Yarn Bases
100% of Blank Slate Yarns merino is sourced from non-mulesing farms and mills in South America or certified non-mulesing sources in Australia. BFL is from the UK. We work with several different mills and welcome requests for yarn not regularly listed below as long as best animal husbandry practices are upheld.
This selection of base yarns is heavily built around fingering yarns. We construct fabric when we knit or crochet or weave. Being able to endlessly customize our fabric by holding multiple fine strands together allows us virtually limitless possibilities to get the desired weight, drape and halo for your projects. Here is a look at our blank slates.
60/40 Silky Veil is 328 yds (300 m) / 25 g of 60% Kid Mohair, 40% Silk. It knits up at 18 - 25 sts x 40 rows over 10 cm (4") on 2.5 - 5 mm (US 1 1/2 - 8) needles. 60/40 Silky Veil is the even silkier, smoother, lighter lace version of the more commonly seen 70/30 mohair silk blends. The additional silk is immediately recognizable to your eyes and your hands. It leaves this yarn more luminous with an amazing feel though it has slightly less mohair loft. Both are beautiful and versatile and we couldn't decide between them, so we carry both!! Holding this with a strand of fingering results in amazing effects in color, feel and drape. Hand wash in cool water and lay flat to dry.
70/30 Silky Veil is 456 yds (420 m) / 50 g of 72% Superkid Mohair, 28% Mulberry Silk. It knits up at 18 - 24 sts x 30 rows on 3.25 - 5 mm (US 3 - 8) needles. Superkid mohair is from the first shearing and these are the softest and finest fibers the mohair goats ever produce. The second shearing is usually called kid mohair and is still of fine quality, but is not as soft as superkid mohair. Two strands of luminous silk entwine the mohair giving beautiful sheen under the veil of mohair fluff. 70/30 Silky Veil is the loftier, heavier lace version of the mohair silk blends with more yardage in a 50 g put-up. Holding this with a strand of fingering results in amazing effects in color, feel and drape and is a favorite way to dress up any project. It is slightly less lustrous than the 60/40 with a more substantial halo though it has a slightly less silky hand. Hand wash in cool water and lay flat to dry.
Suri Silky Halo is 328 yds (300 m) / 50 g of 74% Baby Suri Alpaca, 26% Mulberry Silk. This laceweight yarn knits up at 33 sts x 40 rows on 2.25 - 4 mm (US 1 - 6) needles. With a finer micron count than mohair, people with sensitive dry skin can often wear Baby Suri Alpaca next to skin and achieve that luxurious halo of fluff. This yarn is comprised of brushed baby suri alpaca with a silk core so drape is excellent. This yarn is wonderful for special items. Hand wash in cool water and lay flat to dry.
Merino Solo Light is 475 yds (433 m) / 110 g of 100% SW Merino spun in a slinky light fingering one ply. It knits up at 30 - 36 sts over 10 cm (4") on 3 mm (US 2) needles. The drape of this light fingering yarn is excellent, it takes dye beautifully but it’s single ply structure will pill and show wear under heavy use so choose UltraSock, Sock or Sock Light for children’s and hard-wearing items and save these slightly larger skeins for those items that will be cared for and cherished. This yarn can be machine washed, delicate cycle and dried on low heat but we opt to hand wash in cool water and lay flat to dry.
Sock Light is 463 yds (425 m) / 100 g of 75% SW Merino, 25% Nylon. It knits up at 28 - 32 sts x 36 - 40 rows on 2 -3 mm (US 0 - 2 1/2) needles. This is about as perfect a light sock yarn as has ever been seen. So comfortable next to skin, the yardage is wonderful, the additional nylon reinforces the merino and it takes dye without reservation all while being next to skin soft with a drape that is as good for shawls as it is harder-wearing socks. This yarn can be machine washed, delicate cycle but we opt to hand wash in cool water and lay flat to dry.
