Long Way Homestead - Breed of the Month - January 2025

This month marks the start of my 2025 spinning challenge! 🎉

What is the challenge, you ask? This year, I’ve joined the Breed of the Month Fibre Study from Long Way Homestead. Each month, I’ll explore a different Canadian sheep breed, spinning it's fibre into yarn, and sharing everything I learn with you. I’m so excited to dive into this journey and see how the year unfolds!

For January, the fibre is Targhee, a squishy, bouncy wool I’ve never spun before. I was both excited and a little nervous to give it a try. How would it feel on the wheel and in my hands? Would the fibre draft smoothly? Would this whole study work for me? And most importantly, could I manage to spin 4 ounces in just a month? every month for a year?

That is the beauty of this study. It's about discovering new wools and learning about the diverse sheep of Canada. It is as much about the process of it a;; as it is about the finished yarn.

About Targhee

Targhee wool has a fascinating history. In 1926, researchers at the USDA Sheep Experiment Station in Idaho developed the breed by crossing Rambouillet rams with Corriedale and Lincoln/Rambouillet ewes. The goal was to create a dual-purpose sheep that would thrive in harsh climates while producing both meat and fine wool. They named the breed after the Targhee National Forest, where the sheep grazed during the summer.

Targhee wool is incredibly soft, with a fiber diameter of 22–25 microns. It’s known for its loft, elasticity, and bounce, which make it a joy to spin and wear. The wool combines the softness of fine wools with the handling qualities of long wools, resulting in fabric that’s both cozy and elegant.

My Experience Spinning

Spinning Targhee was a dream! Despite some vegetable matter (which I later learned is called VM) in the fiber, the wool drafted beautifully and almost spun itself. I even managed some longdraw spinning, which I had never done before. The fiber seemed to hold together effortlessly, making the process smooth and enjoyable. I got quicker with every 54g bobbin. I was planning to make 3 so I could have a 3 ply. That was the Goal! The resulting yarn is wonderfully soft, squishy, and full of bounce. While I aimed for a sport or DK weight, the finished yarn ended up closer to a Worsted/Aran weight. This might be due to Targhee’s inherent loft and elasticity.

Here are the final stats:

Weight: Worsted/Aran Yardage: 246 yards

Time Spent: About 10.5 hours (3h a bobbin)

The yarn is perfect for next to skin garments like hats, mittens, or sweaters. It’s so soft that even those sensitive to wool would likely enjoy wearing it.

Lessons Learned

One key takeaway from spinning Targhee is to account for its bounce when estimating twist and finished yarn weight. What might seem tightly spun while on the bobbin will puff up significantly after washing and drying.

This was a fantastic start to my 2025 year-long challenge, and I’m thrilled to explore the other breeds in the subscription. Stay tuned for February spinning. We’ll even be able to start comparing the months now! How exciting!

Happy spinning!