Same soft, elegant yarn we sell in skeins, but on cones. Lovely weft yarn.
-design: 2-ply (the best structure for lace knitting or weaving), semi-worsted spun -size: lace weight, varies a little between colors, but approximately 24 wpi 2800 yds per pound -suggested use: weft yarn, not strong enough for warp -care: hand wash warm with low agitation, lay flat to dry or can be dry cleaned.
-fiber source: hand selected alpaca fleeces from Dark star Alpacas, Buttonwood Alpacas and Alpacas at Sunset Acres, Clarke County, Virginia and Merino from Black Sheep Farm, Waverly farm and Mere laur Farm in Loudoun County, Virginia -fiber content: 80% alpaca and 20% Merino wool.
Alpaca is a fine camalid fiber, a hair fiber actually, that is very soft. Blending a very Fine wool from Merino sheep adds some memory and body so your project won't continue to grow or stretch out of shape over time.
Lovely undyed alpaca merino yarn skeins, which are blended with just enough Merino wool to give this lace weight yarn a little elasticity. It comes in undyed black and three subtle color variations created with dyed in the wool Merino. Elegant and very soft for special knitting projects
-design: 2-ply (the best structure for lace knitting or weaving), semi-worsted spun -size: lace weight, varies a little between colors, but approximately 24 wpi 2800 yds per pound -suggested needles: 0 to 3 (US) lace 4 to 7 (US) -length: approximately 275 yards/251 -meters weight: varies slightly between colors, 1.5 to 2 oz./ 42-56 grams -gauge: varies between colors, 8.75 sts. To 10 sts. per inch on sizes 1 (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 alpaca fleeces from Dark star Alpacas, Buttonwood Alpacas and Alpacas at Sunset Acres, Clarke County, Virginia and Merino from Black Sheep Farm, Waverly farm and Mere laur Farm in Loudoun County, Virginia -fiber content: 80% alpaca and 20% Merino wool.
Alpaca is a fine camelid fiber, a hair fiber actually, that is very soft. Blending a very Fine wool from Merino sheep adds some memory and body so your project won't continue to grow or stretch out of shape over time.
Finer in diameter than our Border Leicester sport with strength added in the ply, our Border Leicester yarn plyed on cones is suitable for most warps (not great for rigid heddle) or weft. Combine this yarn as warp with a lighter, softer yarn as weft…like our Border Leicester soft spun yarn in either fog or cloud.
design: 2-ply (the best structure for lace knitting or weaving), semi-worsted spun with very light twist in singles, but extra twist in the plying for strength size: fingering weight, 16 wpi, 1000 yards per pound suggesteduse: warp or weft yarn. Will dye beautifully! care: hand wash warm with low agitation, lay flat to dry or can be dry cleaned.
fibersource: hand selected fleeces from Overlook Manor, Warrenton, Virginia and Orange Gate Farm, Maurerton, Virginia fiber content: 100% Border Leicester wool. Border Leicester yarn is a Longwool breed developed in the 18th century in the borderlands between England and Scotland (hence the name). Related by breeding to the Leicester Longwool and Blue-Faced Leicester, it is in the middle of those breeds for softness and has beautiful lustre and drape. A very personable sheep, they are clean faced with Roman noses. The white fleece is ivory color.
Glowing softness eminates from our airy Border Leicester yarn that has just enough twist to hold it together. Very light lofty yarn, delicate with high felting ability. Choose white or gray for lovely soft cowls, scarves or shawls. Works well held double for bulky but still light, airy projects.
design: 2-ply, semi-worsted spun; lustrous and airy size: worsted weight, 7-12 wpi 1100 yds per pound suggestedneedles: 7 to 15 (US) length: approximately 110 yards/100 meters weight: 2.25 oz./ 64 grams gauge: 5 stitches per inch on size 7 (US) up to 3 stitches pre inch on size 13 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 Overlook Manor, Warrenton, Virginia and Orange Gate Farm, Maurerton, Virginia fiber content: 100% Border Leicester wool. Border Leicester Yarn is a Longwool breed developed in the 18th century in the borderlands between England and Scotland (hence the name). Related by breeding to the Leicester Longwool and Blue-Faced Leicester, it is in the middle of those breeds for softness and has beautiful luster and drape. A very personable sheep, they are clean faced with Roman noses. The white fleece is ivory color.
