http://shop.sugarridgeranch.com/Fleece_c5.htm wool yarn & raw honey - Sugar Ridge Ranch - Fleece Tue, 14 May 2013 19:57:16 GMT Tue, 14 May 2013 19:57:16 GMT 60 Fleece Fleece 2013-05-14T19:57:16Z http://shop.sugarridgeranch.com/Raw-Shropshire-Fleece-Well-Skirted-per-lb-Raw-fleece-per-pound.htm?categoryId=5 <div class="qsc-html-content"> <p>Raw 100% Shropshire Wool Fleece. This fleece is "raw," unprocessed and unwashed / grease fleece. Expect 20-35% weight loss upon washing. This is wool, right off the sheep in the most natural form, hand sheared by us. It is priced by the pound at...</p> </div><br/><br/><br/><br/><a href= "http://shop.sugarridgeranch.com/Raw-Shropshire-Fleece-Well-Skirted-per-lb-Raw-fleece-per-pound.htm?categoryId=5"><img src="https://shop.sugarridgeranch.com/images/1335644503704-783541028.jpeg"/></a>   <br/><br/><b>Price:</b><b> $14.00</b><br/><br/><a href="http://shop.sugarridgeranch.com/Raw-Shropshire-Fleece-Well-Skirted-per-lb-Raw-fleece-per-pound.htm?categoryId=5">Purchase Now</a> http://shop.sugarridgeranch.com/Raw-Shropshire-Fleece-Well-Skirted-per-lb-Raw-fleece-per-pound.htm?categoryId=5 14.00 $14.00 1 https://shop.sugarridgeranch.com/images/1335644503704-783541028.jpeg 175 127 https://shop.sugarridgeranch.com/images/imagesCAZUO0JP.jpg 263 191 <div class="qsc-html-content"> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size: small; text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Raw 100% Shropshire Wool Fleece.</strong></span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">This fleece is "raw," unprocessed and unwashed grease fleece. Expect 20-35% weight loss upon washing. This is wool, right off the sheep in the most natural form, hand sheared by us. It is priced by the pound at $14 / lb. All our raw fleeces are heavily skirted, however, there may be <em>minimal</em> amounts of vegetable matter present. This will fall out once the fleece is combed/carded. The average staple length of our fleece is 3-4 inches.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">Raw Fleeces will ship separtely, in their own box.  We do this to protect the quality & integrity of other items that you may be ordering.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;"><img style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; display: block;" alt="" src="media/7a2830c9aed34ea39cca745e7f41ca29.jpg" /></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="wooleryDefault"><span class="wooleryDefault">A little More about Shropshire Sheep & Wool...</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="wooleryDefault"><span class="wooleryDefault"><span style="font-size: small;">Typically considered a meat breed today, the shropshire sheep breed is indeed a dual purpose sheep.  It was once prized for it's lovely fiber, especially suited for wool yarn, but as wool prices dropped throughout the ages, people seemed to disregard this lovely asset. Such a shame!  Shropshire wool is simply a delight to with which to work and possess some very unique characteristics that make it a great fiber. We hope that you will agree. </span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">Excerpt from Wikipedia-</span><br /><span style="font-size: small;">"By the 1930s the Shropshire had been dubbed in the USA as "the farm flock favorite". But in the 1940s US breeders began producing Shropshires with more wool cover and decreased size. This led to the breed having increased wool cover around the eyes, and thus needing to be trimmed around the eyes for better sight. This hindrance and overall loss of size led to the numbers of the breed decreasing among American farmers. They were no longer the most popular breed of sheep, and became increasingly rare around the world, even in its homeland.</span><br /> <br /><span style="font-size: small;">In the 1950s, some progressive Shropshire breeders began going back to the original traits that made the breed so popular. They imported some select open faced Shropshire rams from England with larger size, which helped once again to produce a breed of sheep with medium size and good wool and meat production. The Shropshire became an increasing popular breed among farmers with their ability to adapt to varying environments.</span><br /> <br /><span style="font-size: small;">Despite its popularity in the early 1900s, today the traditional Shropshire sheep is considered a rare breed. However the modern Shropshire is rising in popularity as a show sheep, especially in the mid-west. Its gentle nature and medium size makes it very popular with 4H exhibitors. The mature weights for modern Shropshire rams are between 225 and 250 pounds and between 150 and 180 pounds for the females."