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Stitching & Crafting Room:  Merino Wool  |
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cmandle
True Blue Farmgirl
846 Posts
Catherine
Minneapolis
MN
846 Posts |
 Posted - Jan 11 2005 : 7:25:01 PM
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Knitters and Farmgirls...what IS Merino wool??
I've learned terrible things about shepherds carving into the skin on the backs of Merino sheep and leaving the wounds to fester and scar - then the fibers that grow out of the scar tissue are supposed to be super fine and there you have Merino wool.
I've boycotted Merino wool for over a decade since I'm way too much of an animal lover to tolerate this kind of torture. But I need to know if this is true.
While we're on the subject...how are sheep shorn? Is it all machine these days? Does it hurt them? I can't bear the thought of sheep in pain just for me to have beautiful yarn for knitting.
If I'm on the right track, then I'll feel much better about avoiding Merino completely, but I'm seriously hoping that someone can set me straight since it's an appalling thought that I would hope would never actually be implemented.
* knitter * gardener * proud wife of dan * owned by lucy the cat * |
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Bobbi
Farmgirl at Heart
1 Posts
Bobbi
1 Posts |
Posted - Feb 10 2005 : 11:27:57 PM
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| In response to the merino sheep fear. I promise there is no such thing that is used to produce fine wool. Wool characteristics are a genetic trait and merinos have been caredfully bred to produce the finest wool on earth. The best wool comes from well fed, happy sheep, in fact, stress causes weak places on the fibers and is a flaw. Many even wear lightweight cotton jackets all year to keep them clean. Of any breed, merinos are probably the most coddled. They are sheared humanely and are quite glad to be free of the heavy coats in the spring. Enjoy the merino -- someone sold you a big bill of goods with that torture story. |
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Eileen
True Blue Farmgirl
1199 Posts
Eileen
USA
1199 Posts |
Posted - Feb 11 2005 : 07:12:40 AM
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Thankyou Bobbie for this information. I never believed this was true and am always happy when someone can shed light on terrible untruth. Appreciate your input. Hopefully cmandle this will give you some relief.
Eileen
songbird; singing joy to the earth |
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FloralSaucer
True Blue Farmgirl
156 Posts
Australia
156 Posts |
Posted - Jul 29 2005 : 02:22:55 AM
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| I grew up on a merino sheep farm and our wool was superfine, and that story is news to me! |
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lurban
True Blue Farmgirl
61 Posts
Vermont
61 Posts |
Posted - Jul 29 2005 : 05:31:04 AM
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| Can you tell me a little about the temperment of merino sheep? I'm hoping to have 2-4 ewes in the near future. In addition, I'd love to know about how much land they require, if they are prone to specific diseases, etc. Anything I can learn would be of help. |
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Aunt Jenny
True Blue Farmgirl
11381 Posts
Jenny
middle of
Utah
USA
11381 Posts |
Posted - Jul 29 2005 : 09:40:38 AM
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The only thing I know is that Merino sheep are not common in our area and that they have wrinklier skin than some breeds. I hand shear my little flock of 5 sheep (Icelandic and Navajo Churro)and one angora goat with hand shears...which would be easier on wrinkly skin than the electric shears..which scare me..I like to quietly, gently shear the sheep. I think Merinos are a bigger breed than what I have too. I would put in a search for sheep breeds and really research. That is how I decided on Icelandic sheep...ended up with the Churros later.
It is worth research to get the right breed for you..they are all so different and so are people...of course. Good luck. sheep are fun to have around!
Jenny in Utah
The best things in life arn't things! |
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FloralSaucer
True Blue Farmgirl
156 Posts
Australia
156 Posts |
Posted - Jul 29 2005 : 6:53:08 PM
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Last week I was watching some merinos being shorn by hand on a TV show called Outback House which is being aired in Australia. The final show is on 7:30 Sunday night Eastern Standard Time, which is +10 on the Australian Broadcasting Commission. The shearers were from New Zealand, and apparently they always shear by hand as that leaves a bit more wool on that the machine blades, which is important because the sheep catch cold and die because New Zealand is cold. I don't know if they were refering to merinos in New Zealand or sheep in general.
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FloralSaucer
True Blue Farmgirl
156 Posts
Australia
156 Posts |
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FloralSaucer
True Blue Farmgirl
156 Posts
Australia
156 Posts |
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Aunt Jenny
True Blue Farmgirl
11381 Posts
Jenny
middle of
Utah
USA
11381 Posts |
Posted - Jul 29 2005 : 7:39:53 PM
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I have a book written by I think the NZ shearers on hand shearing and I think the same thing too about leaving more wool on...in the sun they can sunburn with electric shears..it leaves them BALD. I like to leave about an inch..protection in the spring from the sun and fall from the cold. We have extreme weather changes here!
Jenny in Utah
The best things in life arn't things! |
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Stitching & Crafting Room: Merino Wool |
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Merino Wool