One of our favorites, Border Leicester yarn has beautiful lustre and the soft twist of this semi-worsted spun yarn gives it a silky feel and lovely drape. It comes in undyed white and a natural gray and both dye beautifully. Naturally dyed exclusively from both home grown, foraged or purchased classic dyes.
design: 2-ply, semi-worsted spun to accentuate the lustrous nature and drape of the Longwool fleece. Quite strong. The spin and ply are a bit uneven. size: sport weight, 15 wpi, 888 yards per pound suggestedneedles: 4 to 6 (US) length: approximately 240 yards/219 meters weight: approximately 4.5 - 5 oz./127-141 grams gauge: 5 stitches per inch on sizes 5 (US) care: yarn is pre-washed. hand wash warm with low agitation, lay flat to dry or can be dry cleaned.
fibersource: hand selected fleeces from Overlook Manor, Warrenton, Virginia and Orange Gate Farm, Maurerton, Virginia fibercontent: 100% Border Leicester wool. Border Leicester yarn is a Longwool breed developed in the 18th century in the borderlands between England and Scotland (hence the name). Related by breeding to the Leicester Longwool and Blue-Faced Leicester, it is in the middle of those breeds for softness and has beautiful lustre and drape. A very personable sheep, they are clean faced with Roman noses. The white fleece is ivory color.
This knitting pattern designed by Cheryl Chow was inspired by the ivy climbing on an old stone church, lacy leaves trail up our charming & timeless vest. Shaping makes this a flattering garment you will love to wear.
Yarn:Border Leicester sport, natural dyed yarn, three (four or five) skeins Sizes: Seven adult sizes from finished bust circumference of 31.75? up to 55.75? Skills: knitting, purling, decreasing, increasing, knitting in the round, reading charts, 3-needle bind off, buttonholes, picking up stitches Level of difficulty: Advanced Needles: Size 5 (US)/ 3.75 mm circular needle in 40:/100 cm length (or size to obtain gauge) to work body, and shorter if desired for armhole ribbing. Extra US 5 / 3.75 mm needle for bind off. Designed by Cheryl Chow
-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.
This knitting pattern designed by Laura Chau is a fun opportunity to pair a beautiful handpainted yarn with a coordinating solid color. The simple garter stitch lace pattern opens up the fabric and biases naturally for an interesting parallelogram shape. It’s worked lengthwise on a circular needle to accommodate the large number of stitches. The scarf version uses just one skein of each color; the generously-sized wrap uses two skeins of each color.
Yarn:Coopworth sport 1 (2) skeins in each of two colors Sizes: scarf: 13 x 72" / 33 x 183 cm wrap: 22 x 90" / 56 x 228.5 cm, blocked Skills: knitting, purling, decreasing, yarn overs Level of difficulty: Easy Needles: Size 7 (US)/ 4.5 mm circular needle in 32:/80 cm length (or larger) Gauge: 13 sts and 38 rows = 4" / 10 cm square in pattern Designed by Laura Chau
Opalescent and silky strong, our Coopworth yarn in lace is a true worsted spun yarn. The 2 ply sturcture is correct for lace, as it encourages stitches to open out. Two ply is also correct for weaving because the flat, bumpy edges lock together. Lace knitters have been very complimentary about the strength of this yarn.
-design: 2-ply, worsted spun; lustrous and silky -size: lace weight, 32-36 wpi, 4400 yds per pound -suggested needles: 0 to 5 (US) -length: approximately 400 yards/365 meters -weight: 1.75 oz./ 50 grams gauge: 8 sts. per inch on sizes 1 (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 Over the Grass Farm in The Plains, Virginia -fiber content: 100% Coopworth wool.
Coopworth yarn is a Longwool breed created by crossing Romney and Border Leicester sheep. The breed standard focuses on production not the way the sheep looks, so some Coopworth look more like Romney and some have the clean head and roman noses of Border Leicester. Creamy white, strong fiber with an opalescence that dyes beautifully.
