Under The Son Stilton

Elaine wanted a picture of Castello.  Well, I'll introduce Stilton first, then on to Castello.

UnderTheSon Stilton - moorit, C. Pegasus/UTS Sateen

And no, that isn't a beard!  He got into some foxtail like grass (I have no idea what it is).  This ram, and his twin sister, have had my eye since the minute they were born.  Elegance and presence are the two words that best describe them.  I went "Wow!" when they were born.  Dense, fine, crimpy, dark moorit. 

Stilton's rear

Stilton's fleece - fine crimp with deep curvature.

UTS Blue Castello - this is the best I can get for a body shot.  He'll hold his head up high when he is getting his scratches, but  I don't remember the last time we've had a more laid back ram.  Stocky, but not over done, he is a different type than Stilton.  He and Stilton are actually about the same size.

Castello's fleece - note the extreme fineness and tiny, yet deep amplitude, crimp structure.  This structure is what gives Shetland fleece 'memory' and bounce and is so essential in soft, long lasting Shetland knitted garments (and is quite different than Merino crimp and amplitude!).  This is why Shetland knitted lace, especially the very fine lace, sometimes looks like a crumpled mess when it is being knitted and why Shetlanders use what is called a 'raepin string'.  A raepin string is run through the knitting and tied to the knitter's clothing so the knitting can be stretched and the stitches more easily seen while knitting.  Pretty clever, eh?  Yet, this 'mess' is transformed into a webbed beauty when the knitted lace is washed and stretched on a frame or board or with (nowadays) lace wires.