Masham Breed Study Update

 

Fibre Colours: Naturally comes in creamy white, grey (light to dark), and brown shades, sometimes with mixed patterns. Im spinning a pretty grey.

Feel in hand: It has a crisp but smooth hair feel to it.

Fibre prep: None just going to spin the braid as it comes. 

Smell: It has a lovely smell to the fibre the sheep smell is not overbearing. 

Fibre uses: They say its good for outer wear

Historical facts: "Mashams have been bred for over a century on the hills of Northern England. They are the progeny of a Teeswater ram out of a Dalebred ewe both of which are well known for their hardiness and thriftiness."

Next to skin feel: I actually hate the feel on my skin. It's itchy on my neck I'm thinking it may not feel any different when its spun.

Fibre Luster: Its shiny / dense/ feels crisp but also soft.

Staple length: 6" to 15"

Microns: 38 to 44

Masham spun yarn details:

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

I plyed from center pull ball 

Worsted / DK (10 WPI)

26.1 meters

Plying shows a definite pretty twist in the plyed yarn

A pretty shiny grey looks fabulous.

Its itchy has lots of guard or kemp hair and is definitely not a next to skin yarn.

Would I buy this fibre again.. No even though it spins up lovely I just couldnt use it its too itchy for me.

Would I knit with it..Yes its definitely suited for robust outer wear or weaving or dolls hair - its crisp and soft when you squish it with your hands but not next to skin wearable because of the itch which is a shame.