Our Yarns

All our yarns are mulesing free and from Scottish and British spinners either RWS certified or in the process of becoming so. We NEVER use yarns that have been obtained through plucking or mistreatment of animals and we are committed to the humane wellbeing of the Sheep, Goats and Alpaca’s that supply the amazing ecological fibres we use to knit our garments.

Supersoft Scottish Lambswool

Classic Scottish lambswool (often known as Shetland) has provided hard-wearing warmth for hundreds of years. Heavier than finer knits, but with more warmth, the Islanders found the many natural colour variations of this fibre enabled complex patterning within knits, resulting in the long established and highly skilled tradition of Fairisle knitting.  Today our most popular garments are comprised of this classic and globally beloved wool. Our Shetland is sourced from a trusty local Mill 11 miles away from us, who has been spinning for the last 200 years. Supersoft Lambswool is not as soft as Cashmere or Superfine Merino but for beauty it is head and shoulders above the rest, with a fibre that creates a prism of colour within the knit. You can view our Shetland yarn in our Harley Shetlands, Bosie Luxury Shetlands (which have a hint of cashmere) and our Allover Fairisles and Fairisle Yokes. The company that knits our Shetlands has been knitting them since 1929. Over the years this fibre has become an iconic staple of classic heritage wear for both men and women with notable historical fans such as John F Kennedy, Steve McQueen and Queen Elizabeth II. It also looks even more beautiful when brushed, which Scottish Supersoft Lambswool tolerates beautifully.

Voe True Shetland (From Shetland)

The original Shetland breed is hardy, often navigating dangerous Voe cliffs to reach the sea shore and eat seaweed in the ebb tide. The distinctive wool they produce is world renowned and was worn by Sir Edmund Hillary when conquering Everest in 1953. Our 'Everest Shetland' is handsdown one of our most popular garments, especially with those who enjoy the outdoors and know the many benefits of real wool. Exclusive and highly prized, our Voe True Shetland is pure, undyed virgin wool in the various natural colourways of the Island's Sheep, hand graded and sorted by Island experts to give you the finest quality and most authentic Shetland experience available. Our Everest is 1 ply (super-thin, just as Hillary wore it) and loved by both our customers in warmer climates and those wise outdoor lovers who like to layer. Our ‘Sherpa’ version is 2 ply for a standard weight. Please note this is authentic Shetland breed yarn from Shetland, but is not the knit to choose if you want to buy what is known as a ‘Shetland’ or ‘Shaggy’. In that case buy Supersoft Lambswool, above.

Ecology Yarns

Our 'Ecology' yarns are raw and rugged, and every colour has it's own, exclusively unique properties, 'handle' and look. This is because each shade is named after the breed of British sheep that it came from, e.g. Welsh Black, Hebridean, Wensleydale and many more. In addition we offer various twists combining two complimentary shades of these yarns, which produce a beautiful dappled knit. Like our Voe, they are un-dyed and as natural as their sheep grew them, providing multi-faceted colour and rich deep hues.  Ecology is a rougher textured yarn, for those who prefer their wool as authentically rustic and sturdy as it can come. This is a choice for those who prize purity and practicality over softness.

Cashmere

The Cashmere Goat is the source of the wool that becomes the highly prized Cashmere fibre for clothing and other textiles. Cashmere is characterised as almost indulgently soft, with high napability and loft, or ‘fluffyness’. It provides natural and luxurious light-weight insulation, without bulk, and is extremely warm, protecting goats from freezing mountain temperatures. Fibres are highly adaptable and easily constructed into fine or thick yarns, within a wide range of light to heavy-weight fabrics. Appropriate for all climates, a high moisture content allows insulation properties to change relative to the humidity in the air. This makes cashmere the perfect knitwear for year-round wear.

Mohair 

Mohair is  a yarn made from the hair of the Angora goat. Both durable and resilient, it is notable for its high lustre and sheen, which has given it the nickname the "Diamond Fiber". Mohair takes dye exceptionally well and is warm in winter due to it's excellent insulating properties, while remaining cool in summer as a result of its moisture wicking properties. It is durable, naturally elastic, flame resistant, crease resistant, and does not felt. It is considered to be a luxury fiber, like Cashmere, Angora, Geelong and Silk. You can view our beautiful and vibrant Mohair colours, here.

Mohair is obtained through shearing and should not be confused with 'Angora' which is the fur from the Angora rabbit.

Merino

The Merino Sheep is prized for the quality of its wool. Superfine Merinos are regarded as having the finest and softest wool of any sheep. The beauty of the fibre itself is evident in intense, cold-weather or high-performance applications, where Merino distinguishes itself from cotton and polyester fabrics by offering superior breathability, temperature regulation, moisture control, and inherent anti-microbial properties. Unlike "traditional" wool, Merino is much finer, softer, and, best of all, itch-free for those with severe sensitivities or lanolin allergies. We offer Merino in the forms of Soft Donegal (which is a beautiful traditional 'nep'), Superfine Lambswool (Geelong see last post) and Cashmere/Merino, which is almost unbelievably soft and luxurious.

Alpaca

Alpaca fibre is warmer than Sheep's wool and lighter in weight. It is soft and luxurious and lacks the "prickle" factor. Alpaca Camelids have been bred in South America for thousands of years but in recent times have been exported to other lands. In countries such as the USA, Australia and New Zealand breeders shear their animals annually, weigh the fleece and test them for fineness. With the resulting knowledge they are able to breed heavier-fleeced animals with finer fibre as the years go by.

Superfine 'Geelong' Merino Lambswool

Known for many years in the trade as 'Geelong', Superfine Lambswool is the finest lambswool, even in length and soft and springy to handle. It is inevitably these luxurious qualities which make Superfine Lambswool so desirable. The Sheep which grow this fibre have been carefully bred over the years to ensure that their young yield the finest micron lambswool in the world. The term 'Geelong' referred to an Australian area where this yarn was traditionally produced from the first shearing of the sheep. Nowadays, the geographical location is not finite, but the beautiful softness and handle of this lovely wool remains. Although each farm can produce tonnes of raw wool each year, only a very few bales will be superfine, making it an exclusive commodity ranking alongside cashmere as the most luxurious of natural fibres.