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Brand new Farmstead Fingering is the little sister of Farmstead Worsted. Like sisters, they share the same roots and character, but each has her own personality. Farmstead Fingering is the lighter and more playful of the pair: similar at heart, but with her own spunky ideas.

The wool comes from the sheep of my former Ohio neighbor, Debbie. I skirted and washed the raw fleeces before sending them off to Vermont’s Green Mountain Spinnery to be woolen spun.
Because I ended up with considerably fewer skeins than expected, Farmstead Fingering is a one-batch wonder. When it’s gone, it’s truly gone.

Botanically dyed, these unique and vibrant colors are derived from plants and other natural materials. This yarn is minimally processed and non-Superwash so you’ll experience that real wool feel.

What will you make with this bouncy 2-ply? How about a cushy pair of socks, a fun mini scarf, or an eye-catching multicolor shawl?

Available online, or shop in person at the Maryland Sheep & Wool Festival (Barn 3).

When you’re a natural dyer, it’s so easy to get swept up by all the possibilities. What color will this plant make? How about this bark? Next thing you know, there’s been a yarn takeover!

That explains how I ended up with 52 different colors of naturally-dyed Meadow Rustic Sport — WAY too many to manage. So it’s time to free up some space.

Every color was created with natural materials. Some foraged on my property, including black walnut and chestnut hulls (see Red Splash Black Walnut). Some homegrown, such as coreopsis flowers (summery Orange Sherbert). Soft corals and pinks from new Madder techniques.

And a handful of One-of-a-Kind Wonders you won’t see again.

You definitely won’t find these colors at your LYS.

Meadow Rustic Sport is Flora Adora Fiber’s best-selling yarn and almost never goes on sale. Here’s your chance for a great price combined with special colors on a magical yarn.

Wondering what to make? Just a few of so many possibilities are: Tearmann Shawl, Mapledown Vest, Missoni Accomplished Pullover, Pines and Needles Shawl.

Why is a natural dyer promoting undyed yarn?

Sometimes, we’re so focused on all the gorgeous yarn colors, the inherent beauty of the original wool color gets overshadowed. The different shades of cream, gray and brown that make up a yarn base become muted. And you lose some sense of the fiber’s characteristics, too.

Enter exhibit A: Corriedale Gotland DK. This undyed blend of two different wools has a soft beauty that doesn’t need dye to shine.

White Corriedale wool has a long staple and lovely crimp, giving the yarn a natural springiness. Gray Gotland is an old, long-haired breed originating in Sweden. Long, lustrous locks produce wonderful drape and subtle sheen. Blended together, the yarn is slightly heathered with a light halo.

Wondering what to make with fantastic Corriedale Gotland DK? One suggestion is the striking Braids of Grass pullover by Ailbíona McLochlainn. Cables at the neckline, wrist and hem add textural interest and keep the edges from curling. Per the designer: “The result is a sweater that looks exuberant but is simple to knit. No purling required!”

Enjoy the calming experience of making your next project with a yarn that’s truly naturally dyed-the sheep’s very own wool color.

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.