RAMSAY FARMS: Got Wool?

Sunday, March 13, 2011

Got Wool?

Well this is MOST of the wool from my flock! I was very pleased with Shearing Day 2011. More help, more customers (new and old), more fleeces, more efficient, more food, more laughs. More fineness of fleece. Overall extremely pleased with the flock! I'll be taking some photos of some of the fleeces as I clean them.

This weekend I am going to visit some Shetland friends and take some of my cross bred fleeces in for a quilted batt, the BFL fleeces will go to roving, and a few of the Shetland fleeces will go to see what this mill can do with fine fleece. Most of my fleeces are in the fine category so I'm nervous to have any of it processed at a mill.

The dogs love running in circles around the new 'toy' and they now have three race tracks...one around the table, one around the bags of wool and one around the couches. Oh the joys of being a dog!!

3 comments:

Laura said...: BFL can pill too. If the tight curls don't open up during the picking process at will pill during carding. Also adding something coarser like kid mohair, mohair or suri alpaca helps carry fine wool through the carder without it pilling.

Sounds like shearing went well for you! What kind of shears does your shearer use? Were any Shetlands not "ready" to be shorn?; March 14, 2011 at 7:55 AM
stephen rouse said...: wooly knob processes fine shetland with no problems. karen valley has had a lot of hers done there. Also Spinderella can handle fine shetland. If you want creme de la creme send it to Zeilenger's for Top! :-) (it's expensive though).; March 14, 2011 at 12:24 PM
Cynthia said...: What a wonderful field of wool. Of COURSE the pups enjoy the raceway...who wouldn't love the smell of all that lamb. LOL. Good for you kiddo.; March 14, 2011 at 8:22 PM

Who we are

Ramsay Farms is situated in the northeastern part of Ottertail County, near Perham, Minnesota. This family farm of 320 acres has been in the Ramsay family for five generations, dating back to 1892. Today our farm prides itself on our Simmental cattle, Shetland Sheep and BlueFaced Leicester sheep. We strive to breed animals that closest match the breed standards given to them, and mindful of production, health and longevity in our animals as well.

In spring of 2016, there was a purchase of 32 acres in Green County, Wisconsin to accommodate Garrett for his work in that region. The animals have for the most part been moved to that location. Both locations will work in tandem to continue educating and promoting these animals and this way of life.

From the Shetland Sheep Society

"Shetland sheep have for generations been noted for their very soft and well crimped fleece. The wool is the finest of all native breeds and shows an amazing variety of colours and patterns. There are 11 main whole colours and 30 recognised markings.

By selecting from coloured fleeces a range of naturally coloured yarn can be produced. This eliminates the need for dyeing and therefore retains the soft feel of the natural fibre and is favoured by those who prefer a totally natural approach.

Shetland wool fibres are of a simple construction witha central cortex covered by a thin scaly cuticle, and have an average diameter of about 23 microns. However there is a range from 10-20 microns for neck and shoulder wool to 25to 35 microns for britch wool. the average staple length is 3.5 inches. The amount of crimp varies, and is most important in providing the 'bounce' required for knitwear. There is a positive correlation between fineness and crimp, with wool of the finest quality being crimped at between 8 and 12 to the inch. Wool from shetland sheep is used to produce gossamer lace, the famous 'Fair Isle' knitwear, and fine tweeds. Pure bred Shetland sheep tend to shed their fleece in sprin. The growth of new fleece can cause a rise or weak point and where this is present the fleece can sometimes be plucked or 'rooed' by hand. The timing of this can be different in each sheep, however, it is worth taking the care to get it right as rooed fleece can be amongst the softest because the fibres have no harsh cut ends as occurs with a sheared fleece.

Shetland fleece can be handspun straight from the fleece or made into rolags and then woollen spun. It can also be sorsted spun by hand, used on a peg loom or handwoven. It also felts well using either dry or wet methods. When processed commercially the wool can be made into the finest lightweight worsted cloth or heavier weight, harder wearing fabrics and tweeds."

RAMSAY FARMS

Sunday, March 13, 2011

Got Wool?

3 comments:

A long time coming!

Fine Fleece Shetland Sheep Association

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