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Two balls of contrary yarns piled in a basket inspired this sweater.

The richness of the colors looked so perfect, but would such different yarns work together? I knit up a swatch. Hmm, definite possibilities.

Colors were mixed and matched for the winning combination. Then more swatching.

The resulting sweater is Hortik, designed by Teti Lutsak. This version combines Meadow Rustic Sport in Golden Maple and Dark Raspberry Donegal Tweed DK. These rich, naturally-dyed colors really glow!

Surprisingly, these two quite different yarns play well together, united by the miracle of blocking. And the Donegal Tweed adds a little playfulness to the otherwise quiet Meadow Rustic Sport.

Hortik is a great project for Spring. It adds extra warmth for chilly mornings, but the short sleeves prevent you overheating as the day warms up.

In addition to the rich Golden Maple/Dark Raspberry combination, consider Meadow Rustic Sport in Cherry Bark with Madder 4 Tweed, or double dyed Black Walnut sport and Cool Water tweed. Or design your own combo.

You can see this Hortik sweater sample in person at my upcoming shows, including this weekend’s Fiber Expo in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

Spring is full of unpredictable weather — cool mornings, sunny afternoons, and sleet in the evenings. A beautiful shawl made with naturally dyed Donegal Tweed DK is the perfect companion for the season, easy to slip on when there’s a chill. The beautiful, naturally dyed colors feel alive and connected to the fresh energy of spring.

Using a three-color set of Donegal Tweed DK makes the process even more fun. The colors shift across your project, each row bringing a spark of creativity and joy. By the time your shawl is finished, you’ll have a cheerful, handmade layer perfect to wrap up in whenever spring weather has you guessing.

Color suggestions: (Sharon is happy to help you choose others.)
Light khaki, Navy Purple, Light Raspberry
Light Khaki, Raspberry Fluff, Fog
Cornflower, Navy Purple, Raspberry
Coral 2, Madder 4, Caramel
Lemon Curry, Raspberry, Meadow Green
Meadow Green, Navy Purple, Lemon Curry

Shawl pattern ideas: Electric Sheep, Tweedish, Saurel, Vana Wrap, Rocketeer Scarf

Mother nature can’t quite make up her mind around this time of year.

One moment it’s sunshine, the next it’s a freezing. That’s when a shawl becomes the perfect project. It’s something warm to wrap around your shoulders and is also fun to knit.

The Tweedish shawl by Brian Smith can be made with three calming colors of naturally dyed Donegal Tweed DK, creating a soft, textured wrap that’s as comforting to knit as it is to wear.

Choose your colors and cast on a little spring comfort.

Color suggestions: (Sharon is happy to help you choose others.)
Light khaki, Navy Purple, Light Raspberry
Light Khaki, Raspberry Fluff, Fog
Cornflower, Navy Purple, Raspberry
Coral 2, Madder 4, Caramel
Lemon Curry, Raspberry, Meadow Green

What yarn weight should you choose?
Worsted can be too bulky for layering.
Fingering too fine for warmth.
DK too heavy for year-round wear.
Choosing yarn weight can feel like a constant compromise.

Meadow Rustic is a sportweight yarn — the most versatile (and often overlooked) weight in garment knitting.

Sportweight gives you:
Beautiful drape for sweaters
Structure without heaviness
Warmth without bulk
Layering pieces that work across seasons

It’s the “in-between” weight that solves everything.

If you’ve been searching for that perfect balance, Meadow Rustic Sport delivers it, with the added depth of natural dye and rustic character.

See how versatile sportweight can be. And Meadow Rustic Sport’s “gauge chameleon” qualities make it even more versatile.

Magic. That’s Meadow Rustic Sport yarn.

What makes it so charming? It’s naturally dyed, resulting in soft but rich colors. It’s non-Superwash, so the minimal processing keeps it close to its original nature. Meadow Rustic Sport also blocks fantastically (seen here in the Tearmann and Artus shawls).

But the best news? Its gauge-changing powers! Use at 24-26 sts/4 in for projects such as the Lunenburg pullover. It also knits up to 20-22 sts when you need Sport or DK yarns (Engi, Missoni Accomplished). It will even transform to take on Worsted gauge at 20 st/ 4 in for Ilya!

If you love yarns that are lightweight but warm, Meadow Rustic Sport is right for you.

Despite the forecast, live like it’s spring, Lily Pulizter style.

Yes, it’s still February — cold, snowy, gloomy — but joyous naturally-dyed yarns will cheer you up!

Botanically-dyed Donegal Tweed DK comes in lots of happy colors: Cool Water, Blue Lagoon, Meadow Green, Cornflower are just a few.

Choose your favorites and then make something playful to welcome spring! And lighten your heart.

If you’re searching for a hint of spring, Targhee Polypay Silk DK is the answer! Plant dyed in happy colors of yellow, pink, aqua or speckles, this yarn is a soft, lofty woolen-spun beauty.

With its touch of silk, this yarn is an everyday luxury perfect for shawls, scarves and hats.

Visit Flora Adora Fibers to explore lovely Targhee Polypay Silk DK.

Kelly’s Tunis is a unique, limited-edition yarn.
Woolen spun from heritage breed Tunis wool, this chunky weight yarn is naturally dyed with indigo, goldenrod, black walnut, and other botanicals. Sturdy but lightweight, you’ll love it for quick hats, and warm sweaters.

Currently on sale, when this small-batch, fully traceable yarn is gone, it’s gone!

Curious about where those gorgeous, naturally dyed colors come from?

Sign up for Flora Adora Fiber’s newsletter, The Sheep Thrills Club. You’ll go behind the scenes to learn about the idiosyncrasies of natural dyes, experience unusual fibers and get a glimpse of the joys and frustrations of natural dyeing.

Join the club to access members-only sales and other fun stuff!

New members receive free shipping on their first order.

Have you worked with naturally-dyed yarn yet?

The hues are softer and more soothing than those from synthetic dyes, but still rich.

Farmstead Worsted is a light, airy yarn that knits up at an Aran/bulky gauge due to its worsted-spun construction. Made from wool from a small farm in Ohio and spun in Vermont, Farmstead Worsted is joyfully and naturally dyed in Ohio by Sharon of Flora Adora Fibers.

Visit Flora Adora Fibers and discover amazing colors from natural materials.