Solitude Wool | Breed-Specific Wool Yarns, Rovings, Patterns & Kits

Karakul Yarn

$ 8.00

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about this wool

Solitude partner Sue Bundy raises Karakul sheep at her farm RedGate and this is one our favorite wools. We are one of the few sources of Karakul Yarn in the US. It is fabulously feltable, exceptionally insulating and extrememly strong, but, it's quite coarse and has no elasticity. The undyed colors are heathered and beautiful, but it takes dye brilliantly. Traditionally used for rugs, it is also great for hard wearing items, knit-to-felt projects and weaving. The balls are the same yarn as in our skeins and cones, but a smaller amount wound into center pull balls. We made these to create knit-to-felt coasters in two or three colors. Free (maybe…have to consult with the designer) pattern available. Great for accent colors on any Karakul project.
design: 2-ply, semi-worsted spun with both coats together. Quite coarse, a little hairy and very strong!
size: worsted weight, 13 wpi
suggested needles: 6 (US) or large (9, 10+) for knit-to-felt projects
length: Skeins: approximately 130 yards/121 meters; Balls: 30 yards/ 27 meters.
weight: 3.2 oz./90 grams (black is heavier: 4.5 oz/127 grams)
gauge: varies between colors, 4-4.2 sts. per inch on sizes 8-9 (US)
care: yarn is pre-washed. hand wash warm with NO agitation, lay flat to dry or can be dry cleaned.
fiber source: hand selected fleeces from RedGate Farm in Leesburg, Virginia
fiber content: 100% Karakul wool.
Karakul are possibly the oldest domesticated sheep breed. Rare in North America, Karakul are fat tail sheep native to Central Asia. A Primitive breed, they have a long hair outer coat that protects them from the weather and a softer down undercoat for warmth. They come in a wide range of natural colors from whites, to silvers, reds, gray and black. The fleece is sheared twice a year and has very little lanolin, making it easy to scour. It is one of the best felting wools.

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roving - undyed

$ 12.00

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preparation: the fleece has been scoured, picked and run through a large carder at a one of many small mills we work with here in the mid-Atlantic and other areas of the US.
Carded roving has fibers going in many directions, loosely organized. Appropriate for woolen or semi-worsted spinning techniques. Pin drafted roving has had an additional run through moving "pins" that align the fibers more parallel. Not quite the same as combed top, but suitable for semi-worsted spinning.
4 oz /113 grams bag (exceptions noted in the name)

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Clun Forest Yarn

$ 28.00

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about this wool

The robust Down type wool of Clun Forest sheep makes a great cushiony, elastic and insulating yarn. Woolen spun to accentuate the loft and warmth of the short staple wool, this is a 3 ply, balanced, round yarn great for knitting. Good for garments, throws, accessories, etc! Comfort yarn. See the Eleanor Mittens by Alexis Miranda in the 2018 Fall issue of Knitscene
-design: 3-ply, woolen spun size: worsted weight, 12 wpi
-suggested needles: 6 to 8 (US)
-length: approximately 185 yards/169 meters
-weight: 3.8 oz./ 107 grams
-gauge: 4.5 sts. per inch on size 7 (US)
-care: yarn is pre-washed. hand wash warm with low agitation, lay flat to dry or can be dry cleaned.
-fiber source: hand selected fleeces from Shepherds Knoll Farm, Phoenix, Maryland and Meadow Brook farm in Warrenton, Virginia
-fiber content: 100% Clun Forest wool.

A breed from the Welsh border area of Britain, Clun Forest is a heritage breed in the US. Raised for meat and valued for their ability to grow well on pasture alone, they also grow a high quality, Down type wool that has robust crimp and elasticity. Clun fleece is fairly fine, with a short staple. Biggest problem with this wool can be breaks due to nutritional stress. Check fleeces carefully.