FINNSHEEP Raw Fleece, Jaana 2021, 2 pounds 7.8 ounces, white, free shipping

This is Jaana’s 2021 Raw Fleece. Jaana is a purebred white finnsheep that was coated/ jacketed most of the year. Her fleece is very low on VM (vegetable matter- hay, straw, grass from the pasture). I have been serious and a little ruthless about skirting and removing all wool that has VM in it so you are only getting nice wool with Point of View farm fleeces (more on that later). I hand pick over every fleece at least twice (once at shearing and then at a later date when I can spend up to an hour preparing them for sale or show). It weighs 2 pounds 7.8 ounces.

Raw fleece means it has not been washed yet so it will smell like a sheep and need washing either before or after spinning. The fleece was carefully and professionally shorn off Jaana in a single piece New Zealand style by a shearer who takes pride in his work (and knows what he is doing). This shearer has shorn award winning fleeces at Rhinebeck and Maryland Fleece show and sales for many years for our farm and others.

This fleece is a full years growth of wool from Jaana. Because I have been ruthless in skirting I removed the entire spine area from this fleece (top of back) where Jaana had a bit more hay and dirt than I like for my handspinning fleeces. That is the ruthless skirting part…told you I was serious. In any case that means that her fleece , is you unrolled it, will be in a ‘U’ shape. I probably removed over 1/2 her fleece weight in skirting this year. I probably should have coated her sooner in the year (note to self, do that in 2021) If you want a fleece to felt in one big sheepskin rug shape, this is not the one. It is however, perfect for spinning, carding, combing or felting that is low on VM, you are gonna love hers. It full of luster (shine) and has perfect length to create all kinds of tarn types. I kept touching and poofing it during the photos as it was just so soft and silky feeling. I just love her wool…so soft and springy, like a cloud.

Finnsheep fleece takes dye like a dream and will also blend beautifully with other wools where you want to add luster and drape. In 2019, Jaana’s fleece was chosen as one to be used in a local sheep to shawl competition at the New York State Sheep and Wool Festival in Rhinebeck. That was the year Finnsheep were the featured breed. What an honor for Jaana who has been mother and great grandmother to several ewes on our flock including Pearl and Prism (also both white like she is).