About Our Hand Dyed Yarns and Fibres

Superfine 18.5 micron Tasmanian Merino Wool Tops 

The wool produced in Tasmania is renowned all over the world for its fine bright fibres grown by sheep that are able to graze free in our beautiful cool climate with crisp fresh clean air. 

Grazing in free range wide open spaces, breathing the purest of air, the Tasmanian wool growers are skilled in perfecting a magnificent, high quality wool product optimising whiteness, strength and soft touch.

Our supplier is one of the top exporters by volume and exports to a diverse range of customers all over the world, meeting the needs of clients in Asia, Italy, Japan, India, the United States of America and throughout continental Europe. Upholding the traditional methods of wool valuation.

This beautiful merino wool is perfect for spinning, felting, needle felting and dyeing.

 

Australian Undyed Wool Tops

I source some of my wool fibres from small boutique growers within Australia that have good farming and animal practices and promote 100% Australian grown and processed wool fibres.

These smaller growers encourage and practice transparency within the Australian supply chain from fleece to finished product. They also use sustainable and low carbon fibre footprints. 

 

DHG Merino Wool Top

Fibre Specifications

  • Fine merino wool
  • Length approx. 4 Mt/100g
  • Weight approx. 23 g/m
  • 19 micron approx.
  • Commercially dyed fibre organic
  • Great for needle felting, nuno felting, wet felting.
  • Perfect for spinning, art yarns, drop spindles etc.
  • Also for weaving, wall weaving etc.
  • This wool felts and spins quickly, is soft and easy to use and suitable for next to skin projects.

 

Description

I take a lot of time to select my fibre sources from strong well established suppliers like DHG tick all the right boxes. This merino wool top is tested for harmful substances and meets Global Organic Standards as well as EMAS regulations. Flocks from Australia and South America that are mulesing free are used. The dyeing takes place in a dyeing plant which is also Oeko-Tex certified and all dye products used are non-toxic so safe for the little ones in the family.

Our Yarn Bases

Superkid Mohair Silk

  • Lace Weight Super Kid Mohair & Mulberry Silk
  • Lace weight 72% brushed Super kid Mohair 28% Mulberry Silk Yarn (1/8.4 Nm)
  • With a generous 420m on each 50 gram hank, a little goes a long
Needles and Gauge
  • Recommended Needle Size: 3 - 4mm (US 2-6) needles
  • Gauge (stocking stitch): 32sts x 40 rows over 10cm (4 inches) on 3.25mm (US 3) needles

This popular lace weight brushed mohair/silk knitting yarn uses the softer and rarer Super kid mohair to produce the softest, most luxurious mohair/silk yarn. Two strands of mulberry silk hold the mohair fibres in place to add radiance and strength. Gentle enough for next to skin wear.

Super kid mohair is from the first shearing and these are the softest and finest fibres the mohair goats will ever produce.

This is a super light and airy yarn and can be worked at many different gauges. It produces gossamer-like items when knitted with large needles or crochet hooks are used and soft, fluffy items at tighter gauges. It can also be carried with another knitting yarn to add a delicate haze and to produce a surprisingly warm fabric.

Suri Silk Lace

Composition: 75% Brushed Baby Suri Alpaca 25% Mulberry Silk
Metric Count: 1/6Nm
Yarn Weight: Lace weight, single ply construction
Meterage: Approx. 300 metres (328 yards) per 50g hank

Suggested Needle/Hook Sizes and Gauge:
Needle Size: 3 - 6mm (US 2.5 - 10) needles and D - J hook
Gauge (stocking stitch): 18-25 sts over 10cm/4 inches

Description
Lustrous, smooth and soft, baby Suri alpaca is wrapped around a silk core then brushed to produce a super soft yarn with a light and airy halo. This yarn is wonderfully versatile and can be used in a wide range of projects. It knits up beautifully on its own on a wide range of needle sizes and can be used as a light DK through to chunky. Combine it with a fingering/sock weight or DK weight yarn to add warmth and texture without weight to jumpers, scarves and cowls.

All yarns have excess fibres (from production) that might come off as lint or shedding, in various amounts, depending on the fibres used and how the yarn is spun. Brushed yarns have more of these loose fibres than other yarns, and tend to shed more, so some shedding is to be expected with this yarn. When dyeing this non superwash yarn, we recommend gradual heating and cooling plus gentle handling to minimise tangling of the long fibres.

 

4 Ply Supreme Sock Yarn & Mini Skeins

  • 85% Super-wash Australian Merino 19.5 micron + 15% Nylon Yarn
  • Fingering weight yarn
  • 400 meters per 100 g hank/skein
  • 20gram Mini's are 80mt.
  • Hand dyed with Australian made dyes
  • Super-wash Extra fine Merino
  • Machine washable.

Recommended Needle Size

  • Needle Size: 2.5 - 4mm needle
  • Gauge (stocking stitch):
  • 28sts x 36 rows over 10cm/4 inches on 3.25mm (US 3) needles

All our hand dyed sock yarns are fingering weight, cruelty free, non mulesed and superwash treated. This is the supreme end of the merino nylon sock yarn spectrum. With 85% Australian 19.5 micron super wash Australian merino wool combined with 15% nylon this makes just beautiful knitted socks shawls scarves and garments.

 

4 Ply Pure Merino Yarn

Yarn Base Details

  • 400 Mt / 100 gram Hank
  • Fingering weight yarn
  • Untreated Sustainable, No Superwash
  • 100% Australian Wool Yarn.
  • 19.5 microns, long staple,
  • Worsted spun.
  • Suitable for knitting, crochet, weaving, felting, crafts etc.

