Description
Contents: 80% Suffolk Wool 20% Half-bred Wool
Micron: 35 – 40mic
Staple Length: 75 – 80mm
Weight: 100g
Crafting: Dyeing, Wet Felting, Needle Felting, Spinning, Weaving, Jumbo Knitting, Jumbo Crochet
Care: Hand Wash Only
Suffolk Sheep and Their Wool
Suffolk sheep are one of the most popular and widely bred commercial sheep in the UK and Ireland, primarily raised for meat production rather than wool. Originally developed in England in the late 18th century by crossing Southdown rams with Norfolk Horn ewes, the breed is now one of the dominant meat sheep worldwide. While not as well-known for its fleece as other British breeds, Suffolk wool still has practical uses in blended yarns, durable textiles, and felting.
Characteristics of Suffolk Sheep
Appearance:
– Large, muscular sheep with a distinct black face and legs.
– Short, dense fleece covering the body but not the face or legs.
Hardiness:
– Well-adapted to lowland farming and grows quickly, making it a top choice for meat production.
Suffolk Wool: Qualities and Uses
Suffolk wool is coarser and bulkier than fine wool breeds, making it less desirable for luxury textiles but valuable for practical applications.
Fibre Length:
2–4 inches (5–10 cm), making it a short-to-medium staple wool.
Micron Count:
25–33 microns, making it more medium-coarse, similar to Cheviot.
Texture:
– Springy and resilient, with a moderate crimp.
– Lacks the silkiness of BFL or softness of Merino, but has good durability.
Uses:
– Sock and rug yarns: When blended with softer fibres, it adds strength and durability.
– Felting: Works well for needle felting and sturdy wool projects.
-Wool batting & insulation: Often used for mattress stuffing, felt pads, and eco-friendly insulation materials.
– Blendin*: Sometimes mixed with softer wools for hand-spinning or tweed fabrics. Suffolk wool is sometimes blended with finer wools like Shetland or BFL to improve its softness while keeping its strength and bounce.
Suffolk Wool in Ireland and the UK
– Suffolk sheep are one of the most common lowland breeds in Britain, especially in England.
– Their wool is often mixed into commercial wool blends rather than sold as a speciality fibre.
– One of the most widely farmed sheep breeds in Ireland due to its high meat yield.
– While wool is a secondary product, some artisan spinners and mills use Suffolk wool in durable yarn blends and felting supplies.
Modern Uses and Demand
– Less popular among hand-spinners and knitters due to its coarse texture, but valued in industrial wool applications.
– Increasing interest in sustainable wool use has led to more experimentation with Suffolk blends for practical, hard-wearing textiles.
– While not ideal for fine garments, Suffolk wool still plays a role in sturdy, eco-friendly wool products.
