Delaney has been studying a 4-H, Sheep Resource Book for Market and Breeding Projects.
I noticed that they had a section on wool. I love reading about wool, so I browsed through the information they offered. It list all of the many reasons why we should love wool
- elasticity
- holds shape and will regain shape even after stretching
- resist wrinkling and sagging
- is absorbent
- great insulator.
-nonflammable
-strong natural fiber.
A great list! I could even add a few more..
-eco friendly
-renewable resource
-hypo allergenic
Then they list the reject conditions for wool which include:
-seedy and chaffy wool
-burry wool
-wool with manure tags
- tender wool
-colored wool
It is true that natural colored (any color but white) wool is not desirable in the wool markets (co-op and wool pools) because it cannot be dyed. But here at Mitten State Sheep & Wool, we love our natural colored sheep and their curly locks. We do not sell our wool through the standard markets, we sell our wool to Fiber Enthusiast, who like us, love natural colored wool and all it has to offer.
I do want to add that you can dye natural colored wool as well, just not what the commerical industry is looking for.
Just one of the many differences between the commerical wool industry and the cottage wool industry.
(We love our white and red sheep too)
