As far as I am aware, all mammals shed their hair as a normal part of living. Sheep are no exception. I have seen fields with sheep grazing amongst what looks, from a distance, like small drifts of snow.

There is an annual competition, somewhere in the Highlands and Islands to produce a jumper in the shortest possible time.

Teams of men run into fields, gathering up the sheddings which are passed to the washers. After washing, the wool is dried and then carded and spun into yarn. The completed balls are passed to eight knitters who make the parts which are finally sewn up together.

Each year there is a prescribed number of cable stitches that have to be incorporated and the pattern has to be adjusted, because the knitters don't know who they are knitting for until the last minute. I know that Jeremy Paxman and Prince Edward have both been the recipients of a jumper and present the prize.

I believe the record for sheep to worn garment is 5 hours and 59 minutes.

Regards

Chas