Grey Shetland Mulberry Silk Cashmere Tops

Grey Shetland - Mulberry Silk - Cashmere Tops

This grey Shetland sheep blend top is an amazing silky soft mix of various grey shades of Shetland wool, ultra shiny Mulberry Silk and a dash of fabulous Cashmere.

Shetland Sheep have lived on the Shetland Islands for well over 1,000 years, adapting to the harsh environment and thriving in the cold, wet climate. The sheep of Shetland were an important part of subsistence agriculture of the islands, and the rugged habitat and geographical isolation produced a breed that is distinct and significant. The Shetland breed likely descends from ancient Scandinavian sheep, and it is a member of the northern short tailed sheep breed.

The Shetland breed has prospered in recent years to the extent that it is no longer considered endangered by the Rare Breeds Survival Trust in Britain. In 2011, Shetland wool production was given “protected geographical status” with a “protected against origin” classification as “Native Shetland Wool” – the first non-food product in the UK to be given this status.  Despite this success, there are concerns about the loss of genetic diversity within the breed. For example, white sheep now predominate on the British mainland and several of the colour varieties have become rare. White has become dominant because it is so much easier to do a big scale scour and carding of the one colour fleece, rather than much smaller batches of many different colours, when all the machinery needs to be cleaned after each batch. (Note: that is one of the reasons coloured merino sheep and rare breeds have been basically had the colour bred out of them. A very sad situation that favours big scale production instead of diversity just because it is economically “easier”. ) Also, as a dyer, I think coloured fleece has so much more character and offers heaps of tonal variation.

Shetland Sheep are calm and charming in disposition, docile, and intelligent. The Shetland breed is especially prized for its wool, which is fine, soft, and strong. Fleeces average around 2 kilos and vary in crimp. Shetland sheep tend to be single coated with fibre diameter averages of 21-23 microns and staple lengths of 10 cms.

These Shetland Dream Tops are truly extraordinary to spin, felt, knit and wear.

Fibre Top Roving details

Weight per top: 100g / 3.52oz

Contents: Grey Shetland 70%, Mulberry Silk 25%, Cashmere 5%

If you would like to read more about the sheep and look at some fabulous photos, here is the link to the IxCHeL blog.

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