Wensleydale
Wensleydale are known for their distinctive appearance, characterized by long, curly wool that hangs in lustrous ringlets. These ringlets often hang down over the sheep’s face, resulting in a uniquely angst-filled emo look, despite their calm nature.
Wensleydale fleece is unique in that it typically feels rather soft for a long wool and can often be worn next to skin. While the sheep may grow as much as 12” of fleece in a year, we often find that producers shear twice a year depending on their breeding and shearing programs. This means that we can often find Wensleydale in four, six, and eight inch lengths. Their curly wool locks are easy to open for processing and spinning, and can be found in white, brown, a variety of grays, and black.
Wensleydales are also great for crossbreeding. They tend to impart length, sheen, and an open lock structure when crossed with fine wool breeds, while retaining a soft hand.
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CVM x Cotswold x Wensleydale x Lincoln #2135
Price range: $40.00 through $133.00Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product pageA fun four-breed cross measuring 4.5″ in length. The locks are both crimpy and wavy, as sometimes happens in a crossbreed. This fleece did pick up some variegation in its color from the CVM lineage and the tans and light grays are best described as oatmeal in color. Don’t you need more fiber in your diet?
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CVM x Wensleydale #23175
Price range: $46.00 through $153.00Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product pageA soft 4.5″ crossbreed in a lightly-variegated coloration we call oatmeal. This is one of our favorite pairs of breeds to see in a crossbreed fleece; it borrows length and sheen from the longwool and color, fineness, and energy from the fine wool.
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CVM x Wensleydale x Lincoln #2140
Price range: $47.00 through $158.00Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product pageA 4.5″ crossbreed with lots of sproing and medium to soft hand. We landed on “oatmeal” as a color designation on this fleece, as it is a mottled light gray and tan.
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Wensleydale #23135
Price range: $24.00 through $77.00Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product pageA gorgeously variegated Wensleydale lamb fleece sporting shades of silver and tan. The distinct locks are curly, have a medium to soft hand, and are six inches in length.
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Wensleydale #2395
Price range: $75.00 through $141.00Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product pageA variegated Wensleydale with curly locks measuring 6 inches in length. This fleece sports a variety of hues including blonde, light and dark gray, black, and brown.
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Wensleydale x CVM #25359
Price range: $19.00 through $195.00Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product pageA luxurious crossbreed with with a soft hand and high sheen in crimpy 5″ locks. The color is lightly variegated and runs the gamut from tan to taupe, light brown, blonde, and light gray.
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Wensleydale x CVM x Cotswold #25329
Price range: $24.00 through $145.00Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product pageA stunning crossbreed fleece with french fry crimp, a soft hand, lots of sheen, and 4″ locks. While we call this variegated coloring “oatmeal,” don’t let that bland name fool you: it has multiple shades of tans, grays, and browns that will blend for an eye-catching depth of color once processed.
