Breed category Swaledale

  • Location North England
  • Breed Mountain
  • Fleece Colour White
  • Handle Medium / Harsh
  • Micron Count 35+
  • Staple Length 10-20cm
  • Fleece Weight 1.5-2.5 kg

Find Out More About The Breeds

HERITAGE

The Swaledale sheep breed were developed in North Yorkshire and Westmorland by local farmers.

Their breed society was established in the 20th Century. They are now found across the North of England.

SHEEP

The Swaledale sheep breed is a hardy sheep. They have dark face with a grey nose and spotted legs. Both rams and ewes have spiral horns.

FLEECE

The Swaledale fleece is white, thick and coarse, with a few flecks of black throughout.

The fleece is now predominantly used in carpets.

UNDER A MICROSCOPE

This is a sample of a woollen spun Swaledale yarn, under a microscope.

BREED SOCIETY

Find out more @swaledale-sheep.com

WHO'S WORKING WITH THE FLEECE | MAKERS | USERS |

LINKS COMING SOON

Links to makers using Swaledale fleece in their products.

If you work with Swaledale fleece and would like your products to be listed, please email us at: zoe@thewoolist.co.uk

They have very distinctive spiralled horns

DID YOU KNOW
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The Swaledale has a staple length of up to 20cm in length

Interested in this breed? BUY THE BOOK

A hand-crafted book containing breed-specific information about the British sheep breed you choose. 

This book is a limited edition handmade piece, each book will come with an edition number signed by the author/maker. 

The book contains space for you to fill in with physical yarn and knit samples, which sit alongside microscopic photographs, breed data and a short history on the breed (if you don't knit but still want a knitted sample, you can add on a pre-knit sample in the additional items box - £3 per sample).

Each book comes with an A6 fact file card, 'your opinions' card, and a 10g mini-skein so you can complete the mini book and experiment with the fibre yourself.

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