ENTWHISTLE & ERNIE Gotland/TeeswaterX grey barberpole yarn 100g balls DK ply S17

100% Gotland/TeeswaterX wool, machine spun into 100g balls
Natural grey barberpole - 'Entwhistle & Ernie'
DK ply
150m per 100g ball
Spring 2017 shearing

YARN WITH A STORY TO TELL

This unique barberpole silver grey yarn is from brothers Entwhistle and Ernie, both really big Gotland/TeeswaterX boys who are two of our three triplets. Although the three are full brothers, Entwhistle and Elijah are both cream - taking after their Teeswater ancestry - and Ernie more closely resembles his Gotland heritage, just on a larger, heavier scale! Ernie's lush grey locks have been spun separately then twisted with Enty's silky cream wool to make a very subtle barberpole DK yarn that has glints of both colours, almost as an optical illusion.

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.