Britain’s native sheep breeds produce an extraordinary variety of wools — from the shimmering longwools of Yorkshire to the soft, springy fleeces of the South Downs. When prepared as tops, each fibre type reveals its true personality. This guide explores how each British wool top spins, what the finished yarn is like, and includes the micron count.
Micron count measures the diameter of individual fibres in micrometres (one-thousandth of a millimetre). The lower the micron number, the finer and softer the wool feels. For example, Bluefaced Leicester averages around 25 microns, while a coarse Herdwick may exceed 40 microns.
Profiles of British Wool Breeds
Black Welsh Mountain |
Fibre diameter: 28–36 microns Character: Fine to medium, naturally dark, with a springy resilience. Spinning: Drafts easily; add moderate twist for strength and definition. Yarn: Firm, slightly crisp, and rich in tone — ideal for hardwearing outerwear or undyed natural projects. |
Bluefaced Leicester
|
Fibre diameter: 24–28 microns Character: Lustrous, silky, and smooth — one of Britain’s softest longwools. Spinning: Spins like silk but less slippery; use a low twist and worsted draw to maintain the shine. Yarn: Drapey, glossy, and luxuriously soft — perfect for shawls, scarves, and luxury knitwear. |
Cheviot |
Fibre diameter: 27–33 microns Character: Lofty, lively, and naturally elastic. Spinning: Moderate twist keeps its bounce without making it wiry. The long staple length spins well using the long draw technique. Yarn: Bouncy and resilient — great for socks, hats, and structured knits that hold shape. |
Devon Longwool |
Fibre diameter: 36–60 microns Character: Long, strong, and lustrous with a smooth hand. Spinning: Use a worsted technique to keep fibres aligned and glossy. Yarn: Hardwearing and drapey — superb for weaving, rugs, and traditional textiles. |
Herdwick |
Fibre diameter: 40 microns Character: Coarse, sturdy, and naturally grey. Spinning: Manageable from top with gentle control; add medium twist. Yarn: Extremely tough and weather-resistant — best for outerwear, rugs, and heritage tweeds. |
Jacob |
Fibre diameter: 27–34 microns Character: Medium fibre with beautiful natural colour variation. Spinning: Spins smoothly; blending colours produces marled or heathered yarns. Yarn: Springy, strong, and richly toned — perfect for colourwork or natural-hued projects. |
Masham |
Fibre diameter: 38–44 microns Character: Long and lustrous with a staple length of 150-380mm. Spinning: Very forgiving; great for practising worsted or semi-worsted techniques. Yarn: Smooth, shiny, and resilient — excellent for woven fabrics and drapey garments. |
Shetland |
Fibre diameter: 20–30 microns Character: Fine to medium fibre with soft handle and lively crimp. Spinning: Exceptionally spinner-friendly; works equally well woollen or worsted. Yarn: Soft, strong, and versatile — ideal for lace, Fair Isle, or lightweight knitwear. Order your Shetland wool tops (available in a choice of colours) |
Southdown |
Fibre diameter: 28-30 microns Character: Fine, springy, and compact with a matte finish. Spinning: Short staple best spun using the woollen technique. Yarn: Dense, elastic, and cosy — excellent for socks, mittens, and warm sweaters. |
Suffolk Blend (20% half-bred wool) |
Fibre diameter: 35–40 microns Character: Medium fibre with plenty of spring and a slightly matte look. Spinning: Short staple best spun using the woollen technique. Moderate twist keeps it lofty. Yarn: Soft and resilient, great for comfortable garments and everyday knits. |
Teeswater |
Fibre diameter: 40–60 microns Character: Long, lustrous wavy locks with a staple length of 150-300mm. Spinning: Best spun worsted with light twist to preserve shine and drape. Yarn: Silky and elegant — ideal for shawls, weaving, and refined garments. |
Wensleydale Locks |
Fibre: Curly locks separated by hand from the fleece. Debris is picked out of the fibre before rinsing. Character: Closely related to Teeswater, Wensleydale have long, lustrous, curly ringlets. Spinning: Spin slowly and smoothly from the mass using minimal twist. Yarn: Great for creating highly textured art yarns. |
In Summary
Spinning from prepared tops lets the unique character of each British breed shine through. Knowing both micron and Bradford count helps you compare fineness and choose the right fibre for your project — from the buttery softness of Bluefaced Leicester to the rugged resilience of Herdwick. Each spin is a celebration of Britain’s wool heritage and the landscapes these sheep call home.
