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Cat and Sparrow UK
Cat and Sparrow UK

beautifully crafted fibres and yarns – made in the UK, shipped worldwide

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Home » Fibre » Hand-dyed Fibres » Alpaca/Merino/Silk

Alpaca/Merino/Silk

This blend of superfine alpaca, organic merino and silk is extraordinarily luxurious. It’s soft, bouncy, and spins effortlessly.  The alpaca will give it a slightly fuzzy halo over time, and the silk shines with a rich lustre.

  • Agatha All Along – Merino/Alpaca/Silk

    £17.00     Add to basket
  • alpaca merino silk combed top

    Rushes – Merino/Alpaca/Silk

    £17.00     Add to basket

  • Hello Sailor – Merino/Alpaca/Silk

    £17.00     Add to basket
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It’s back! This blend of Shetland, Cheviot and alpaca is such a star. It’s perfect for deliciously woolly sweaters and socks - the Cheviot and Shetland are both hard-wearing, and the alpaca is strong and super warm. I’m spinning some at the moment, and I’m going to make them into a pair of DK boot socks. It’s a real joy to spin too - open-handed, soft and fluffy. The grey base gives loads of depth of colour, with the three bases each adding their own character to the dye. I love it. So far there are three colour ways - swipe to see them - but I’ve got more planned. Watch this space! ⁠ ⁠ #spinstagram #spinnersofinstagram #handspinning #spindlespinning #sockblend #sweaterblend #indiedyer #handdyedfibre #shetlandwool #cheviot #alpacafibre #sockknittersofinstagram #feltersofinstagram #needlefelting⁠
As a beginner knitter I made a few questionable yarn choices that resulted in less than loveable knitwear. It's sometimes hard to know whether a yarn is going to suit a particular project, and there are half a ton of things to consider - fibre content, structure, weight ... I've written a blog post on how knowing the properties of the fibre that's in your yarn can help you make decisions about what you use it for. Check the linkin.bio to go and have gander!⁠ #knittersofinstagram #knitting #knittingaddict #yarn #yarnaddict #yarnlove #crochet #handdyedyarn #indiedyer #handdyed #igknitters #crocheting #craftersofinstagram #yarnhoarder
Watermelon swirl… #colourinspiration #summercolours
Meet Brocket! I’m really excited to share this - @lizcorke.knits has designed this beautiful sock pattern, inspired by the curved shape of a deer’s antlers as they grow. I love Liz’s design aesthetic - it’s simple and elegant, and her designs really make the yarns shine. She’s knitted this in Cat & Sparrow Eco-warrior Sock - a sustainably produced blend of British Bluefaced Leicester and Tencel - which suits the delicate lace perfectly. It’s pictured in Green Room, but I have kits available in ALL the Eco-warrior Sock colours. Kits include the pattern and yarn. Even more exciting, I’ve just added five new colours to the Eco-warrior Sock range (swipe to see them). I reckon this pattern would look amazing in all of them. #sockkit #yarnkit #knittingkit #sockknittersofinstagram #sockknitting #joyofsocks #sockknitters #knitstagram #knittersofinstagram #knit #knitallthethings #knitsocks #catandsparrowuk #sustainableyarn
I did a fair bit of dyeing in preparation for Unravel, and didn't manage to photograph it all before I went to the show. I'm uploaded the new fibre colours, on Polwarth, Polwarth/Shetland/Silk and Merino/Alpaca/Silk, and I'm photographing the many, many new yarn colours today. Meep. ⁠ ⁠ Anyway, this is Fruit Salad on Polwarth, which is super bouncy and fluffy. These juicy colours work so well on Polwarth, as it has a rather matte finish to it, which allows the depth of shade to really bloom. I looooooove it! ⁠ ⁠ I've also had a bit of an issue with my site, as when I synced it with my point of sale software it put everything in the shop to 'out of stock' so if there's something you've been looking for, it might be back in again, as I've just fixed it. Technology is NOT my jam. ⁠ ⁠ I hope you're enjoying the lovely weather! Perfect for al fresco knitting, crocheting or spinning. I'm going to pop out for my lunch in a bit and do a bit of casting on.