</span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="wooleryDefault"><span class="wooleryDefault"><span style="font-size: small;">Read on to learn all about the wool...</span><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size: small;">Wool Classification: Down</span><br /><span style="font-size: small;">Staple Length: 2-4 inches</span><br /><span style="font-size: small;">Fleece Weight per Animal: 4-6 lbs</span><br /><span style="font-size: small;">Yield Grade Average: 70%</span><br /><span style="font-size: small;">Handle: Soft, Springy, resilient, great memory, loft & bulk</span><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size: small;">Grade</span><br /><span style="font-size: small;">Old Blood Grade: 3/8 Blood</span><br /><span style="font-size: small;">Numerical Count 60's to 54's</span><br /><span style="font-size: small;">Micron 24-32.5</span><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size: small;"><strong>Shropshire wool is a down type fiber.  What exactly is a "down fiber"?<br /><br /></strong><em>Shropshires originated from the English Down country, meaning low lying areas as opposed to the hill country.  Down fiber has a spiral crimp, unique to down breeds of sheep. This spiral crimp gives shropshire wool many of it's wonderful qualities.  The elasticity, spring & loft is unlike other types of wool.  The fiber also has great memory, meaning it does not crease or fold easily and gives beautiful stitch definition.  The wool has a soft handle with little luster, appearing more "matte" than some types of wool.<br /><br /><br /><br /></em><strong>Can Shropshire fiber be felted?<br /></strong></span><br /><em><span style="font-size: small;">Shropshire wool can be <strong>needle felted</strong>. In fact, it is excellent for felting dense, tight cores with little to no halo.</span><br /><br /><br /><br /></em><span style="font-size: small;"><strong>What about wet felting?<br /><br /></strong><em>Shropshire wool is highly resistant to wet felting.  Being a down type fiber, it is naturally comparable to "super washed" wool.  In fact, some people claim they have washed & dried shropshire wool items in the washer & dryer & had little to no felting or shrinkage!  I haven't tried this myself, so I can't recommend this.<br /><br /><br /><br /></em><strong>Why is the fiber "felt resistant?"<br /></strong></span><br /><span style="font-size: small;"><em>All hairs or fibers of animals are covered in tiny microscopic scales...picture a fish covered in scales.  When wool is felted the process of dunking in hot water causes the scales to open; like little umbrellas.  The swishing motion then causes all the little scales to stick together.  The more & more the fiber & water are agitated, the more it sticks together, until...you have felt!  The scales on the fiber of shropshires are very few & spaced widely apart.  It is the closeness and the number of scales that determines the feltablity of the fiber.  Thus, shropshire fiber is naturally felt resistant.<br /><br /><br /><br /></em><strong>What about Spinning / Yarn?<br /><br /></strong></span><em><span style="font-size: small;">Shropshire sheep fiber is best spun into a medium to thin yarn. It has a soft, bouncy, unique handle with a spiral crimp.  It blends very nicely with long wool fiber to add even more resilience and some sheen to the yarn's appearance.  Pure shropshire wool yarn makes spectacular knitted and crocheted items. It is soft enough to be worn next to the skin, yet durable enough for sweaters or blankets as well.  The spectacular "felt resistance" nature of the shropshire wool yarn makes it especially great for socks, hats, mittens, scarfs and outerwear that may need more frequent washing. Although it is highly felt resistant, it is still recommended to wash items made of wool yarn in cold water by hand & lay flat to dry.</span><br /><br /><br /><br /></em><span style="font-size: small;"><strong>Can I dye my Shropshire fleece / Roving / Wool Yarn?<br /></strong></span><br /><span style="font-size: small;"><em>Yes! Shropshire fiber & Wool Yarn dye very well with great steadfastness. Metallic or organic dyes will adhere well to the fiber.  There is very little, if any kemp in shropshire yarns or rovings.  Hand dyed yarn or items make beautiful, one of kind work.  Let your artistic touch go wild!<br /><br /><br /><br /></em><strong>Please enjoy browsing through our Country Store, we offer only 100% Shropshire Wool & Woolen Products produced from our flock in southwest Wisconsin.  All Natural Honey & Hive Products are also available. <br />                                                            Thank you for visiting!