Not As White As Driven Snow

Summary

The website content discusses the practical and cultural aspects of sheep's white fleece, its cleaning process, and the importance of lanolin, while also promoting storytelling and the work of various writers.

Abstract

The article titled "Not As White As Driven Snow" delves into the significance of white fleece in domestic sheep, which is predominantly preferred for its ease of dyeing. It explains the laborious process of cleaning a newly-shorn fleece, emphasizing the challenge of removing lanolin, a natural waterproofing substance that comprises up to a quarter of the fleece's weight. The piece also serves as a platform to highlight the storytelling prowess of various writers, encouraging readers to explore their work and subscribe to updates from the author, Penny Grubb. Additionally, it provides resources for readers interested in learning more about sheep characteristics and fleece preparation.

Opinions

The author suggests that the white color of most domestic sheep's fleece is advantageous for dyeing purposes.
The process of preparing a fleece is described as difficult, particularly due to the need to remove lanolin without inadvertently felting the wool.
The article promotes the work of multiple storytellers and writers, implying that their content is of high quality and worth reading.
There is an implicit endorsement of subscribing to the author's newsletter and supporting writers on Medium through a membership, indicating the value the author places on community support for creators.

Waterproof white sheep dressed in mud.

Though they come in a variety of colours from pure white to dark brown, most domestic sheep are white. A white fleece can be dyed, and the colour can be added more easily and accurately to the wool than at the stage of breeding the sheep.

Preparing a newly-shorn fleece to turn it into wool is largely a matter of cleaning before it can be spun. This means the removal of mud, straw, and all the things that sheep pick up in their coats. That’s hard enough on its own but the lanolin also has to go.

Lanolin is a sheep’s natural waterproofing, and given that it can make up as much as a quarter of the weight of a fresh fleece, washing it out is quite a task.

One wrong move when cleaning a fleece, and you’ll end up with felt that will never spin into wool.

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Not As White As Driven Snow

December Six Word Photo Story Challenge: “Snow & White”

Waterproof white sheep dressed in mud.