Suffolk
The Suffolk sheep breed is the most widely produced breed of sheep in the U.S. With it’s black face and legs and white coat it is an iconic breed. Primarily bred for meat its wool is also a pleasure to work with and is often mixed with other fibers to give ‘bounce’.Â
The Suffolk sheep fiber is considered to be a down type wool which is springy and is naturally superwashed (resists felting). As such it is great for everyday wear such as socks and applications that require loft such as pillow stuffing and quilt batting. Prime sections with longer staple are great for spinning and blending to add body to a yarn. Â
Suffolk fiber is vastly under-appreciated and is often discarded as a byproduct.Â
Staple length ~2 – 3.5 inches/year & 25 – 33 microns
LocalFiber Members to source Suffolk wool from:
History and fiber characteristics of the Suffolk Breed
The Suffolk breed, an original English breed, was the result of crossing Southdown rams on Norfolk Horned ewes. The product of this cross was determined to be a great improvement over either one of the parents. Although the Suffolk was a recognized breed as early as 1810, the flock
book was not closed until much later.
In 1930, Southdowns were described as large sheep without horns, dark faces and legs, fine bones and long small necks. They were gray to mouse brown on the face and legs. They were low set in front with high shoulders and light forequarters; however, their sides were good, rather broad in the loin and were full in the thigh and twist. Today’s Suffolk derives its meatiness and quality wool from the old original British Southdown.
Fleece weights from mature ewes are between five and eight pounds(2.25-3.6 kg) with a yield of 50 to 62 percent. The fleeces are considered medium wool type with a fiber diameter of 25.5 to 33.0 microns and a spinning count of 48 to 58. The staple length of Suffolk Fleece ranges from 2
to 3.5 inches (5-6.75 cm). Suffolk wool is considered down type wool (1)
Down type wools have a shorter staple length and medium diameter. They are characterized by a well developed spiral crimp, giving exceptional resilience and elasticity. Medium diameter fibers with a medium to long staple length. They are the most versatile of all the wool types.
The robust crimp is what gives this wool it’s unique abilities: fibers have crimp in several directions including spiral which make them so springy they resist felting or compaction. Looking at a lock, you can’t see an organized crimp pattern, fibers are going all over the place. The appearance is matte or low luster. Micron count is 24-34 (somewhat close to diameter
of Fine wools).
Down type wool has unique properties of resilience, elasticity, washability (non-felting) and insulation that are fabulous for many end uses, especially socks, everyday wear, bedding such as pillow stuffing and comforter batting (2). There is great variation from sheep to sheep, with some
Suffolks having a soft crimpy staple to others with a brillo pad type of staple (3).
Information sourced from:
1. United Suffolk Sheep Association (USSA)
2. Solitude Wool
3. Personal Experience of Noreen Atkins of Ginlip Farm
Are you a New York State animal fiber producer and want to be listed on the