Appledore Lace
Appledore Lace
Appledore Lace
Appledore Lace
Lace: 275m per 50g / 300yds per 50g
40% Devon Closewool / 40% Romney / 20% Exmoor Blueface
When we first conceived of Appledore we just knew we had to make a lace version and oh blimey it does not disappoint! Due to its crisp handle, this yarn will hold its block impeccably, making it ideal for delicate lace. Our dappled shades almost look hand dyed in the lace version, so anything you decide to make with this yarn will have a unique heirloom feel. The Appledore Lace skeins are 50g which means you’ll be able to play around with the shades to your hearts content.
Made from fibre sourced right here in the West Country, our Appledore blend encompasses our ethos of making local, uniquely heathered yarns. Packed full of bounce and a smattering of lustre, it's the perfect canvas for a range of playful, tweed-inspired shades.
Appledore is made with Devon Closewool, a rustic, moorland breed; lustrous and characterful Romney; and our old favourite, the gloriously bouncy Exmoor Blueface. The tweedy shades are all named after different varieties (or cultivars if you want to get all fancy) of cider apples that we have here in the West Country.
Specifications
Specifications
Thickness: Lace: 275m per 50g or 300yds per 50g
Blend: 40% Devon Closewool / 40% Romney / 20% Exmoor Blueface
Gauge: We do not give a recommended needle/hook size for our yarns, as everyone’s gauge is subtly different. It is possible to achieve quite a wide range of gauges with this yarn. A tighter gauge (more sts per cm/inch) will create a denser fabric and a looser gauge (fewer sts) will create a drapier fabric.
If you are substituting yarn for a pattern, we recommend comparing the meterage. If your yarn is within 25 metres of the given yarn per 100g then you should be able to happily get the correct gauge.
Colour Blending: We start with solid coloured tops (aligned fibre) and blend our nuanced, heathered shades using precise recipes. If you look closely at any of our yarns, you’ll see that each heathered shade contains a multitude of colours within it.
The entire range is created from a handful of base colours, making it easy to find harmonious colour combos for colourwork projects.
Worsted Spun: All our yarns are worsted spun. This means the fibres are parallel to each other, giving them greater drape, strength and softness than a woollen spun equivalent would. Learn more about worsted and woollen yarns on our blog.
Fibre Characteristics
Fibre Characteristics
Devon Closewool: Originates from a cross of the Devon Longwool and the Exmoor Horn. The fibre is dense and springy with a sturdy handle. This fibre is ideal for adding a bit of texture and durability. Micron:34; Average Staple Length: 7.5cm/3”
Romney: This breed has been farmed since the 13th century and originates from the Romney Marsh area of Kent. Their fibre is fine and semi-lustrous with good drape and a little bounce, perfect for adding a little sheen. Micron: 34; Average Staple Length: 10cm/4”
Exmoor Blueface: This is our most local sheep and can be seen dotted across the Moorland where we live. A crossbreed of the Exmoor Horn (our local hill sheep) and the distinguished Bluefaced Leicester (the softest British sheep breed), the Exmoor Blueface sheep produces a beautifully soft and springy fibre which is excellent in just about any blend. Micron: 31; Average Staple Length: 9cm/3.5”
100% Traceable British Wool
100% Traceable British Wool
All the fibre we purchase from the British Wool Marketing Board (BWMB) uses their new traceability scheme, meaning that all the wool we have bought at auction through them since September 2022 is fully traceable back to the exact farm it came from. We know which farmer, in which area, contributed to every bale of wool we process, including how many sheep produced their share.
We are pleased that the additional payment we make within this system also gives an uplift on the auction price direct to the farmer, ensuring that they’re getting a slightly better price on the wool each time as well. This system benefits everyone – the farmer gets a better price, we get better knowledge of what we’re working with, and you get the knowledge that our supply chain is honest and traceable.
Care Instructions
Care Instructions
We recommend that our yarns are gently washed before use as we don’t do any washing or conditioning after the yarns are spun and skeined. You’ll be amazed by how much the fibre blooms after a soak and it will certainly help you get a more accurate feel for gauge and character of the yarn over time.
Once your piece is finished, we recommend another hand wash before wet blocking the piece to the given dimensions. This will set all your stitches and guarantee that your garment looks its best.
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Local Fibre
Our mill is situated in the heart of North Devon. As much as possible we use the fibre which is reared and sheared on this land, utilising the unique properties of each breed in our yarn and tops.

Unique Yarn & Tops
The hours of work and skill that go into producing one of our yarn and tops ranges is reflected in the dedication of a knitter, spinner or crocheter during the intricate journey from beginning to finished garment – both are a harmony of tradition and creativity.

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