What is Herdwick wool?
Herdwicks are a dual-purpose breed, producing strongly flavoured lamb and mutton and a coarse, grey wool. They are extremely hardy and are managed in the traditional way on the Lake District fells that have been their home for generations.
Do Herdwick sheep need shearing?
There are between one and two kilograms of wool at a shearing per fleece. That is approximately the amount of wool that covers one square metre of standard WOCC carpet. Farmers need to shear their sheep for health reasons. 95% of Herdwicks live within 14 miles of Coniston, Cumbria.
Where did Herdwick come from?
Where do Herdwick sheep come from? Herdwick sheep have been in and around the Lake District for centuries. Their ancestors go back to the first known domestication of sheep—about 10,000 years ago—when sheep from Southwest Asia migrated to Europe.
What colour are Herdwick sheep?
black
Herdwick lambs are born black and as they grow, their fleece lightens to a dark brown. After the young, dark brown sheep have been sheared, they turn a steel grey colour, which continues to lighten with age.
Is Herdwick lamb good?
However, Herdwicks’ mixed diet and long natural lifestyle produces a meat so rich and tender that it has become a national delicacy and so many believe worth paying extra for. Although the cuts are smaller than cross bred lambs, the meat has superb depth of flavour and is high in beneficial Omega 3 fat.
Are Herdwick sheep self shedding?
Wool is worth very little these days, and one avenue that might be worth exploring, I suggested, was to cross the modern Easycare breed that does not need shearing (because it sheds its fleece by itself every year) with the Herdwick, the iconic Lake District sheep, and the Soay, probably the toughest sheep breeds we …
What do Herdwick sheep look like?
Herdwick lambs are born black and, after a year, they lighten to a dark brown colour (the sheep are called hoggs or hoggets at this stage). After the first shearing, their fleece lightens further to grey. Rams are horned and ewes polled.
What colour are Herdwick lambs?
What do Herdwick lambs look like?
What is Herdwick?
The Herdwick sheep who roam the Lake District fells are the inspiration for our exclusive range of bags, accessories, cushions & caps. Utilising the natural shades of their fleece we weave pure Herdwick wool worsted tweed. Designed, hand cut & sewn our products are a reflection of the farming heritage of Cumbria.
Where are the best pictures of Herdwick sheep?
The most fabulous images of Herdwick sheep in their home in the Lak e District. Ian Lawson worked with members of the HSBA over 5 years to capture his fabulous images which truly capture the work of Fell Farmers and the progression of their life working with the sheep through the seasons.
What is Middlesmoor Herdwick yarn?
The Middlesmoor Herdwick flock was started 25 years and the sheep wool and yarn available is only produced from this single unique flock of highly professional and chirpy Herdwicks. For worsted spinning, Suri Alpaca helped to provide a blend of 70% Herdwick/30% Alpaca.
Where can I buy Diamond herringbone wool?
These and other herdwick wool products can also be bought at Priests Mill, Caldbeck through the Wool Clip Cooperative. Diamond Herringbone it has a wool spun warp and worsted weft to give it a better handle and is apparell weight