The Fleece
Topknot
Most sheep have at least 6 different types of wool.
Topknot
Neck Wool
Neck wool rubbed off.
Topknot
Neck Wool
Blanket
Topknot
Neck Wool
Blanket
Belly Wool
Topknot
Neck Wool
Blanket
Belly Wool
Britch
Tags
Waste Wool
Around the legs
Waste Wool
Around the legs
Top knot – usually discarded, often times felted from rubbing
Neck Wool – softest part of the fleece, often felted and full of vegetation from rubbing on feeders and hay racks. May be missing due to abrasion. If it is in good condition, it can be spun to make very nice next to the skin item depending on micron count.
Blanket – major part of the fleece. Think of putting a blanket over the back of a sheep almost to the belly. Usually the most usable part of the fleece. May have a top line in an open fleece (not dense). This open area can contain significant amounts of vegetation due to feeding practices. Some primitavie sheep may have long hair running down the front length of the spine.
Belly wool – Small amount of wool which is usually discarded by the shearer. Usually very short and highly compressed from the animal laying on it's belly.
Britch – an area on the hind legs which may extend up to the top line. Usually very coarse and often double coated in some breeds. It's function is to protect the animal in high winds. The animal will stand with it's rear in the direction of the on coming wind. Acts as very solid insulation.
Leg Wool – the interface between the wool on the legs and the short hair which covers the legs.
TAGS – usually feces which have attached to the wool surrounding the anus. Often a result of diarrhea especially from an infection of coccidiosis. Coccidiosis is a part of most sheep's intestinal flora. It can be very dangerous in lambs and other sheep who are weakened by disease or bad diet.
Topknot
Neck Wool
Blanket
Belly Wool
Britch
Tags
Waste Wool
Around the legs
Waste Wool
Around the legs
Should be discarded:
Topknot
Britch***
Belly wool
Waste wool around legs
Tags should never be found in a show fleece!!
***
Some folks will have the britch in a separate bag. It should be ignored but not down graded.
Show fleece should contain:
Blanket
Neck Wool?
Should be discarded:
Topknot
Britch***
Belly wool
Waste wool around legs
Tags should never be found in a show fleece!!
***
Some folks will have the britch in a separate bag. It should be ignored but not down graded.
Finding these items in a fleece indicate a poorly skirted fleece.
Well Skirted!!!
Fleece Problems
Scurf
Yolk
Veggie
Tags
Critters
Mold
Cotting / webbing
Break
Tender
Tippy
Scurf
https://www.rhonna.net/infotutorials/scurf
Yolk
https://www.hobbyfarms.com/whats-yellow-stuff-in-my-sheeps-fleece/
Mold
Mold in a fleece usually presents itself as powdery mildew. It has a distinctive odor and may be discovered by smell alone. Mature powdery mildew releases millions of spores when disturbed so is best dealt with out doors.
Fleece usually develop mold when the fleece is stored improperly. Usually it can be found in a fleece which contains veggie matter. The mold grows best on plant material and tags. It is best to do some skirting before the fleece is stored. Cardinal Rule!! Make sure the fleece is dry before storing.
https://www.patioproductions.com/blog/how-to/remove-mold-and-mildew-from-patio-furniture/
https://moldinspectionandtest.com/mold-growing-on-clothes-and-shoes
Cotting / Webbing
http://fiberlingo.blogspot.com/2016/08/suint-method-for-cleaning-fleece.html
Tender
Wool tenderness is caused by the variation in fibre diameter along a staple and the position of the thinnest region.
Tender wool may break at different distances from the skin. It usually doesn't break in a nice straight line.
Break
A break in the wool will effect all of the fibers in the same place. It is usually caused by some discrete event such as weaning, fever, birth, environmental stress.
Double Coated Fleece
Karakul
Icelandic
Some Shetland
Navajo Churro
Scottish Blackface
Photo: Sally Vourlojianis
Double Coated sheep from Shetland Islands
Photo: Sally Vourlojianis
Photo: Sally Vourlojianis
Photo: Sally Vourlojianis
Tippy Fleece
These are usually lamb fleece where there is a break between the tip of the wool and the rest of the staple. This may be caused by the stress of birth. The part that has developed in utero breaks off.
Roving made from this fleece will have small felted balls in it. Some people sell it as primitive.
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