Exmoor Sock Fibre Tops
Exmoor Sock Fibre Tops
Exmoor Sock Fibre Tops
Exmoor Sock Fibre Tops
60% Exmoor Blueface SW / 20% Falklands Corriedale SW / 10% Zwartbles / 10% Nylon
Our Exmoor Sock tops enhance the durable character and bounce of the fibre from our local Exmoor Blueface sheep – a cross breed of the Exmoor Horn (full bodied and hard-wearing) and the Bluefaced Leicester (renowned for its softness and lustre).
We’ve added Falklands Corriedale to enhance softness and stitch definition, naturally dark Zwartbles giving extra bounce and a subtle fleck of colour, and a touch of Nylon for added strength and durability.
Yarn spun out of our Exmoor Sock tops will be bouncy and hard-wearing – a true workhorse yarn, perfect for cosy socks whilst still having the versatility to suit garments and accessories that relish a hard wearing, machine washable yarn.
SW = superwash
Specifications
Specifications
Blend: 60% Exmoor Blueface SW / 20% Falklands Corriedale SW / 10% Zwartbles / 10% Nylon
Colour Blending: We start with solid coloured tops (aligned fibre) and blend them together using precise recipes to create our nuanced shades.
The entire range is created from a handful of base colours, making it easy to find harmonious colour combos for colourwork projects.
Fibre Characteristics
Fibre Characteristics
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”
Falklands Corriedale: This fibre has a good long staple length, is smooth with a hint of lustre and oodles of bounce. The breed is derived from a cross of the Merino sheep and Lincoln Longwool. Micron: 29; Average Staple Length: 12.5cm/5”
Zwartbles: The breed originates from Friesland in The Netherlands, but is now widely farmed across Exmoor. They are a naturally dark brown sheep with distinctive white accents on their face, legs and tails. The fibre is voluminous and incredibly bouncy, when added to a blend it creates a wonderful depth of tone. Micron: 35; Average Staple Length:9cm/3.5”
Nylon: This is a type of synthetic fiber known for its strength, elasticity, and resistance to wear and tear. This durability makes nylon the ideal fibre to combine with wool in sock yarn, greatly extending the life of your hand made sock. 3 Denier; Average Staple Length: 9cm/3.5”
Wool Blend
Wool Blend
This base is a Traceable Wool Blend with either alpaca, nylon or silk added. The UK portion of this fibre purchased from the British Wool Marketing Board (BWMB) uses their new traceability scheme meaning that all the wool 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.
However, our climate here in the UK is not suited to Merino and Corriedale sheep. We make sure to source ours from the Falklands in order to ensure that the animals have been treated with the utmost care and are free from harmful mulesing.
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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.
Vintage Machines
Our Mill is one of only a handful of small-scale worsted spinning mills still operating in the UK. Many of our vintage machines were rescued from old, traditional mills before their closure. Keeping them going is a labour of love, but we reckon that the resulting woolly treats are well worth it!
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Our Mill Members receive access to oodles of limited edition specials, early access to new products, a lifetime 10% discount and our heart felt thanks for helping us do what we love every day!