Daughter of a Shepherd – Castlemilk Moorit

A pure Castlemilk Moorit yarn marks the first release for the new range, Seventy-Two, from DoS.

Gathered during summer 2017 from shepherd’s across England, including Rachel’s Father, the fibre has been woollen spun to a DK weight at a traditional, family-owned mill in Yorkshire.

The earthy tones of burnt caramel and dark spice with flashes of silver give the yarn a natural melange and add movement to finished fabrics. The yarn itself is plush and bouncy and when knitted becomes a light yet resilient fabric perfect for layering garments such as sweaters, cardigans and vests, whilst also being ideal for large shawls, blankets and cosy accessories.

DoS found that the yarn is suited to 20 stitches over 10cm on a 4mm needle for stocking stitch, giving a flexible and functional fabric. However, when knit on a 4.5mm needle at 18 stitches over 10cm this opens the fabric for a gauge more suited to heavily cabled patterns. At the other end of the scale, the wool is happy to be knitted on a smaller needle to condense the stitches for firmer fabrics. The spin matches  Ram Jam yarn so you can adjust the gauge of either to play with natural colour pattern combinations.

Sourced, scoured and spun in the UK

The Castlwmilk Moorit looks very much like a deer in shape, stature and colouring. They are on the At Risk category on the Rare Breeds Survival Trust Watchlist, Castlemilk Moorits emerged in the early Twentieth century when Sir Jock Buchanan-Jardine began a breeding programme on his Castlemik Estate in Dumfriesshire, Scotland. Bred specifically to enhance the grounds and provide fine wool for clothing his estate workers, Castlemilk Moorits are a cross between a Manx Loaghtan, moorit Shetland and the ancient Mouflon. Following Sir Jock’s death in 1970 the majority of the flock was culled leaving just two breeding rams and a handful of ewes which all current Castlemilk Moorits can be traced back to. One of these rams was bought by renowned rare-breed supporter Joe Henson – the father of Adam Henson who you may know from BBC Countryfile programme –  who in turn established the Castlemilk Moorit Society.