Tunis! We Meet Again at Last

This is a story of being reunited with my one true love.

At the beginning of the month, I participated in an American breeds spinning workshop. It was amazing, and I got to try a whole slew of new sheep breeds, many of wish I'd really been wanting to try - and one I tried before, once.

Oh, Tunis. A wool unlike any other.

Back when I got my little tiny spindle, back when I first got the idea of a fiber sampler, I received a small sample of Tunis. By small, I mean small - it was only a handful, and I spun it into 9 yards of the bounciest, most beautiful yarn I had ever seen.

Sure, there are others that are bouncy - many finewools are. I even discovered a British breed that almost captures its unbelievable spring (Kerry Hill) - but not quite.

We finally met again, that fateful Saturday, this time in the form of washed fleece.

It's crimpy, it's curly, it's beautifully bouncy. Look at the crimp: Is it any wonder the yarn spins up springy when the fibers are literally shaped like springs? I've asked around and it seems like not all Tunis has this wonderful curlicue quality, but it is known as being a very springy breed.


Here's my original sample, and a new yarn I spun from the fleece. In the new yarn (in the ball), you can see a sprinkling of red hairs. Tunis lambs are born a gorgeous ginger shade - they fade to cream before their first shearing, but some red hairs remain.


Soft, springy, creamy, yum...

~Joyuna