Cashmere, Silk, Alpaca Fingering is 437 yds (400 m) / 100 g of 70% Baby Alpaca, 20% Mulberry Silk, 10% Cashmere. It knits up at 28 sts x 36 rows over 10 cm (4") on 3.25 mm (US 3) needles. This fabulous combination of wool-free fibers is the ultimate luxury yarn. Undeniable softness, a little bit of sheen and incredible drape on a yarn that dyes up so lovely. Speckling on this non-superwash yarn is soft and muted. Worthy of heirloom pieces and keepsake treasures. Hand wash cool and lay flat to dry.
Extrafine Merino Solo is 437 yds (400 m) / 100 g of 100% Extrafine SW Merino. It knits up at 28 - 36 sts over 10 cm (4") on 3 mm (US 2) needles. Extrafine merino has a finer micron count than 95% of what is commonly available in the current market. It takes color and speckles beautifully but it’s single ply structure will pill and show wear under heavy use so choose UltraSock, Sock or Sock Light for children’s and hard-wearing items and save this for those items that will be cared for and cherished. This yarn can be machine washed, delicate cycle but we opt to hand wash in cool water and lay flat to dry.
Gilded Extrafine Merino Sock is 437 yds (400 m) / 100 g of 80% Extrafine SW Merino, 15% Nylon, 5% Gold Stellina. It knits up at 28 sts x 36 rows over 10 cm (4") on 3 mm (US 2 needles). This yarn adds a bit of gold sparkle to 2 plies of Extrafine Merino reinforced with a touch of sturdy nylon. Bouncy 4 ply construction gives the best stitch definition. So very soft, strengthened and sparkle, what’s not to love? This yarn can be machine washed, delicate cycle but we opt to hand wash in cool water and lay flat to dry.
UltraSock is 437 yds (400 m) / 110 g of 80% SW Merino, 20% Nylon. It knits up at 28 sts x 36 rows over 10 cm (4") on 3.25 mm (US 3) needles. This heavy fingering 8 ply cabled sock yarn is the strongest fingering merino we’ve come across. It is nylon reinforced and the 4 plies are doubled then spun in a near spiral resulting in an ultra-bouncy, super squishy, resilient yarn that is a first rate choice for children’s or any hard wearing projects yet it’s still soft enough for next to skin wear and has fantastic stitch definition. It’s machine washable and dryable (gentle cycle, cool water and low heat) though color may fade and we opt to hand wash and dry flat for all our hand knits.
Sock is 400 yds (365 m) / 100 g of 100% SW Merino. It knits up at 28 - 36 sts over 10 cm (4") on 3 mm (US 2) needles. Sometimes you just want merino. No nylon, no stellina, no cashmere, no fluff, just tried and true SW merino in a wonderful not too light 2 ply base. This yarn can be machine washed, delicate cycle but we opt to hand wash in cool water and lay flat to dry.
Extrafine Merino Sock is 390 yds (360 m) / 100 g of 85% Extrafine SW Merino, 15% Nylon. It knits up at 28 sts x 36 rows over 10 cm (4") on 3.25 mm (US 3 needles). Extrafine merino has a finer micron count than 95% of what is commonly available. I chose all SW Merino sock yarns without nylon until I felt this 2 ply yarn. It’s so very soft, reinforced enough for socks and mitts and sensational next to skin, I can personally recommend this yarn without reservation. This yarn can be machine washed, delicate cycle but we opt to hand wash in cool water and lay flat to dry.
Extrafine Merino Cashmere Fingering is 382 yds (350m) / 100 g of 80% Extrafine SW Merino, 10% Cashmere, 10% Nylon. It knits up at 25 - 27 sts over 10 cm (4") on 3.25 mm (US 3) needles. Luxurious cashmere and extrafine merino combine here to create a truly wonderful yarn. Reinforced by nylon leaves it capable of tolerate considerable wear and makes this yarn superbly versatile. Bouncy 3 ply construction gives very good stitch definition and the superwash merino lends itself for crisp speckling and bright color. Cashmere fibers require gentle care. Hand wash in cool water and lay flat to dry.
