Region: Isle of Man
Medium/full bodied ginger/brown wool
Average Fleece Weight: 1 KG washed and dried weight
Average Staple Length: 2-4 Inches
Micron Range: 30 - 31
Recommended craft areas - Spinning, blending, ginger/brown shading
Unique features: Definitely the colouring with it’s fuller density is what makes this wool unique. There is only one other breed with this similar colour and texture so it’s definitely in the mix offering very unique properties. The shorter staple it great for needle felting smaller pieces or pieces which need fluffy texture rather than long flat strands. It is fabulous to spin and easy to work because the hook structure on it is great so it is easy to draft. This wool is not good for peg loom work unless it is blended with longer staple fibre and what beautiful sandy shades it produces when it is. Manx wool is lovely and soft especially hoggs wool which we try and source to give this breed the best chance at being a great spinning wool.
The descendants of this breed date back to the 11th century, believed to have grazed Snaefell mountain and the hills of the Isle of man. They are a small bodied breed who have excellent mothering instincts. Once we break down their name it is easy to work out their origins and colourings! Manx - this is a gaelic language which is spoken on the Isle of Man & Loaghtan is gaelic for ‘mouse brown’. So similar to the Herdwicks, the pure bred lambs are often born all black and as they grow they change colours to brown. Once fully mature they have a lovely blend of colours throughout their fleeces.
The Manx is also known for its tremendous horns! Most often they have 4 horns, but it isn’t uncommon to have 6 too! Historically, these horns will have been used for protection against predators. The fleece has amazing colours which really come through after spinning the fleece. It is soft and silky to the touch, so would be considered wearable. It is also good for needle felting and also blended into peg loom rugs to add a natural colour!
This breed has recently been put into the urgent category on the RBST list. It is more than important to support this rare breed.
Region: Isle of Man
Medium/full bodied ginger/brown wool
Average Fleece Weight: 1 KG washed and dried weight
Average Staple Length: 2-4 Inches
Micron Range: 30 - 31
Recommended craft areas - Spinning, blending, ginger/brown shading
Unique features: Definitely the colouring with it’s fuller density is what makes this wool unique. There is only one other breed with this similar colour and texture so it’s definitely in the mix offering very unique properties. The shorter staple it great for needle felting smaller pieces or pieces which need fluffy texture rather than long flat strands. It is fabulous to spin and easy to work because the hook structure on it is great so it is easy to draft. This wool is not good for peg loom work unless it is blended with longer staple fibre and what beautiful sandy shades it produces when it is. Manx wool is lovely and soft especially hoggs wool which we try and source to give this breed the best chance at being a great spinning wool.
The descendants of this breed date back to the 11th century, believed to have grazed Snaefell mountain and the hills of the Isle of man. They are a small bodied breed who have excellent mothering instincts. Once we break down their name it is easy to work out their origins and colourings! Manx - this is a gaelic language which is spoken on the Isle of Man & Loaghtan is gaelic for ‘mouse brown’. So similar to the Herdwicks, the pure bred lambs are often born all black and as they grow they change colours to brown. Once fully mature they have a lovely blend of colours throughout their fleeces.
The Manx is also known for its tremendous horns! Most often they have 4 horns, but it isn’t uncommon to have 6 too! Historically, these horns will have been used for protection against predators. The fleece has amazing colours which really come through after spinning the fleece. It is soft and silky to the touch, so would be considered wearable. It is also good for needle felting and also blended into peg loom rugs to add a natural colour!
This breed has recently been put into the urgent category on the RBST list. It is more than important to support this rare breed.
