Breed Category: Naturally coloured/ Primitive
Heritage: The Manx Loaghtan has been found
on the Isle of Man for thousands of years. They were prized by spinners and
used in weaving tweeds of different colours. Manx sheep have between 4 and 6
horns, and have a brown/tan naturally coloured fleece. They are good breeders,
with no fleece on their face or legs. Manx Loaghtan’s are a small and hardy
breed, they have acclimatised to the Islands harsh weather conditions. In the
1950’s they neared extinction, and although still on the Rare Breeds database,
they are now growing in numbers, due to hobby farmers, smallholdings and
farmers dedicated to preserving the historic Manx Loaghtan breed.
Uses: The Manx Loaghtan sheep produce
good quality, lean meat, as well as a lovely deep tan/brown coloured fleece,
popular with weavers and hand spinners for the colour variance. The fleece is
very soft and silky, and produces soft yarns for knitwear.
Breed Society website: http://www.manxloaghtansheep.org
Handle (How the fibres feel
ranging from harsh to very soft, this can alter what you would use the fibres
for): Very soft
and silky
Micron Count (How fine the
fibres are, the finer the fibre the lower the count number, this can alter the
fineness a fabric can achieve): 30-31.5
Staple Length (How long the
fibres are on average, this can affect what spinning process can be used –
woollen (shorter) and worsted (longer)): 6-12cm
Fleece Weight (How much, on average,
a fleece weighs, this can affect decisions regarding quantities available as
demand dictates price): 1.5-2kg
(Breed characteristic data sourced from BWMB 2010)
THE KNITTING
Yarn types: I have sampled in 3ply (DK weight), this yarn is woollen spun in Yorkshire using 100% British Manx Loaghtan fleece.
Knitted Samples: I have found this yarn to be quite airy in texture/handle, it knits up really nicely - and doesn't feel too bulky or dense, i've not had time to knit up a big sample garment yet (next on the to-do list!) however from the samples I have swatched so far I think it will create a lovely warm jumper without being too heavy or bulky for the wearer - I can't wait to begin a big knit (more pictures will follow!)
...This is the 3ply DK weight yarn in a hank...
...2x2 rib on 4.5mm needles...
...initial straight stitch swatch, 20 stitches x 20 rows on 4.5mm needles...
...Moss stitch on 4.5mm needles...
Posted by Zoe Fletcher.
Currently undertaking a PhD at Manchester Metropolitan University within the MIRIAD post-graduate department, I am beginning a practice based academic journey into British wool fibres and new technologies within knitwear design.
Graduating with Distinction from a Masters in Fashion and the Environment at London College of Fashion, specialising in hand-knitting and the British Wool Industry,
I have worked on a number of knitwear collections (personal and external companies), whilst freelancing and researching for a number of exciting projects.
My work revolves around the idea of sustainable fashion from a knitted perspective and the different ways to achieve this incorporating the ideas of slow fashion into mainstream society.
I love knitting.
And wool.
And double sided sticky tape.
