Summation

This picture was the first picture I put out on my blog last summer. This is my registered, purebred Shetland ewe, Iris. She has fiber that is an absolute delight to spin, and that easily falls into what the women of Shetland had for spinning themselves; long, strong, soft fiber that can be spun up for delicate tiny strands of lace with strength, to clear fair isle knitting, to warm, durable, incredibly cozy socks. This picture was taken moments before I sheared her myself in June of '09. That date was nearly exactly 12 months from her last shearing. She had been outstandingly cared for all winter, and I think the amount of fleece she produced smacks of that. She's had three lambs, all before I owned her. I bought her from sheepy friends of mine, after buying her fleece for two years.

This is me at the Wisconsin Sheep and Wool Festival in Sept. of '09. This is my ram lamb, Wooly Bear (I'm holding him). Wooly Bear is a beautiful specimen of the Shetland breed. His wool is very fine and long (again, revealing excellent care), but not double coated, and is very black. His top line is straight, his conformation overall is outstanding, his tail is perfect, his fleece very typy Shetland, and his horns are beautiful, are in perfect shape, and will clear just right; not too tight, not too far flung. The judge asked me why I hadn't entered the "Best Fleece on Hoof" class, because he would have won. It sounds silly now, but it had never occurred to me to enter him in that class! These fine fleeces are what I have, and I didn't think I had anything much outside of usual. Even though I've memorized the breed standard, and shopped for about two years before selecting a ram, I knew he was a fine specimen of the breed, and comes from great lines. However, I was surprised at how fine! He has the most amazing brightness in his expression that earns him comments repeatedly. Most people use the word "twinkling".

Experienced Shetland breeders and owners outside "the camp" have gushed over him. He has brought us much attention and compliments. We've had offers for him. People already want his lambs. He has been in several newspapers, and we continue to receive wonderful comments about him. I think he's put our farm on the map! Nobody could be more surprised than me.

Yet, unknowingly to me, these two pictures have caused others to stew. Both of these sheep are not what they think is a Shetland sheep. Both have long fiber. Never mind that both meet most of the criteria of the NASSA Breed Standard (no sheep is absolutely perfect, right?). Never mind that both have very fine, soft fleece. They have long fleece, and that seems to really bother some people!