Frequently Asked Questions

1.  What does the word moorit mean?

Moorit is an old Norse word that followed the import of Shetland sheep into North America in the 1980's.  It is a color word, describing a dark chocolatey brown color of fibers on sheep.  In the Wheely Wooly Farm flock, moorit is most often found on lambs.  As some moorit sheep grow older, their color changes from dark brown, to light brown, to eventually a variety of dove gray/warm tan colors, while others remain richly moorit.

2.  How many yards does a skein have?

Skeins vary in yardage based on size of skein and gauge.  A worsted weight yarn of 2.5 ounces will have approximately 100 to 125 yards, and should make one sock or mitten.  Smaller skeins have fewer yards, larger skeins have more.  

3.  How much yarn do I need to make my project?
Here is a general idea of how much yarn is needed to make common items.  Each is an approximation.  The actual amount of yarn needed will depend on several factors such as skill level of the knitter, the number of different colors used in the pattern, the gauge(size) of needle used, and other factors.  But generally, a typical hat would use about three ounces, mittens about five ounces for a pair, same for socks.  Here at the farm, we make a ton of socks and mittens, most often with worsted weight yarns, and this nearly always proves to be enough.  However, we cannot guarantee that, because each knitter and pattern is different.  Use this as a general guide.

Are all sheep breeds as colorful as the Shetlands?

Many other sheep breeds once had more than just white in their fleeces, but over time, sheep were bred for primarily white and their color genetics were virtually lost.   In some areas of the world, natural colored fleeces have been protected through careful management.  Today, colored genetics in sheep are very desirable.  Therefore, many breed organizations are encouraging the return to colored fleeces.

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