Rambouillet sheep are often referred to as the french-merino, they were established in 1786 in Roubouillet France. In 1840 they were first introduced in the USA and it quickly spread through N. America.
They are a large sheep and fairly fast growing. They adapt well to many types of forage and can survive on sparse native grasslands and they thrive in arid conditions. Rambouillets have adequate meat, but are raised primarily for high-quality wool.
There are many large Rambouillet farms in the Canadian Prairies, which they are well suited for due to their flocking instinct. They will spread out during the day to graze a wide range of land but then bunch up tightly at night to sleep.
Rambouillet Sheep at GRannie Farm - Photo by Christel Lanthier
Rambouillet is incredibly soft and has amazing handle. It is a great wool for those next to the skin projects and will feel great to work with. Some folks say that rambouillet is like Merino but with a bit more bounce. Because of it's slightly disorganized crimp it provides great elasticity and beautiful loft.
Rambouillet is a very greasy wool, and the tips are often the most dirty. It requires very hot water for washing and much of the weight of the fibre will be lost during washing.
Most Rambouillet is white, however, some farmers are experimenting by introducing coloured rams into he flock genetics to get coloured rambouillet fleeces.
Rambouillet does not have the same lustre as merino, but it will take dye well with almost a matte appearance. Rambouillet will felt very easily and is great for needle or wet felting projects. Rambouillet is a great choice for your baby items, and next to the skin projects!
Staple length: 2 - 4" inches
Fibre diameter:18 - 24 microns
Fleece weight is between 8 - 18lbs
Shape: Square, dense flat-tipped staples with slightly disorganized crimp
Rambouillet wool - raw (not washed)
Rambouillet Farm
Our Rambouillet wool is sourced from a local Manitoba regenerative farm owned and operated by Graham and Janet Rannie near Russel Manitoba. They have a large operation of purebred Rambouillet and purebred Cheviot sheep on pasture. Graham is experimenting breeding his Rambouillet ewes with a coloured Merino ram to get a fine brown/black wool. You can find more info about their farm here.
Pattern Recomondations
We love rambouillet in any format, we have done 2 or 3 ply and our favourite is a thick single ply yarn. Check out these beautiful patterns knit in our Rambouillet breed of the month using 1 skein.
Hats!
Chunky Cabled Headband by Michelle Greenberg (Knit by Leanne @theknittystew)
Here is what Leanne has to say about the headband she knit “Rambouillet is so lofty and next to skin soft. The single ply and thick/thin nature of this particular skein makes it ideal for texture (specifically cables).”
Cabled Hat
Hat Pattern by (Knit by Carmen @carmen_acanadiangirl)
“The bulky Rambouillet was so squishy and delectable, I couldn't resist! It was also a lovely knit, although I made it a little too small for my head. I still wear it all the time though! I will say this wool had so much variation in thickness that it was a little different to work with but it still ended up being wonderful. “