Opalescent and bouncy, Coopworth Sport Yarn is a true worsted spun yarn that is easy to like. The round, 3 ply structure makes an excellent knitting yarn with great stitch definition. Lovely for sweaters, shawls, cowls, dressy hats and mittens. Felts well, make a great Downton Abby style cloche.
-design: 3 ply round yarn, worsted spun with low twist in the singles and in plying to create a soft, drapey yarn. The long, strong fibers give this light weight, soft yarn surprising strength. -size: sport, approximately 17 wraps per inch and 1600 yards per pound -suggested needles: 2-4 (US) for firm fabric or larger for softer, drapier fabric -length: approximately 340 yards/310 meters -weight: 3.5 oz./ 100 grams gauge: 6.5 stitches per inch on size 3 (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 Over the Grass Farm in The Plains, Virginia -fiber content: 100% Coopworth wool. Coopworth is a Longwool breed created by crossing Romney and Border Leicester sheep. The breed standard focuses on production not the way the sheep looks, so some Coopworth look more like Romney and some have the clean head and roman noses of Border Leicester. Creamy white, strong fiber with an opalescence that dyes beautifully.
Cotswold Yarn is one of the most lustrous and strong fibers of all the Longwool breeds, but the young lambs first clip is much softer, and that is what is in this lustrous, textured yarn. An extremely small batch, this second spin is uneven and has some slubs. Fabulous texture, but need to design for it. Love it for a painted warp and works well in knitted lace.
design: 2-ply, semi-worsted spun; lustrous and silky but uneven and a little slubby. size: fingering weight, 24 wpi, 1600 yds per pound suggested needles: 3 or 4 (US) length: approximately 365 yards/333 meters weight: right on or a smidge under 4 oz/113 grams 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 Davlin Farm in Loudoun County, Virginia fiber content: 100% Cotswold lambswool. Cotswold is an English Longwool breed probably developed with Leicester genetics. Imported into North America in 1832, it is mostly used for cross breeding rams in the commercial sheep business. The sheep grow 8" to 10" staple of wool in a year in bold, open locks. The fleece is white, very lustrous and strong. It felts quite well, including on the sheep if care is not taken. As with other strong Longwool breeds, lambswool is traditionally used for lace shawls.
Cotswold Yarn is one of the most lustrous and strong fibers of all the Longwool breeds, but the young lambs first clip is much softer, and that is what is in this lustrous, textured yarn. An extremely small batch, this second spin is uneven and has some slubs. Fabulous texture, but need to design for it. Love it for a painted warp.
design: 2-ply, semi-worsted spun; lustrous and silky but uneven and a little slubby. size: fingering weight, 24 wpi, 1600 yds per pound suggested use: warp and/or weft. Dyes beautifully! care: hand wash warm with low agitation, lay flat to dry or can be dry cleaned.
fiber source: hand selected fleeces from Davlin Farm in Loudoun County, Virginia fiber content: 100% Cotswold lambswool. Cotswold is an English Longwool breed probably developed with Leicester genetics. Imported into North America in 1832, it is mostly used for cross breeding rams in the commercial sheep business. The sheep grow 8" to 10" staple of wool in a year in bold, open locks. The fleece is white, very lustrous and strong. It felts quite well, including on the sheep if care is not taken. As with other strong Longwool breeds, lambswool is traditionally used for lace shawls.
Down-type fleece is springy, spongy and perfect for cushiony, comfortable socks. Down type wools also resist shrinking and felting and that along with added nylon makes it possible to wash firm knit socks in the machine. I even throw them in the dryer.
