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Each fleece has been grown and prepared with the hand crafter in mind. It has been carefully skirted and is guaranteed to meet the Fleecewood Quality Standard.
This means that you can expect each fleece to be:
Fairly described and the sample to be representative.
Free of short and cotted fibers.
Free of vegetable matter and other contaminants.*
Free of weakness or breaks.*
The description includes the nett weight of the fleece when it was skirted. Because wool weight varies with humidity there may be a small variation in weight when you receive it.
Fleeces are usually available in a variety of natural colours ranging from white to black, including a full range of greys and some browns. All fleeces are uncovered and will exhibit some degree of colour change along the staple.
Each fleece is unique and is priced individually. It is expected that most customers will want to see and feel a sample before ordering. Samples and general pricing information are available free upon request from sales@woolcraft.co.nz.
Each fleece is packed in a plastic bag for posting. Please be sure to open the bag up as soon as you receive it, so the wool can 'breathe', or transfer the fleece to alternative storage containers.
Fleecewood Leicetser - represent the culmination of my breeding programme, producing fleeces 125 - 150mm (5 - 6 inches) long, that are highly lustrous, have a wavy crimp, and a silky smooth handle. Excellent for jumpers(sweaters), hats, scarves, gloves, and socks.
English Leicester - are the result of early English sheep breeding, and are now considered a rare breed. Produce open, coarser fleeces 150 - 200mm (6 - 8 inches) long, with a high lustre and wavy crimp. Can have somewhat harsh handle, but others are softer. Excellent for outer garments, hard wearing socks, rugs, wall hangings and tapestry.
New Zealand Halfbred - are a Merino-longwool cross. Produces a fine, soft, low lustre wool, with a fine even crimp. Staples are 75 - 100mm (3 - 4 inches) long. Excellent for fine, soft, next to skin garments, but not so hard wearing.
Fine Crossbred - produces soft, low lustre fleeces which exhibit characteristics closer to the Halfbred end of their genetics. Recommended for jumpers (sweaters), hats, and scarves. Suitable for next to skin wear in most people.
Medium and Coarse Crossbred - comprise English Leicester cross, Romney and Romney cross. Produces medium to coarse open fleeces, with low to medium lustre, that are 100 - 150mm (4 - 6 inches) long. Some fleeces in this category are sold on behalf of a local breeder, but are guaranteed to meet the Fleecewood Quality Standard.
Perendale- are the result of NZ sheep breeding, and produce a fine crossbred fleece, 100 - 125mm (4 - 5 inches) long with good crimp. Excllent fleeces for beginner spinners and recommended for jumpers (sweaters), hats, scarves and gloves. The Perendale fleeces are sold on behalf of a local breeder and are guaranteed to meet the Fleecewood Quality Standard.