I think it is really vital that we learn about the Navajo-Churro sheep and how lucky we are to still have this breed. The hard work that has gone into preserving them so we can continue to enjoy this breed is immense. I am so glad to see them gaining popularity and to be carrying this wool. Pictured above is a sample of the dehaired base we currently carry that is Indigenous shepherd sourced and a really pleasant, easy spin! You can see the fuzzy halo this wool can create. It’s just lovely!
| Micron Count | Dual Coat Tog: Over 35 Micron Thel: 10-35 Micron Kemp: 65 Micron or more |
| Staple Length | Tog: 6-12″ Thel: 3-5″ |
| Project Expectations | -Dual coated breed with a coarse outer coat and a soft downy under coat. Can be approached a variety of ways using both or each coat separately. -Excellent overall for hard wearing items in weaving, felting, and garment or homewares use. Also think of the long beautiful locks for other craft opportunities that keep them intact or take advantage of the halo the various fiber lengths can produce in a yarn texture. |
Navajo-Churro wool is dual coated with 3 distinct fibers. There is a soft downy undercoat, the Thel, that our dehaired fiber consists of, a long and gorgeous outercoat, the Tog, and kemp fibers which are like a hair. Registered sheep have a limit on how many kemp fibers their coats can contain. The undercoat typically measures from 10-35 microns and 3-5″ and the outercoat is typically over 35 microns and 6-12″. Micron count is not indicative of softness, but can help. I’ve found our dehaired Navajo-Churro to be more of a medium wool and very lofty. Weaving rugs is the most widely known use of this breed, but it is also excellent for other types of weaving, felting, and garment use. Whether or not it is next-to-skin soft is dependent on the person, but it would generally make lovely outerwear items regardless. I think the unique halo this wool lends to yarn could have some wonderful accent uses, especially in woven wall hangings. In addition, the sheep are stunning and noted for their ability to have multiple sets of horns. If you are able to get a sheepskin from this breed, do so! They are incredibly beautiful home decor pieces and the sale of sheepskins both honors the entire animal’s use and helps support the flock.
With such a deeply felt and storied history, I can’t write about it any better than this article and this one by Dot Ranch and I truly encourage you to read both to gain a better understanding of the cultural significance of the breed. I can’t speak enough about how excited I am for the Rainbow Fiber Co-op that has been established this past year and the work they are doing. Please take the chance to also check out their Instagram as they are currently posting about the natural dye they are doing on the Navajo-Churro wool they are having spun!
Fossil Fibers 