More Than Just Merino: Explore 60+ British Wool Breeds

England has over 60 different pure breeds of sheep. Most knitters can probably name a few, like Merino or Corriedale—but that leaves 58 other sheep breeds to explore. If you’re looking to sample the unique qualities of British wool, you’ll want to get to know Baa Ram Ewe. Located in northwestern England, the heart of sheep country, Baa Ram Ewe creates beautiful yarns that showcase the unique qualities of British breeds.

Baa Ram Ewe began as a local yarn shop that later found success creating and selling its own yarn. Their first fingering-weight skeins, made from local wool combined with alpaca, flew off the shelves. In 2021, Roger Shepley purchased the business. The aptly named Shepley (whose surname is derived in part from the Old English word for sheep) had decided to open his own yarn company in 2002 after working in the textile industry for many years. That company, Shepley Yarns, owns and operates Baa Ram Ewe today.

The line of Pip Colourwork is inspired by the British landscapes that Baa Ram Ewe calls home.

From Local Sheep to Luxurious Yarns

Baa Ram Ewe’s focus is squarely on British sheep breeds. Emma Townsend, technical design manager, explains that each breed has its own individual qualities: “We use Bluefaced Leicester for its lustrous and silky handle and its long staple length and fine micron. This is one of the finest [British wools].” Emma also enjoys the history behind each breed, each of which has its own story.

Click on any image to open it in full-screen mode.

Bluefaced Leicester creates a yarn that’s soft to the touch and a knitted fabric that’s drapey and durable. Wool is sourced from the British Wool Board; here the wool is sorted and graded by hand.

One of the company’s favorite breeds is the North of England Mule. Created by crossing the Bluefaced Leicester with either a Swaledale, Lonk, or Derbyshire Gritstone, the North of England Mule sheep is a hardy breed. “They roam for ten months of the year on the heather-and peat-covered moors and only come down from the fells for tupping (breeding) and lambing,” says Emma. Their ewes have a built-in survival aid, producing a flat fiber called kemp. Kemp grows periodically on the ewe’s flank and acts as a drainpipe, helping them to dry quicker.

All of Baa Ram Ewe’s yarns are made from British wool sourced from the UK’s British Wool Board. By maintaining a strong relationship with wool producers, as well as the company that scours and combs the wool, Baa Ram Ewe ensures continuity of supply—especially important given the rarity of some of the breeds that make up their yarns. Baa Ram Ewe orders wool as much as a year in advance to secure an ample supply.

Find out more about some of Baa Ram Ewe’s yarns. Click on any image to open it in full-screen mode.

Coast is an Aran weight yarn in colors that were inspired by the British coast. It produces nice stitch definition that’s great for cable work. The Donegal Twists yarn features colorful nepps. Faded British Breeds is a subtle color, blended with North of England Mule and dyed British wool. The natural kemp in the fleece gives the yarn an authentic British wool look. Eden DK is made from a blend of naturally grown alpaca fiber and certified organic British wool, creating a soft yarn that is comfortable when worn next to the skin.

Soft, Strong, and Rooted in Heritage

The company considers the strengths of each wool when blending fibers for their yarns. Their Woodnote is a blend of Bluefaced Leicester, masham, and merino wool. Why that combination? “Bluefaced Leicester and masham complement one another, as both breeds produce long, crimped fibers with a lustrous handle,” Emma explains. “The crimp creates air pockets for insulation and breathability and improves elasticity in the final fabric.” The crowning touch: Merino for softness and springiness. Woodnote is soft enough for next-to-skin wear and comes in both DK and Aran-weight.

Just like Bluefaced Leicester, the Masham breed produces long, crimped fibers with a lustrous handle. Woodnote combines the wool of Bluefaced Leicester, Masham, and Merino sheep for soft and springy yarn.

The natural color of the wool is another consideration when blending various wools. Woodnote combines brown Bluefaced Leicester with masham and merino, both white wools. When dyed, the resulting shade—a subtly marled light brown—creates deep, rich shades with a mélange effect.

For those new to the British breeds, Emma has suggestions. “It all depends on what you’re looking for in a yarn. If you’re looking for a hardwearing yarn, I’d recommend a hill breed. If you’re looking for an undyed yarn, I’d recommend a naturally colored breed. I don’t think you can go wrong with a luster breed such as Bluefaced Leicester. This breed creates a yarn that’s soft to the touch and, once knit, creates a fabric that’s both drapey and durable. It also has a slight sheen to it that reflects light beautifully.” Check out the company’s wool page for more in-depth information about the breeds that Baa Ewe Ram uses.

Historic Warth Mill is home to Baa Ram Ewe. The team points the way. Shown left to right: Owen, Claire, and Roger.

Baa Ram Ewe’s focus on British breeds, including local wools, is perhaps not surprising when you consider its location: The company headquarters is located on Wool Road, in an historic mill near the town of Diggle. Warth Mill played a key role in the textile production of the surrounding area. Surrounded by the Pennine mountains, it’s the perfect setting for a company passionate about producing authentic and lovely British wool yarns.

Resources

• Check out the Baa Ram Ewe website, or follow them on Instagram @baarameweknits.
• National Sheep Association of the UK
• British Wool Board