Description
Contents: 100% Wensleydale Wool
Micron: 30-36 mic
Staple Length: 200-300 mm
Weight: 100g
Crafting: Dyeing, Wet Felting, Needle Felting, Spinning, Weaving, Jumbo Knitting, Jumbo Crochet
Care: Hand Wash Only
Wensleydale Sheep and Their Wool
Wensleydale sheep are a British longwool breed renowned for their lustrous, silky fleece and impressive appearance. Originating in the Wensleydale region of Yorkshire, England, this breed was developed in the 1800s by crossing a Dishley Leicester ram with a Teeswater ewe. Wensleydales are now considered one of the finest longwool breeds in the world, prized for their shiny, strong, long-stapled wool used in both high-end yarns and speciality textiles.
Characteristics of Wensleydale Sheep
Appearance:
– Large-framed sheep with a distinctive blue-grey face and long, curly fleece.
– Known for their striking ringlets and elegant posture.
Hardiness:
– Well-suited to lowland and mild climates, less robust in upland or wet regions.
– Require good nutrition and management for fleece quality.
Wensleydale Wool: Qualities and Uses
Wensleydale wool is among the longest and shiniest of all wool types, known for its drape, strength, and lustre. While not next-to-skin soft, it’s incredibly versatile and luxurious in the right applications.
Fibre Length:
8–12 inches (20–30 cm) — one of the longest wool staples available.
Micron Count:
30–36 microns, placing it in the coarse range, though the smoothness of the fibres makes it feel less harsh.
Texture:
– Very lustrous, smooth, and strong, with a beautiful natural shine.
– Heavy drape with minimal elasticity or crimp.
– Resistant to felting, making it ideal for blending or structured textiles.
Uses:
– Weaving & tailoring: Perfect for fine woven fabrics, suiting, and outerwear.
– Hand-spinning & art yarn: Used for core spinning, tailspinning, and decorative yarns.
– Blending: Often blended with softer fibres (e.g., silk, alpaca, Merino) to enhance softness and shine.
– Locks: Curly locks are popular in doll hair, felting, and creative textile art.
Wensleydale Wool in Ireland and the UK
Primarily bred in Yorkshire and the North of England, supported by the Wensleydale Longwool Sheep Breeders’ Association. Common in heritage flocks, artisan mills, and speciality wool projects.
Not widely bred in Ireland, but small artisan flocks and wool enthusiasts in Ireland may raise them for speciality hand-spinning and yarn production.
Some Irish spinners and dyers import Wensleydale fleece or top for luxury yarns and creative projects.
Modern Uses and Demand
– Wensleydale wool is highly sought after for its shine, strength, and beauty, particularly in weaving, tailoring, and luxury craft.
– Sustainable and artisan textile producers value it for its heritage status and visual appeal, especially when locks are used unspun or in texture-rich designs.
– Not ideal for garments worn next to the skin, but perfect for statement pieces, outerwear, and textured yarn art.
