Choosing the Right Leicester Longwool Fiber

for your Project

As fiber artists, 1st impressions of a fiber are everything. Considerations must be made when choosing fiber for your Leicester Longwool project. It is a common misconception that longwool fibers are only carpet grade. This could not be farther from the truth! Leicester Longwool has a broad range of uses that depend on a number of things. As a buyer (or even seller) of Leicester Longwool fiber, it is important to know a few things;

  • How old was the animal at shearing?

    • A 1st clip lamb’s fleece will be softer than a 2nd shear hogget or mature fleece (2+ year old animal).

    • Mature animals will have a stronger, more durable fiber.

  • How often does the shepherd shear?

    • Longwools can be shorn once or twice a year to provide a range of staple lengths. Animals shorn 2x a year might give more of a halo effect, while those shorn once a year may give a more smoother effect (also dependant on preparation; combed (worsted) vs carded (woolen) or even spun from the lock!)

  • What is the animal’s gender?

    • Whether the animal is a ewe, ram or wether each may have an effect on final fleece characteristics.

  • Is the animal coated or uncoated, and has the fleece been skirted?

There are many other variables that go into growing a fleece such as diet, paddock quality, and skill of the shearer, but these are just the basics.

Ways to Use Various Leicester Longwool Yarn:

Laceweight to DK weight: Shawls, Lacework, Socks, Gloves

Fingering to DK weight: Shawls, Lacework, Socks, Sweaters, Gloves, Mittens, Wovens

Aran to Bulky: Hats, Bootsocks, Mittens, Wovens

Lockspun or Tailspun: Hats, Wovens, Wall Art

Corespun: Wall Art, Wool Baskets, Carpets

Other Ideas to Inspire Projects: Saddle Pads, Reins and Lead Ropes, Cinches, Dog Leashes, Pillows and Pillow Cases, Totes and Bags.

These ideas are simply to inspire you, and are certainly not the golden rule!

Why Blends?

While Leicester Longwool is fantastic on it’s own, it is also fun to experiment and experience it with various blends. Often, this is left up to artistic expression and to explore the versatility of this breed. Farm blends, generally done by our breeders (as well as other fiber artists), are often inspired by various types of animals kept on a farm. Others may be inspired to add other fibers such as plant fibers and other embellishments. This may bring sentimentality and uniqueness to a finished piece, while also bringing diversity and uniqueness to individual breeder’s offerings which helps set their products apart from one another. This is why we allow up to 20% blended fiber in our Making Waves in Wool Program.

DID EWE KNOW? The Leicester Longwool comes in colors of White, Black and English Blue?

Fleeces from natural colored sheep may even vary in shade from year to year!

Read more on the Leicester Longwool and it’s Fleece Characteristics in our Breed Standard

 

General Recommendations For Leicester Longwool…

Babywear and/or Next-to-Skin-Soft* Project:

  • 1st shear lamb fleece

    • *softness may depend on diet, genetics and sensitivity of the garment wearer, in addition to how the fiber was prepared and spun.

Socks:

  • Preferably longer stapled fiber from an animal sheared once a year

  • NOTE: Does not need to be mixed with nylon!

All Other Outerwear:

  • Any! Longwool is a durable, hardwearing fiber that can be used for hats, mittens, shawls and lacework, sweaters, bootsocks and more!

Felting:

  • Any!

  • For less VM choose a coated or rinsed fleece

  • Animals can be sheared once or twice a year for a variety of staple lengths!

  • Locks can be felted onto projects

Weaving:

  • Warp: Depending on loom, long-stapled yarns are preferrable from animals shorn once a year which will be strongest and resist pilling during beating. Smaller projects on smaller, portable looms, the choice in warp may not matter as much.

  • Weft: Any! Choose from single ply, 2-ply, lockspun or tailspun to play with different effects. Have fun!

Knit or Crochet Tip: Correct tension using relaxed stitches may produce a softer end product than tight stitches.

Spin Tip: Leicester does not need as much twist as other breeds. Overspun or over-plied yarn may become ropey and more scratchy.

What lessons can be learned from Leicester Longwool fiber in the way it responds to being worked into projects? RELAX and Have Fun!