Zwartables
Zwartbles were developed from a cross between two main types of native sheep in the Netherlands , the hornless and short-tailed Friesian milk sheep.
The wool is medium to fine with an excellent crimp. Dark brown to black in colour, the tip can be bleached from the sun, perfect for spinning and knitting as it is tactile and durable.
Face colour black/brown with a white blaze
Kerryhill
This breed of sheep is associated with the Down breeds and mainly developed from crosses from the landrace breed and the Beulah Speckled face in Wales.
The wool has a tight crimp and will produce a nice loft in the yarn. It is a beautiful wool that will take dying well ideal for knitting, crocheting and weaving.
Lleyn
This breed of sheep was developed in North-western Wales in the 1800’s, it may have been crossed with now extinct Irish Longwood Roscommon and the native Welsh mountain ewes in the 1700’s.
Today the Lleyns are found all across the UK. The sheep are primarily breed for meat but produce a nice white wool. King Charles keeps a flock of 45 Lleyn ewes at Duchy home Farm near his Highgrove Estate in
Merino
Merino fibre is seen as the royal wool of the world it also has a royal history.
In the twelfth century Spanish royalty began importing rams from a tribe Beni-Merines from an area in present day Morocco to cross with their best sheep. A match made in heaven, they were given their name Merino after the African tribe.
In the 1700’s Spanish Monarchs started giving breeding stock to relatives in Europe and around the world.
Merino breeds can be found in America, New Zealand and Australia. Merino is a super fine wool and can be used for next to skin wear. New research by Agricultural Research suggests that it is suitable for fire fighters and the military as a base layer as the body’s last line of defence, due to its wools properties and high ignition point.