Hebridean

Hebridean sheep are a member of the Northern short tailed group of primitive sheep. Originating in the Hebridean islands, located off the west coast of Scotland.

These are a small sheep which have black fleeces, that can turn silvery grey with age, originally they came in other colours but since the inception of the Hebridean sheep society all pedigree sheep must be black! They are predominately a horned breed, carrying anywhere from 2 to 6 horns, a very few are hornless, these hornless sheep usually have a prominent top knot of fleece on the top of the head.

There can be quite a variation in fleece type, before there was a breed society all the sheep used to have what is known as a double fleece, a soft under fleece to keep them warm and a much coarser longer outer fleece to keep them dry. The multi horned sheep still tend to have fleeces that are more like their ancestors, whereas the 2 horned sheep have been bred over the years to have a single more uniform fleece.

The fleece can weigh between 1.25 -2.25kgs with a staple length of 5 - 15cms

Midnight sky yarn

Midnight Sky

Midnight Sky Chunky is a not quite black yarn with slight silver strands running through it, created using Hebridean and black Shetland fleece.

The yarn is woolen spun by the Natural Fibre Co. in Cornwall,

Midnight sky yarn

Charcoal Laceweight

Charcoal laceweight was created using a blend of Wensleydale and black Shetland fleece, it has a slight sheen to it due to the lustre from the Wensleydale fleece.

The colour is a beautiful dark grey, all the fleece used is this yarn is from the Hawkshaw Sheep flock and carries the Hawkshaw Sheep label.

This yarn has a very soft feel to it, making it suitable for all but the most sensitive of people to wear next to the skin. Charcoal does not have much stretch in it, due to the inclusion of the Wensleydale fleece it contains, this makes is ideal for showing off the pattern in lace knitting, this yarn is what I would call a heavy laceweight as it is not as super fine as some other laceweight yarns.

Charcoal laceweight is worsted spun and has approximately 630 metres in a 100g skein

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Wensleydale

The Wensleydale sheep, originates, as the name suggests in Wensleydale, North Yorkshire, it was created in the early part of the 19th century. The breed is considered to be a rare breed and is on the at risk register with the rare breeds survival trust.

It is a large sheep, and comes in both white and black varieties, the white fleeced sheep has a blue head and legs whilst the black fleeced sheep has black head and legs. Wensleydales produce a lustre fleece which has a noticeable sheen to it, it is a large fleece weighing between 3 - 7kgs with a staple length of 15 -30cms, and totally free from kemp.

Not as hardy as the primitive and hill breeds of sheep, the Wensleydale being such a large sheep would definitely not survive living out on hill land. They need to have access to hay, sheep feed and shelter during the winter months. The fleece although large and heavy does not have the properties to repel the weather during the harsh winters we have in our corner of the Scottish Borders.

Charcoal Laceweight

Charcoal laceweight was created using a blend of Wensleydale and black Shetland fleece, it has a slight sheen to it due to the lustre from the Wensleydale fleece.

The colour is a beautiful dark grey, all the fleece used is this yarn is from the Hawkshaw Sheep flock and carries the Hawkshaw Sheep label. Spun by the Natural Fibre Co. in Cornwall.

Charcoal laceweight is worsted spun and has approximately 630 metres in a 100g skein

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Graphite worsted

Graphite worsted, has been created from my own Hebridean, Wensleydale and alpaca fleece, scoured and spun at the Border mill in Duns, Berwickshire, which makes Graphite a 100% Scottish yarn.

Although it was spun to worsted weight you could use it in a DK pattern as the yarn has come out as a light worsted weight.

It is available in 100g and 50g skeins, the 100g skeins have approximately 200m and the 50g 100m

The yarn does not have any give in it so should have great stitch definintion, it is a wonderful dark grey colour with very small lighter coloured specks running through it.

Graphite when knitted on larger needles produces a lovely drapy fabric.

Graphite Yarn

Derbyshire Gritstone

One of the oldest native sheep breeds in the Uk, the breed originated around 1770 in the Peak District in Derbyshire, it is a rare breed classed as being "at risk" on the rare breeds survival trust's watchlist.

It is a sturdy, hornless hill breed of sheep, with good mothering ability, it is larger than most of the other Hill breeds, it thrives in the rugged environment of the Peak District.

The Derbyshire Gritstone produces a dense fleece which is one of the finest of all the hill breeds, weighing between 2 -3kgs with a staple length of 8 - 10cms, the best fleeces being free from kemp.

In years gone by it's fleece was used in the production of hosiery, being both soft and strong.

Curlew 4 ply

Curlew 4 ply is a blend of 95% Derbyshire Gritstone fleece and 5% Black Shetand fleece, which gives it a lovely natural oatmeal colour.

The Derbyshire Gritstone fleece was sourced from a friends farm in Lancashire, where the standard of care for the flock is exceptional. It is labelled with the Tweed Valley Yarn brand as the fleece was not from my own flock.

It is a sturdy yarn that will stand up to a lot of wear, spun by Europa wool based in Hudderfield, using a semi worsted process, it is a yarn with no stretch in it, making it the perfect choice for stitch definition.

There is approximately 300 metres per 100g yarn

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