Icelandic Sheep - Sheepskin

Sheepskin

Icelandic sheepskins come in many colors and are generally not dyed. The hide is quite soft and is generally 6 square feet (0.56 m2) to 8 square feet (0.74 m2) in size. Depending on whether the wool has been shorn, the wool can be up to 8 inches (200 mm) in length.

Dry-cleaning will strip the natural oils out of the skin and wool, rendering it scratchy and rough. Gentle wool cleaners are generally used to keep the sheepskins soft.

The sheepskins are used for mittens, gloves, hats and to upholster footstools. When stitched together, they are used for rugs and blankets. The variety of colors inherent within the sheep often makes articles made from Icelandic sheepskin quite striking.