British Breeds is a soft, bouncy 4 ply yarn available in 26 complex colours developed by knitwear designer Marie Wallin.  The yarn is made from four different British sheep breeds, each breed chosen for a special characteristic:  Bluefaced Leicester adds softness; Exmore Horn produces a white fleece adding a "cleanness" to the dyed colours; Wensleydale adds strength and lustre; and Zwarbles adds bounce and springiness. 

British Breeds can be used in all Marie Wallin's designs and any pattern calling for Shetland 4 Ply yarn. It is interchangeable with Jamieson & Smith 2 Ply Jumper and Jamieson's Spindrift.  Consider purchasing the Marie Wallin Shade Card for help in planning colour work projects.

While gauge vs. needle size varies from knitter to knitter (which is why we need to swatch!), Marie Wallin gives the following guidelines:  "British Breeds has a tension of 28 sts & 29 rows to 10cm measured over Fair Isle knitting using 3.25mm needles. On stocking stitch the tension is 26 sts & 34 rows to 10cm using 3mm needles".

Composition:  100% British Wool

Yardage:  93y/85m per 25g

Weight:  Fingering

Gauge: 26 to 29 stitches per 4 inches (10 cm)

Needles:  2.25 to 3.25 mm (US 2 to 3) 

Care: Hand wash cool