Mid Brown Caramel Tips 3/10 20.50 74.31 SOLD Polwarth 5290 Light Mid Greys 5/8 20.50 90.97 SOLD Polwarth 5404 White 5/1 20.50 103.78 SOLD Polwarth 5407 White 5/8 20.50 112.75 SOLD

1. The Fleece & Fiber Sourcebook by Deborah Robson & Carol Ekarius. Storey Publishing, 2011. Page 88.
2. http://auser77444.websitewizard.com/Sheep-For-Sale.html
3. http://www.colouredsheep.org.nz/breed_char.php
4. http://www.colouredsheep.org.nz/breed_char.php
5. http://www.colouredsheep.org.nz/breed_char.php
6. http://www.colouredsheep.org.nz/breed_char.php
7. http://www.colouredsheep.org.nz/breed_char.php
8. http://www.polwarth.com.au/breedinfo.htm
9. http://www.colouredsheep.org.nz/spin/polwarth.php
10. http://www.colouredsheep.org.nz/spin/polwarth.php

A New Experience in Spinning (down like wool)

By Marion Cameron, Masterton, New Zealand

We live on 4.5 hectares (11.5) acres on the outskirts of Mastertone in Wairarapa, in the North Island of New Zealand. We have a flock of 50 sheep of varying shades of brown (morrit) and grey, with a few white. Although the original stock was basically Romney we have concentrated on breeding more down–type wool because I enjoy its elasticity and bounce. Down–type wools are short (1–3 inches) compared to other wools such as crossbred or Merino–type wools and do not show the distinctive crimp patterns of these wools. They do not felt but produce very elastic and bouncy yarns. These are the qualities I enjoy.

I spin the short wool straight from the fleece (without carding). I work with small groups of staples spinning mostly from the CUT END. With a good fleece the fibres just spin themselves as easily as a carded fleece. Sometimes parts of the fleece may need the top opened to remove rubbish but it usually just falls out anyway. I have tried hand carding or combing the fleece before spinning but unless you spin the wool immediately there is no advantage (as the fibres bounce back to their natural state) and you might as well spin direct from the fleece. Longer, down–cross wools do card well by machine. They are good for dyeing in the fleece because they do not felt easily and dry quickly. The biggest problem I have with spinning the down–type wool is to produce very fine yarns. Although this is partly because of how I spin, it is also affected by the elasticity of the yarn produced. The plied yarns must always be washed before knitting to release the tension. The yarn always becomes shorter and more bulky. You need to check your tension carefully before you start an article. I still find the washed yarn is not as fine as I expect it to be.

Web Link

We were introduced to an interesting web site: U of Oklahoma lists breeds of sheep with details, descriptions, history of the breed. www.ansi.okstate.edu/breeds/sheep/

"How Much Does it Take to Make a Sweater?"

–Reprinted from The Wheel #15 published by Ashford Handicrafts

Not sure whether you have enough fleece for that special project? Paula Vester of Stone Mountain, Georgia, has some good advice. Although most knitters and crocheters buy yarn by the ounce and weavers buy yarns by the yardage, people are always interested in how much raw material it takes to make something.

It is hard to accurately answer that question for all spinners, but some guidelines can be given. One of the reasons for variations is the way that different spinners spin their yarn. If the thread is spun thick, there is less yardage and it will take the same approximate yardage which will weigh more: if the yarn is spun very thin a piece may weigh a lot less.

The form in which you buy the raw material will also determine the amount you will need. If you are buying wool right from the sheep, you will have to wash it and card or comb it for spinning. Depending on the breed of the sheep and the farm it has come from, you can lose up to 50% of that weight in dirt and grease. Some breeds have less grease and some have more: for example, Romneys have less grease than Merinos and Corriedales. With the Romney a spinner may only lose 30%. If you buy ready to spin roving, you will have less waste and can purchase closer to the weight needed for the finished piece.

Knitting takes less yardage and therefore weight than crochet. Weaving can use up yardage because of the loom waste, but the finished pieces may have similar weights as knitting.

Here are some general guidelines:

• an average sized sweater may weigh about 1¼lb (570g)

• a vest may use ¾lb (340g)

• boot socks use about 2–4 oz (60–120g)

• baby clothes like sweaters, dresses, booties and blankets often use up tiny amounts of yarn

• a child's sweater may use less than 8 oz (225g)

Spinners have been dealing with this question for years. Many spinners solve the problem by doubling every amount of raw material they buy for a project, or by simply spinning what they have and then seeing what else must be added to make a finished piece. It takes trial and error but spinners learn their own spinning needs and many remember when their first sweater weighed 3 lbs instead of 1¼lbs.