Description
This yarn is from our Dorset Down sheep, our main flock, chosen not for their wool’s characteristics but because they are a good local breed for all our other needs. When we first had it spun some years ago we were unsure what it would turn out like but we have been thrilled every time. This batch is a very light cream colour and we have had it carded and spun in a different way from our previous yarns, using the worsted process. In this, fibres are more aligned and spun from the end not the side. This means that you have a smoother, brighter finish, almost a lustre. It also means that the yarn looks more slender than our other yarns (described as ‘woollen spun’).
We have found this yarn very attractive used simply as stocking stitch, with maybe a panel of lacy design or a simple few stripes of another colour. I am particularly pleased with a baby’s cardigan with a narrow Jacob tweed-grey stripe.
Recently, we have found some of our customers have bought this for home dyeing. Most of them have been using natural plant dyes and we have seen some really lovely results.
DK is the thickness in which we have our largest number of different colours. There are thirteen in total, all from the natural fleece colours in our flock; this gives you lots of choice and lots of chance to play with colour combinations.
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