Whitefaced Woodland & Shetland blend Aran - 50g ball with free pattern

75% rare breed White Faced Woodland wool blended with 25% Grey Shetland
Fully traceable yarn, sourced directly from Yorkshire farms and woollen spun in a traditional, family run, Yorkshire woollen mill.

Aran weight, 50g ball approx. 153yds
Naturally coloured
White Faced Woodland from the flock at Temple Newsam Home Farm, Leeds and Grey Shetland from Field Head Farm, Blackshaw Head, West Yorkshire.

White Faced Woodland are a hardy, hill breed originating from the Pennines, previously known as Penistone sheep after the Yorkshire town. They are designated a priority rare breed with the Rare Breed Survival Trust, the highest category of concern. They have distinctive horns. Temple Newsam Home Farm is open to the public and works to preserve some of the oldest breeds of farm animals in the country, including these beautiful sheep.

Shetland are a small, hardy sheep originally from the Shetland Islands that produce a very soft wool in a variety of shades. Blending Grey Shetland with the White Faced Woodland produces this lovely pale grey and the Shetland brings so much softness. I met Julie at Field Head Farm on one of my peg loom weaving courses and was very happy to hear she kept Shetland Sheep just up the hill from me.

The wool is spun at Halifax Spinning Mill, a small Yorkshire mill working tirelessly to ensure that processing small batches of breed-specific British wool can be viable.

The Peg Loomer is part of the Northern England Fibreshed - a group committed to utilising and promoting the use of fibres grown and processed within the North. This wool has not yet left Yorkshire!

Buying British wool is a highly sustainable choice, with a vastly reduced carbon footprint - no shipping from the other side of the world! Choosing wool over acrylic fibres means no micro-plastics released into our environment. It also supports our local farmers to preserve rare, native breeds.

Patterns are specially designed by Jacinta Bowie, a knitwear designer who is passionate about sustainability and utilising British wool. She has created a range of beautiful patterns to choose from, and your chosen pattern will be sent as a PDF via email. Alternatively you may wish to choose a Knit Kit - which includes the wool and printed pattern in a box, perfect for gifts. Please find the separate listing.

Please note your choice of free pattern in the notes section on ordering. Choose from:

Stocking Stitch Beanie 50g
Beret 50g
Ribbed Beanie 50g
Fingerless Mittens 50g
Max the Bear 50g
Betty Bunny 50g
Tam O Shanter 100g
Bobble Hat 100g
Cowl 100g
Gloves (s/l) 50/100g
Moss Stitch Scarf 300g

(Item posted 2nd class standard with Royal Mail, in reused packaging. Estimated delivery time 3-5 days.)