About The Flock

Windy Oaks Farm is home to a small spinner’s Flock of Shetland sheep and alpacas.  Each year our Flock is sheared to remove the previous year’s fiber – not only does this provide luscious yarns for us, but it’s a necessity for their health, too!  They spend most of their time either grazing the pasture or hanging out in the barn, though even in the foulest weather Flock seems to prefer it outside!

Shetland sheep are wool sheep originally brought to the Shetland Islands in Scotland by the Vikings.  In the 1980s a flock was imported to Canada and then down to the U.S.  There are two wonderful organizations here in the states if you’d like to learn more about Shetland sheep.  The first is the North American Shetland Sheep Association (NASSA) and the second is the Fine Fleece Shetland Sheep Association (FFSSA).  Shetlands are what’s called a “primitive” breed – their tails are short and do not require docking, they often shed (or “roo”) their fleece in early summer, and they are hardy in a range of environments.  Their wool is highly sought after by hand spinners and knitters due to its softness, durability, and loft.  Shetland knitters are famous for both their Fair Isle (multi-color) knitting and their lace knitting.  It’s said that a Shetland lace shawl six feet long should be fine enough to fit through a wedding ring!

Our alpacas bring something special to the table with their fiber as well.  Originally from the award-winning Long Acres Alpaca Farm, our boys are charming additions to the Flock.  But they’re not just pretty faces – their fleece is soft and produces yarn that will make any knitter drool!  Whether on it’s own with a silk-like drape or blended with Shetland for the perfect balance of bounce and shine, alpaca fiber is one your fingers will love working with.