Coopworth
Coopworth is a Longwool with high luster, a well-defined crimp, and tapered locks. While it can be next to skin soft for some people, its 30-to-39-micron range means it is commonly used one layer out from the skin or for outer garments. Multicolor fleeces are common in Coopworth, with a wide range of shades including white, silver, gray, brown, and black. Typical staple length for this breed is six to eight inches annually. The breed was developed in Australia by Ian Coop in the 1950s by crossing Border Leicester ewes with Romney rams; it was first imported in the US in the early 1970s.
Coopworth is easy to process and spin. Its locks open easily with a flicker or Lock Pop, and it can be carded or combed as well as spun straight from the lock or from the fold. Coopworth’s length lends it to be prepared and spun worsted or semi-worsted; it will make durable, long-lasting socks.
We source all our Coopworth from a single ranch in the Midwest; they have selected their breeding stock for fineness for many years and it shows. The fleece we receive from them is usually around five or six inches in length, with a medium hand, and in a variety of colors.
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BFL x Teeswater x Coopworth #23302
Price range: $19.00 through $113.00Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product pageA fun longwool crossbreed with a medium to soft hand and 5.5″ locks. The variagated color runs from light to medium gray with shades of brown and tan sprinkled in.
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BFL x Teeswater x Coopworth #24251
$42.00Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product pageAn uber-curly long wool crossbreed that could perhaps be best described as an improved BFL. It’s high-energy locks measure around 5″ in length and display a spectrum of colors from black to gray to brown to blonde. We liked this crossbreed so much, it was featured in our Q1 2025 Bliss club.
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Coopworth #21130
Price range: $60.00 through $114.00Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product pageA variegated Coopworth fleece that runs the gamut from black to brown to tan to gray in color. Distinct, 5″ long locks abound in this gorgeous fleece with a medium to soft hand.
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Coopworth #22297
Price range: $32.00 through $57.00Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product pageA silvery-brown Coopworth with 6″ locks and a medium to soft hand. The natural color of this fleece is stunning.
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Coopworth #622299
$185.00Add to cartA 7″ gray Coopworth with good sheen and crimp, and a medium hand. This fleece has blonde and brown tips that pop open easily with a flicker or Lock Pop. Sold as a half fleece weighing 2.0 pounds.
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Coopworth #721124
$139.00Add to cartA white Coopworth fleece with locks measuring 6″ in length. This creamy white fleece with tan and yellow tips is perfect to use as is or would be excellent to overdye. This fleece has a medium to coarse hand and bold, distinct locks measuring 5 to 6 inches in length. Sold as a half fleece weighing 1.7 pounds.
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Coopworth #722294
$261.00Add to cartA Coopworth fleece in gray and tan with relatively indistinct locks measuring around 5.5 inches in length with a medium hand. We found some of the tips in this fleece to be weak, so we recommend running it through a Lock Pop or flicker when processing. Sold as a whole fleece weighing 3.2 pounds.
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Coopworth Lamb #24269
Price range: $31.00 through $54.00Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product pageA brown and gray Coopworth lamb fleece with a surprisingly soft hand. Its distinct locks measure three to four inches in length. This is a versatile fleece that could be prepared and spun in either a woolen or worsted style.
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Coopworth x Gotland #725318
$251.00Add to cartThis fleece is the only example of this crossbreed that we have come across, and it is one we hope to see more often! It is a deep charcoal color with brown tips, and features distinct 4″ locks with french fry crimp. It has a medium hand and will process easily. Sold as a highly skirted whole fleece weighing 2.2 pounds.
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Coopworth x Shetland x Merino #19193
Price range: $13.00 through $71.00Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product pageA fun crossbreed with 5″ locks and a medium hand. The breeding on this fleece was 50% Coopworth and 25% each Merino and Shetland, and this fleece is pretty much what you would expect when its lineage is half long wool and half fine wools.
