Seashore is a variegated colourway that's really near and dear to my heart. I actually got a little emotional when it first came out of the dye pot! Natural dyeing is a process filled with unexpected results, but I was thrilled when I captured the essence of my inspiration shell collection. I love the balance of whimsy and richness in this palette, and the way it transports me to sunny beach days no matter the weather.
The Yarn
This is a fabulous fibre with a unique story, and I'm so happy to be able to include it in my collection! The pure Merino wool is certified organic (GOTS), sourced from muesling free farms in New Zealand, unbleached, and milled in the GTA. Seriously, I did a little dance when I first discovered it, and I now think of it as an absolute staple. It's an airy 2 ply with lots of flexibility in gauge and a wonderful drape when worked up. It makes the most stunning shawls! It's also soft and smooth, so great for next-to-the-skin project. If you love yarn and are looking for a special addition to your stash, Woodland Merino is for you!
Fingering Weight. 2 ply.
115g, ~410 yds (375m)
28-36 sts= 4" and 36-46 rows= 4"
using 2.25-3.25mm needles (US 1-3)
The Dye
Cochineal was one of the first ever sources of red dye. The cochineal insect is native to Mexico and Central America, and in the 16th century became one of the world's most valuable commodities! It was so rare and expensive that only nobility could afford wear it- yet even so, some countries created laws to prevent lower classes from wearing royal reds and purple.
Madder root produces a gorgeous array of reds, oranges, corals and pinks on natural fibres. One of the oldest sources of red dye, and native to southern Europe and the Mediterranean, madder was once widely cultivated to make the coveted colour red.
Marigolds are a wonderful companion plant in any vegetable garden, and also naturally dye in a beautiful range of yellows, golds, and browns.
A Note of Natural Dyes
Natural dyes are sources of colour derived from plants, minerals, and in some cases insects. Not only is natural dyeing a fascinating and magical experience, but it the process can have a lesser impact on the environment than dyeing with synthetic dyes, many of which contain petroleum derivatives. All skeins of Westlake yarn are dyed with natural dyes, some foraged, some grown in my backyard garden, some grown for me by local farmers, and some purchased as ground powder.
I use several methods in my dyeing process to ensure the yarn is colourfast (will not fade with washing or exposure to light), including using mordants, and carefully selecting my dye plants. That said, the colour may change slightly over the years. I see this as part of the evolution of an heirloom quality product that is ultimately biodegradable.
As with all hand dyed yarns, there will be variation in colour and variegation between skeins, especially for the hand painted colours. If your project requires more than one skein, I would recommend knitting them both at the same time, alternating one row of each, to make sure the colours are distributed more evenly.
Other Notes
Each Westlake Fibres yarn is hand dyed with care in a smoke- free environment.
Please note that colours may appear different on different monitors. I've made every attempt to photograph the colours accurately, however they may be a slightly different shade than your monitor shows.
Shipping
All items are shipped from Canada by Regular Air Mail. This is the most economical shipping option, so it does not include tracking. If you would like to upgrade your shipping to Express Mail (tracking and insurance included), please send me a message and I'd be happy to set that up for you.