I've been meaning to list these gorgeous Namaste Buddy Cases in the shop along with the Namaste Train Cases and they are finally here! I love them. They have such a satisfying snap closure, and a little concealed magnet inside to stop your stitch markers from spilling. The vegan leather is really sturdy and the cases are beautifully made. They're just right for a little collection of notions. They'd make a great gift too (just ask my Mum - she loves hers). Pop over to the shop to have a look! There's a linkinbio in my profile. I've also uploaded some new colourways in Polwarth, Polwarth/Shetland/Silk and Alpaca/Merino/Silk fibre for your delectation. I've been busy!
I've been meaning to list these gorgeous Namaste Buddy Cases in the shop along with the Namaste Train Cases and they are finally here! I love them. They have such a satisfying snap closure, and a little concealed magnet inside to stop your stitch markers from spilling. The vegan leather is really sturdy and the cases are beautifully made. They're just right for a little collection of notions. They'd make a great gift too (just ask my Mum - she loves hers). Pop over to the shop to have a look! There's a linkinbio in my profile. I've also uploaded some new colourways in Polwarth, Polwarth/Shetland/Silk and Alpaca/Merino/Silk fibre for your delectation. I've been busy!
First time I’ve had a chance to sit down since #unravel! Knitting in the sun. Good for the soul. #knittersofinstagram #handdyedyarn #catandsparrowuk #alfresco
#unravelfestival day 2! I’m in my lovely #ormesweater by @ewefeltything and we are ready to roll!
My haul so far at #unravel ... a gorgeous handmade magnetic leather cuff from @hideandhammer. I am in love. 😍#knittythings #handmade #knitaccessories
Meet Bubblegum Daydreams, a fab new colourway that dyes beautifully onto this crisp, white Kent Romney. It's a gorgeous fibre - soft enough for next to skin wear and delightful to work with. It takes colours so beautifully as well. I'll be bring a load of this to Unravel with me, as well as some other yummy colours.
Meet Bubblegum Daydreams, a fab new colourway that dyes beautifully onto this crisp, white Kent Romney. It's a gorgeous fibre - soft enough for next to skin wear and delightful to work with. It takes colours so beautifully as well. I'll be bring a load of this to Unravel with me, as well as some other yummy colours.
The next three-month tranche of the Flora & Fauna Fibre Club is ready to ship, and there are still places left. Inspired by plants and animals, you'll receive three instalments of the club, one a month, between May and July, in different formats - one batt, one hand-dyed top and one blended top. I usually try to put something extra in to inspire your creative journey as well - in the past there have been beads, feathers and sari silk - along with information about the source of inspiration. ⁠ I'll be shipping the first instalment early next week - don't miss it!
This this this this this! I can barely believe it's happening. I'll be there , with piles of yummy fibre and yarn, some Lykke stock, including umbrella swifts, Turkish spindles, yarn bowls, and all kinds of other goodies. I cannot wait. I'll be ably assisted by the lovely Nicky from @fromeyarncollective, and it's going to be a BLAST. We're both vaccinated and the whole event is being beautifully managed to avoid Covid risk by @farnhammaltings and @champagneandqiviut. Will you be there? There's a linkin.bio link in my profile to the event page in case you urgently want to buy tickets!
