There are five main types of wool. Choosing the right one for your project is crucial for achieving the best results.
- Fine Wools: These wools can be worn comfortably next to the skin. They are ideal for shawls, scarves, baby wear, and needle felting. Examples of fine wool breeds include Merino, Rambouillet, Cormo, and Targhee.
- Down Type Wools: These wools usually have a shorter staple length, a medium diameter, and often a matte appearance. They are great for spinning and make excellent yarn for socks, blankets, and tweeds. Down breeds are resistant to felting, making them the most washable wool. Examples include Clun Forest, Dorset, Shropshire, Suffolk, Hampshire, and Welsh Mountain Sheep.
- Medium Wools: These have a medium to long staple length and are used in various knitwear, blankets, and tweeds. Some examples are Corriedale (great for beginning spinners), Finn Sheep, Tunis, and Montadale.
- Longwools: This versatile category features wools with a larger-than-average fiber diameter and long staple length, which can be challenging to spin. Examples of longwool breeds include Coopworth, Cotswold, and Romney.
- Primitive Breeds: Dual coated breeds with a long outer coat to repel weather. Coarse, no crimp and felts swell. Breed examples include Icelandic and Shetland Sheep.
