Wensleydale

The mating of a Dishley Leicester ram with a Teeswater ewe in 1838 produced the famous ram 'Blue Cap' who was the founding sire of the Wensleydale breed. He was a ram with blue pigmentation on his head and ears that is now the hallmark of the breed, great size (203 kg as a two-shear) and wool of distinctive quality. The modern Wensleydale has inherited these qualities. It is a large sheep with long-stapled, lustrous wool that falls in long ringlets almost to ground level in unshorn sheep.

The breed has a quality known as 'central checking' that prevents the formation of kemp in the fleece and makes the processing of the fleece very nice!

Wensleydales can produce 13-20 lbs per year of luxury fleece with an average annual staple length of 8-12". The fiber grows in tightly curled locks, and has a wonderful, glowing luster.

The initial reaction of a first-timer to Wensleydale fleece is a gasp of admiration at the beauty of the wool. Spinning Wensleydale fleece is a joy; its ease of spinning makes the novice spinner feel quite accomplished! Wensleydale wool also felts easily, making it a beautiful choice for fashion accessories that glow.
Available Wensleydale Fleece ...



White Wensleydale Fleece in the grease
     Soft and beautifully white when washed.
     $20.00 per pound




White Wensleydale
Clean Locks
This fleece has beautiful curls and is a pleasure to comb.
$25.00 per pound




Black Wensleydale
in the grease
This is a yearling ewe.
You have to touch it to believe it.
$20.00 per pound



White Wensleydale Roving
Fleeces purchased locally and processed locally.
This is amazing to spin and makes a very nice bulky yarn all the way to the shiniest and most drapy laceweight you've ever seen. It almost glows.
$3.00 per ounce.




Gray Wensleydale Roving
These fleeces were also purchased locally and gives the most beautiful yarn with a depth of color that these photos can't show.
$3.00 per ounce.
 
White Wensleydale Top
Commercially available top with a nice weight and luster.
  $2.75 per ounce