Our Bases Explained…
Our bases don’t always have the most obvious name to match its fibre content. I mean, what kind of animal is a “Slub” and where would they keep their “Lub”…??
So, we figured a nice little explanation page wouldn’t go amiss.
This page will be added to over time and some of our bases will retire sooner than others, I’m sure.
FINGERING WEIGHT YARNS
4PLY SOCK - 80% super soft (19.5 microns) merino 20% nylon
ALPACA SOCK - 60% merino 20% Alpaca 20% Nylon
SPARKLE SOCK - 72% Merino 20% 5% Stellina Sparkle
ZEBRA SOCK - 80% Merino 20% Nylon (Black and White yarn)
COTTON CLOUD - 87% Merino 13% Pima Cotton
COTTON WOOL - 50% Merino 50% Cotton
SILKY SOCK - 80% Merino 20% Silk
YAKETY YAK SOCK - 70% Merino 20% Yak 10% Nylon
BRIGHT SOCK - 50% Merino 50% Tencel
NATURES ZEBRA - 100% SW Merino
SLUB A LUB - 90% Merino 10% Nylon
MINIS - All of our 20g Mini skeins are either our 4ply sock base or our silky sock base
OTHER WEIGHTS
ANGEL LACE - Lace weight - 70% Baby Alpaca 20% Silk 10% Cashmere
BRUSHED SURI ALPACA - Lace weight 74% Brushed Baby Alpaca 26% Mulberry Silk
MERINO DK - DK weight - 80% Merino 20% Nylon
SURI SPORT - Sport weight - 50% Suri Alpaca 50% Merino
SOURCING OUR FIBRES
We use various suppliers for our yarn bases, the main one being a company in the Northwest of the UK where we are based.
We are happy to confirm that all of the yarns sourced by our suppliers are mulesing-free.
The fibres sourced by them come from the following places.
Blue Faced Leicester is British and from various small farms around the UK, particularly in Wales. This is purchased through the British Wool Marketing board on their behalf. It is also scoured and Superwash treated in the UK to the highest environmental standards possible.
All of the Merino comes from South America. The Superwash Merino is then treated in Europe to the Oeko-Tex standard. (additional information is available online about this).
The Alpaca is sourced from smaller farmers in the Peruvian Andes. The mill work closely with the alpaca farmers to improve breeding programs and help them to produce the best alpaca in the world. The sorting of this Alpaca is quite extraordinary, the fibres are sorted by micron and by colour by highly skilled women, it’s really fascinating to watch.
Their Pima Cotton is grown and processed in Peru.
Their Linen is grown and processed in Europe.
Their Cashmere comes from Mongolia and China.
Their Silk comes primarily from China too.
Their Bamboo is processed in Italy.
The Tencel is produced by Lenzing, and is certified as such.
Their Nylon is made in Germany
Their Donegal Neps are made in Italy
Their Yak comes from Tibet and Mongolia