Cotswold Wool Yarn
Yarn of rare beauty from a rare breed of sheep.
Renowned for centuries in Britain for its beauty and utility, Cotswold wool production funded the construction of the great cathedrals and churches, and literally helped England become the country it is today. Cotswold sheep were introduced to the US in the mid-1800s. Cotswold wool has long been referred to as "the golden fleece" both for its creamy color and its great value. Usurped from favor in the early 1900's by the fine wools and other causes, the Cotswold breed dwindled to near extinction. Resurrected at the very brink, the Cotswold today is enjoying a comeback, but is still considered rare by The Livestock Conservancy - meaning that there are fewer than 1,000 annual North American registrations, and estimated fewer than 5,000 purebred animals existing worldwide. Borrowing from the "golden fleece" legend, we are pleased to offer "Golden Sheep Yarn" © - 100% pure Cotswold wool yarn exclusively from our flock.
Fleece from our Cotswold sheep flock is carefully skirted and sorted by hand to ensure that only sound, clean, long-stapled fiber goes into our yarn. The natural white yarn is not snow white, but rather a warm cream or ivory color. My brother calls it "candlelight" and I think that's the perfect description of the color. Our Cotswold yarn is milled by Stonehedge Farm and Fiber Mill whose expertise with long-stapled fiber really highlights the natural luster of this lovely long wool. Sometimes called Poor Man's Mohair, Cotswold has arguably the most shine of all wools, and takes dye wonderfully. It is a strong, supple yarn with a feeling of substance to it, and will drape nicely.
Cotswold yarn is:
- High luster with a shine that seems to light the yarn from within
- Strong and can handle wear and abrasion without pilling
- Smooth, with very little elasticity
- Substantial yet supple, providing good drape to finished goods
Our yarn is currently created in two weights - a 3-ply bulky and a 3-ply sportweight. There are also a few skeins listed of prior, different weights.
Pleased to be an official fiber provider for The Livestock Conservancy's "Shave 'Em To Save 'Em" program!
Natural Gray 3-ply Sport Weight Yarn | ||
---|---|---|
![]() Sterling Solid medium gray with high luster. Rich, almost metallic looking.
| $18.75 Sorry, Sold Out | |
Natural White 3-ply Sport Weight Yarn | ||
![]() Reliance Natural creamy white, high luster.
| $18.75 | |
Hand Dyed 3-ply Sport Weight Yarn | ||
![]() Seashore Beautiful sky blue, a darker steely blue and patches of sandy tan and white. You can almost hear the ocean!
| $24.75 Many skeins available | |
![]() Lemon Ice A soft, buttery, spring yellow | $24.75 4 skeins available | |
![]() Four Leaf Clover Solid, deep, leafy green | $0.00 Sorry, Sold Out | |
![]() Blueberry Cheesecake Shades of deep maroon, purple, rose, and a tiny bit of cream | $24.75 1 skein available | |
![]() Tiger Lily Soft orange, pink and light brown. | $24.75 3 skeins available | |
![]() Tequila Sunrise Saturated orange, yellows and a touch of pink. | $24.75 3 skeins available | |
![]() Sunrise in Paradise Warm rose, gold, lilac and all the shades in between. Colorful and yet serene. Just lovely. 4.5 oz. / 130g ~250 yd / 227 m 17 wpi | $24.75 Many skeins available | |
![]() Atomic Fireball Hot cherry red, orange and blips of bright yellow. Hot!
| $24.75 5 skeins available | |
![]() Piney Woods Deep spruce green shading up to olive.
| $0.00 Sorry, Sold Out | |
![]() Harvest Bounty Warm shades of walnut, pumpkin, olive and wheat. I love this colorway!
| $0.00 Sorry, Sold Out | |
![]() ODD LOT Spring Buttercup yellow and light blue with short blips of green where those colors blend.
| $22.50 1 Skein Available | |
Natural White 3-ply Bulky Yarn | ||
![]() Stalwart Natural creamy white, squishable but sturdy, high luster. 5.5 oz. / 150 g 115 yd /105 m 9 wpi | $22.75 | |
Hand Dyed 3-ply Bulky Yarn | ||
![]() Seashore Beautiful sky blue, a darker steely blue and patches of sandy tan and white. You can almost hear the ocean! | $29.25 Many skeins available | |
![]() Raspberry Sorbet Luscious light raspberry color
| $29.25 2 skeins available | |
![]() Tutti Frutti Gentle pink shading through lavender to lilac.
| $29.25 1 skein available | |
![]() Crocodile Rock Medium grass green with short areas of grayish blue.
| $29.25 1 skeins available | |
![]() Mauve Madness Light and dark mauve.
| $29.25 2 skeins available | |
![]() Blue Ribbon Deep beautiful blue! | $0.00 Sorry, Sold Out | |
![]() Robin's Egg Light pastel blue
| $29.25 1 skein available | |
![]() Razzle Berry Shades of blue, rose and plum
| $29.25 4 skeins available | |
![]() Pansy Patch Happy flower colors - pinks, yellows, blues and in-between shades with some white showing through.
| $29.25 2 skeins available | |
![]() Sunrise in Paradise Warm rose, gold, lilac and all the shades in between. Colorful and yet serene. Just lovely. 5.5 oz. / 150 g 115 yd /105 m 9 wpi | $29.25 Many skeins available | |
![]() Citrus Orange, lemon and tangerine shades. Bright and happy!
| $29.25 2 skeins available | |
![]() Don't Shoot Me Vibrant 'hunter orange'. Not for the shy!
| $0.00 Sorry, Sold Out | |
![]() Circus Tent Got a little crazy here - salmon/orange with burgundy purple - send in the clowns!
| $29.25 2 skeins available | |
Hand Dyed 2-ply Bulky Yarn | ||
![]() ODD LOT Oxblood 5.0 oz / 140 g 105 yd / 95 m A bit darker red than this - more of a primitive red. | $0.00 Sorry, Sold Out | |
![]() ODD LOT Emerald Isle 5.0 oz / 140 g 105 yd / 95 m Dark and light greens together. | $22.50 1 skein available | |
Core Spun "Gosh Darn Big Yarn!" Core spun yarn is created by wrapping fiber around a central thread. In this case Cotswold wool has been applied to a cotton cord base. This yarn is super chunky, "squishy", lustrous, strong, and has just about no elasticity so it won't stretch. Use in weaving, crochet or knitting (size 17 needles work well) to make mats, rugs, trivets, baskets or the popular uber-thick wearables! | ||
![]() Olive Garden Medium olive green and warm gold tones ~ 2.6 lbs ~ 100 yds ~ 2 wpi | $89.00 1 bump available | |
![]() Swimming Hole Algae green with red undertones and deep blue with a grayish cast.
| $89.00 1 bump available | |
![]() Hyacinth Jewel tone deep turquoise and dark lilac.
| $89.00 1 bump available | |
![]() Cream Natural creamy white.
| $77.00 1 skein available | |
![]() Tiger Stripe Warm orange shading to dark brown/black.
| $69.00 1 bump available | |
![]() Moody Blues Jewel tone blues, lilac and purple.
| $69.00 1 skein available |