de rerum natura - Candide

This yarn is made from the wool of Arles merinos raised in organic farming in Provence and from cotton recycled on the spot by the spinning mill thanks to a patented technique that preserves the length of the fibres. 

To create this palette, part of the wool is dyed with natural plant extracts (indigo, chestnut, reseda, madder and cochineal) selected for their shade and strength. The dyed and unbleached yarns are then mixed to create the colour range according to the chosen blends and then woolen spun. 

The range includes two undyed colours: the unbleached "sucre glace" colour and the "nougat" colour which is a blend of 60% unbleached Arles merino / 10% black French merino and 30% recycled cotton.  

This yarn was dyed and spun in France in the Tarn region by companies with the "living heritage company" label.

Please note: There may be a difference in shade between balls for this yarn due to the particular dyeing process used for De Rerum's Robinson and Candide range.

The specificity of this plant dyeing process implies slight variations in shade within the same production batch/dye lots which is why it's recommended to consider this yarn more as a hand-dyed yarn and to alternate the skeins if necessary.

Brand: De Rerum Natura

Fibre: 70% Organic merino d'Arles | 30% recycled cotton, including 2% of others recycled fibres

Thickness: Sport

Yardage/Meterage: 202 yards | 185 meters

Grams: 50g

Gauge: 24 to 26 sts/4 inches

Needle Size: US 1½ - 4 | 2.5 - 3.5mm

Texture: Smooth, plied

Colour: Solid, heathered

Put-up: No winding required

Care: 

The colours in this range are obtained from a complex process of natural dyeing in wool which makes it possible to have slight variations in shade within the same production batch. Before knitting your project, it's advised to check the homogeneity of the colour of the balls between them and to alternate the balls if necessary to distribute the colour nuances harmoniously. Natural dyes are more "living" and fragile than synthetic dyes. These colours are likely to change over time as they soften slightly. De Rerum Natura have selected the most resistant plants and natural extracts but advise you to avoid exposing your balls or knitted garments for a long time to direct sunlight. 

The colour "grand bleu" (big blue), which contains a high concentration of indigo, may bleed slightly when knitted. Indigo pigments are non-toxic and even have beneficial anti-bacterial properties. This excess dye is easily washed off with soapy water. 

This yarn is not superwash treated. It is advisable to wash your knitted fabric in lukewarm water with a suitable soap or detergent and leave it to dry flat away from direct sunlight, avoiding rubbing or stretching. If you wish to test the cold wool programme of your washing machine, it's advised you do so first with your sample.

Made in France