British Breeds

Marie Wallin spent two years developing the 26 colours of this beautiful yarn to be the perfect colour variations for Fair Isle knitting, whilst ensuring each colour stands alone with vibrance and depth to make single colour projects just as stunning.

A soft bouncy 4 ply yarn worsted spun by John Arbon and his team in Devon, UK - the same masterminds behind Devonia and Exmoor Sock! This yarn is quintessentially British showcasing the amazing qualities of 4 carefully selected sheep breeds. 

Each different breed adds particular qualities and characteristics to the yarn; Bluefaced Leicester for softness; Exmoor Horn for it's idillic white fleece for colour vibrancy as well as added softness; Wensleydale for strength and lustre; added last is the Zwartbles for unmatchable springiness and the beautiful melange toning. 

Calico and Ivy staff love this for any Fair Isle Project, making the most of the colour range and palette for scrumptiously soft colourwork. We recommend projects from Marie Wallin's books such as Grand Shetland Adventure Knits, Fair Isle Weekend by Mary Jane Mucklestone or any pattern by Dee Hardwick.

Yarn specs

Composition: 100% British Wool

Weight: Fingering weight, 4 ply

Length: 85 metres per 25 gram ball

Needle size:  3.25 mm

Crochet Hook Size: 3.25 mm

Gauge: 28 sts x 29 rows to 10cm on 3.25 mm in stocking stitch
26 sts x 34 rows to 10 cm on 3 mm in stocking stitch

Care: Gentle cold hand wash using wool detergent, lay flat to dry in shade. Reshape whilst damp.