Breed Specific Yarn
Breed specific yarn contains fibre from a single breed, or known breeds, of sheep. There are so many different sheep breeds to choose from, and all have their own fibre characteristics that have evolved either to help them thrive in their individual landscapes, or as a result of breeding, and which make them ideal for different types of project or garment.
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Traditionally, commercial yarn producers have tended to blend together the fleeces of many different breeds; eliminating coarser fibres with the aim of creating a soft yarn. However this can also create a homogenous product that doesn’t utilise individual fibre characteristics to their full potential. A soft fibre such as Merino is ideal for next to skin wear, but it won’t last long as a pair of socks that may be subjected to daily wear, or an outer garment that needs to protect from harsh weather. A fibre like Romney on the other hand, which comes from sheep who have evolved over hundreds of years to survive on the cold and wet Romney Marsh in Kent, might not make an ideal base layer, but it will make a hardwearing and warm jumper that will last for years to come.
Here at Flock, we love learning about different sheep breeds, their individual quirks and characteristics and the beautiful fibre that they produce. We also love getting to know the farmers and suppliers that have chosen to specialise in a particular breed of sheep, and hearing them talk passionately about their chosen flocks.
byLaxtons SheepSoft is a gorgeous combination of British Blue Faced Leicester and Masham breeds. Available in a concise palette of 100% natural colours and produced from fleece to finished yarn in less than 50 miles.
Traceable 100% Bluefaced Leicester yarn from Lancashire, Yorkshire and Cumbria. Made from field to fibre within 150 miles.
A luxury British breed blend from Baa Ram Ewe that will be a staple in any stash. The fifteen gorgeous shades of this DK weight yarn are all inspired by English Woodlands.
Also available in aran weight.
A 100g ball of undyed 2-ply lace weight wool for hand knitting. Manufactured exclusively by Glencroft from fleeces collected from two farms within 5 miles of their warehouse in Clapham, Yorkshire Dales.
DK weight yarn from the Yorkshire Dales. Clapdale Wool is a project started in 2021 with the help of the Yorkshire Dales National Park Sustainable Development Fund to create wool products – hand knit yarn, jumpers, accessories – from wool sourced from within a 10 mile radius of Glencroft’s home of Clapham, Yorkshire Dales.
A beautiful naturally coloured chunky weight yarn made from 100% British Romney Wool, grown just down the road from us at Romney Marsh Wools in Kent.
Generous 100g balls of soft and lightweight chunky yarn in shades inspired by English wildflowers from Baa Ram Ewe.
Kit containing a printed pattern and yarn from Romney Marsh Wools to make a simple and cozy hot water bottle cover.
A 4-ply/fingering weight yarn with a great drape and incredible softness which is also really hardwearing. Amble is a delightfully luxurious sock yarn with strong eco credentials that perfectly embody the Fibre Co.’s commitment to sustainability.
byLaxtons SheepSoft is a gorgeous combination of British Blue Faced Leicester and Masham breeds. Produced from fleece to finished yarn in less than 50 miles.
Kit containing a 100g skein of Erika Knight Wool Local yarn and a pattern sleeve for a classic beanie hat.
Pure, woollen spun Romney Lambswool. Produced in Yorkshire by The Fibre Co.
Lore is also available in 25g mini balls.
Rare breed 4-ply British Wensleydale yarn. Produced in Cornwall by The Raw Wool Company
Naturally coloured grey 100% Romney yarn. Produced in Kent by Romney Marsh Wools.
Worsted weight blend of English Masham wool and Argentinian mohair. Produced in Peru by The Fibre Co.
100% British Dorset DK weight yarn. Produced in Cornwall by The Raw Wool Company.
4-ply yarn from British Lleyn sheep. Produced in Cornwall by The Raw Wool Company
100% British Dorset 4-ply weight yarn. Produced in Cornwall by The Raw Wool Company.
Beautiful yarn from sheep farmed on the Cambrian Mountains. Produced in Wales by Cambrian Wool.
Beautiful yarn from sheep farmed on the Cambrian Mountains. Produced in Wales by Cambrian Wool.
An undyed, aran weight yarn made from 100% British Romney wool. Produced in Kent by Romney Marsh Wools.
100% British wool from a crossbreed of Bluefaced Leicester – famed for its luscious handle – and Kerry Hill, renowned for its distinctive markings and crisp white fleece. Retreat Super Chunky has all of the natural qualities of a soft and gentle roving, adding a subtle halo effect to your hand knits. Generous 200g balls in a harmonious colour range of sumptuous deep tones and calming neutrals, there are shades to balance, uplift and bring you joy.