Bluefaced Leicester

Bluefaced Leicester Sheep

Breed Type: Wool Breed
Country of Origin: United Kingdom
Breed Association Website: bflsheep.com

The Bluefaced Leicester is one of the three Leicester breeds of sheep [English Leicester Longwool, Border Leicester, and Bluefaced Leicester].

The Old English Leicester, Teeswater, Dishley Leicester (or Bakewellโ€™s โ€œImproved Leicesterโ€), Border Leicester, and Wensleydale all contributed to the eventual development of the Bluefaced Leicester. Therefore, the Bluefaced Leicester is classified as a longwool breed.

Though its fleece is typically at the finer end of the longwool range, it exhibits characteristics unique to longwools, most notably staple length and structure.

On both white and natural colored Bluefaced Leicesters, the wool should be tightly purled, fine, dense, semi-lustrous, and when parted, it should open cleanly to the skin. There should be an even, consistent fleece coverage on the body, and the fleece should be free of hair and kemp. There should be no tendency for the main body of fleece to โ€œpeelโ€ (the fleece breaking and sloughing off).

The Bluefaced Leicester is classified as a longwool breed with a staple length of 3-6 inches, a fleece weight of 2ยฝ-4ยฝ lbs., and a fiber diameter of 56sโ€“60s count, or 24-28 microns. It creates high-quality semi-luster yarns with soft hand, beautiful drape, and excellent dyeing properties.


This breed presented by

Marlindale Farm
Margie Smith
45 Robinson Dr
New Oxford, PA 17350
(717) 624-4742
moc.liamg@35htimszzameigram
marlindalefarm.net

2026 Catalog Cover Artist Andrea Wisnewski

Find out more about our 2026 cover artist Andrea Wisnewski.

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Save the Dateโ€”Winterfest is back! Mark your calendars for Winterfest on Jan 30-31, 2027. Two days of classes, seminars, and community, all from home.๐Ÿงถ The Maryland Sheep & Wool Festivalโ€™s Virtual Winterfest returns January 30-31, 2027, with two cozy days of fiber arts classes, agricultural seminars, and communityโ€”all from the comfort of home.No winter travel required. Just gather your favorite project, pour yourself something warm, and join fiber friends from near and far for a weekend of learning, making, and connection.More detailsโ€”and our full lineupโ€”will be coming soon. For now, mark your calendar and start planning your coziest seat!๐Ÿ“… January 30-31, 2027๐Ÿ’ป Online from wherever you are๐Ÿ‘ Pajamas optional, enthusiasm encouraged#MSWFWinterfest #VirtualWinterfest #MarylandSheepAndWool #FiberArts #SaveTheDate #FiberCommunity ... See MoreSee Less
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It is with great sadness that we share the passing of Mary Streaker, one of the founders of the Maryland Sheep & Wool Festival. Mary passed away yesterday, just two months shy of her 95th birthday.Mary's influence on our Festival, the Howard County Fairgrounds, and countless individuals cannot be overstated. She was a teacher, mentor, artist, leader, volunteer, and friend whose passion for education, creativity, and community helped shape the Festival we know today.Many of us were fortunate to know Mary personally. Even in recent years, she continued to attend Festival meetings when she was able, reconnecting with the volunteers and friends who had worked alongside her for decades. Her wisdom, enthusiasm, and deep commitment to preserving and celebrating the fiber arts inspired generations of volunteers, exhibitors, artists, and fairgoers.Mary's legacy lives on through the Home Arts Department, the Fine Arts and Photo Competitions, and the many traditions she helped establish and nurture. The Maryland Sheep & Wool Festival exists today in part because of the vision, dedication, and countless hours of service that Mary and her fellow founders invested so many years ago.On behalf of the Maryland Sheep & Wool Festival community, we extend our heartfelt condolences to Mary's family, friends, students, and all who were touched by her remarkable life. We are grateful for her contributions, her friendship, and the enduring example she set for all of us.Mary will be deeply missed and fondly remembered.Visitation will be held at Haight Funeral Home, Sykesville, Maryland, on June 17 from 2:00โ€“4:00 p.m. and 6:00โ€“8:00 p.m. Funeral services will be held on June 18 at 10:00 a.m., followed by a Celebration of Life luncheon at 12:30 p.m. in the Howard County Fairgrounds Dining Hall. ... See MoreSee Less
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LOST AND FOUND!2026 MD Sheep & Wool If you lost an item at the Festival please contact gro.loowdnapeehs@ofni. We do have a few items that were left behind and will work with you to determine if any of them are yours! Glasses, wallets, journal, necklace, scarf, etc., etc. We'd like to see you reunited!! ... See MoreSee Less
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