[Jacob-list] Locker hook rugs

[Betty Berlenbach]

Just one thought, Robin: the opposite of soft is not coarse.  Coarse wool or 
fine wool can be soft or scratchy rough.  The micron count does not, at 
least in my experience, indicate degree of softness.  That's another 
characteristic entirely, having to do with the nature of the fiber, not the 
thickness.
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Robin Lynde" <rlynde at onramp113.org>
To: "jacob-list" <jacob-list at jacobsheep.com>
Sent: Sunday, December 23, 2007 1:22 AM
Subject: Re: [Jacob-list] Locker hook rugs



> Some of the ewes have (look

>> like they have) 'hair' and others do not.  I was told by my wool buddies

>> that some breeds like Icelandics, Navaho Churros, and Jacobs (yes, they

>> said Jacobs) have guard hairs, duel coats.  I don't see a duel coat 

>> though.

>> I do have some ewes that I thought had long, coarse, hair-like wool so I

>> started calling it guard hairs.

>

> Jacob sheep do not have double coats. They have a very broad range of 

> acceptable fleece types, from approximately 25 to 35 microns. (I may have 

> that a micron or two off--it's just easier for me to remember 25-35). 

> Anyway, it's enough of a range that one sheep may have quite different 

> wool than another. Wool that is 25 microns will feel soft and wool that is 

> 35 microns will be coarser. The coarser wools tend to be longer, wavy, and 

> more "hair" like. In addition, Jacob sheep have britch wool. Britch 

> usually refers to the coarser wool on the hind leg, but in some sheep it 

> extends well up the hind leg. You're right that these coarser wools are 

> more desirable for rugs. The finer wools are a better choice for sweaters, 

> etc. If you want to tale advantage of the characteristics of the finer, 

> softer fleeces, it is important to sort out the britch wool and use if for 

> something else.

>

> Robin Lynde

> Meridian Jacobs

> Vacaville, CA

> www.meridianjacobs.com

>

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