Shetland Wool Top | Natural White, Grey & Moorit Wool for Spinning & Felting
Shetland Wool Top is a traditional wool prized for its excellent balance of softness, resilience and ease of spinning. Sourced from the classic Shetland sheep breed, it produces lightweight, durable yarns with beautiful character and outstanding stitch definition.
Available in three beautiful natural colours - White, Grey and Moorit (a rich reddish-brown) - this combed wool top allows spinners and fibre artists to create stunning projects without dyeing while celebrating the natural beauty of the fleece.
With a fibre diameter of approximately 29–31 microns and a staple length of 3.5 inches (9 cm), Shetland wool is ideal for hand spinning, felting, fibre blending and many other fibre arts.
Quick overview:
✔️ 100% Shetland wool
✔️ Available in Natural White, Grey and Moorit
✔️ 29-31 micron fibre diameter
✔️ 3.5" (9 cm) staple length
✔️ Ideal for spinning, felting and fibre blending
✔️ Produced in England
✔️ 100 g package
Why choose Shetland wool?
Shetland wool is known for producing yarns that are light, resilient and long-lasting. Softer than many traditional British breeds while offering more character and bounce than ultra-fine wools, it is a favourite among hand spinners looking for versatility and authenticity.
- excellent balance of softness and durability
- lightweight, springy yarns
- easy to draft
- excellent stitch definition
- beautiful natural colours
- suitable for beginners and experienced spinners alike
Three beautiful natural colours
Shetland wool is available in three naturally occurring fleece colours.
- Natural White – perfect for spinning, felting or hand dyeing.
- Natural Grey – an elegant soft grey that adds depth and character to finished yarns.
- Moorit – the traditional Shetland name for a beautiful natural reddish-brown fleece, highly prized for undyed projects.
Perfect for a wide range of projects
Shetland wool is especially well suited for traditional sweaters, shawls, hats, mittens and woven textiles. Its natural elasticity creates lightweight yet durable yarns with excellent memory.
- spinning wheel
- drop spindle spinning
- wet felting
- needle felting
- fibre blending
- natural colour projects
Specifications
- Material: 100% Shetland wool
- Origin: England
- Colours: Natural White, Natural Grey or Moorit
- Fibre diameter: 29–31 microns
- Staple length: Approximately 3.5" (9 cm)
- Weight: 100 g
How does Shetland compare to other wool fibres?
| Feature | Shetland |
|---|---|
| Softness | ★★★★☆ |
| Ease of spinning | ★★★★★ |
| Resilience | ★★★★★ |
| Felting | ★★★★☆ |
| Natural colours | ★★★★★ |
Shetland offers more bounce and resilience than Merino while remaining softer than many traditional medium wools. It has earned its reputation for producing strong, lightweight yarns that are ideal for classic knitting, weaving and naturally coloured fibre projects.
Complete your fibre studio
Our opinion
Shetland is one of those fibres every hand spinner should experience. Its beautiful balance of softness, loft and durability makes it incredibly versatile, while the three natural colours offer endless creative possibilities without the need for dyeing.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does "Moorit" mean?
Moorit is the traditional Shetland name for the breed's natural reddish-brown fleece. It refers to the fleece colour, not a different sheep breed.
Can all three colours be dyed?
Yes. Natural White is ideal for dyeing, while Grey and Moorit can also be dyed, although their natural colour will influence the final result.
Is Shetland wool beginner-friendly?
Yes. Its staple length and excellent fibre cohesion make it easy to draft and enjoyable for new and experienced spinners alike.
Is Shetland suitable for felting?
Absolutely. It performs well in both wet felting and needle felting projects.