</strong></span></span></span></span></p> <p style="text-align: center;"> </p> <p><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="wooleryDefault"><span class="wooleryDefault"><span style="font-size: small;"><strong><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="wooleryDefault"><span class="wooleryDefault"><span style="font-size: small;"><strong><img class="pv-img_over" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; display: block;" alt="" height="184" src="http://app5.websitetonight.com/projects/1/3/7/9/1379975/images/albums/NewAlbum_cf6e2/tn_480_7937b72e56edc90f035470e793f30f35.JPG.png" width="270" /></strong></span></span></span></span></strong></span></span></span></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p><span class="wooleryDefault" style="font-size: small;"><span class="wooleryDefault">To learn more about Sugar Ridge Ranch's Shropshire Sheep & Shropshire Wool Products, please visit</span></span></p> <p><span class="wooleryDefault" style="font-size: small;"><span class="wooleryDefault"><a href="http://jondstephenson.com/All_About_Shropshires.html">http://jondstephenson.com/All_About_Shropshires.html</a></span></span></p> <p> </p> <p style="text-align: center;"> </p> <p> </p> </div> http://shop.sugarridgeranch.com/Well-Skirted-WashedShropshire-Fleece-per-4-oz-Skirted-Washed-Fleece-4-oz.htm?categoryId=5 <div class="qsc-html-content"> <p>Well Skited & Washed Shropshire Fleece This fleece has been washed twice & is ready for your next project. (It will contain small amounts of vegetable matter that will fall out with carding.) The average staple lenght of our wool is...</p> </div><br/><br/><br/><br/><a href= "http://shop.sugarridgeranch.com/Well-Skirted-WashedShropshire-Fleece-per-4-oz-Skirted-Washed-Fleece-4-oz.htm?categoryId=5"><img src="https://shop.sugarridgeranch.com/images/1342735769795-1699347403.jpeg"/></a>   <br/><br/><b>Price:</b><b> $5.99</b><br/><br/><a href="http://shop.sugarridgeranch.com/Well-Skirted-WashedShropshire-Fleece-per-4-oz-Skirted-Washed-Fleece-4-oz.htm?categoryId=5">Purchase Now</a> http://shop.sugarridgeranch.com/Well-Skirted-WashedShropshire-Fleece-per-4-oz-Skirted-Washed-Fleece-4-oz.htm?categoryId=5 5.99 $5.99 2 https://shop.sugarridgeranch.com/images/1342735769795-1699347403.jpeg 175 117 https://shop.sugarridgeranch.com/images/13427357700381927220334.jpeg 330 220 <div class="qsc-html-content"> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size: small; text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Well Skited & Washed Shropshire Fleece</strong></span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size: small; text-decoration: underline;"><strong><img alt="" src="media/imagesCARFFXFT.jpg" /></strong></span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">This fleece has been washed twice & is ready for your next project.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">(It will contain small amounts of vegetable matter that will fall out with carding.)</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">The average staple lenght of our wool is approximately 3 inches.</span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">100% Pure Shropshire Fiber. Price is $5.99 per 4 oz.</span></p> <p style="text-align: center;"> <strong><span style="text-decoration: underline; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #ff0000; text-decoration: underline;">Sorry ! We are currently Sold Out of Raw, Washed Fiber for 2012. </span></span></strong></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #ff0000; text-decoration: underline;"> Our wool clip for 2013 is currently being processed.</span></span></strong></p> <p><span class="wooleryDefault" style="color: #000080; font-size: small;"><span class="wooleryDefault"><strong><span style="font-size: large;"><em><span style="font-size: small;">If you would like to be updated when our 2013 wool clip is available for purchase, feel free to send us your e-mail address & we will send you a notification.  Thank you!</span></em></span></strong></span></span></p> <p><span class="wooleryDefault" style="color: #000080; font-size: small;"><span class="wooleryDefault"><strong><span style="font-size: large;"><em><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="mailto:[email protected]">[email protected]</a> </span></em></span></strong></span></span></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong></strong> </p> <p><span style="font-size: small; text-decoration: underline;">A little More about Shropshire Sheep & Wool....</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">Typically considered a meat breed today, the shropshire sheep breed is indeed a dual purpose sheep.  