The hilly regions and dales of the UK that we all enjoy visiting typically have grazing sheep breeds such as Cheviot, Dalesbred, Herdwick, Rough Fell, Swaledale, Scottish Blackface and Welsh Mountain. These breeds have adapted over the years to living in harsh conditions in the hills and are hardy and thick-coated. They are one of the few species that can utilise this type of land and provide us with an incredibly useful by-product of wonderful wool fibre for use in clothing, flooring, insulation and bedding. #wooliswarm
Arguably moorland grazing sheep have had an incredible positive impact on our environment and play a vital role in sustainable land management. They enhance soil health by helping to aerate it and stimulate the nutrient cycle by promoting healthier and more fertile land and naturally fertilise the soil.
By grazing on the moorland grass, sheep thwart the dominance of invasive plant species stimulating grass growth, encouraging a diverse range of flora to flourish that then attracts a more diverse wildlife, supporting a thriving, balanced and healthier ecosystem. Sheep are a natural weed controller, having a voracious appetite for weeds, grasses, gorse and branches, making them an eco-friendly alternative to chemical herbicides. The grass roots also help stabilise the soil therefore reducing soil erosion from run-off. The moorland grasslands absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere fixing it in the soil assisting in mitigating climate change by capturing and storing greenhouse gases.
We make a stock supported UK range of yarns from Herdwick wools and have commission spun several other breeds such as Swaledale, Cheviot, Dalesbred, Welsh Mountain as well as spinning some wool from the very cute looking Valias Blacknose from the Swiss Alps.