Fine Wool. Thoughtful Breeding. Fiber with a Story.
At Leatherwood Creek Farm, our Shetland flock is bred with the fiber artist in mind. While Shetlands are celebrated for their hardiness, intelligence, and remarkable range of natural colors, our breeding program places special emphasis on producing exceptionally fine, soft fleeces without sacrificing sound, functional sheep.
Every breeding decision is made with the goal of producing sheep that are beautiful in the pasture and exceptional on the wheel, loom, and needles.
Why Shetland Sheep?
Originating on Scotland's rugged Shetland Islands, these remarkable sheep developed over centuries into one of the world's most versatile heritage breeds. Their natural colors, efficient grazing ability, longevity, and adaptable nature have made them favorites among shepherds, handspinners, knitters, and weavers alike.
Their fleece is renowned for its softness, elasticity, and versatility, making it ideal for garments worn next to the skin as well as heirloom textiles.
Our Breeding Philosophy
We believe great wool begins with great sheep.
Our breeding program emphasizes:
Fine, soft fleeces
Structural correctness and sound movement
Healthy, productive ewes
Calm, manageable temperaments
Preservation of beautiful natural colors
Sheep that thrive in a pasture-based system
Rather than breeding solely for fleece quantity, we focus on fleece quality—producing wool that fiber artists look forward to working with year after year.
Our Commitment to Fine Wool
We micron test many of our breeding animals because we believe objective fiber data, combined with thoughtful selection, is one of the best tools for improving fleece quality. Our goal is to produce Shetland sheep with beautiful natural colors and fleeces that are a joy to spin, knit, and wear.
Fine Wool Matters
One of the defining goals of our flock is producing finer-than-average Shetland wool.
Many of our sheep are micron tested to provide objective measurements of fleece fineness. While softness is something you can feel, micron testing allows us to make informed breeding decisions and continue improving our flock over time.
By selecting for finer fleeces generation after generation, we're working to produce wool that is soft enough for sweaters, shawls, hats, and other garments worn comfortably against the skin.
Farm-Grown Yarn
We process select fleeces into small-batch yarn, allowing fiber artists to experience the quality of our flock firsthand.
Each skein reflects the natural colors and unique character of our sheep. From classic grays to rich moorits and deep blacks, our yarn celebrates the beauty that nature has already created.
Because our yarn begins with sheep we've bred and raised ourselves, every skein tells the story of our flock—from pasture to finished project.
Breeding Stock
Each year we offer a limited number of registered Shetland breeding animals.
Whether you're establishing a fiber flock, adding new genetics, or searching for sheep with fine fleece potential, we are happy to discuss our breeding program and help you find animals that fit your goals.
Availability varies throughout the year. Please contact us to inquire about breeding stock, fleeces, yarn, or upcoming lambs.