It was once prized for it's lovely fiber, especially suited for wool yarn, but as wool prices dropped throughout the ages, people seemed to disregard this lovely asset. Such a shame!  Shropshire wool is simply a delight to with which to work and possess some very unique characteristics that make it a great fiber. We hope that you will agree. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">Excerpt from Wikipedia-</span><br /><span style="font-size: small;">"By the 1930s the Shropshire had been dubbed in the USA as "the farm flock favorite". But in the 1940s US breeders began producing Shropshires with more wool cover and decreased size. This led to the breed having increased wool cover around the eyes, and thus needing to be trimmed around the eyes for better sight. This hindrance and overall loss of size led to the numbers of the breed decreasing among American farmers. They were no longer the most popular breed of sheep, and became increasingly rare around the world, even in its homeland.</span><br /> <br /><span style="font-size: small;">In the 1950s, some progressive Shropshire breeders began going back to the original traits that made the breed so popular. They imported some select open faced Shropshire rams from England with larger size, which helped once again to produce a breed of sheep with medium size and good wool and meat production. The Shropshire became an increasing popular breed among farmers with their ability to adapt to varying environments.</span><br /> <br /><span style="font-size: small;">Despite its popularity in the early 1900s, today the traditional Shropshire sheep is considered a rare breed. However the modern Shropshire is rising in popularity as a show sheep, especially in the mid-west. Its gentle nature and medium size makes it very popular with 4H exhibitors. The mature weights for modern Shropshire rams are between 225 and 250 pounds and between 150 and 180 pounds for the females." </span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size: small;">Read on to learn all about the wool...<br /><br /><br /><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Wool Classification:</span> Down<br /><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Staple Length:</span> 2-4 inches<br /><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Fleece Weight per Animal</span>: 4-6 lbs<br /><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Yield Grade Average</span>: 70%<br /><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Handle</span>: Soft, Springy, resilient, great memory, loft & bulk<br /><br /><br /><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Grade<br /></span>Old Blood Grade: 3/8 Blood<br />Numerical Count 60's to 54's<br />Micron 24-32.5<br /></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: small;"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Shropshire wool is a down type fiber.  What exactly is a "down fiber"?<br /><br /></span></strong><em>Shropshires originated from the English Down country, meaning low lying areas as opposed to the hill country.  Down fiber has a spiral crimp, unique to down breeds of sheep. This spiral crimp gives shropshire wool many of it's wonderful qualities.  The elasticity, spring & loft is unlike other types of wool.  The fiber also has great memory, meaning it does not crease or fold easily and gives beautiful stitch definition.  The wool has a soft handle with little luster, appearing more "matte" than some types of wool.<br /><br /><br /><br /></em><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Can Shropshire fiber be felted?<br /></strong></span><br /><em>Shropshire wool can be <strong>needle felted</strong>. In fact, it is excellent for felting dense, tight cores with little to no halo.<br /><br /><br /><br /></em><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">What about wet felting?<br /><br /></span></strong><em>Shropshire wool is highly resistant to wet felting.  Being a down type fiber, it is naturally comparable to "super washed" wool.  In fact, some people claim they have washed & dried shropshire wool items in the washer & dryer & had little to no felting or shrinkage!  I haven't tried this myself, so I can't recommend this.<br /><br /><br /><br /></em><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Why is the fiber "felt resistant?"<br /></span></strong><br /><em>All hairs or fibers of animals are covered in tiny microscopic scales...picture a fish covered in scales.  When wool is felted the process of dunking in hot water causes the scales to open; like little umbrellas.  The swishing motion then causes all the little scales to stick together.  The more & more the fiber & water are agitated, the more it sticks together, until...you have felt!  