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The Knit Apothecary
Bluefaced Leicester - DK Weight Yarn
Curating your coveted yarn stash? Preparing for your next project? Assemble a harmonious colour palette with The Knit Apothecary’s hand-dyed, natural fibre yarn.
At The Knit Apothecary:
- We only use 100% natural fibre yarn - NO SYNTHETIC FIBRES.
- We NEVER use superwash wool so your finished garments continue to hold their shape with repeated wear.
- Our yarn is always hand dyed-to-order.
- The Knit Apothecary is independent artist owned and operated.
We know how important it is to have a high quality, curated, treasure trove of yarn ready for when the perfect pattern comes along or when a wave of creativity hits. Let us help you prepare with Build Your Stash pricing; the more yarn you buy, the more you save. To unlock special Build Your Stash pricing:
- Choose any 3 or more hand-dyed skeins from among our colourways to unlock special pricing.
- You can mix and match available colourways as you like.
- Build Your Stash pricing will be automatically calculated at checkout.
-- ALL COLOURWAYS ARE HAND DYED-TO-ORDER --
Fibre Composition:
- Fibre: 100% Untreated Bluefaced Leicester Wool
- Yardage: 280 yds / 256 m
- Weight: 115g / 4oz
- Yarn Weight: DK
- Recommended Needle Size: US 5 - US 7 (3.75mm - 4.5mm)
- Recommended Hook Size: 7 - I-9 (4.5mm - 5.5mm)
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Bluefaced Leicester (aka 'BFL') is a British sheep breed with long, lustrous wool. Considered a luxury fibre, this wool is renowned for both its softness and strength making it a favourite among makers and fibre enthusiasts.
Our BFL yarn is spun with 100% untreated Bluefaced Leicester wool that has not undergone superwash treatment so the fibre remains structurally intact, and your garments retain their shape over time.
- next-to-skin soft; suitable for babies and sensitive skin types
- our BFL yarn is not chemically treated so your finished garment will retain its shape with proper laundering, storage and care.
- great stitch definition
- resistant to pilling
- Hand wash separately in lukewarm water using a pH neutral soap or wool-safe detergent.
- Gently squeeze excess water (do not wring). Dry flat.
- Do not bleach or iron. Store out of direct sunlight.
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NOTE: Some deeply saturated colourways may release a trace of excess dye during the first wash. This is normal and does not affect the long-term colourfastness of the yarn.
- Due to the nature of hand-dyeing, our colourways may vary slightly between batches. No dye batch is exactly the same.
- The colour saturation may differ between yarn bases depending on its fibre composition because different fibres absorb dye at different rates. For example, merino wool will absorb dyes faster and achieve deeper colour compared to silk.
- Colors may appear different on-screen versus in-person due to computer screen/monitor resolution.
100% Non-Superwash Wool, Never Chemically Treated
Raw wool has scales; when left untreated, theses scales remain in tact so the fibre retains its natural properties and structure. This helps your finished garments hold their shape, rather than stretching or losing form over time.
Hand-Dyed in Toronto
Hand crafted in small batches, never mass produced. Each skein is like a high-quality canvas upon which we "paint" rich, vibrant colours and variegated patterns that you'll be proud to curate as part of your collection of yarn.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Untreated wool has scales. When wool is exposed to moisture, heat and agitation (like during the washing process) the heat causes the scales to open up. Superwash wool is chemically processed to remove the fibre's natural scales, making it easier to wash — but often causing garments to stretch or lose structure over time.
Non-superwash wool behaves more naturally, offering:
- better elasticity
- improved shape retention
- a more traditional wool feel
This yarn can felt if exposed to moisture, heat, and agitation because the wool is in its natural state. For best results:
- hand wash in warm water with Eucalan or a pH neutral soap.
- avoid agitation and do not wring
- lay flat to dry
This yarn is smooth, consistent, and easy to work with. Makers often notice:
- it is soft enough to be worn next to the skin
- minimal snagging or splitting
- smooth tension while knitting or crocheting
- clean stitch definition