The Base
It's all about the Base!
Before the dye has even left the jar, the base yarn is chosen. ​
For me this is just important as selecting the colours I will use. I love all things lustres and soft and often a little different to the norm.
The Base, in my opinion is an important aspect when planning your next project. Considering how a yarn knits into a fabric can ensure you get the finish you are looking for, for your projects, and we all want a professional finish at the end of the day.
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Below I have outlined some of the properties of the bases I often have in stock. Please email me if you have an questions, I am happy to help as much as I can.
Blue Face Leicester
The decadent blend of super-wash Blue face Leicester and Silk gives you a beautifully stunning blend of yarn
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The fleece of this breed of sheep is strong and hard-wearing with a stunning lustre, meaning it is perfect for heavier knitwear or outer garments.
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Although the length of the fleece is long, it is thinner than most long-wool's which makes it soft and silky. Due to the structural properties of the Blue-faced Leicester wool it produces a yarn that is both soft and strong with a beautiful drape.
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4ply 400m
Yak
This blend of Yak, Super-wash Merino and Silk is beyond soft.
Yak is a beautiful fibre with outstanding qualities. It is 40% warmer than wool, 60% more breathable and 17% better at transporting moisture away from your skin.
Once it is knitted up it produces a light weight garment with a stunning drape. Before dying it is a light grey colour which enables a rich, intense colour on dying the fibre.
Once you start using Yak, you will not be disappointed with the finished product and will want to use it again and again and again!
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4ply 400m
Kid Silk & Mohair
This lace yarn weight yarn is 72% Kid Mohair and 28% Silk and is so versatile, it can be used in lace knitting for accessories and double stranded to replicate a 4ply yarn.
Also held with another yarn like blue face Leicester can add a fluffy effect to garments.
This fascinating yarn seems like it glistens when it is knitted up. The this a super strong yarn as well as delicate and warm.
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Lace-weight 480m
Silk
Silk and merino mix.
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This combination of silk and merino provide the perfect partner. Merino wool is a not only a fantastic insulator but offers breath-ability, a wonderful softness plus that awesome shine!
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Then you add the silk factor! This is the strongest natural fibre available which is light and cooling in hot weather, which also provides an incredible shine and lustre to all your knit wear.
4ply 400m
Linen
Linen is a stunning fibre with a number of qualities.
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The yarn is a blend of Baby Alpaca, Linen and silk, It feels cool to the touch but with a softness like no other.
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Linen is a strong fibre which holds its shape well it has good absorbance so ideal for summer garments, drying faster than cotton.
However the baby alpaca will keep you warm in winter, so this garment can be warn all year round. The combination of these three fibres produce a stunning drape lustrous fabric, which will not be bulky however will adjust to your body heat.
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4ply 400m
Cashmere
I am so excited to be able to bring this new base to my collection.
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This is a base containing grey baby alpaca, silk and cashmere...oh yes...Cashmere!!
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Cashmere is downy under-fibre found on most goats which keeps them warm in winter. It is a delicate and soft fibre which is lightweight with great warmth.
Now pair cashmere with silk and baby alpaca and this delicate fibre turns into a strong and super soft and more durable fabric.
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Silk is one of the strongest natural fibres which adds lustre. Baby alpaca brings that delicate feel. Although there is little elasticity in the alpaca there is plenty in the cashmere so its a lovely balance.
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4ply 400m
Merino
Most knitters/crafters have some merino in their yarn stash and who would be surprised it is incredibly soft!
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It's history has royal connections. Spanish royalty began importing rams from Morocco to cross with their best ewes which, produced an beautiful soft wool, like no other in the world at the time.
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Not all merinos however are the same but they generally are all 'next to skin soft'.
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I am currently carrying two merino's, an organic DK and a silk and merino blend. These are both Peruvian Merino and therefore they have not been mulesed and live in small herds in the mountains of Peru.
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Merino is delightfully soft due to the finesse of the fibre with good elasticity. This wool helps to regulate your natural body temperature as well as helping to take moister away from the skin.
Merino fibre is also beneficial for those suffering from allergies, asthma and eczema.
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100% Merino DK 100g - 225m
50% Merino & 50% Silk 4ply - 400m
Pima Cotton
This lovely new addition to the yarn base collection is a blend of baby alpaca, silk and Pima Cotton, its all big and fluffy and so soft.
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Pima Cotton is a high end cotton with a longer than normal staple length of fibre and this is what makes it so soft along with the fact it comes from the fluffiest part of the cotton blub.
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Pima Cotton production has less impact on the environment and produces a lot less waste than normal cotton production and due to the structure of the fibre it is much more durable and has a long life, up to a 50% increase in longevity comparted with other cottons, making it a much more suitable choice.
What you will notice about this skein, other than being as soft as a cloud, it dyes differently than other fibres. Cotton fibres will not take acid dyes so these remain undyed.
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Although this is a 4ply yarn I have found that it knits like a 4ply and lace weight held together so can work out less costly when you want to add texture to projects. But a test gauge would be highly recommended.
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4ply 400m
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Alpaca
There are a few different types of Alpaca. Currently I am stocking Alpaca and baby alpaca.
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The fibre has been sourced from smaller farmers in the Peruvian Andes.
The difference with baby alpaca, is that this is the first ever shearing of this animals fleece so it is super soft, anything after that is simply referred to as Alpaca. (This is in all cases where they refer to a fibre being called 'baby')
Alpaca has been described as a sensuous, supply and swingy fibre which, those of us who have used it, would certainly agree with.
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Alpaca is a strong fibre and although it doesn't have as much elasticity as wool it can be warmer than other fibres.
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A note on improving your alpaca knits:
Gauge is crucial! Too loose and the yarns will move around and droop; too tight and the fabric will be stiff, just right and you are going to be in alpaca heaven!
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Alpaca, silk & Cashmere 4ply 400m
Alpaca, silk & Linen 4ply 400m
A note on Superwash and the Future!
I am currently carrying a few yarn bases that are superwash; Blue Face Leicester with Nylon 100g and the 20g as well as the Blue Face Leicester and silk. This is something that I am aiming to change in the near future and remove superwash yarns from my shop. This is to stay in line with my ethos, which is to be more sustainable, provide you with yarn that is ethically produced and as eco as possible as well as a product that is durable.
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I am currently in talks with various yarn suppliers and mills and looking into various different yarn bases. This will take time however as soon as I have news on these developments I will pass on the info.
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