Recommended Needle Size

  • Recommended Needle Size: 2.5 - 4mm needles
  • Gauge (stocking stitch): 28sts x 36 rows over 10cm/4 inches
  • on 3.25mm (US 3) needles

Sustainable and untreated, a fingering weight yarn that is as close to its natural origins as possible. No superwash treatment, just a wash to remove the grease and dirt from the fleece then combed for spinning. A great choice for those looking for a luxurious, non superwash, no nylon yarn for knitting and crochet scarves, beanies and wrap.

 

8 Ply Pure Merino Yarn

Yarn Base Details

  • 8 Ply DK Weight (approx. 4/9n
  • 225m per 100g hank 
  • No Superwash or Nylon
  • Untreated, Sustainable, Non Mulesed
  • 100% Australian Merino Wool
  • 19.5 microns, long staple,
  • Worsted spun. 

Recommended Needle Size

  • Recommended Needle Size: 3.5 - 4.5mm (US 4 - 7) needles
  • Gauge (stocking stitch): 22sts x 30 rows over 10cm/4 inches
  • on 4mm (US 6) needles

Sustainable and untreated, no superwash or nylon, a yarn that is as close to its natural origins as possible. No superwash treatment, just a wash to remove the grease and dirt from the fleece then combed for spinning.  A great choice for those looking for a luxurious, non superwash, no nylon yarn.

 

8 Ply Superwash 100% Merino Yarn

Yarn Base Details

  • Approx 200m per 100gm hank
  • 100% Superwash Merino Wool
  • DK weight approx 4/8Nm
  • Worsted spun
  • 19.5 microns


Recommended Needle Size:

3.5 - 4.5mm (US 4 - 7) needles
Gauge (stocking stitch): 22sts x 30 rows over 10cm/4 inches
on 4mm (US 6) needles

Extrafine (19.5 microns) merino is used for these yarns so they feel soft and gentle against the skin. The yarns are worsted spun to produce a yarn that is fine and strong with a silky feel. Very soft and springy, the 4 plies and twist provide extra robustness.

A very versatile yarn, it can be used for knitting or crochet shawls, wraps, mittens and jumpers. Washable in cold water on a gentle cycle, it is also suitable for children's and baby clothes. 

 

8 Ply Supreme Sock

This yarn is the thicker version of our 4 Ply Supreme Sock, very versatile and can be used for any next to skin project (scarves, jumpers etc) as well as items where a little more durability is required such as socks and gloves.

 

Yarn details:

  • Approx. 225m per 100gm hank
  • DK / 8 Ply Sock Weight (4/9Nm)
  • Recommended Needle Size: 3.5 - 4.5mm (US 4 - 7) needles
  • Gauge (stocking stitch): 22sts x 30 rows over 10cm/4 inches on 4mm (US 6) needles

 

12 Ply Chunky Merino

Composition: 100% Superwash Merino Wool Yarn (19.5 microns)
Metric Count: 2/2Nm
Yarn Weight: Chunky weight, 2 ply construction
Meterage: Approx. 100m (109 yards) per 100g hank

Suggested Needle/Hook Sizes and Gauge:
Needle Size 5.5 - 6mm (US 9 - 10) needles and I - J hook
Gauge (stocking stitch): 15sts x 20 rows over 10cm (4 inches-) on 6mm (US 10) needles

Extra fine (19.5 micron) merino is used for these yarns. It feels soft and gentle against the skin. These yarns are worsted spun from extra long staple fibres to produce a yarn that is fine and strong with a silky feel.
The main factor determining the quality of merino wool is its softness which depends upon the fineness of the fibres. We use extra fine merino (19.5 microns) which is some of the finest commercially available for hand dyers. This results in a super soft yarn that feels gentle against the skin.
Soft and cushiony with a slight sheen. Knits up quickly and is ideal for last minute gifts. One hank is enough for a snuggly cowl, hat, fingerless mitts or headband. Washable in cold water on a gentle cycle, it is also suitable for children's and baby clothes. Very soft and springy. Takes up the dye well to produce deep, vibrant colours.

 

*****************************************************************************

Things to remember

When working with hand dyed fibres and yarns it is advised to purchase the quantity of skeins or fibres you require all at once.

Hank colours will vary within the same batch as well as from batch to batch.

We always recommend alternating your rows when using hand dyed yarns.

Also hand dyed items can sometimes loose a little dye on their first wash. Although the dyes are set, this sometimes can occur due to different water PH, soaps and other environmental influences.

It is also recommended to hand wash all hand dyed fibres and yarns and the completed items made from them. 

 

What is hand-dyed yarn?

Hand-dyed, or hand-painted yarn is a specific style of dyed yarn that is usually hand-dyed in small batches by independent (indie) dyers working from their homes.

Undyed yarns available in lots of different styles can be dyed by hand to produce a large range of colours and effects by manipulating how the dye or dye particles are applied.

Hand-dyed yarns are stunning little works of art that you get to knit or crochet with.

 

How to use hand-dyed yarn?

Hand-dyed yarns can be substituted with most commercial yarns. I would recommend swatching and knitting samples to make sure your finished project is what you want.

It is always recommended that you alternate the rows when using hand dyed yarns to even out any colour changes between hanks.

These yarns are perfect for hats beanies, gloves and mitts, scarves, shawls and wraps, along with garments and rugs.

My hand-dyed yarns are most commonly used in knitting or crochet however they can easily be used in substitution for commercially available yarns in other projects.

 

How to wash hand-dyed yarn

Hand Dyed knitting and crochet yarns can be washed in cool water with a gentle approved wool wash, rolled in a towel and either gently squeezed or the towel roll can go into the washing machine on a gently spin.

Garments and items knitted from hand-dye yarns usually require blocking when they are washed.

Blocking is simply laying out your jumper, socks or scarf on a flat surface and re shaping it and pinning it into its original shape so it dries in the same shape.