Dovestone Aran & Lastest Shades From Baa Ram Ewe Review

It's a common marketing trend to entice shoppers with details of products that'll be available soon, whipping up excitement and demand until the big launch day arrives. That's the case with Yorkshire store baa ram ewe's latest British yarn launch - Dovestone Aran - to add to its homegrown stable of Titus 4ply and Dovestone DK.

Image courtesy of baa ram ewe

Available in 100g skeins in six natural shades, Dovestone Aran uses the same blend of Bluefaces Leicster, Wensleydale and Masham fleeces as baa ram ewe's Dovestone DK yarn but it's a thicker weight suitable for cosy, warm jumpers with that bit of extra bulk.

Image courtesy of baa ram ewe

I was fortunate to receive a test skein in shade 03 - a mid grey- before the official launch, which will be on Thursday 14th July. Apart from its soft squishiness one of the first things I noticed about it was the faint smell of wool - not unpleasant at all and reassuring that the yarn is natural and hasn't been near any nasty acrylic or polyester.

To test its knitting properties I chose a pattern from the accompanying pattern book The Dovestone Natural Aran Collection. This has yet to be launched on the baa ram ewe website and is a collection of seven patterns - five larger garments and two accessory projects. Baa ram ewe advised me that the Arika Cowl pattern is perfect for using up one skein of Dovestone Aran. Until the pattern book is launched the cowl pattern can be found on Ravelry. The original cowl has tassels on but I left these off so as not to channel the Wild West look.

Here is the finished article modelled by my friend Denise:

The yarn is warm and not itchy or scratchy in the slightest, with a hint of fluffiness. It was a joy to knit and, being knitted on 6.5mm needles,  didn't take too long to see the effect.

The cowl is knitted all in one. The first section is rib and the second eyelet ribbing. When you have cast off the cowl has to be blocked to create the pointed 'v' stretched look.

Dovestone Aran is available to pre-order now at £14 per 100g skein plus P&P.

Autumn/Winter 2016 Colours

It's not just Dovestone Aran that's new at baa ram ewe. The two existing yarn ranges, Titus 4ply and Dovestone DK, are gaining three new shades for the Winter season.

Viking is a burnt yet vibrant orange; Dalby a forest green and Bishopthorpe a deep purple. All are named after places in Yorkshire.

Titus is £14.99 per 100g skein and Dovestone DK costs £14. The three new colours launch on Thursday 14th July.

Image courtesy of baa ram ewe

Also launching on 14th July at £15 is Yorkshire Shores, a collection of nine patterns using Dovestone DK, again with a mixture of garments and accessories. Graeme Knowles-Miller is co-author along with Alison Moreton. Knowles-Miller worked in the now defunct Harrogate baa ram ewe store whilst studying for a Master's degree in knitting design and it's great to see that the company has nurtured his talent.