-design: 3-ply, woolen spun -size: sport weight, 13 wpi -suggested needles: 3 to 4 (US) for socks, up to 8 for other -length: approximately 235 yards/215 meters (enough for a women's large, or men's average pair of socks -weight: 4.25 oz./ 120 grams -gauge: 7 sts. per inch on size 3 or 4 (US) -care: yarn is pre-washed. The Down type wool plus added nylon make this yarn machine washable. If knit tightly it can be dried in the dryer as well with only a small amount of shrinkage in the length. Of course, hand washing will maintain original appearance the best
-fiber source: hand selected fleeces from Millcreek Farms, Loudoun County, Virginia -fiber content: 80% Dorset wool, 20% nylon
Dorset sheep are originally from the Downs area of England and thought to be a cross between Spanish Merino and Horned sheep of Wales. According to the Oklahoma State Breeds of Livestock listing, the first Dorsets in the US came to Oregon, shipped by the Hudsons Bay Company in the 1860's. East Coast imports came in the late 1800's. Polled (hornless) Dorsets were a mutation that happened at North Carolina State College in the 1950's and now outnumber Horned Dorsets here and in other countries. They are one of the most common sheep breeds in the US. Raised primarily for meat, the ewes are good mothers, frequently have multiple births and can breed "out of season"
The fleece is very white with no black fibers like black faced meat breeds (Suffolks and Hampshires). The sheep will grow fleece from 2.5 to 4 inches long in a year and it has the robust crimp (extremely springy) of Down-type wools.
A fun kit with even amounts of three different colors of the Dorset hike yarn, all wound into center pull balls and nicely stacked on bamboo. There is enough yarn for a pair of women’s large socks. We have worked out a color plan: First, select one of the colors to use as accent on both socks (cuff, heal and toe). Then you have choices; either make the leg and foot of each sock in the different remaining colors (they don't match) or use the two colors in stripes (either two row or four row) for both socks. Of course...you can figure out your own plan (maybe stripes of all three colors or start and change colors on a whim?) Worthy of a gift, especially for yourself! Use your own pattern, or our basic one available free on Ravelry: Dorset hike three color socks
our dotted lines mitten knitting pattern uses simple construction techniques & are quick knits with no grafting or seams. They have a grown-up vibe, a flattering shape and their contrasting cuff edges and bobbles make them fun to wear, gift-worthy & charmingly different
Yarns:Montadale Light or Icelandic. Approximately 175 yds / 160 m of main color plus 30 yds / 27 m of a handpainted or solid contrasting color. Sizes: Womens S/M and M/L Skills: knitting in the round, purling, increasing & decreasing, reading simple chart Level of difficulty: Intermediate Needles: US 2 / 2.75 mm and US 1 / 2.5 mm double pointed needles or size to obtain gauge Gauge: 28 sts = 4" / 10 cm in stockinette stitch on larger needles, blocked
this simple to knit cowl pattern was designed for the dye-hard class at solitude wool. The narrow width garter stitch rectangle shows off the colors in a handpaint skein nicely and changing the direction of the knitting further emphasizes the beauty of the color changes.
Yarn: one skein Solitude Wool Romney semi-worsted spun, preferably in a handpaint One size: 9" / 230 mm tall, 22.5" / 570 mm around Skills: knitting, picking up stitches and knitting in the round Level of difficulty: easy Needles: size 8 (US) / 5 mm circular 24" / 600 mm length or size to obtain gauge. Optional: US 8 / 5 mm straight needles
designed by our best customer, Sue Burke, this easy-to-knit bag pairs solitude wool’s Targhee 2-ply and Karakul yarns. The bag is knit in seed stitch for a subtle basket-like texture, then hand-felted for a sturdy fabric. Instructions for three sizes of round-bottom bags—the bucket, tote and mini-bucket plus a clutch-style wristlet are included! One of the most fun parts of the pattern is choosing colors. It will change as you felt it with the Karakul yarn dominating in the final fabric.
Yarn:Targhee 2 ply and Karakul yarns in equal yardage. Amount depends on size of bag Sizes: three sizes: bucket, tote and mini-bucket plus clutch-style wristlet Skills: knitting, purling, decreasing, knitting in the round, Level of difficulty: beginner to intermediate Needles: Size 10.5 (US)/ 6.5mm circular needle in 24"/60 cm (16"/14 cm length for mini) and set of 10.5/65mm double point needles (or size to obtain gauge). wristlet: US 10.5/6.5mm straight needles only. Designed by Sue Burke
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This knitting pattern for long fingerless mitts designed by Kathy Reed are modern essentials for all of us who need to answer a phone or punch at a GPS in wintertime. Worked in woolen spun Clun Forest yarn, the mitts are soft and very gift-worthy quick knits.
