Asking experienced wool crafters; what kind of wool do I have?

My mini flock of three Ouessant sheep got sheared the day before yesterday. We're having hot, dry weather, so I went ahead and washed the fleeces yesterday (after picking them through first to remove vegetable matter and poopy bits).
I tried carding a dry bit of fleece today, and I think it went OK - but I'm almost a total novice at this!

Last year two sheep were sheared, and I know one fleece was nice to spin with a drop spindle, the other is dodgy, I think it might be good for felting.
Now I have 2 fleeces that look nice (mother and daughter) and the one dodgy one.

But you kind fellow Permies, who have experience with wool - could you take a look at the photo's and tell me what kind of fleeces I've got?

Thank you in advance!

Beautiful fleece

It's not a breed I've worked with, but from the photos, it reminds me of the older (pre-down) sheeep.  The main quality these breeds had over the sheep that come later is that one sheep can have all the types of wool.  

The wool around the neck would be for clothing that touches the skin.  Sides would be good for outerwear. Legs might have long guard hairs (like coarse human hair) that can be separated for rug warp and the remaining wool be good for rig weft.  

It's often sorted before washing.

Or, be like me and blend them together and see what happens.

But it's difficult to tell from a photo.  I could be wrong.

It could be duel coated.

Does your local library have The Fleece and Fibre Sourcebook?  That helps show the different styles of wool sheep can make.

r ransom wrote:Beautiful fleece

It's not a breed I've worked with, but from the photos, it reminds me of the older (pre-down) sheeep.  The main quality these breeds had over the sheep that come later is that one sheep can have all the types of wool.  

The wool around the neck would be for clothing that touches the skin.  Sides would be good for outerwear. Legs might have long guard hairs (like coarse human hair) that can be separated for rug warp and the remaining wool be good for rig weft.  

It's often sorted before washing.

Or, be like me and blend them together and see what happens.

But it's difficult to tell from a photo.  I could be wrong.

It could be duel coated.

Does your local library have The Fleece and Fibre Sourcebook?  That helps show the different styles of wool sheep can make.

Thank you R, this helps heaps!! I obviously didn't sort the fleeces before washing, but now I know what to look for in the future.
And to understand why there seems to be so many different kinds of wool in one batch.
Ouessant is a 'primitive' breed. For me it means they gnaw on fruit trees like goats would. Most primitive sheep shed their wool naturally, these don't but there's a distinctive difference between the outer coat and the inner, fuzzy under wool.
For the second time in a row, I'll be spinning it all together (except the felty-fleece, it refuses to be spun).

The local library is small and French, but I'll add that book to my wish list.
Thanks again!

Nina Surya wrote:

r ransom wrote:
Does your local library have The Fleece and Fibre Sourcebook?  That helps show the different styles of wool sheep can make.

The local library is small and French, but I'll add that book to my wish list.
Thanks again!

If your library can't get it, it is available on Amazon in both printed and e-book  https://amzn.to/4fN7gwE (affiliate  link)

r. ransom has summed up beautifully.
I'd never heard of this breed of sheep, so had to do a search.  Indeed it's a breed that has a dense undercoat with guard hair (that's the coarser part, that helps to shed rain),
The crimp of the undercoat will give a guide to the fineness of the fleece the more crimps, the finer the fleece, the softer the "hand".  Also lamb's wool whatever the breed tends to have a finer fleece than the parent.
I've had merino that was 11 microns -exceptionally fine, usually 15-20 microns, human hair is about 19 microns and a strong wool like Lincoln is 35+ microns. Hope this helps to see where the Ouessant fleece fits - it could be very variable according to where on the animal it grows.