Ampersand Fibers was created in an effort to find my perfect yarn - rustic, yet soft to the touch, comfortable, yet hard-wearing and long-lasting. After over a year in the making, Ampersand Fibers has finally come to life and is only available at La Mercerie! The yarn is 100% Corriedale, a breed originally developed from cross-breeding the fine wool of Merino sheep with the long wool of Lincoln sheep - resulting in a yarn that is soft to the touch, yet durable and strong. The longer staple length of the wool means that it is less prone to pilling over time. Considered a medium wool, Corriedale is extremely versatile and can be used in a wide variety of projects from sweaters to hats to socks. Both Caslon Fingering and Jenson DK are 3-ply, again adding to the durability of the yarn. The 3-ply construction creates a yarn that is round in shape and knits up evenly. The yarn shines when used for cables and textured stitches, as it showcases crisp and pronounced edges. That same clean look translates well into color work, making Ampersand Fibers an excellent choice for both intarsia and stranded knitting. We worked with Battenkill Fibers in upstate New York to create and produce this yarn. The team at Battenkill is committed to supporting the US wool industry and sources all its raw wool from family-owned, local farms. This wool is not meant to have the same smooth and refined look as the mass-produced bases that are so common among indie-dyers, but instead is meant to celebrate the true character behind the wool - rustically spun and ready to be knit into an heirloom piece. Who knows, you may even find a little bit of straw spun into the wool straight from the farm! 100% US Corriedale 280 yards per 100 gram skein Needles: US 5 - US 7Gauge: 21-24 stitches in 4"DK weight
