Icelandic Fleece and Wool
Icelandic Sheep are dual coated sheep. Their long guard hairs on the top are called
the Tog, and the fluffy undercoat is called Thel. These two coats can be woven
together, or separately. Icelandic fleece comes in a wide range of natural colors;
black (jet black, black with gray or rust tones), various shades of grey, deep brown
(moorit) to light cream and white. The fiber is very long, which decreases the
“itchyness” of the wool and makes for a softer, more durable garment and has been
used for over 1000 years to keep Icelanders warm. Icelandic sheep are shorn twice a
year, and if left unshorn, they actually shed their coats in mid summer. Their wool is
excellent for knitting, hand spinning, and felting. Their fleeces (or “pelts”) also make
fabulous rugs!
Icelandic Sheep produce about half of the lanolin that other breeds produce. Other
breeds may lose 50% of the weight of the fleece in washing, but Icelandics typically
lose 25% or less of the weight with washing.
the Tog, and the fluffy undercoat is called Thel. These two coats can be woven
together, or separately. Icelandic fleece comes in a wide range of natural colors;
black (jet black, black with gray or rust tones), various shades of grey, deep brown
(moorit) to light cream and white. The fiber is very long, which decreases the
“itchyness” of the wool and makes for a softer, more durable garment and has been
used for over 1000 years to keep Icelanders warm. Icelandic sheep are shorn twice a
year, and if left unshorn, they actually shed their coats in mid summer. Their wool is
excellent for knitting, hand spinning, and felting. Their fleeces (or “pelts”) also make
fabulous rugs!
Icelandic Sheep produce about half of the lanolin that other breeds produce. Other
breeds may lose 50% of the weight of the fleece in washing, but Icelandics typically
lose 25% or less of the weight with washing.
Tog Thel Raw Fleece
Here’s what our customers have to say about our
fleece:
“They spun up very nicely --as you probably know, the
Icelandics have a double coat, a coarser wool on the
outside and a finer, softer wool under. The long pieces
on the samples was the coarser so I pulled it out and
spun it separately. It would be useful for weaving rugs or
a rugged outer jacket. The black (under) seemed to be
the softer of the two but I liked the gray as well -- both
are really pretty when spun.” -JP
fleece:
“They spun up very nicely --as you probably know, the
Icelandics have a double coat, a coarser wool on the
outside and a finer, softer wool under. The long pieces
on the samples was the coarser so I pulled it out and
spun it separately. It would be useful for weaving rugs or
a rugged outer jacket. The black (under) seemed to be
the softer of the two but I liked the gray as well -- both
are really pretty when spun.” -JP
Spring Rovings are Here!
Contact me for samples of fleeces.
Colors available:
Prices are:
Rovings $2/oz plus shipping
Contact me for samples of fleeces.
Colors available:
- Medium Brown
- Dark, Medium and light grey
- Oatmeal
- Natural White
Prices are:
Rovings $2/oz plus shipping
Light Grey Roving
Medium Grey Raw Fleece
Isfaxa's Booth at the 2006 Oregon Flock and Fiber Festival
I entered two Icelandic Lamb Fleeces in the Clark County
Fair in the lamb class. One took First Place, and the other
took Second Place. The first place ribbon went to Ipa's
lamb fleece. She is pictured below. Her fleece also went
on to win Reserve Grand Champion against all the other
First Place ribbons at the show.
Fair in the lamb class. One took First Place, and the other
took Second Place. The first place ribbon went to Ipa's
lamb fleece. She is pictured below. Her fleece also went
on to win Reserve Grand Champion against all the other
First Place ribbons at the show.
Ipa, July 2006
Our fleeces at the Clark County Fair, Summer 2006