Shetland Wools: A Breed for All Reasons with Deborah Robson

About Shetland Wools: A Breed for All Reasons with Deborah Robson

The stuff of lace shawls that can be drawn through a wedding ring and of Fair Isle colorwork and more, Shetland wool represents many stories of humans in relationship with sheep through thousands of years. Shetland wool has been described as “a wool of uncommon softness and fineness” and as “scratchy,” and has been classified as an exceptionally fine wool; a double-coated representative of primitive wools; a “Down wool”; and more.

Might it be all of these? If that’s the case, what do the various Shetlands have in common, and how do we determine how to find and use the wool to produce results that please us? With samples of fleeces in our hands, we’ll begin to untangle the history, variety, and contradictions of this most amazing and versatile breed.

Please Note: Deb Robson requests that students wear masks during their class time with her due to some personal health concerns she has.

Materials, Equipment, and Supplies the Student Must Bring to Class

- Spinning wheel or spindle
- Fiber-prep tools of choice (combs, carders, flicker, or any other OR dog-grooming combs or slickers; I will have some of these to share as well)
- The ability to wind a small center-pull ball and ply from it (or skill at Andean plying—which I can teach on site—or a lazy kate and extra bobbins)
- Notepad and pen or pencil
- Optional: Sampling tools as convenient, like knitting needles, crochet hooks, or Weave-It or similar extra-simple loom (some people have time to sample in class; others do not)
- Optional: Tape and/or hole-punch, for keeping track of fiber samples and yarns (I will have some of each for sharing

Materials Fee (to be paid directly to the instructor) and Kit Description

$50 - includes enough fiber for class and then some further experimentation at home—approximately 6 samples (about 150g), full-color printed handouts, sturdy record cards.

Homework

None