Zem

Naturally dyed NON superwash DK weight very durable sock yarn from Slovak Suffolk wool. 

50gr / 135m 

100% Slovak suffolk 

needles: 3-4,5 mm

origin: Mokosa, Slovakia  

cable spun, 4 ply 

Zem, the perfect plastic free sock yarn, that survives it all. It is made from Slovak Suffolk wool that is known for it's durability and it is spun with cabled technique that makes it even stronger. It can be perfect companion for mittens or cardigans. It is not a silky soft wool - rather roustic I would say - but things knitted from this yarn will survive decades without having holes or pilling. It shines the most with cables or colourwork. It is shinier and sleeker than the merinos, garments made from it have more drape. 

It's a thicker sock yarn, for an average pair of socks you need 150 gramms (=3 skeins) although I made mine from only 70 grams in size 38 with 3mm needles and 50 sts in the round. If you are looking for a pattern, please search for socks made with DK weight yarn. The thickness is somewhere between sport and DK, you can use it for patterns that require sport weight yarn too. 

I dyed the skeins with natural dyeing materials such as: indigo, cochineal, walnut and madder. 

The yarn base comes from the Slovak Mokosa, a really small yarn business that is working to save local wool, you can learn more about their mission here. 

One of the characteristics of plant dyeing is that there will never be two completely identical skeins, so for larger pieces, it is recommended to alternate the skeins during knitting so that there is no noticeable contrast. 

Although I do everything I can to ensure that the yarns do not lose their colour, I rinse them several times after dyeing, but I still advise that if you use several different colours in one knit, wash the skeins first to make sure that the different colours do not touch each other. 

You can find further information about taking care of your yarn HERE.