Fibre
By sourcing and manufacturing the yarns from the UK, I aim to minimise my company's carbon footprint and help to bring business back to a once thriving textile industry.
SMALL BATCH YARNS
The following yarns are lovingly spun in small batches exclusively for Kettle Yarn Co.
Baskerville 2.0
Gotland • British Bluefaced Leicester
Fingering 100g = 350 meters • 383 yds
Hailing from the mysterious West Country moors Baskerville 2.0 melds the lustrous, velvety crimp of fine Gotland and soft British Bluefaced Leicester. Non-superwash, this yarn has a gentle shimmer from the natural lustre of the BFL, creating a subtly modern take on traditional rustic yarns.
A truly exceptional heirloom quality yarn, Baskerville 2.0 has upped its low-processed eco-credentials by omitting the use of silk and is now spun in a family owned British mill used by fashion giants such as Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Marc Jacobs and Paul Smith.
Unlike many yarns that are shipped across the world several times for different processes, Baskerville and Northiam (below) are sourced, scoured, spun all at this British mill and then trucked to me in Hastings for dyeing in my kitchen, keeping carbon footprints low for an eco-friendly supply chain.
Northiam
Non-superwash British Bluefaced Leicester
DK 100g = 117 m • 127 yds
Fingering 100g = 400 m • 437 yds
100% British Northiam is a smooth, worsted-spun yarn from the finest Bluefaced Leicester sourced, scoured, spun and dyed at a British mill. Velvety against bare skin this long, semi-lustrous fibre has a natural drape, holding a block beautifully.
The softest non-superwash Bluefaced Leicester you will ever feel, Northiam is low pilling with a dry, slightly crisp handle. Its long-staple fibres are excellent for both durable items and delicate lace. Spun with a rounded ply it has excellent stitch definition for cables, lace and other textures while creating beautifully balanced stockinette.
SILK BLEND YARNS
Islington
Superwash Bluefaced Leicester • Silk
DK 100g = 212 m • 232 yds
Fingering 100g = 400 m • 437 yds
Well-bred but streetwise, this lightweight blend yarn is versatile and strong while maintaining buttery softness – a sophisticated choice for everyday items, luxurious next-to-skin wear and precious accessories.
As soft as merino, *100% British superwash Bluefaced Leicester tempers the silk’s slipperiness while adding strength and elasticity. The high percentage of BFL also makes items hardwearing, very low pilling and long lasting. The addition of silk adds a sophisticated sheen and drape with crispness and uniformity for stunning lace knitting. Islington DK is a cabled four-ply yarn – an incredibly strong, durable, abrasion-resistant yarn.
Beyul
Baby Yak • Silk • ethically sourced superwash Merino
DK 100g = 212 m • 232 yds
Fingering 100g = 366 meters • 400 yards
Sourced from a British company that uses ethically farmed Peruvian Merino for this blend. Animals are not mulesed and are treated humanely, and production of this yarn helps to support local communities in Peru through the Mirasol Project.
Did you know that Cashmere production is creating huge environmental problems in Asia which are in turn negatively affecting the global climate? My Beyul is my response to this problem – a yarn with many of the same luxurious properties as Cashmere but none of the nasty consequences.
In huge contrast to Cashmere goats, Yaks have a minimal impact on sparse grassland and every single facet of the yak is used for survival making them and their fleece extremely environmental. In addition my Merino is sourced from Peru from ethical farms that don’t use mulesing on their sheep.
Care tip: Some of the loose, short fibres of the yak might work themselves free when you first wear your project, but once you shave these off with sweater shaver, they will be gone forever and your Beyul will look clean as new for years!
Hythe
Kid Mohair / Silk
50 grams = 420 m • 459 yds
This kid Mohair/ silk is the softest you’ll ever feel, soft and warm against the skin. I don’t particularly like the usual grades of Mohair yarns available so sourced the softest possible.
This grade is the most expensive as the kids, being tiny, don’t have a large amount of fur (1-2 kg) and this represents the finest fibre possible for the breed.
