YARN REVIEWS

We test six special yarns spun in British mills

THE BORDER MILL North Coast 4ply

Shade pictured Loch Maree Ball weight/length 25g/90m Needle size 3.25mm (UK 10/US 3) Tension 28 sts and 32 rows to 10cm Fibre content 100% Shetland wool Care Hand wash RRP £4.50 Contact www.thebordermill.co.uk 01361 883692

Designed with colourwork in mind, this pure Shetland wool comes in a choice of 50 shades, which were all inspired by Scottish landscapes. Each shade offers beautiful, glowing colour with a tweedy look. The yarn feels crisp as you knit, but it softens and blooms upon washing, while still offering great stitch definition. It is also available in 10g and 100g balls.

WEST YORKSHIRE SPINNERS 100% Jacobs DK

Shade pictured Ecru (001) Skein weight/length 100g/225m Needle size 4mm (UK 8/US 6) Tension 22 sts and 28 rows to 10cm Fibre content 100% British wool Care Hand wash RRP £5.50 Contact www.wyspinners.com 01535 664500

This yarn is spun from the fleece of Jacob sheep by West Yorkshire Spinners. It comes in four natural, undyed shades, including light grey, medium grey and brown/black. It has a robust, woolly feel, and stitch textures stand out proudly when it’s knitted up, making it a fine choice for long-lasting Aran sweaters and cardigans.

JOHN ARBON TEXTILES Harvest Hues 4ply

Shade pictured Rosebay

Skein weight/length 100g/400m

Needle size 3.25mm (UK 10/US 3)

Tension 27-32 sts to 10cm

Fibre content 65% organically farmed Falklands merino wool, 35% Devon Zwartbles wool

Care Hand wash RRP £17 Contact www.jarbon.com 01769 579861

This glorious yarn is a delight to knit with! Harvest Hues is a blend of organic Falklands merino and Devon Zwartbles wool, worsted-spun and available in 4ply and light aran weights. It knits up into a soft yet strong fabric with a subtle halo, in gleaming colours that have incredible tonal depth. The colour palette offers 13 rich, sophisticated shades.

NEW LANARK SPINNING CO Donegal Silk Tweed

Shade pictured Copper Blue Ball weight/length 50g/120m

Needle size 4mm (UK 8/US 6) Tension Approx. 20 sts and 29 rows to 10cm Fibre content 90% wool, 10% silk Care Hand wash RRP £4.95 Contact www.newlanarkspinning.com 01555 661345

Spun on 19th century machinery in the historic mill at New Lanark, this heritage yarn is robust yet lightweight, with a touch of softness from the silk content. It knits up into a firm fabric which blooms beautifully with washing. There’s a fantastic choice of colours, including brights, neutrals, and deep rich blues and greens, all with a tweedy appearance.

BLACKER YARNS Cove

Shade pictured Treth Skein weight/length 100g/110m Needle size 6.5mm (UK 3/US 10 ½ ) Tension 22 sts and 28 rows to 10cm Fibre content 100% wool Care Hand wash RRP £19 Contact www.blackeryarns.co.uk 01566 777635

Blacker Yarns releases a limited-edition yarn each year to mark its birthday, and the newest addition is the woollen-spun Cove. Available in 4ply and chunky weights, the fibre mix includes Falklands merino and Shetland wool. Cove has a soft handle, and gives a plump, bouncy fabric. Along with undyed shades, there are six dyed colours inspired by the Cornish coastline.

BY LAXTONS Sheepsoft Marl DK

Shade pictured Austwick Skein weight/length 100g/220m Needle size 3.75mm (UK 9/US 5) Tension 22 sts and 30 rows to 10cm Fibre content 100% British wool Care Hand wash RRP £9.95 Contact www.bylaxtons.co.uk 01943 877123

This yarn plies together three different hues, which when knitted up produces a pleasingly mottled fabric. Sheepsoft is spun in Yorkshire from Bluefaced Leicester and Masham wool, and it has a subtle gleam and halo, and a wonderfully soft feel. There are six marled colours inspired by the Yorkshire moors and dales, including greys and a mossy green.