About Cestari Ltd. (Formerly Known as Chester Farms)
About Cestari Ltd. (Formerly Known as Chester Farms) Cestari, Ltd and Cestari Sheep & Land Company LLC, formerly known as Chester Farms, were established by its founder, Francis Chester, in 1946, when he was 10 years old. From the beginning, quality farm products were produced for direct market. Today that tradition continues with the emphasis, as it has been through the years, on wool yarn from our own sheep. Working the farm with Francis is Diane, Francis’ wife of many years, together with their children, Francis Scott Cestari, Sabrina Gutshall and Jennifer Grimm, all very much involved in the operation.Cestari is the ancestral Italian name for Chester. The tradition of the Cestari (Chester) family raising sheep goes back centuries to the Italian mountain province of Basilicata, some distance from Naples, where the former generations grazed their sheep on the monastery’s grounds.
Our traditional wool and wool blend yarn is machine washable without shrinking and is sold in yarn shops throughout the country and Canada, in our sales barn at the farm and by internet, shipped direct to your door. Our pencil roving and all collections of Merino wool may be felted. We recommend hand washing for merino wool yarn. Our yarns are used for knitting, crocheting, and, of course, weaving.
In addition, we carry quality hand-crafted sheepskin products. Our product line includes hats, mittens, vests, car set and seat belt covers, steering wheel covers, bicycle and exercise bike seat covers and full sheepskins.
We also produce outstanding lamb products. Our lamb is very lean due to much of the fat produced goes into making wool and not meat.