Never superwashed , the yarn in this collection has been naturally mordanted to lock in the color as much as possible. Spinning oils from the mill have been removed using plant based wool wash. Our best attempt will be made to select complimentary skeins for your project.
2022 Shearing
50g 105 meter/ 112+ yards
- 20.25 microns
- 3 ply woolen spun
- 5 sts per inch on US size 7-8 needles 20 sts = 4"
- crochet hook size 7 H
- dyed by hand on the farm using sustainably sourced plants, food waste & insect shells
One skein = 1.6 bales of hay for the flock
(Our critters consume 14 bales of locally grown hay per day from October - May when our pastures are resting. Your support puts hay in the barn and employs both the Mitchell team and the local hay grower.)
Includes the fiber of our White Cormo sheep- Darlene, Mary Jane, Mildred, Gertie, Mama, Lambie, Barb, Kathy, Linda, Charlotte, Meghann, Dolly Parton, John Lewis, Harriet Tubman, Lte. Dan, Lizzo, & Fanny
And our BROWN cormo RAW flock includes - Chester, Tonya, MEPS, Jolene, Betsy & Cleo
Natural dyes are like snowflakes, each skein will vary and you should alternate skeins throughout your piece to achieve a subtle blend. Do not dry or store in direct sun. Hand wash & care for it like the heirloom it is. Natural dyes soften & fade like your favorite jeans, getting softer in hue with time. This is not a defect. It's nature.
Carol's Coral
Our Mom, Carol, loved the color coral, so we've named this luscious shade in memory of her. Cindy achieved the hue using multiple dye processes of marigold and cochineal. Cochineal is a scaled insect that invades the Nopal Cactus that is roughly the size of a grain of rice.
Cutch
Cutch comes from the bark of the Acacia Catechu tree and was originally from India and regions of Asia. Ours is sourced from an American company that creates concentrates.
Lac
Violet hued and derived from the shell of an insect prevalent in India, SouthEast Asia and Nepal. Its use dates back to 250AD. We use lac concentrate and iron to develop this gorgeous soft blend of light dusky lavender hues.
Madder
Madder is derived from a root and has been used to dye rich reds since the 16 & 17th century, with found textiles retaining their color hundreds of years later! Originating from the subcontinent of India, Central Asia and Europe.
*While not as prevalent as Indigo, madder is a natural dye that CROCKS. What does this mean? Pink or Red fingers: Read more here
Marigold
We grow the marigolds that we dye with right here on the farm. Our dye matter is so safe that we extend its use by feeding our spent blooms to our pigs and cattle!
Mighty Mac
This shade of true green has been a goal of Cindy & Sherry since we started out in this botanical dyeing venture. Green is tough, it doesn't seem like it would be but obtaining a true Irish/Kelly/Mossy/Spring Grassy goodness is kind of tricky. There was a lot of dull grey to get to this glorious GREEN. Cindy achieved it with Mulberry and chlorophyll.
Avocado
Avocado pits & skins are dried to develop this gorgeous range of ballet pink hues.
Indigo
A traditional fermented indigo vat to create this delightful blend of classic denim blue ranges. BLUE FINGERS. IT'S NORMAL when working with indigo. Read more here:
