Isle of Skye Cheviots… “The Canadian North Country Cheviot.. Is bred specifically for what they were intended to be… a DUAL purpose animal
Discover the Quality of our "Canadian" North Country Cheviot Wool
What Scotland has known for hundreds of years and Canadians are just discovering!!
Our “Canadian North Country Cheviot wool is exceptional quality. Look to us for all your yarn and quilting batt needs!
Locally Raised Alberta Yarn
Staying "true" to a Dual purpose Breed
Fleece from a true dual purpose “True” North Country Cheviot is thick and strong, it will repel wind, cold and Rain. Here at Isle of Skye Cheviots, the value of the fleece is apparent. When the fleece is sheared, and looked at from the underside, the wool is white, with just a touch ecru. This does not apply to all CanadianNorth Country Cheviots, as with many different breeds of sheep, it’s in the genetic makeup of the animal. Our sheep are bred to be a dual purpose NCC. While selecting lambs for size and speed of weight gain, we also only breed animals that have superb fibre properties. Most sheep farmers in Canada breed only for a market “meat” Lamb. Here at Isle of Skye Cheviots our bloodlines go back to some of the first Cheviots that were brought into Canada. This first flock was used for both fibre and meat. My flock and my current Rams, come from a flock in Nova Scotia. The fleeces from these sheep were used for yarn and also quilting batts. With these old fashioned genetic lines we are continuing to be very selective with our genetics to retain the quality of the North Country Cheviot dual purpose abilities. Just as true shepherds and their families have done for 200 odd years.
Creating good fleece for yarn, roving and quilting batts also brings into play flock health. Here we feed our animals a good quality hay and supplement with high quality grain geared toward flock health. “Growing” high quality fibre to produce yarns, quilting batts and roving takes extra time and more management. This means every management decision is made with a view to pushing sheep health and thus fleece quality to its utmost, this produces an excellent animal not only for fleece properties, but will produce lambs suited for fast growth and size as well.
The idea of flock Health produces better lambs for the meat producer, better fleeces, and thus better yarn for you. The best way to prove to yourself that what I say is true is to come to any show I am at and have a feel of the yarn. Once you squeeze a ball of our “True” North Country Cheviot yarn, you will know the truth of what I say, “Happy Healthy sheep make great Yarn”.
Our Wool
We breed only North Country Cheviots that produce high-bulk, resilient, good quality wool. Good quality NCC fibre has a unique three-dimensional crimp that gives resilience. NCC fiber is also felt resistant, but with work, this fibre will felt, but it really takes some doing. Our wool is wool is perfect for knitting and crocheting garments. It is also great for quilt batting.
Our NCC produce beautiful white wool. We hand dye our wool to produce a wide range of different custom colours.
“What more can you ask for?”
First Place 2018
Our Isle of Skye “Canadian” Cheviot Fleece won first place at the 2018 All Canadian Sheep Classic. We breed for a well rounded animal. Our cheviots are specifically bred for not only meat characteristics, but wool characteristics.
Fleeces available now
Our fleeces are lightly skirted and low in vegetable matter. We feed our sheep in a bunk type system to keep the fleeces as clean as possible. Don’t miss out! We sold out of all of our top quaility fleeces last year!! We ship our fleeces all over Canada. Contact us for more information.
Second place 2018
Our Isle of Skye “Canadian” Cheviot fleece won second place at the All Canadian Sheep Classic in Truro Nova Scotia 2018. Our sheep couldn’t be there but our Wool was!! Long beautiful staples!!
Facts about our Wool
Our wool is the best kept secret in Canada!
General Information
Cheviots are a dual purpose breed. they produce a resilient, good quality high bulk wool. Fleeces are about 5 to 10 lbs. The staple length is about 4 to 6 inches long. Fibre diameter is about 27 to 33 microns. Our Cheviots are bred to have no hair, kemp, or color in the fleece. We also feed our Cheviots a balanced diet and feed them twice a day in a bunk type feeder so vegetable matter is low in our fleece.
Characteristics
Our fibre has a unique three dimensional crimp. Cheviots are not necessarily part of the down breeds, however the fibre is felt resistant. With work, this fibre will felt, but it will take a lot of doing. This quality is what makes it so great for quilting batts and pillows.
Knitting, and Crocheting
Cheviot yarn make great sweaters, socks, hats and Mittens. The wool is tough and but easy to work with. Crocheting and Knitting with it is very pleasurable. The wool from the ewes can be a bit too coarse for next to the skin garments, however we do have lamb wool available.
Spinning
Our wool is excellent for beginner, and experienced hand spinners. We sell a lot of our raw fleeces all over Canada with repeat customers who come back to buy our fleeces year after year. It hand cards well and is usually enough length for flicking or combing.