Knitting Wool Shillay

Spun from a blend of Hebridean sheep fleece from the island of Berneray and Cheviot sheep fleece from North Uist in the Outer Hebrides. 

Beautiful organically dyed Shillay 4 Ply (Finger weight) yarn evokes the beautiful turquoise waters as you approach Shillay island. Situated west of the Sound of Harris in the Outer Hebrides on the brink of the Atlantic. Blissfully isolated from human disturbance, grey seals pup in their hundreds during November. Without sheep, the sea pink flowers are lush and knee deep. 

Shillay is a soft, sea-washed turquoise that is very wearable on its own or would combine beautifully with one of our natural yarns or Hebridean colours.

This 4 ply finger weight knitting wool is collaboration between local crofters preserving the traditional island crofting way of life. The herd of Hebridean sheep are transported from the croft on Berneray to islands in the Harris Sound for summer grazing via boat. Given the Northern ancestry of the Hebridean sheep, their fleeces produce a yarn that is particularly warm, perfect for cosy sweaters, gloves and hats. The Cheviot wool, a breed that produces fine soft wool, hails from sheep crofts along Clachan Sands on the island of North Uist.

Per ball: 50g / 150 meters of Hebridean and Cheviot wool (100% wool), semi worsted. We would recommend knitting as 4 Ply on 3.5mm needles.

Please hand wash with care.