FEATURE
Three
Bears
Yarn
This great company
has brought British-
spun cotton back
to the handknitting
market! All of its
yarn is spun and
dyed in the UK,
and its Bluefaced
Leicester wool is
grown here too
- we used it for
the Kallax Cowl in
issue 92. http://www.
threebearsyarn.com
Valais Blacknose
They’re known as the cutest sheep in the world and although
the hearts of the Knit Now team belong to our native
Shetlands and Wensleydales, we have to admit they are pretty
adorable! Originally from Switzerland, there are now several
ocks in the UK. http://www.valaisblacknosesheepsociety.co.uk
This lovely brand has become one of the leading lights in British
hand-knitting in recent years because it champions British bre. All
of its yarn is spun and dyed at its own mill and we love knitting with
it! http://www.wyspinners.comWest Yorkshire SpinnersBased on the Isle
of Uist in the Outer
Hebrides, this
mill’s purpose is to
ensure a legacy of
wool production in
the area. The mill
produces warm and
lofty hand-knitting
yarn in a range of
natural shades in
4-ply, DK and aran.
http://www.uistwool.comUist Wool
Zwartbles
This sheep breed originates in the
Netherlands. The bre is springy and
has a lovely natural brown hue. It can
be blended with other wools to create
an interesting yarn, such as Daughter of
a Shepherd Ram Jam Worsted.
http://www.daughterofashepherd.comX-breed
In recent years, lots of new cross-breeds
of sheep have become popular, such
as the North of England mule that has
a Bluefaced Leicester father and a
Swaledale mother. This is the UK’s
most popular breeding ewe, due
to its hardiness and renowned
mothering ability.
This stunning yarn from Whistlebare is a
blend of bres from its own angora goats
Wensleydale sheep. It’s truly unique and
one of our favourite British yarns.
http://www.whistlebare.comYeavering Bell