Since Christmas and New Year quite a few things have happened in the GFAC world. Through this blog I was contacted by a farmer in Lydford (Devon) who told me that he had some Cotswold sheep and did I want some of the fleece? I went along and bought two fleeces; both not very clean but beautifully soft once I got pass all the nasties on the outside. If you want to see photos of the sheep, click here and go along to the Lydford website. The Cotswold Sheep Society have a really interesting website, describing the role that this breed played in the wealth of the Cotswolds.
Cotswold fleece
I’ve also got North Ronaldsay fleece from Heltor Rare Breeds (Dartmoor), Oxford Down fleece and lambswool from Callington (Cornwall), and Poll Dorset/Charolais cross from Helston (Cornwall). All of these I found on eBay; I got the idea of looking here from Jackie at Huxtable Farm, who sells her fleece this way.
Also found on eBay; yarn spun from sheep at Morwellham Quay (Devon). A skein each of Lleyn Aran, Lleyn DK and Hebridean DK. If you want the details of any of the sellers on eBay, get in touch and I’ll pass them on to you.
Morwellham Quay wool
From Fowlescombe Farm, I’ve got Organic Hebridean and Manx Loaghtan yarn, and I couldn’t resist buying a cone of Hebridean weaving wool. I’m planning to use this either for machine knitting or trying some weaving. Fowlescombe Farm have flocks of pedigree Hebridean and Manx Loaghtan sheep; have a look at their website as it’s filled with interesting details about the farm, how they are supporting rare breeds, and their diversification into educational farm visits.
Fowlescombe Farm Hebridean and Manx Loaghtan
Finally, I found Wonnacott Farm, Okehampton (Devon) who have skeins of organic DK yarn.
Wonnacott Farm organic wool
