Ryeland Sheep

Ryeland Sheep were developed by Monks of Leominster, near Hereford, during the 12th century, and were so named after the Ryegrass pastures that they grazed on.  This is another one of the oldest breeds in Britain and used to be one of the finest fleeced, rivalling that of the Spanish Merinos at that time.  It is thought by some historians that Ryelands and Merinos are descendants of the same ancestral breed of sheep, with them having arrived in Britain with the Romans. By the late 18th century Ryelands had been "improved" for meat quality by being crossed with other breeds but this meant that they lost some of the quality from their fleeces.

The Ryeland sheep, at the time of writing, is in the Rare Breeds Survival Trust category 6: "Other UK Native Breeds (over 3000) registered breeding ewes.  They are found throughout the UK but also in Australia and New Zealand.  The Australian bloodline is much like that of the UK in terms of the fleece quality whilst that of New Zealand produce heavier, coarser fleece.  Those in the UK are the only ones that have the gene for coloured fleece and they can be found in White, black or shades of grey and also in browns.  I've spun coloured Ryeland back in my early days of spinning.

The Ryeland is a relative small build sheep with mature ewes weighing around about 64kg and rams around about 87kg.  They are compact, robust and adaptable with wool on their faces and legs. Both sexes are naturally polled (don't grow horns).

They produce a medium size fleece of 2-3kg that is dense, soft and springy.  The staple length is 2-5 inches (5-12.5cm) with an average micron count of 25-28.  The locks are dense, blocky and may have very short pointed tips

This fleece can be spun from picked and teased locks.  Carding will make the most of the the lightness, loft and elasticity with woollen-spun yarns being fluffy and cuddly and will make items that you just want to snuggle into and never put down.  Longer fleece can be combed and the worsted-style spinning will produce a lightweight yarn with smooth surface, that is more compact and durable.  

Yarns spun from Ryeland fleece are definitely suited nest-to-skin garments, unless you have a New Zealand fleece.

I have bought this breed in as 215g of unwashed Ryeland fleece which has washed up lovely and white and is very soft.

After it was washed and dried it weighed 150g and after it was combed I was left with 98g of beautifully soft hand combed nests.

My finished yarn is of good quality and soft and bouncy to the touch of the hand.  I have 92g/223m of sport weight squishy-ness.  My knitted piece for the project took 13g/32m so I have some left to do whatever with.