Icelandic Fiber: The Facts

                 The fleece of an Icelandic Sheep has two distinct coats, both of which are true wools. The fine, lofty undercoat, called thel, has a micron diameter of 19-22 (spinning count 64-70), an irregular crimp, and provides the Icelandic with insulation. On it’s own, the thel can be processed into a luxurious, lace weight yarn ideal for producing soft, close-to-the-skin garments and infant apparel.

                 The long, wavy outercoat, called tog, protects the Icelandic from the elements, blocking wind and shielding the undercoat and skin of the sheep from water, snow and ice. The tog, similar to mohair, is excellent for worsted spinning and produces a very durable yarn which was traditionally used as embroidery thread and incorporated into Viking sails. Yarns and projects containing tog tend to be very sturdy and weather resistant. It measures 27-30 microns and has a spinning count of 56-60.

                 When spun together, the two coats produce the internationally renowned Lopi yarn, a popular (traditionally single ply) bulky yarn sold commercially in the United States and elsewhere throughout the world.

                 Icelandics are shorn twice a year, once in the Spring and again in the Fall. Unskirted, an adult fleece weighs in at 5-7lbs, with lambs producing less, though typically softer fleece. The fall fleeces are relatively low in lanolin, resulting in less shrinkage than other breeds, (about 25-30% compared to 50%) and are coveted by handspinners. The Spring cut yields less fiber overall and, due to contamination by their diets of hay over the winter, the Spring cut is typically not marketed to handspinners, but is used more widely for felting projects and producing mill spun yarns. The Icelandic fleece is becoming a popular choice for felting projects, as its quick felting properties significantly reduce the amount of time required to complete projects.

Handspinners’ Fleeces

                 In my breeding program I am selecting for thick, lustrous fleeces that are particularly dense with thel. Only the very best are set aside for our spinning customers. They are luxurious, clean and carefully skirted, and their long staple length makes for great ease of spinning.

                 Our fleeces are never exposed to pour on insecticides or other harmful chemicals, and so are appropriate for persons with chemical sensitivities.

                 Instructions for washing and storing your fleece will be included with your order, as well as a photo card introducing you to the sheep it came from.

 

Due to significant burdock contamination in fall of ‘09, there will be no handspinner’s fleeces available until the fall of 2010.