Solid Coloured Blankets in Production & Interesting Facts About Shetland Sheep

Using the Mill's modern machinery, a small collection of solid coloured blankets in red, grey, blue and green are being woven.

The blankets follow a twill weave design, which is the second major design in the textile industry after a plain weave. The weave repeats on three or more picks and produces diagonal lines on the face of the fabric.

100% Pure New Wool (Lambswool and Shetland wool) was chosen for the collection.

Lambswool, the highest quality of sheep wool, is the soft wool acquired from any breed of lamb when they are sheared for the first time. The lambs are sheared when they are 6-7 months old.

Shetland Sheep are an easy to handle breed that originated in the Shetland Islands, Scotland. We have compiled a list of 5 interesting facts about the breed:

1. Rams typically weigh 90-125 pounds. Ewes are lighting, coming in at 75-100 pounds.

2. Ewes are easy lambers and make great mothers - many have twins, triplets, and some even have quads.

3. In 2011, 2,244 sheep were registered by 196 breeders.

4. Shetland wool is the finest of all native breeds. 

5. The breed shows an amazing variety of colours and patterns - 11 colours and 30 markings are recognised.