Blue Faced Leicester Grey and Shropshire Breed Study Update

Blue Faced Leicester (Grey)

Colours: Mostly white occasionally black and grey.

Feel in hand: Gorgeous soft feel but with a hint of crisp in this grey fibre.

Fibre prep: Just spin it as I feel

Smell: Very clean almost no sheep smell.

Fibre uses: Anything durable and long wearing

Historical Facts: Part of the English longwool family. Descended from sheep brought into England by the Romans.

Next to skin feel: Beautiful soft and crisp at same time.

Fibre lustor: Lovely bright white/grey colour.

Staple length: 3" to 6"

Microns: 24 to 28

Blue Faced Leicester Grey spun yarn details: 

Spun on my Kromski Sonata - using the whorl size 10 to 1

I plyed from center pull ball 

worsted (9 WPI)

30.6 meters

A really nice puffy feeling yarn- and a really pretty sheen.

Plying shows a definite pretty twist in the plyed yarn

If I hold it near my face and neck absolutely no itch or prickle.

Would I buy this fibre again.. Definite Yes

Would I knit with it.. Yes..I Think it will be soft enough for baby knits, beanies, socks, shawls, and maybe even a scarf!!

Shropshire 

Colours: White 

Feel in hand: Soft with a slight rough spongey feel.

Fibre prep: They say to spin with moderate twist to keep the wools loft and elasticity.

Smell: Clean with no real sheep smell at all.

Fibre uses: Hats, mittens, socks, casual sweaters.

Historical Facts: Conservation breed. Originating from the hills of Shropshire and North Staffordshire England. 

Next to skin feel: Nice but not super soft like merino.

 

Fibre lustor: Lovely should dye well.

Staple length: 2" to 4"

Microns: 24 to 33

Shropshire spun yarn details:

Spun on my Kromski Sonata - using the whorl size 10 to 1

I plyed from center pull ball 

worsted (8 - 9 WPI)

25.2 meters

Spongey crisp feel

Plying shows a definite pretty twist in the plyed yarn

A matte sheen but not overly bright sheen.

If I hold it near my face and neck I feel the prickle feel but not when Im holding it in my hand.

Would I buy this fibre again.. Yes the colour is more of a lovely creamy white quite pretty.

Would I knit with it.. Yes but I wouldn't use it for baby knits I think beanies, socks, shawls, my neck is far too sensitive to knit a scarf with it