Yarn: 1 skein Clun Forest Sizes: small (medium, large) Skills: knitting in the round, increasing, simple cables, reading charts Level of difficulty: Intermediate Needles: size 4 / 4 mm double pointed needles
Knitting pattern designed by Gillian Grimm. A soft, simple tunic-style vest that has limited shaping and is perfect for layering on a crisp fall morning.
While lovely knit in one color, this vest would also look great using two complimentary colors for the lower & upper sections of the garment.
Yarn: Solitude Wool Montadale light (90% Montadale wool, 10% nylon), four (or five) skeins Sizes: six adult sizes, 33” to 56” bust & hip circumference Skills: knitting in the round, purling, increasing, decreasing Level of difficulty: Intermediate Needles: Size 8 (US) / 5 mm circular knitting needle in 24” / 60 cm length or size to obtain gauge
Icelandic sheep grow a fleece with a long outer coat and a soft under down in one of the widest range of natural colors in the sheep world. Our Icelandic Yarn is a little softer and more refined than traditional lopi, a two ply, semi-worsted spun yarn has a halo from the underdown. Naturally dyed yarns in addition to the palette of natural undyed sheep shades. Will felt extremely easily. This wool does not have any elasticity.
design: 2-ply, semi-worsted spun with both coats together giving it a lovely halo. Will felt extremely easily size: varies between colors: dk to light worsted, 12-13 wpi suggested needles: 5 to 7 (US) length: approximately 130 yards/119 meters weight: varies slightly between colors, 2.25 to 3.25 oz./ 53-92 grams gauge: varies between colors, 5-6 sts. per inch on sizes 5 (US) care: yarn is pre-washed. hand wash warm with NO agitation, lay flat to dry or can be dry cleaned.
fibersource: hand selected fleeces from White Rock Manor, Pine Hollow Farm, Three Bags Wool and Kingsolver/Hopp Farm all in Virginia fiber content: 100% Icelandic wool. Icelandic sheep are one of the oldest breeds in the world. Brought to Iceland by the Vikings in the ninth and tenth centuries, they were imported to Canada in the 1990's. Icelandic fleece is double coated: the long outer coat is called tog and the short down undercoat is called thel. This Primitive type fleece provided many types of fiber for varied uses, ropes, sails and clothing all from one fleece. The primitive genetics also give us many natural colors from white, silvers, reds, brown all the way to black.
designed by Pamela Wynne. A tartan hat is classic, but you don’t always want the thick fabric of stranded color work. This simple hat is worked in horizontal stripes in the round, with columns of rib stitches where the vertical contrast stripes will go. After finishing the knitting, the vertical stripes are added as easy crocheted slip stitches.
kit includes: two contrasting colors of llama-rams! yarn in center pull balls and pattern. finished size:Adult XS (S, M, L, XL) Circumference: 16.5 (18, 19.5, 21, 22.5)" / 42 (46, 50, 53, 57) cm, unstretched. Two length options: fitted beanie or slouchy beanie needles (not included in kit): size 2.5 (US) / 2.75 mm circular knitting needle in 16" / 41 cm length or size to obtain gauge; size 2.5 (US) / 2.75 mm double pointed needles; size D (US) / 3.25 mm crochet hook
fiber source: hand selected llama fleeces from "The Farm" (our friends from Endless Summer Harvest's other farm where they raise llamas) and Downey Ridge Farm in Luray, Virginia. Romney from Solitude and Weather lea in Loudoun County, Virginia. fiber content:50% llama and 50% Romney wooll. Llama is a camalid fiber, actually more like hair than sheep wool which has crimp. Llamas natural colors are different than sheep and we love the ecru, brown and bittersweet brown in this yarn which are not dyed at all. The strong and drapey nature of this yarn lend itself to both crochet and weaving as well as knitting.
