During a recent visit to see my Scarf Exchange Friend (Isabel Mitchell, Beaufort, Victoria) I was privileged to be introduced to Mrs Helen Wright who was working at her farm (Elmhurst, Victoria) with her Finn sheep.

The promotional literature on the Finn sheep advertises the following advantages: increased lambing percentages (Helen had one sheep who had five lambs last year), super lean meat, milking ability, wool production, longer breeding season, ease of lambing, growth rates and efficient feed conversion.

The book, In Sheep's Clothing: A Handspinner's Guide to Wool by Nola and Jane Fournier, informs us that Finn sheep are natives of Finland. The sheep have naturally short tails and are a very hardy breed; they thrive in rugged climates on high roughage feed. The fleece is semi lustrous and open with long, pointed-tip staples. The crimp is variable but all fleeces have a silky handle. The fleece is suitable for a wide range of knitted and woven fabrics and the crimp adds bounce to blends with mohair, alpaca. Fibre diameters are 50's-60's, 31 to 24 micron.

I have purchased a Finn fleece, about 56-58's and 25 micron, and washed up a staple. It looks superb. Helen has many more fleeces for sale, as well as some Finn crosses with Merino and Superfine Merino, and Corriedale. She is willing to do mail order, and will send samples if you give her some idea of the count number, eg. 56's. Last year at Birrigai's shop, (Canberra), I purchased carded Finn lambswool for my scarf exchange, and I can hardly wait to see what will be done with the fleece!

Contact details:
Mrs Helen Wright
94 Boatman Road
Glenlofty via Elmhurst VIC 3469
Phone: 03 5354 8242
Mobile: 04 3854 8204
Email: kanangra@bordernet.com.au

Caroline Baker