Jacob sheep are a heirloom, primitive breed of multi-horned sheep, patterned with black and white spots.  In Genesis 30:31 where we read that the patriarch Jacob took every speckled and spotted sheep from Laben’s flock for his own.  It is easy to discount this Biblical account but recent genetic testing has demonstrated a link between Jacob sheep and fat tail sheep of ancient Palestine.  The earliest record of this sheep variety is found in ancient Uruk (3000 BC) and Ur (2400 BC) on stone vessels and mosaics. This ancient breed would likely be extinct had they not been transported to England during the Middle Ages.  Currently Jacob sheep are still listed as threatened by the American Livestock Breeds Conservancy with “…fewer than 1,000 annual registrations in the U.S. and estimated fewer than 5,000 global population.”

Our sheep are pure bred Jacob Sheep, professionally sheared and organically raised  in the foothills of the Blue Ridge.  The fiber has an average length of 4 to 5 inches and is available in white, black and grey.   Great quality and perfect for hand spinning and felting.

Our stock is primarily four-horn (two out of the top of their head, two on the sides near their ears).   In adult rams the top horns can grow to two feet long.  Though normally docile, in some places they are actually kept as guard animals!

We sell professionally processed Jacob roving: 4 oz (your choice of white, black or grey) for only $25.00.  Our roving is also carried by Ubiquities Yarn and Fiber in Vienna, Virginia.

We also sell unwashed wholes fleeces.  While each fleece (about 4 or 5 pounds average) has been hand skirted they may contain some hay and dirt from the barnyard and there is abundant natural lanolin.

The fibers are very soft with a consistent crimp and long stable. The fiber washes and cards to white and black that can be used as is, or mixed to form any shade of grey.  Please contact us for current prices.