MOUNTAIN WOOL TYPES
Sheep that are native to the harsh environment and weather of the fells and mountains. Necessarily producing a bulky fleece of coarser quality, which protects the animals.
Measuring 35 micron and above. This type of wool is particularly resilient, contains brittle white kemp and is very hard wearing. Mainly used in carpet and insulation manufacturing.
Blackface
The Blackface breed were established in the UK in the 12th century. When monks used their wool for clothing and exporting to Europe. The Blackface Sheep Breed Association was established in 1901 in Lanark.
They characteristically are horned, black-faced sheep with black and white markings on both legs and feet, and a coarse, bulky fleece weighing between 2 to 3kg with a staple length of 15 to 30cm and a micron range of 35+.
Primarily Scottish Highlands and hills of North East England but occurs throughout the UK.
Mostly in used carpets and insulation, although some of the finer grades can be used in blends for tweed and in mattress production.
Dalesbred
Dalesbred are hill sheep that are able to survive bleak and challenging conditions.
Developed from breeding together Swaledale and Blackface, two other Mountain wool breeds, in the early 20th century and are predominately now found in the Pennines across Lancashire and Yorkshire. A round 95% of all Dalesbreds live within the Yorkshire Dales.
They are easily recognise by their distinctive white patches, called smits, on either side of their noses and by their black-and-white legs and they round low-set horns.
Their fleeces are tough, well grown and springy. Their long staple are dense at the base, with a curly pointed tips with a loose, wavy crimp. Fleeces weighing between 1.5 to 2.75kg.
Best used for rugs and carpets that need to hold up well to lots of wear, which makes it ideal for commercial wool carpets as seen by Brintons. The finer fleeces are also suitable for outerwear.
Rough Fell
