Churro

Churro (Navajo-Churro) sheep have long been raised by the Navajo people. However, their numbers have diminished greatly over the years due to cross-breedings and government-sponsored herd reductions. Now they are now one of the rarest breeds in North America.

Churro sheep are a double-coated breed, with an softer inner coat and a coarser, hair-like outer coat. The inner layer of a Churro fleece will have staple length of approximately 3-5 inches with a micron count of about 10-36 microns (more typically in the range of 28-36). The outer coat of a Churro fleece can have a staple length as long as 6-12 inches, but it is much coarser than the inner coat, with micron counts above 35 (typically in the range of 48-56). Churro wool can be spun “in the grease” more easily than some other varieties of wool, due to its low amount of lanolin. Churro fiber has a silky texture, and has little crimp.

If there are any current auctions on eBay for Churro fleece or rovings, you’ll find them listed below. Click a picture or description to get more information or to place your bid.

12-stapl-gray-brown-wool-navajo-churro-raw-fleece-2-lb 12" Stapl Gray/Brown WOOL Navajo-Churro Raw Fleece 2 lb
US $19.99 (1 Bid)
End Date: Thursday Jul-29-2010 17:03:17 PDT
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14-staple!-white-navajo-churro-wool-raw-fleece-3-1-lbs 14" Staple! White NAVAJO-CHURRO Wool RAW FLEECE 3.1 lbs
US $17.99 (1 Bid)
End Date: Friday Jul-30-2010 20:29:31 PDT
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roving-navajo~churro-rich-brown-or-silver-brown-12-oz- Roving,Navajo~Churro,rich Brown or silver Brown,12 oz.
US $30.00
End Date: Saturday Jul-31-2010 9:18:23 PDT
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14-stpl-gray-brown-wool-navajo-churro-raw-fleece-11-lb 14" Stpl Gray/Brown WOOL Navajo-Churro Raw Fleece 11 lb
US $39.99 (0 Bid)
End Date: Tuesday Aug-03-2010 22:06:28 PDT
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2-s-of-spinner-s-mix-navajo~churro-fleece 2#'s of Spinner's Mix Navajo~Churro fleece
US $24.00
End Date: Wednesday Aug-11-2010 10:23:16 PDT
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3--s-of-spinner-s-mix-navajo~churro-fleece 3 #'s of Spinner's Mix Navajo~Churro fleece
US $36.00
End Date: Wednesday Aug-11-2010 10:27:15 PDT
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roving-navajo~churro-rich-brown-or-silver-brown-16-oz- Roving,Navajo~Churro,rich Brown or silver Brown,16 oz.
US $40.00
End Date: Sunday Aug-15-2010 10:05:14 PDT
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roving-navajo~churro-rich-brown-or-silver-brown-4-oz- Roving,Navajo~Churro,rich Brown or silver Brown,4 oz.
US $12.00
End Date: Sunday Aug-15-2010 10:05:20 PDT
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fleece-washed-brown-gold-navajo-churro-5-staple-5-s Fleece washed, Brown/Gold,Navajo-Churro,5" staple,5#'s
US $60.00
End Date: Tuesday Aug-17-2010 12:04:00 PDT
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fleece-washed-long-hobbs-silver-navajo-churro-9-4--s Fleece washed,Long Hobbs Silver,Navajo-Churro,9", 4 #'s
US $48.00
End Date: Tuesday Aug-17-2010 12:04:15 PDT
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Churro wool is strong and durable, and is probably most often used for weaving rugs. However, Churro fiber with a lower micron count works well for socks and outer garments. Navajo-Churro fleeces can be found in a huge variety of natural colors, including white, various shades of brown (ranging from light beige and tan to reddish brown and dark brown), light and dark grey, and black.