Shetland wool

noun

1. the fine wool undercoat pulled by hand from Shetland sheep.
2. thin, loosely twisted wool yarn for knitting or weaving.

Shetland wool

noun

1. a fine loosely twisted wool yarn spun from the fleece of Shetland sheep and used esp for sweaters

Word History and Origins

Origin of Shetland wool¹

First recorded in 1780–90

Example Sentences

His nondescript button-down shirt, Shetland wool sweater and windbreaker is a pretty convincing preppy disguise.

From New York Times

Sheep here outnumber people by 20 to 1, and inclement weather on the islands has encouraged the local sheep to grow a softer and lighter weight fiber that makes Shetland wool unique.

From New York Times

And, much like the war years when all able-bodied persons joined in the effort, Johnston enlisted a friend’s mother to hand-knit multiples of the three-piece pram set in flecked Shetland wool.

From Los Angeles Times

My present was an orange crewneck sweater, slightly stained but made, Mom pointed out, of genuine Shetland wool.

From Literature

Not far from it was an educational display that showed how much horsehair, cotton, mohair, Shetland wool and fleece could be stuffed into a Vi-Spring mattress from Britain.

From New York Times