Breed: WENSLEYDALE

The largest and heaviest of the longwools, the Wensleydale has a distinctive blue head and ears and sports a characteristic forelock of ringlets. Developed in North Yorkshire in C19, they are traditionally mated with hill ewes to produce the famous Masham, an extremely productive lowland sheep. Wensleydales provide the finest and most valuable lustre longwool.

Fleece and products

Fleeces resemble fine mohair, with a Bradford count of around 50 and can weigh up to 9kg with a staple length of up to 45 cm.. The fleece may be spun into a very fine yarn with great tensile strength allowing delicate open "filigree" designs to be woven or crotched. Fleeces may be worsted or woollen spun.

Wensleydale knitting yarn is very soft and has a very attractive lustre. The woven worsted fabric may be very fine as in high quality suitings or may be used to produce thick and lightweight fluffy throws.

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