Made with hand selected fleece from small farms in our local fibershed, each of our single breed wool yarns is designed to work with the character of the wool to maximize it’s beauty and use. Check the tabs on each yarn for description and detail to learn the provenance of the wool, yarn structure, gauge, weight etc and the about this wool tab for information and photos of the breed and fleece.
Romney is a lustrous Longwool and spinning it with a semi-worsted technique accentuates its shine and silkiness. Available in five natural sheep shades, hand dyed solid or handpainted colors on white or overdyed on light gray or gray base. A strong yarn that will give great stitch definition and drape beautifully. Perfect for jackets & sweaters, throws, hats, scarves, mittens etc.
yarn design: 2-ply, semi-worsted spun. Lustrous and silky size: varies slightly between colors, aran weight, 9 wpi 488 to 600 yds per pound suggested needles: 8 to 11 (US) length: approximately 130 yards/121 meters weight: varies slightly between colors, 4 to 5+ oz./ 113-141 grams gauge: varies between colors, 4-4.2 sts. per inch on sizes 8-9 (US) fiber care: Yarn is pre-washed. Hand wash warm with low agitation, lay flat to dry or can be dry cleaned.
Fiber farms: Weather Lea and Solitude in Loudoun County, Virginia. Fiber content: 100% Romney wool.
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.
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.
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.
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.
-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.
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.
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.
Solitude partner Sue Bundy raises Karakul sheep at her farm RedGate, so this is one our favorite wools, and we are one of the few sources of Karakul Yarn. Traditionally used for rugs, this yarn has not been spun tight enough for rug warp, but does great for weft. Same yarn as available in skeins if you want dyed colors.
design: 2-ply, semi-worsted spun with both coats together. Quite coarse, a little hairy and very strong! size: worsted weight, 13 wpi, black is a little heavier suggested use: rug weft yarn, not really strong enough for warp 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.
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.
A blend of half llama & half Romney wool creates a yarn with lovely drape and color plus the elasticity and memory of wool. Great yarn for knitting, crochet or weaving. The rich heathered colors are created by dyeing some of the wool fleece and blending before spinning. No dyelots, all same color name yarn will match.
-design: 2-ply, semi-worsted spun; heathered colors created by blending natural color llama with undyed and dyed-in-the-wool Romney fleece. -size: fingering weight, 19 wpi 1400 to1 600 yds per pound -suggested needles: 3 to 5 (US) -length: approximately 270 yards/245 meters -weight: 2.5 - 3.5 oz./ 75-100 grams -gauge: 6 sts. per inch on size 4 (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 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 wool.
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.
