If we are talking about wool properties, I've just been reading a book, In Sheeps Clothing, which seems to cover a lot of different breeds. I'm sort of in the process of learning about wool properties, as they apply to the processing and use of wool. The book mostly deals with the general attributes of a specific type of sheep's wool. For instance, Shetland wool might be of a different length or softness than Corriedale. Looking at photos of the wool of each, I notice great difference. The Corriedale locks look lusterous and long. I'm currently working on some Shetland, and I can tell you that the length of the wool is about 3 inches. This is my first Shetland fleece. I'm pleased with the way that you can tease it into a lovely lofty bunch. I've only had smaller quantities of the Corriedale, and they were much longer, and processed before I got my hands on them.
Before spinning, I'd take wool as I found it, at the yarn shop, prespun, predyed. The properties that mattered then were the thickness of the yarn, and how much in a skein. Now that I'm spinning, wool properties mean something else entirely.