The scales on the fiber of shropshires are very few & spaced widely apart.  It is the closeness and the number of scales that determines the feltablity of the fiber.  Thus, shropshire fiber is naturally felt resistant.<br /><br /><br /><br /></em><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">What about Spinning / Yarn?<br /><br /></span></strong><em>Shropshire sheep fiber is best spun into a medium to thin yarn. It has a soft, bouncy, unique handle with a spiral crimp.  It blends very nicely with long wool fiber to add even more resilience and some sheen to the yarn's appearance.  Pure shropshire wool yarn makes spectacular knitted and crocheted items. It is soft enough to be worn next to the skin, yet durable enough for sweaters or blankets as well.  The spectacular "felt resistance" nature of the shropshire wool yarn makes it especially great for socks, hats, mittens, scarfs and outerwear that may need more frequent washing. Although it is highly felt resistant, it is still recommended to wash items made of wool yarn in cold water by hand & lay flat to dry.<br /><br /><br /><br /></em><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Can I dye my Shropshire fleece / Roving / Wool Yarn?<br /></span></strong><br /><em>Yes! Shropshire fiber & Wool Yarn dye very well with great steadfastness. Metallic or organic dyes will adhere well to the fiber.  There is very little, if any kemp in shropshire yarns or rovings.  Hand dyed yarn or items make beautiful, one of kind work.  Let your artistic touch go wild!<br /><br /><br /><br /></em><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Please enjoy browsing through our Country Store, we offer only 100% Shropshire Wool & Woolen Products produced from our flock in southwest Wisconsin.  All Natural Honey & Hive Products are also available. <br /></span>                                                            <span style="text-decoration: underline;">Thank you for visiting!</span></strong></span></p> <p style="text-align: center;"> </p> <p><span style="font-size: small;"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><span style="font-size: small;"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><img class="pv-img_over" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; display: block;" alt="" height="180" src="http://app5.websitetonight.com/projects/1/3/7/9/1379975/images/albums/NewAlbum_cf6e2/tn_480_a1f5e1048577bb92b39ca4d4c7fc4a76.JPG.png" width="270" /></span></strong></span></span></strong></span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p><span class="wooleryDefault" style="font-size: small;"><span class="wooleryDefault">To learn more about Sugar Ridge Ranch's Shropshire Sheep & Shropshire Wool Products, please visit</span></span></p> <p><span class="wooleryDefault" style="font-size: small;"><span class="wooleryDefault"><a href="http://jondstephenson.com/All_About_Shropshires.html">http://jondstephenson.com/All_About_Shropshires.html</a></span></span></p> <p> </p> <p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><strong></strong> </span></p> </div> http://shop.sugarridgeranch.com/Gift-Packaging-Gift-Packaging.htm?categoryId=5 <div class="qsc-html-content"> <p>Would you like us to "Gift Package" your order? No Problem! We can gift package any size order, large or small. We will pack up your order in an earth friendly box, filled with recyclced spring fill. It will be topped off with a beautiful olive...</p> </div><br/><br/><br/><br/><a href= "http://shop.sugarridgeranch.com/Gift-Packaging-Gift-Packaging.htm?categoryId=5"><img src="https://shop.sugarridgeranch.com/images/1338221298907-1331038470.jpeg"/></a>   <br/><br/><b>Price:</b><b> $5.50</b><br/><br/><a href="http://shop.sugarridgeranch.com/Gift-Packaging-Gift-Packaging.htm?categoryId=5">Purchase Now</a> http://shop.sugarridgeranch.com/Gift-Packaging-Gift-Packaging.htm?categoryId=5 5.50 $5.50 23 https://shop.sugarridgeranch.com/images/1338221298907-1331038470.jpeg 175 145 https://shop.sugarridgeranch.com/images/1090.jpg 656 544 <div class="qsc-html-content"> <p><strong>Would you like us to "Gift Package" your order?  No Problem! </strong></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;">We can gift package any size order, large or small.</span>  We will pack up your order in an earth friendly box, filled with recyclced spring fill.  It will be topped off with a beautiful olive green rafia bow & will include a gift card for you to write a personal message.</p> <p>All you have to do is unpack it from the shipping box & all your items will be ready for you to give to that special someone!</p> <p><strong></strong> </p> </div>