Kidsilk Wave is 382 yds (350m) / 100 g of 69% Silk, 22% Kid Mohair, 9% Nylon. It knits up at 24 - 26 sts over 10 cm (4") on 3.75 mm (US 5) needles. A single ply of silk is spiraled by a strand of reinforced mohair leaving a vine-like wavy luminescence underneath a mohair haze. An item made from this beloved combination is like walking around with good lighting! This yarn undulates across your needles but knits into a smooth harmonious fabric. Treat this fingering weight yarn as though it were sport - DK weight to maximize bloom and drape. Hand wash cool, lay flat to dry.
Extrafine Merino Sport is 328 yds (300 m) / 100 g of 100% Extrafine SW Merino. It knits up at 24 sts x 34 rows over 10 cm (4") on 3.75 mm (US 5) needles. A true sport weight yarn of 4 plies of extrafine superwash merino lends itself so easily to so many projects. This yarn can be machine washed, delicate cycle but we still opt to hand wash in cool water and lay flat to dry.
Merino Sport 8 is 274 yds (250 m) / 100 g of 100 % SW Merino. It knits up at 24 sts x 34 rows over 10 cm (4") on 3.75 mm (US 5) needles. This heavy sport weight yarn is ideal when your project asks for great stitch definition. The 8 ply nearly spiral construction knits up with an incredibly smooth texture and boasts next to skin softness. It also serves to resist wear and tear and is perfect for heavyweight socks, hard wearing children's wear and high use items. This yarn can be machine washed, delicate cycle but we still opt to hand wash in cool water and lay flat to dry.
Cashmere, Silk, Alpaca DK is 245 yds (225 m) / 100 g of 70% Baby Alpaca, 20% Mulberry Silk, 10% Cashmere. It knits up at 22 sts x 30 rows over 10 cm (4") on 4 mm (US 6) needles. Undeniable softness, a little bit of sheen and incredible drape on a yarn that dyes up so lovely. The same luxury combination of fibers as in the fingering weight but in a heavier weight for DK patterns. Worthy of heirloom pieces and keepsake treasures. Hand wash cool and lay flat to dry.
Merino DK is 231 yds (211 m) / 100 g of 100% SW Merino. It knits up at 20 – 22 sts x 24 rows over 10 cm (4") on 4 mm (US 6) needles.
Extrafine Merino Worsted is 218 yds (200 m) / 100 g of 100% Extrafine SW Merino. It knits up at 22 sts x 30 rows over 10 cm (4") on 4 mm (US 6) needles. Worsted weight yarn is a necessity in our knitting repertoire and the softness, drape and versatility of this yarn hits all our buttons. This yarn can be machine washed, delicate cycle but we opt to hand wash in cool water and lay flat to dry.
Extrafine Merino Aran is 181 yds (165 m) / 100 g of 100% Extrafine SW Merino. It knits up at 18 sts x 24 rows over 10 cm (4") on 5 mm (US 8) needles. Aran weight yarn with this much incredible softness is such a treat! This yarn can be machine washed, delicate cycle but we opt to hand wash in cool water and lay flat to dry.
Cashmere Merino Aran is 181 yds (m) / 100 g of 80% SW Merino, 10% Cashmere, 10% Nylon. It knits up at 18 sts x 24 rows over 10 cm (4") on 5 mm (US 8) needles. Luxurious cashmere and extrafine merino combine here to create a truly wonderful yarn. Reinforced by nylon leaves it capable of tolerate considerable wear and makes this yarn superbly versatile. Bouncy 3 ply construction gives very good stitch definition and the superwash merino lends itself for crisp speckling and bright color. Cashmere fibers require gentle care. Hand wash in cool water and lay flat to dry.
Extrafine Merino Chunky is 109 yds (100 m) / 100 g of 100% Extrafine SW Merino. It knits up at 15 sts x 20 rows over 10 cm (4") on 6 mm (US 10) needles. How could we not want this extrafine merino in a chunky weight? Super bouncy, dyes up beautifully and perfect for all those fun chunky patterns for winter and still soft enough for next to skin wear! This yarn can be machine washed, delicate cycle but we opt to hand wash in cool water and lay flat to dry.