Another exciting new yarn from Black Elephant has arrived. This time in the form of 100% British Wensleydale wool.

We have noticed a big trend in the appreciation of British wools. This has been for a whole number of reasons, for example the environmental impact of long distant shipping or for the most basic of tactile senses. Our hands have been searching for other textures and we have been craving more than just merino on our needles. Petra of Black Elephant is know for her rich and enticing palette of colours. This is well demonstrated on her Merino Singles base so when she applied these tantalising colours to the Wensleydale a little bit of magic was born.

Black Elephant Wensleydale is 100g of 100% British 4ply Wool. Wensleydale wool is strong and hardwearing with a slight lustre. This high twist yarn has good structure and slightly rustic feel. Garments made from it will wear beautifully. It feels like it would have a good grip and perform well over colourwork designs, as well as giving soft definition to structural stitches and cables. We have 10 rich semi solid shades to choose from. I’m thinking heirloom colourwork jumpers or sturdy fingerless gloves would be ideal for this yarn. For some suggestions, see below:

Caper Tank (link to ravelry) by Francesca Hughes. A colour wok tank top is a must for any wardrobe and this one has a graphic twist on traditional Fairisle patterns. Knit in the round and then steeked at the armholes and neck. Float lengths are a manageable size and only two colours are ever worked per row.

Savasana Sweater (link to ravelry) by Winter’s Weather Knits. This classically shaped jumper has simple details but is elevated by a single cable band that runs along the front and back. Designed for Fibre Co Amble, I think it would look lovely in a special colour of Black Elephant Wensleydale.

Ramsay (link to designers website) by Susan Crawford. I love colourwork berets. A perfect pocket sized colourwork project that is easier to manage than a larger jumper. I also think the way the shaping helps create the design is really neat.

Umami Mitts (link to designers website) by Laura Nelkin. Fingerless gloves are a wardrobe staple for the change of seasons. Knit in a fisherman rib with a lace panel that runs along the front. I think the sturdy Wensleydale would be great for these.

Ora (link to ravelry) by Joanna Ignatius. A classic triangle shawl knit in two parts with two different colours. Starting with a sideways triangle, stitches are then picked up along the edge fo the lace border. Go for bold contrast or a more subtle one.