CLUN FOREST WOOL
Today Clun Forest Sheep find themselves on the DEFRA list of Breeds at Risk, despite being a breed which has much to commend it. These hardy, adaptable, long-lived sheep have some of the best British down type fleece available.
Although wool is not the valuable commodity it once was, it still has an important role to play protecting the animal from the elements and providing extra income to any sheep farmer. Clun Forest Sheep produces the finest fleece of any Native British Breed with a spinning count of 58, which is consistent from the neck to the britch. As opposed to hybrids and crosses, which have a considerable variance in quality within the individual fleece.
It can be relied on to give a consistent and large percentage of bulk fibre when sorted. The wool is free from black or grey kempy fibres and is of fine quality. The Clun fleece has great ‘lift’ and a fullness and springiness that makes it ideal for all aspects of the woollen industry. The fleece is dense, has a fine texture and is demi-lustrous, which makes it suitable for knitwear, knitting yarns, all types of felting and use in futons.
The Clun wool has a very high degree of elasticity, which is essential for all these specialist purposes and can't be matched by other similar breeds. When your shear your sheep, put the fleeces straight in to wool sheet and store on a wooden floor of an airy building. Remember if you are showing Cluns it is not permitted for you to bloom dip, dye or colour the fleece and sheep should be shown in their natural colour.
Fleece weight can vary between 2 – 4.1 kg, but is generally 2 – 3 kg.
Staple Length 6.5 – 12.5 cm, average 7.5 – 10cm.
Fibre diameters 25 – 28 microns (Bradford count 56 – 58) making it one of the finest native breed fleeces in the UK. The American Sheep Industry Association notes 28 – 33 microns (Bradford count 46 - 54) This may represent environmental differences or breeding preferences in different populations.
Lock properties – The fleece is dense with blocky staples. The crimp is well developed, having definition within the fibre.
Colour – white, with no kemp or coloured fibres.
Dyeing – the fleece takes and displays colours readily.
Preparation and spinning tips – Card (with hand carders or drum carder) flick, comb, or spin from the lock, depending on staple length and personal preference.
Knitting, crocheting and weaving – Clun Forest has a springy quality contributed by its crimp. Although splendid spun on its own, it makes an excellent addition to blends with less elastic fibres of similar length, giving resilience and loft to the mix. Used alone there is enough body to show both textural and lace patterns well.
Although wool is not the valuable commodity it once was, it still has an important role to play protecting the animal from the elements and providing extra income to any sheep farmer. Clun Forest Sheep produces the finest fleece of any Native British Breed with a spinning count of 58, which is consistent from the neck to the britch. As opposed to hybrids and crosses, which have a considerable variance in quality within the individual fleece.
It can be relied on to give a consistent and large percentage of bulk fibre when sorted. The wool is free from black or grey kempy fibres and is of fine quality. The Clun fleece has great ‘lift’ and a fullness and springiness that makes it ideal for all aspects of the woollen industry. The fleece is dense, has a fine texture and is demi-lustrous, which makes it suitable for knitwear, knitting yarns, all types of felting and use in futons.
The Clun wool has a very high degree of elasticity, which is essential for all these specialist purposes and can't be matched by other similar breeds. When your shear your sheep, put the fleeces straight in to wool sheet and store on a wooden floor of an airy building. Remember if you are showing Cluns it is not permitted for you to bloom dip, dye or colour the fleece and sheep should be shown in their natural colour.
Fleece weight can vary between 2 – 4.1 kg, but is generally 2 – 3 kg.
Staple Length 6.5 – 12.5 cm, average 7.5 – 10cm.
Fibre diameters 25 – 28 microns (Bradford count 56 – 58) making it one of the finest native breed fleeces in the UK. The American Sheep Industry Association notes 28 – 33 microns (Bradford count 46 - 54) This may represent environmental differences or breeding preferences in different populations.
Lock properties – The fleece is dense with blocky staples. The crimp is well developed, having definition within the fibre.
Colour – white, with no kemp or coloured fibres.
Dyeing – the fleece takes and displays colours readily.
Preparation and spinning tips – Card (with hand carders or drum carder) flick, comb, or spin from the lock, depending on staple length and personal preference.
Knitting, crocheting and weaving – Clun Forest has a springy quality contributed by its crimp. Although splendid spun on its own, it makes an excellent addition to blends with less elastic fibres of similar length, giving resilience and loft to the mix. Used alone there is enough body to show both textural and lace patterns well.
Testimonials:
"Clun Forest fleece is particularly attractive when compared with the wool of similar breeds because it is also dense, fine, generally uniform and free from coloured fibres or kemp. Although the tight, irregular crimp is not readily noticable in the staple, it's very apparent when you inspect individual fibres. This feature gives Clun Forest wool its character; it produces handspun yarns that are extremely elastic and lofty, with plenty of personality." - Jane Fournier
"The experienced spinner can choose whatever she needs for a certain project. The beginner needs something that makes spinning easy, and for this purpose the Clun fleece is ideal. The Clun Forest fleece is beautiful, dense and uniform and grades 58's, staple length of about 4 inches. It's creamy white when washed. The wool is extremely springy and easy to spin into very soft yarn, lovely for knitting. It feels soft and luxurious against the skin when knit into sweaters and cardigans. It's also excellent for weaving." - Klara Templeton
"Clun Forest fleece is particularly attractive when compared with the wool of similar breeds because it is also dense, fine, generally uniform and free from coloured fibres or kemp. Although the tight, irregular crimp is not readily noticable in the staple, it's very apparent when you inspect individual fibres. This feature gives Clun Forest wool its character; it produces handspun yarns that are extremely elastic and lofty, with plenty of personality." - Jane Fournier
"The experienced spinner can choose whatever she needs for a certain project. The beginner needs something that makes spinning easy, and for this purpose the Clun fleece is ideal. The Clun Forest fleece is beautiful, dense and uniform and grades 58's, staple length of about 4 inches. It's creamy white when washed. The wool is extremely springy and easy to spin into very soft yarn, lovely for knitting. It feels soft and luxurious against the skin when knit into sweaters and cardigans. It's also excellent for weaving." - Klara Templeton
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For more information and sourcing of Clun Forest fleece and yarn please get in touch with either:
Dunja Roberts - [email protected] www.allinaspin.co.uk www.penycaeau.co.uk Steph Thackery - [email protected] Hayton House: Home of Humble Pie |
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