Baa Ram Ewe is a Leeds-based yarn company with a genuine passion for British wool and British sheep breeds — and Woodnote DK is the yarn that sits at the heart of their range. A luxury British breed blend sourced and spun in the UK, it is the kind of yarn that makes a knitter stop and think about where their materials come from — and feel very good about the answer.

The fibre blend is the whole story. Three British wool breeds, each contributing something distinct: 34% Bluefaced Leicester, 33% Masham, and 33% Merino. Bluefaced Leicester is one of Britain's most celebrated wool breeds, evolved in the Tyne and Wear valleys and the hills of east Cumbria — it brings lustre, drape, a long staple length, and a durability that means garments knitted from it genuinely last. Masham is a hardy Northern breed produced by crossing a Teeswater or Wensleydale ram with a Swaledale or Dalesbred hill ewe — it adds loftiness, a gentle rustic character, and a soft demi-lustre that gives the yarn its characteristic gentle sheen. Merino brings the softness — fine, short fibres that make the yarn comfortable against the skin and give the finished fabric its pleasant hand feel. Together they produce a worsted-spun DK with excellent stitch definition, real bounce and spring, and the kind of considered, complex character that only comes from a thoughtfully constructed British breed blend.

All wool used by Baa Ram Ewe comes from non-mulesed sheep — an important ethical commitment from a company that takes the provenance and welfare behind their materials seriously.

The colour palette takes its inspiration from the English woodland — and the names say it all. We stock twelve colourways: Mouse Grey, Puddle Blue, Willow Green, Toad Green, Creek Blue, Honeybee Yellow, Fox Orange, Rosehip Pink, Blackcurrant Purple, Hare Cream, Conker Brown, and Badger Grey — a palette that is earthy, considered, and quietly beautiful, with enough range to suit every taste from the muted and natural to the warmly vibrant. The yarn is supplied as a hank and will need winding into a ball before use.

Fibre content: 34% Bluefaced Leicester, 33% Masham, 33% Merino Ball weight: 100g Meterage: 204m per 100g hank Weight: DK Recommended needle size: 4mm (UK 8 / US 6) Tension: 24 stitches and 30 rows to 10cm in stocking stitch Supplied as: A hank — wind into a ball before use

What makes Baa Ram Ewe Woodnote DK different from other DK yarns? The combination of three distinct British wool breeds — Bluefaced Leicester, Masham, and Merino — gives Woodnote a character that a standard single-breed or blended wool yarn cannot match. The lustre of the BFL, the loftiness of the Masham, and the softness of the Merino work together to produce a yarn that is bouncy, durable, well-defined, and genuinely pleasant to wear. It is also entirely sourced from non-mulesed British sheep, which matters to a growing number of knitters.

What projects is Woodnote DK best suited to? It is a highly versatile yarn suited to a wide range of garments and accessories. The excellent stitch definition makes it particularly rewarding for cables, textured stitches, and colourwork. It works equally well for sweaters, cardigans, hats, mitts, scarves, and wraps. The bounce and spring in the yarn gives finished fabric good recovery and shape retention.

Is it comfortable to wear against the skin? Yes — the Merino content makes it soft enough for most people to wear comfortably against the skin. It is softer than many British wool yarns, though those with very sensitive skin may prefer to wear it over a thin layer.

Does it come as a hank or a ball? It is supplied as a hank. The hank will need to be wound into a ball before use — a ball winder or a swift makes this quick and easy, and we are happy to help in store if needed.

How should it be washed? Hand wash in cool water and lay flat to dry. Do not machine wash, tumble dry, or wring.

Is the wool from non-mulesed sheep? Yes — Baa Ram Ewe is committed to sourcing all of their wool from non-mulesed sheep, and this is the case across their entire range including Woodnote DK.

Woodnote Aran