The Knit Apothecary
Bluefaced Leicester - DK Weight
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 fibre enthusiasts.
Our BFL wool is 100% untreated - the wool has not been chemically treated so the fibre is structurally intact, so your garments don't stretch and distort over time.
Fibre Composition:
- Fibre: 100% Untreated Bluefaced Leicester Wool
- Yardage: 280 yds / 256 m
- Weight: 115g / 4oz
- Yarn Weight: DK
Processing Time:
- All colourways are dyed to order.
- Please allow up to 4 days for your order to be processed and shipped.
Choose options
- next-to-skin soft; suitable for babies and sensitive skin types
- BFL fibre is not chemically treated so your finished garment will not stretch or distort over time
- great stitch definition
- resistant to pilling
Instructions:
- Fill up a basin with warm water.
- Add 5 ml/1 tsp of gentle, pH neutral soap or wool wash to the warm water (like Eucalan - avoid harsh laundry detergents as these may damage wool fibre and strip colour).
- Submerge handmade piece in the warm, soapy water. Gently squeeze to fully saturate fibres. Allow it to soak for 15-30 minutes. For heavily soiled items, soak for an hour or more.
- Remove the handmade piece and squeeze out excess water. There is no need to rinse if using Eucalan. If using soap, rinse thoroughly, gently squeezing trying not to agitate.
- Do not bleach or iron. Store out of direct sunlight.
- Due to the nature of hand-dyeing, our solid colourways may have slight tonal variations within the skein; this is inherent with hand-dyeing and adds character to the skein.
- No dye batch is exactly the same. There may be slight variations in saturation between batches.
- 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.
Shipping
- All colourways are dyed-to-order, please allow up to 4 days for your order to be shipped. We need sufficient time to dye, dry, and pack your order with the utmost attention and care.
- Shipping is on us for all Canadian orders valued at $200 or more.
Refunds
- No refunds or exchanges permitted for the wool washes.
- Refunds are permitted on unwound, unused, yarn in its original condition within 7 days. Cost of return is the responsibility of the customer unless otherwise arranged.
100% Non-Superwash Wool, Never Chemically Treated
Raw wool has scales; when left untreated, these 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 skillfully "paint" rich, vibrant colours and variegated patterns that you'll be proud to curate as part of your collection of yarn.
What our customers are saying
Testimonials
Frequently Asked Questions
Product FAQs
Untreated wool has scales. When wool is exposed to 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
Because this is non-superwash wool, it can felt if exposed to agitation and heat. For best results:
- hand wash in cool water with Eucalan.
- avoid agitation
- lay flat to dry
This yarn is smooth, consistent, and easy to work with. Makers often notice:
- minimal snagging or splitting
- smooth tension while knitting or crocheting
- clean stitch definition
Each skein is hand-dyed in small batches, so subtle variation is natural. This gives your finished piece a one-of-a-kind look.
