Polwarth Sport has gained a large amount of attention since its release during the March Barn Box event. Made from 100% Polwarth wool, this medium-fine grade fiber has the buttery soft feel of merino with a longer staple length. It offers excellent stitch definition and a bit of sheen, as seen in patterns like Spring Frost.
Our Polwarth wool is ethically sourced from flocks in the Falkland Islands and custom spun here in the USA. The breed was developed in Australia during the 1880s as a 25/75 cross between Lincoln (a long, luster wool) and Merino (a fine, soft wool). The cross resulted in a plain-bodied sheep, lacking the wrinkles of Merino, with an ability to conceive at all times of the year. When mated to terminal sires, ewes produce quality prime lambs yearly. They are often born in multiples, with improved carcass size and an excellent ratio of lean muscle to fat. This new and improved breed thrives in a wider range of climates and terrain.
The breed got its name from the county in which it was first bred. Polwarth is a dual purpose wool and meat sheep that produces an even, high yield of soft, bright white fleece. Since the 1970s, there has been an active effort to cultivate colored Polwarth sheep, providing a range of gray-brown shades.
Polwarth fiber has a diameter of 22 to 25 microns (similar to Merino) with a staple length of 4 to 6 inches. Because of this, it is very easy to handle and is resistant to pilling. One of our lucky Barn Box subscribers said “I love it, the feel, the color, the weight, everything. This made my day.” Try Polwarth Sport for yourself and see what all the hype is about!