The #namastetraincase is back in stock! Hurrah. I’ve been waiting for these to become available since Christmas, as they flew out of the door last time. I’ve also added two other colours - classy dark teal and pretty blush. I love these cases. They’re so beautifully made, feature vegan leather and are the perfect size for a sweater quantity of yarn and all the notions you need. I’ll be bringing these to #unravel (YES! An honest to goodness, live festival) between 21-23 May (weekend after next). I cannot wait to see real people and interact and be a normal human (albeit with masks and social distance). Bring. It. On. ⁠ ⁠ #yarnfestival #lockdowneasing #unravelyarnfestival #farnhammaltings #catandsparrowuk #indiedyer #yarnyarnyarn #knittersofinstagram #crochetersofinstagram #crochetaddict #knittingaddict
I've got some more exciting news to share! I'm developing a collection of single-breed fibres, and am adding some more breeds to the current selection of Polwarth, Shetland, Bluefaced Leicester and Whitefaced Woodland. So far these are the only four breeds that I offer unblended, but I'm going to be adding to this over the next few months with Romney and Masham. First up is Romney, and there are several new colourways available, including this one - Tulip Fever - which I adore.⁠ ⁠ Romney is a longwool, and it's one of the finer ones available. It spins up easily, felts beautifully, and takes colours really well. It has a lovely, open handle, which makes it perfect for beginners. It's such a glorious, scrunchy, woolly fibre, and it smells delightfully sheepy. ⁠ ⁠ There's a link in the Linkin.bio in my profile, which will take you to a page filled with Romney. What could be better?
Things have been completely bonkers for a bit here at Cat & Sparrow, and I forgot to mention that we’re exhibiting at the Virtual Wonderwool Wales Event between 23rd and 25th April 2021.⁠ ⁠ This show is usually held at the Royal Welsh Showground in Builth Wells, Wales but has gone online this year. Please join the Facebook group for FREE entry to brows the ‘virtual stands’ for lots of goodies to add to your stash! The Link to the Facebook group is in the Linkin.bio in my profile. I hope you'll join us - it's going to be lovely! ⁠ ⁠ #Wonderwool #Wonderwool2021 #Wonderwoolwales #VirtualWonderwool #Wonderwoolwales2021 #VirtualWoolShow #yarnshow #yarnshowvendor #virtualyarnshow #catandsparrowuk
Look what arrived! I’m so happy to have worked on this amazing pattern by @katiegreenbean. Katie’s wonderful artwork makes it even more of a joy. Size and gender inclusive, it runs across 16 sizes from child to 68” bust/body circumference. The yarn is gorgeous too - a blend of @riverknits #chimera (BFL that looks just like handspun) and #severn (a beautifully scrunchy, woolly Jacob. If you like yarn, jumpers, beetles and knitting, this is THE pattern for you. ⁠⁠ ⁠⁠ The lovely photos of Katie in the sweater were taken by Becks @tinyfibrestudio.⁠⁠ ⁠⁠ #beetlemagic #sweaterknitting #britishwool #handdyedyarn #indiedesigner #sizeinclusivity #knitstagram #knittersofinstagram #beetles #strandedcolourwork
Early morning colour-planning session. I've got a new base coming this weekend, to coincide with #wonderwoolwales, and I'm a little behind with my dyeing, so today is going to be spent in the dye studio. I wanted a little inspiration, and it's so lovely out there!⁠ ⁠ I don't always do this. Sometimes I grab dye pots from a shelf and see what happens. Sometimes I gorge on food photography and then let the inspiration spill out onto the page. I love playing with coloured pencils though. It's interesting to see which colours I reach for again and again. Today it seems to be a sort of soft stone colour, which I particularly like as it really ties colours together, almost like a foundation stone. ⁠ ⁠ Do any of these colour combos grab you?
I've been playing with my Saori loom again, and I'm so pleased with the mix of colours and textures in this soon-to-be shawl. It's my hand-dyed Oh So Fine DK in Making Hay, which is one of my favourite colourways, mixed with @shibuiknits silk cloud, and @habutextiles stainless steel for a bit of glitter. The stainless steel yarn is surprisingly soft. It has a pleasant, slight roughness against my finger tips. I've just got to finish it, give it a press and sort out the fringe.
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