Pretty Herdwick Sheep
Herdwick Sheep came to England during 10th and 11th centuries evolving & adapting to our climate over centuries and are a key species in the Lake District since then.. They are now the most hardy native British hill breed in the UK spending winters at over 3000 ft in Cumbrian uplands. With distinctive smiley faces the black lambs become brown when a year old and they eventually turn light grey with age.
An agricultural move more to tourism has put great pressure the breed and lately the cost of shearing (needed for the animal’s welfare) costs more than the revenue the wool generates so flocks declined. The Foot and Mouth Crisis in 2001 claimed about 25% of the remaining 100,000 sheep left. So now it is a rare and protected species.
Beatrix Potter became interested in breeding and raising Herdwick sheep, soon after acquiring Hill Top Farm in Cumbria in 1905.
Gardiner Yarns embarked on developing yarns from the Herdwick wool primarily to support the breed and help create demand for Herdwick wool in traditional Lakeland clothing products. By using fleece and marketing this hard wearing Herdwick stock supported yarn we hope to promote and raise the profile of this rare & photogenic breed. We sell the naturally coloured grey yarns allowing our customers to dye their own yarn or finished fabrics, a lot using natural plant dyes. It can also be commercially package dyed.