Romney
Sheep were introduced to the Romney Marsh of southeast England by early settlers and over centuries they acclimated to the region. In the mid-1800’s these sheep were cross-breed with the Leicester resulting in what we now know as the Romney sheep breed, a breed rather tolerant of humid climates.
As a longwool, the fleece from Romney is rather versatile. The fibers range anywhere from coarse to fine (finer than most other longwools). The fleece is dense with well-defined crimp and the staple length is anywhere from 3 1/2 – 8 inches.
Spinners enjoy this fleece due to the versatility of preparations and spins it offers, and knitters enjoy it for the wide range of applications. Felter’s might have a more difficult time since the versatility means that felting qualities will change from fleece to fleece (but it will felt)!
