This photo illustrates the condition of the fleece after taken
from the animal. This particular fleece measures more than 7 feet
long when fully extended. Although we have designated the color
of this fleece as Fawn, you can see that it displays a range of
natural hues from grey to brown.

     Although we skirt our fleeces, some organic matter will
remain. This material, usually hay or straw, may be physically
removed with little effort. Fleeces are sold in the grease and have
not been washed. Each is placed in a paper feed bag, this is then
stapled closed and placed inside a plastic trash bag which is tied
shut. Because raw fleeces are heavy with lanolin they may
appear dense when removed from their packaging. Don't worry
that they appear to have lost the loft and lightness of a freshly
recovered fleece. All of our fleeces are guaranteed to spin like-a-
dream once carefully washed, carded, or combed.

     Below is a table used to classify wool fibers by fiber diameter (in microns, µm). It has been
modified from a similar one constructed by S. B. LeValley (Grades and Lengths of Grease Wool)
which may be found in its original form at the website of the Colorado State University Extension.

     A cursory microscopic examination of fibers taken from the ewe lamb, Hester (full Shetland),
showed that fibers from her fleece ranged form FINE (18.75 µm) to VERY COURSE
(50.0 µm). The majority of fibers however were classified as FINE and MEDIUM. You can
expect a similar range and average fiber distribution in all of our fleeces. Fiber diameters we have
measured and reported here are the same as those reported for the finest Merino wool.
Furthermore, our average fiber diameter puts Pairodox fleeces well within the Merino class. The
table below compares the fiber diameters ic of a number of wool breeds. It was modified from
one found at Gleason's Fine Woolies Ranch.