Tour De Fleece Special - Cavendish
Tour De Fleece Special - Cavendish
Tour De Fleece Special - Cavendish
Tour De Fleece Special - Cavendish
50% Exmoor Blueface, 30% Bluefaced Leicester, 20% Romney
Epic highs, massive challenges, team spirit with a dash of competition… The Tour de Fleece has more than a few things in common with it’s cycling namesake, and this year, we’re here for the ride! If you’ve never taken part in the Tour de Fleece before, it’s a splendid online spinning event, that follows alongside the Tour de France. As the organisers of this fibre-filled adventure say, there are only three rules in the Tour de Fleece, 1 – Challenge Yourself. 2 – Spin. 3 – Have fun! If only every sporting event could involve the fibre arts, eh?!
If you are keen to get in the saddle and spin along with those spandex-clad athletes, then we have created three special tops, all inspired by legends of British Cycling. Here we have ‘Cavendish’, a beautiful and warm orange, with tones of brown and yellow and just a hint of green to complete the mix.
Exmoor Blueface, and Bluefaced Leicester combine to make a soft, but characterful blend, perfectly bouncy and just the ticket for cables or deliciously textured knits and crochet projects. The addition of Romney adds lustre. We just love this blend and can’t wait to spin with it!
Specifications
Specifications
Blend: 50% Exmoor Blueface, 30% Bluefaced Leicester, 20% Romney
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”
Bluefaced Leicester: This is one of the most popular British breeds– and rightly so! This fibre has a wonderful balance of drape and durability, with just a little woolly bounce. Micron:28; Average Staple Length: 9cm/3.5”
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”
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.
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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!
10% Off with Mill Membership
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!