Showing posts with label Corriedale. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Corriedale. Show all posts

Wednesday, 30 January 2013

Targhee


Staple; 7.5-12.5cm
Micron 22-25
About Tarhgee sheep: As one of America's youngest breeds having been developed this century, U.S. Sheep Experiment Station, Dubois, Idaho  began breeding  their cross-bred ewes, consisting of Rambouillet, Lincoln, and Corriedale blood with their smoothest, thickest Rambouillet rams  in 1926 . The aim was for a hardy sheep requiring little attention
To fulfill the need to develop a profitable range raised sheep requiring minimal human intervention Many sheep breeders thought the ideal range breed would be ¾ fine wool and ¼ long wool breeding, commonly referred to as a “come back” sheep, referring to  coming back to the Rambouillet . To meet this demand the U.S. Sheep Experiment Station, Dubois, Idaho, began in the fall of 1926 to lay the foundation for such a breed.
The new breed was named Targhee after the National Forest where the animals grazed during the summer. The forest was named for a [1]Chief of the Bannock Indians who had lived in the area in the 1860's.
My spinning Experience: Spinning Targhee was so similar to Cormo which I just recently reviewed. It was fine with a fair amount of elasticity. I just can’t help but compare and reference Cormo, though not quite as soft nor elastic. It is fabulous and I feel that as a garment it would hold up to a bit stronger use and feel wonderful.
My Princess skin rating gives Targhee 4 stars.
 
 
 



[1] Chief Targhee by 1867, was known as, “the great head chief of all the Bannock people.” He led his people through what may have been the most grim period of their history. Admired for his strong character and integrity he was killed while hunting for food by the Crow in the winter of 1871-72.

Thursday, 13 September 2012

CormO-M-G!


Cormo

Staple: 8.5-12.5cm

Micron: 21-23

About Cormo Sheep:  The Cormo were developed in the earlier part of the 1960's in Tasmania, Australia, just like me with the exception of inception for me was on the Mainland. Corriedale rams were crossed with Saxon Merino (Heck yeah I want a whole lot of that!) ewes. The fleeces are consistent with 90% having to be within 2 microns of the average.

 

My Spinning experience: Before I go any further, I am adding Cormo to my Top 10 of I-want-more-of-this-stuff list. I had never spun anything before with such elasticity. It was the most amazing spinning experience. The fiber has a well-defined crimp which made it not only fun but quite easy to spin. My sample was flicked open locks. With such a fine fiber, caution need be taken with processing as it would be so easy to spoil with neps by improper carding.
The resulting yarn was incredibly sproingy and would be perfect for anything requiring wickedly insane elasticity in addition to unbelievable softness.

More than any other, the super soft Cormo fleece/yarn sample garnered the most attention on our display at the recent Sheep to Shawl competition.

My princess skin rating is 4 ½ stars

Monday, 3 September 2012

Corriedale


Corriedale

Staple 7.5-12.5cm

Micron: 24-33

About the Corriedale Sheep: Corries are accredited to New Zealander, James Little in 1874 where he bred Merinos with Lincolns. By 1890, these crossbreeds became known as Corriedales.  They adapt to a wide range of climatic conditions from the heat of the equator to the peaks of the Andes. Should you come across a Falkland fleece, good chance it is a Corriedale. Same as for fiber sold as Punta. Punta is not actually a specific breed but the name given to sheep that pass through the port of Punta Arenas, Chile. With such a broad micron range, one Corriedale can feel very, very different from another.  Corriedales are thought to be perhaps the second most numerous breed of sheep in the world exceeding 100,000,000!

 

My spinning experience: Great, great, just great. Tell them it’s great. That’s how you do it” my Husband offers in response to my wanting to write before we head on out to the hardware store. You know, I think he is right. Whilst I’d like to think he has been learning something as he continues to not only keep the Master List updated but to keep the laminated cards for the skeins all organized as well. One thing to keep in mind when selecting Corriedale to spin is that it can come in wildly varying micron count leaving you unrestrainedly excited to possibly indifferent. My sample was….just great! Look at that crimp.

My Princess skin rating is 3 ½ stars