Yesterday we were able to visit a small farm on Sweden’s west coast where Peter and Eva have 11 Helsinge sheep and 18 lambs. These are a pretty small breed. Traditionally they were forrest foragers, where they ate pretty much anything at hand, including the bark from the trees.

The original intent for Peter to keep sheep was to maintain the landscape and for meat, and it is only recently that saving and processing the wool has become a part of the operation. As with many of these small concerns and “hobby” farmers, finding someone to properly shear the sheep is a problem. For years, farmers have either composted or burned the wool because there was no market, so the quality of shearing was not an issue. Now, as interest grows in Swedish breed wool, more effort is being put into the shearing and processing, although the total production remains quite low. For farmers like Peter and Eva, the most efficient way to get their wool spun is to go to a spinning house with a “half back” policy, where they spin the fleece, and return half of the yarn back to the farmer.

Sandy Zetterlund of Swedish Fibre is also purchasing as much good fleece from these heritage breeds as she can. Roving from Peter and Eva’s Helsinge should be available in her Etsy shop in the next few weeks.

At the other end of the spectrum from the small enterprise farms is Öströö fårfarm south of Gothenburg. Jeanette and Christian began with about 25 sheep, 32 years ago, and now have 500 Gotland sheep and 900 lambs this year. The lambs are born with very black fleece, then gradually lighten into a variety of greys, and their long, lustrous curls make lovely yarn.

Sadly, if you don’t have an opportunity to visit the farm, you won’t be able to add this yarn to your stash, as the farm is the only outlet, and they sell all that they spin. Such is the case for nearly all of the small production. The makers sell to local shops and at fairs and markets, so if you don’t buy it when you see it, you are unlikely to see it again. This is beginning to change, and companies like Ullcentrum are able to market in large quantities. Gotland sheep can also be found in the UK, US, Australia and New Zealand. I’ve done a few comparisons, however, and away from Sweden the “hand” of the Gotland fleece changes. That doesn’t mean it’s either better or worse, but I’ll admit a preference for the “home grown” Swedish wool.

Our next stops are Kil and Skara. More the next time I come up for air.