Finn

Finnsheep or Finn, as most people refer to them, are a medium sized sheep that is native to Finland. The breed itself is several hundred years old, descended from the Nordic short-tailed breeds. It was imported into Canada in 1966 and into the United States in 1968. Finn is considered a primitive or unimproved breed. Known for the ability to have ‘litters of lambs’ – up to nine at a time – Finn sheep are often used to improve the breeding flocks of meat producers. As such, we more commonly find Finn as a component of crossbreeds than as purebred sheep.

Finn is usually considered a fine wool, though as a primitive breed it can be somewhat variable. White wool seems to be finer than colored wool, ranging from 24 to 30 microns. The locks tend to be open and somewhat pointy, with a staple length of 3 to 6 inches, and are typically “sproingy” or energized. Depending on fiber length and your intended project, Finn fleece can usually be spun either woolen or worsted. It tends to felt rather easily.