Willow – Jacob fleece – Owlhead Farms

Corgi Hill Farms TARDIS

Three Bags Full 2009 Roving available at Carolina Homespun

Hand Processing using St. Blaise Combs – Paca – CVM Silver Grey fleece – Windy Hill Farms

Baxter the Ram fleece from Sheepfeathers Farm

Darkness batts from Corgi Hill Farms

Clun Forest

Down wool breed with a long history

Ancient breed from south Britain and Welsh forests

Underwent “improvement” as many breeds did in the 18th century to become the breed we know today.

A very important sheep in Britain for meat production, milk and cheese, as well as fiber.

Entered the US in 1970 with Tony Turner and later Angus Rouse in Canada

Breed Characteristics

Very good mothers with easy lambing and lots of milk

Good foragers on grassland alone

Very responsive sheep that handles well

Long lived ewes that continue to produce

Consistent, easy to spin fleece that is always white

The Wool:

The sheep have dark brown faces and legs with a white fleece that should be free of kemp and color.

Medium sized fleeces that are not greasy or sticky.

Locks are blunt ended with little to no taper.

Staple length of around 2.5 to 4 inches long with a disorganized crimp characteristic of down breeds

The wool is highly elastic and fairly soft with a Bradford count of 56-58 and a micron count of 25-28um.

Best prep is a woolen style such as carding.  Locks can also be flicked and spun directly.

When spun it is very springy and loves to be spun woolen.  Of course spinning style is the spinner’s choice and can be done as worsted if desired.

Clun Forest is especially good for socks, mittens, and gloves.

Interview of Mary Gloster of Rocky Top Farms

References:

North American Clun Forest Association

In Sheep’s Clothing: A Handspinner’s Guide to Wool by Nola and Jane Fournier

Fiber Basics: Clun Forest, Carol Huebshcer Rhoades in Interweave Spin Off Spring 2009