Tough as Targhee: Finewool of the West

Knitters know Merino, but you may not realize that one of the breeds that’s been appearing in a lot of yarn lately is part of the extended Merino family. What makes Targhee special? Here are three fast Targhee facts:

Targhee is a young sheep breed—a new Merino cousin.

Established in the late 1930s, the first Targhee flock was named for the pastures where the sheep grazed during the summer: Idaho’s Targhee National Forest. The goal was to create a sheep that produced a fine fleece and fast-growing lambs while being tough enough to thrive in challenging landscapes.

A range flock on the move

Targhee is a “comeback” breed.

Shepherds have long known that crossing Merino-type ewes with a Lincoln ram, draped in long, coarse, shiny curls, can result in lambs that produce amazing fleeces and grow quickly. You may recognize the names Corriedale and Columbia, breeds that were created this way. A comeback—a cross that “comes back” toward the finewool side of the family tree (with Rambouillet, in this case)—results in a higher percentage of finewool genetics and, thus, a finer fleece.

Fleece check: dense, fine, and bright white!

These sheep produce a lot of finewool.

Mature Targhee ewes average 10 to 12 pounds of raw wool each year; these are big fleeces. According to the US Targhee Sheep Association, the ideal fineness for the breed is 24.94 to 22.05 microns, which is a great range for handknits. Targhee is soft yet durable and has a lively crimp that keeps even our biggest cozy sweaters lightweight.

—Kate

About the Photographer:
Kristin Bieber and her husband, Cord, are fourth-generation Montana ranchers. Skull Creek Targhees run registered Targhees alongside a flock of commercial Targhees on the Eastern Montana range. They are passionate about raising sheep that raise good lambs and shear an excellent fleece in range conditions with minimal input.

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Kate Larson, editor of Spin Off, teaches handspinning around the country and spends as many hours as life allows in the barn with her beloved flock of Border Leicesters.