DYLAN & GLADYS Gotland/Derbyshire Gritstone blend grey yarn 100g ball chunky ply S19

Gotland/Derbyshire Gritstone wool, with a little goat fluff added
Machine spun into 100g balls
Natural grey - 'Dylan & Clarissa'
Chunky ply
95m per 100g ball
Spring 2019 shearing

YARN WITH A STORY TO TELL

This is a very special blend of yarn! It combines the lustrous light grey Gotland fleece from Dylan with the bouncy, soft cream Derbyshire Gritstone fleece from Gladys, along with a little cashmere goat fluff from Bert and friends. This beautiful collaboration is shiny but robust - smooth but with a little bit of quirky fluffy from the goats AND from Dylan’s uniquely haloed fibre.

Dylan and Gladys live in our special needs pen for oldies and limping sheep. Dylan has degenerative arthritis so finds it difficult to get around larger areas, and Gladys suffered a broken shoulder in her previous life as part of a commercial flock, so she has a staggered gait to match. Both are quiet, independent sheep who don’t ask for much - just kindness, nice food, pain relief when required and a little fuss for Dylan who still likes to be kissed and petted. Gladys doesn’t like to be handled very much so we respectfully keep our distance and make sure she gets her share of the treats!

Our high welfare artisan yarn is from a small mixed flock of sheep at our livestock sanctuary in Nottinghamshire UK. The boys were originally called The Hooligans because of their boisterous behaviour and unerring knack of seeking out trouble, and although the girls are generally better behaved, they also have their moments. And so Hooligan Yarns was born!

It’s essential for the welfare of sheep that they’re shorn at least once a year, but the fleece is often disposed of or given away for next to nothing. I liked the idea of producing a ‘single sheep’ yarn that promoted a high welfare message to support the charity. Our undyed yarn is machine spun in UK mills and individually gift packaged, with the name and quirks of each sheep provided as a story with each order.

Limited quantities are available owing to the size of flock – all current stock shown here, with updates twice yearly following the spring and autumn shearings.

Yarn sales go directly to support our charity Manor Farm Charitable Trust which offers lifelong sanctuary for livestock in need. UK Registered Charity No. 1173761.