The Faroe Islands are in the North Atlantic, a self-governing territory of Denmark. The islands and the people who live there to this day have had their lives shaped not only by the natural environment, but also by the sheep that have grazed there for centuries, today known as Faroe sheep. These sheep have been so important to the Faroe Islands that their coat of arms proudly displays the breed.

The Faroese are likely descended from both Gaelic and Norse settlers. Geologists have uncovered sheep DNA and biomarkers from lake-bed sediments that are dated from around the 6^th century. Since historic sagas indicate that the Norse did not arrive until around the 9^th century, it is thought that the islands might have first been visited by settlers possibly from Great Britain or Ireland who brought sheep along with them. Writings from an Irish monk named Dicuil from the early 9th century allude to hermits from Ireland or Scotland residing in the islands. Some tales even suggest that an Irish saint named Brendan visited islands resembling the Faroes in the 6th century.

Historic sagas recount tales of Norse settlers who opposed the monarchy of Harald Fairhair in Norway, choosing instead to migrate and settle in the Faroes by the end of the 9th century. With the arrival of these newcomers, the cultural landscape began to shift. These new settlers did not just introduce the Old West Norse language, which later evolved into modern Faroese, but they also brought with them their traditions, beliefs, and practices. And livestock. Indeed, the name Faroe Islands may be derived from the Old Norse word for sheep, fær. The sheep that the 9^th century Norse brought with them probably interbred with the sheep already on the islands, becoming a sheep breed known locally as Føroyskur seyður. These animals quickly became intertwined with Faroese traditions and daily life.

Although the Norse settlers may have intended to escape the Norwegian monarchy, by 1035 they were under the auspices of Norway once again. And yet they were far enough away that for a time they ran their own government, called the Løgting. That would change with the Sheep Letter of 1298, of a royal decree by Duke Haakon, who would later become the king of Norway. It seems that Norway thought that the agricultural law of the Faroe Islands was more or less non-existent. A wild west of sheep farming, if you will. Much of the Sheep Letter laid out rules for sheep, including proof of ownership, taming wild sheep, the number of sheep allowed in a pasture, rules for bite-y sheepdogs, and what to do about trespassing sheep. There were a few other things about tenants, whales, flotsam, and the treatment of the poor. But mostly it was about sheep. The Sheep Letter is also where the Faroese tradition of earmarking originates. Faroese have distinct designs that are cut into the sheep's ears to denote ownership and specific pasturelands. There were once 54 different official cuts, ensuring that each marking on the island was unique.

The wool from Faroe sheep was important to the islands’ economy, leading to the popular phrase Ull er Føroya Gull, or Wool Is the Gold of the Faroes. It became especially important during the Napoleonic wars when the Danish army received thousands of woolen sweaters produced from Faroese wool. The popularity of Faroe sheep wool would soon see a decline, though. In 1814 the Treaty of Kiel gave the Faroe Islands to Denmark, right in the midst of the Industrial Revolution. The desire for woolen goods from Faroe sheep began to decline as fabrics from wool and cotton mills became easier and cheaper to buy. But Faroe sheep were still important for their meat, and even today much Faroese food includes mutton or lamb. Traditional dishes like air-dried meat, known as Skerpikjøt, and fermented meat called ræst kjøt, are staples in Faroese cuisine.

Over the centuries, Faroese sheep, have become symbols of endurance and adaptability. These small, sturdy sheep, typically weighing between 45-90 pounds, are found wandering freely across the varied terrains of the islands, unhindered by the lack of a flocking instinct. Their wool has also been experiencing a bit of a resurgence over the last couple of decades, as some Faroese look to revive their wool industry – the wool is still used in locally knitted sweaters, blankets, rugs, and more.

Faroe sheep wool can come in a number of different colors, making it appealing for fiber artists who want an undyed wool palette. At 34-36 microns it is a coarse wool, which makes it quite durable. The staple is around 3.5-4 inches long, and it is coarse enough that spinners probably would not want to spin up a yarn any lighter than worsted weight. For felters, Faroe wool felts up quickly and well.

We have some limited supplies of Faroe sheep wool in the shop – try some out for your next project. It is available both in the shop and online so that you can get some in your crafty little fingers and start working with Faroe wool!