The Wonder of Wool: A knitter’s guide to pure breed sheep

Knitters, spinners and weavers have never before been so interested in sheep breeds. At yarn shows around the world they can be found seeking out skeins of yarn from their favourite sheep breeds. Provenance is increasingly important to yarn lovers alongside sourcing yarn from farmers using regenerative methods. The UK has more ancient breeds than any other country and the rich diversity of breeds and the unique characteristics of British wool are valued worldwide. This is a guide to the pure breeds of sheep found in the UK, exploring their history, habitat, appearance and, of course, their fleece and the resulting yarn. Historically, British sheep originated from three main sources: longwools and a few shortwools from the Romans; ancients from the island of Soay in Scotland; and mountain breeds from the Vikings. Today, sheep breeds used for knitting are categorised slightly differently: there are the primitives, longwools, and downs and shortwools. Knitwear designer and author, Jus