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This item is discontinued so back orders can not be filled. Sales on these items are final.

Select Color4 - Ash (65 in Stock) 5 - Charcoal Heather (26 in Stock) 6 - Chocolate Heather (24 in Stock) 1 - Cream (34 in Stock) 14 - Gray Twist (53 in Stock) 7 - Light Rose Heather (46 in Stock) 11 - Natural Heather (43 in Stock) \n\rSelect SKUSKA-EDEL_04_ASH SKA-EDEL_05_CHAR SKA-EDEL_06_CHOC SKA-EDEL_01_CRM SKA-EDEL_14_GTWIST SKA-EDEL_07_LTROSE SKA-EDEL_11_NATHTH

Regular Price: $6.50

Clearance Price: $4.95

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Edelweiss: 100% Untreated Natural Color Wool; 50g/100m

Suggested needle size: US 4-7 (3.5-4.5mm)

Suggested gauge for stockinette: 18st/4"

*****

Edelweiss is like a breath of fresh air - a pure, untreated, traditional Alpine wool. Really, there is more life in this wool than I have seen for ages and ages. Try this: hold the ball in your hand and squeeze. Release it and stand back -- it will practical leap out of your hand as it springs back into shape. Knit with it, and you'll discover an elasticity you have probably never experienced before. When it arrived, I was so inspired that I immediately cast-on a Guernsey vest which at this writing I am still happily knitting. Very happily knitting.

We don't know the breed of sheep who have supplied the world with Edelweiss (don't they grow beautiful colored fleece?), but Bob recognizes the wool as coming from an old variety of Alpine sheep. Bob lived in Bavaria for 12 years in the 1970s-80s. At that time, this sort of wool was commonly available and came from sheep that grazed in the Alpine meadows, probably next door to Heidi's goats. Their wool is ultra-high crimp, which gives it an unparalleled springiness as well as a breathable warmth that is, well, classic. Just what we all want from wool. In fact, Edelweiss can stand shoulder to shoulder with the best natural yarns we've found at flock & fiber festivals.

Edelweiss is the sort of wool that will make any traditional sweater or vest just sing - for years, and years, and years. It is a soft wool, but this does not mean it feels like cashmere. There is a robust quality to its hand which I love -- this yarn delights the hands, and because it is untreated, it will outlast any superwash wool by decades. Plus, it just gets better and better over time - you'll see. Each time you wear it or wash it, it emerges softer and more comforting than the time before. To me, that says "Life." I intend to use it as it has always been used traditionally - for outerwear garments: sweaters, vests, hats. In these uses, it will make you happy for life.

I see this honest wool with its beautiful natural colors as a precious treasure - I hope you will discover it, too.