A fabulous new yarn from The Little Grey Sheep.
We had a problem.
After Susie shearing, and us both hand sorting over 400 fleeces from our fine wool flocks, we ended up with a batch of fibre which did not meet the minimum 75mm length required for worsted spinning. But what to do? we couldn't bring ourselves to not use this luxurious, lustrous fine wool, but it couldn't be added to our current yarn. So as my Nan use to say, 'When in doubt hoard it' So we stored it.
Susie an experienced shepherdess and award winning shearer, spends the summer months shearing small flocks of traditional British breed sheep. Susie was very concerned as this beautiful fibre was going to waste. These farmers had small flocks, which were truly loved and cared for, but were not producing enough fleece to warrant it being spun.
So we hatched a plan, to work with these farmers, and produce a blend from the county we call home. It was to be a truly British yarn, traditionally woollen spun and produced in Yorkshire. Working alongside skilled artisans that bring the heritage of Yorkshires historic textile industry into the modern era.
The Hampshire is a scrumptious lofty yarn, with good stitch definition. Once blocked the fabric blooms and has a silky quality which only improves with wear. Just right for a snuggly cardigan or a colour work project. The colours are based on the natural colours of our home county, working with the variegated base rather than trying to obliterate it with saturated colour.
Why love us and invest it our yarn?
History;
Our farm has been here since Tudor times. Historically low intensive mixed farming was the best way to keep disease down and biodiversity up. Preserving the countryside and native wild life through traditional farming practices continues to be our priority to this day.
British;
From start to finish, lambing, making the hay we feed, through to the scouring (washing) plant and spinning mill, right back to the hand dyeing on the farm. Everything is done in the UK.
Natural;
Only pure virgin wool is used, no chlorine chemical treatments, no super wash just as nature intended.
Artisan;
Each part of the process relies on the artisans expertise, it takes years of training to produce our yarn, but it takes something else as well. Passion. Everyone involved, is nuts about producing the best of British yarn from Susie shearing, Matt washing and Michael spinning. Lastly but not least me hand dyeing every skein for your enjoyment.
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220m 60g approx
26 x 36 on 3.25mm needles [for a softer handle]
28 x 36 on 2.75mm needles
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Hand Wash 15°C, Cool Iron, Do Not Bleach, Do Not Tumble Dry, Dry Flat
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We aim to dispatch all orders on the same week due to our farming commitments. If you need your order pronto for a special occasion then give us a shout!
30 day no-quibble RETURNS as long as yarn is returned in same condition as it was sent.
