Romney Wool

Article by Leslie Shelor

Romney Sheep (and some Shetland) at Thistle Cove Farm, Tazewell, Virginia

The Romney is a breed of sheep that originated in England, in the marshes of Kent.  Crossed with English Leicester and other breeds to develop the Romney that is known today, the breed is hardy and resistant to problems that many other sheep have in damp areas.  The Romney was exported to New Zealand by 1853 where it thrived, and currently Romneys are found in many countries, including the United States, throughout the world.  Popular as a meat producing breed as well as for the heavy fleece it produces, the Romney is an excellent and well-known dual purpose sheep.

Romney Raw Fleece "Buster Brown"

A Romney ewe can produce a fleece that weighs up to twelve pounds.  I often recommend Romney wool to new spinners because of the length of the staple and of the uniform crimp in the lock structure.  These qualities, along with the defined nature of the locks, make for easy spinning.  Romney wool is generally lustrous and makes a beautiful yarn.  Although Romney is considered to be a long wool breed, the fiber diameter is fine and usually makes for a soft yarn as well.  The grease content is low, meaning that the finished weight of the fleece will be 65% to 80% after washing, unlike the high grease breeds.

Natural colored fleeces, which can be silver, brown, black or even variegated, are very popular with handspinners, although "black" sheep were once discouraged for commercial purposes.  Romney wool is excellent for sweaters and outerwear.  Sturdy fleeces are also used to make carpets.  White fleeces have a beautiful shine to the fiber and also dye very well.  Romney wool can be spun from the lock, or carded.  Often you'll even find a fleece that is so clean you can spin it "in the grease" without washing. 

Thistle Cove Farm in Tazewell, Virginia, produces most of the beautiful Romney fleeces we sell here at Greenberry House.  Sandra's sheep thrive on the beautiful cove farm where they live long and happy lives as wool producers.  Many of the sheep in the Thistle Cove flock have grown old in the lush fields of Tazewell County, but they still produce wonderful fleece for spinning.  Yarns from Sandra's flock are also available at Greenberry House, both millspun and handspun.