RAMSAY FARMS: BFL fleece samples

Tuesday, March 3, 2009

BFL fleece samples

I finally bribed my dad to help me take samples of the Shetland rams and all the BFLs. I've tried to take photos that do them justice, but with3x optical zoom they probably won't!

Below is Beechtree Mayburgh - White Yearling ewe. F3 Titus, F4/F5 Ebony Boy, F4/F5/F6 Laird, F5 Jamie, F5/F6 Loyalty.

Potosi Glamorgan - white yearling ewe. F2 CarryHouse V2, F4/F6 Laird, F4 EbonyBoy, F5 Jamie

Sheltering Pines Nubia - Yearling Natural Colored ewe. F3/F4/F4 Titus, F4 CarryHouse V2, F5/F5/F5 Ebony Boy, five times back to Loyalty, 13 times back to Laird, 4 times to Jamie. In other words....LOADS of UK :)

Sheltering Pines Morovia aka "Ears" - white yearling ewe. F3/F4 Carryhouse V2, F4/F4 Titus, F5/F5 EbonyBoy, twice back to Jamie, 5 times to Loyalty, 11 times back to Laird. Again, lots of UK :)

Potosi Llandewi - my finest fleece hands down! Tightly purled, high luster, amazing feel. F2 Titus, F4 Ebony Boy, F4/F5 Loyalty, F4 Jamie, F5/F5/F6/F6 Laird.

Beechtree Kiloran - Natural Colored Yearling Ewe - fine, tightly purled fleece. She is F3 Titus, F4 Ebony Boy, F4/F6 Loyalty, F5/F6 Jamie, F4/F5/F6/F6 Laird.

Beechtree Kershope - Two year old white ewe - very soft and more dense fleece. F3 Titus, F3 Carryhouse V2, F4 Titan, F5 Ebony Boy, F5 Jamie, F5/F5/F6/F6 Laird, F5/F6 Loyalty.

Crosswind Farm Clover - White yearling ewe. Soft soft soft! F3 CarryHouse V2, F3 Titus, F4 Ebony Boy, F5 Jamie, F5/F5 Loyalty, F5/F5/F6/F6 Laird

Sheltering Pines Burma - Natural colored Yearling Ram- He has tightly purled, fine fleece. F2/F3 CarryHouse V2, F4/F4 Titus, F6/F6 Ebony Boy, F7/F7 Jamie, and he goes back to Laird eight times :)

Crosswind Farm Bea - Natural Colored yearling ewe. She has the softest fleece with tight purls. F3 Carryhouse V2, F3 Titus, F4 Ebony Boy, F6 Jamie, F5/F5/F6/F6 Loyalty, F5/F5/F6/F6/F6 Laird.

All of this years BFL fleeces have already been spoken for. Thank you again to the buyers!

4 comments:

Theresa said...: Nice BFL fleeces Garrett!!!; March 3, 2009 at 7:35 PM
susan said...: Garret,
I can't tell which ones are the shetland. Are these all BFL's, or are there some shetland rams in there?

If you havn't sent the fleece samples you were going to send will you put a BLF's in there. I'd like to see what they look in feel like in person.

Nubia, patosi, and clover were my favorite from the pictures.
-Susan; March 3, 2009 at 9:08 PM
Ebonwald Cardigans said...: Hi Susan! These are all BFLs, check my newest post for the Shetland rams.; March 3, 2009 at 9:18 PM
Rayna said...: *still in love with Nubia's fleece*; March 3, 2009 at 9:21 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

Tuesday, March 3, 2009

BFL fleece samples

4 comments:

A long time coming!

Fine Fleece Shetland Sheep Association

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