Don’t Give Up on Old Fleece: My Experience with Valais Blacknose Wool

Have you ever bought a beautiful fleece with the very best intentions, only to find it sitting untouched for years? Life happens, and sometimes even the most promising fleeces end up at the back of the cupboard. But before you think about giving up on them, let me share a little story about a Valais Blacknose fleece that proves just how rewarding a second chance can be.

The Charm of Valais Blacknose Sheep

Valais Blacknose sheep are well known for their “teddy bear” looks – it’s easy to see why so many people fall in love with them. Originating in the Swiss mountains (not Sweden, as people sometimes mistakenly think), these sheep need thick, protective coats to cope with the harsh alpine climate.

When they’re young, their shearling fleeces can be surprisingly soft, with a lovely long staple and a bit of limpness typical of first shearings. Over time, though, their fleeces become coarser and stronger – much more like traditional mountain breeds. At that stage, the wool is perfect for rugs and hardwearing textiles, but not something you’d want next to your skin.

A Birthday Gift That Had to Wait

A few years ago, I purchased a gorgeous shearling Valais Blacknose fleece as a birthday gift for a friend who adores the breed. The plan was to make her something special. She loved the idea so much that she asked if she could keep the locks bunched until I had time to work with them.

Well, time slipped by. Three – maybe four – years later, I finally saw that fleece again. By then, the lanolin had turned bright yellow, the locks were still bundled, and it was still in its raw state. At first glance, you might have thought it was destined for the compost heap. But fleeces can surprise you.

From Neglected to Beautiful

I started by wet-felting a section for the front of a cushion.

The transformation was immediate – the structure of the wool revealed its natural beauty once more.

I then washed the rest of the fleece, peg-loomed it into a small rug, and used some of the curly crimped locks as tassels at the ends. The bits of black of some of the black parts of the fleece running through the weaving.

The results were stunning. What had looked like an “old, past-it” fleece became a beautiful, tactile piece full of character.

The Lesson

Just because a fleece has been sitting around for a few years doesn’t mean it’s ruined. Raw fleeces can look tired or even a bit alarming when the lanolin yellows and dust settles in. But with some washing, carding, or felting, they can still yield amazing results.

So if you’ve got a forgotten fleece tucked away, don’t give up on it. You might just end up with something unique, full of texture, warmth, and charm.