Shear Merino-Dorset
FALL 2022
by Sarah Solomon for Harrisville Designs
Eight heritage knitting patterns designed to highlight the strength and softness of Merino-Dorset wool.
SHEAR MERINO-DORSET
A LIMITED RELEASE YARN INSPIRED BY THE NATURAL BEAUTY OF RAW FLEECE
For this second iteration of Shear, Harrisville Designs partnered with Cottage Hill Farm, an 8th generation farm in eastern Ohio that has specialized in sheep since the early 1800’s. This part of Ohio was renowned in the 19th century for producing the highest-quality merino in the United States. Today, three generations of the Moore family continue to work the farm, raising a Merino–Dorset cross. The sheep at Cottage Hill Farm are the descendants of the old Merino fine wool stock, crossed with Dorset, producing sheep that lamb well and yield good meat and wool. Although the crossing diminishes some of the wool's softness, it adds a robust crimp and spring that gives the resulting fleece a bounce and strength not found in fine wool alone. anced and varied as the knitters who work with our yarns.
COTTAGE HILL FARM
SPINNING SHEAR MERINO-DORSET
The yarn we have created from this fiber is a lofty, woolen-spun, 2-ply with next-to-skin softness and an underlying strength. The Dorset crimp and woolen construction yields a yarn that enjoys being worked at an open gauge, as the fiber resists compression and blooms significantly when washed.
We have spun two weights of this yarn: a plump Aran weight and a sprightly DK. Most woolen-spun yarns can be knit at a wide variety of gauges, and while this yarn is no exception, it loves being knit on bigger needles than you might expect, giving it room to bloom and breathe.
Like many domestic wools, this yarn contains vegetable matter, and you will likely notice this in the skein of yarn. It’s best to remove the vegetable matter as you knit, but don't be fooled by this yarn's rustic appearance in the skein. Once you wash it (and we recommend using a liquid soap like Dr. Bronner's or Dawn for your first wash), all the residual dust of the farm washes away, leaving a delightfully soft and cloud-like fabric with a tendency to puff up and round out. Once rinsed clean, a gorgeous cream color is revealed and you’ll see why we chose to call this natural white “Buttermilk”.
Shear Merino-Dorset Collection
FALL 2022
The Patterns
This collection was inspired by the concept of knitwear as workwear; wool is the original technical fiber, suited to just about any activity and completely renewable. The designs harken back to one of knitting’s most famous traditions of workwear, the cabled sweaters of the Aran Isles, where intricacy and purpose are united to create wearable works of art. The pieces range in technique and complexity from simple, seamless accessories and top-down sweaters to cabled garments; the cabled garments can look complicated but since they are all comprised of easily-memorized motifs even these more sophisticated patterns are quite accessible to most knitters. Woolen spinning matched with this exceptionally soft yet durable fiber creates pieces that are as light as they are warm, a pleasure to knit and to wear.
Ainsworth
is an oversized drop shoulder pullover with a saddle. Though the patterning looks complex, it is made up of simple, easy-to-memorize motifs. Even covered in cables, the DK weight Shear works up into a cloud-like fabric with plenty of drape to allow for movement.
Kennaway
is a unisex set-in sleeve pullover knit from the bottom-up in pieces. The three-dimensional quality of the Shear Merino-Dorset Aran gives this sweater a powerfully structured appearance but the softness of the yarn and the relatively open gauge makes a for a very comfortable sweater.
Barnes
is a relaxed, set-in sleeve cardigan featuring a sumptuous shawl collar, generous fold-back cuffs and deep inset pockets. It is knit in pieces from the bottom up in classic repeating cables and the placket is worked along with the front pieces with integrated yarnover buttonholes for minimal finishing. Generous sizing and the timeless shape makes this a cozy layering sweater for just about anyone.
Coombe
is a top-down Aran-weight raglan sweater with a timeless texture. Follow the ease guidelines to get either a relaxed classic fit or a more contemporary oversized fit and choose from two styles of sleeves to make it your own; a graceful balloon sleeve with slightly gathered cuff (shown here), or a traditional tapered sleeve. Instructions are given to help you match our sample, but because this sweater is knit top-down, body and sleeve lengths are fully adjustable. Even the collar can be customized to suit you exactly. This Aran-weight piece comes together quickly; easy to knit and easy to wear.
Coombe DK
is a lighter weight version of the Coombe sweater (shown with the tapered sleeve option), featuring all of the possible modifications of its sister pattern. The simple texture has a delicacy at this gauge and makes for a wonderful layering piece in the transition season.
Stokehill
This blanket shows off the beauty of an expanse of cables knit in an undyed and sculptural yarn. Minimal edgings keep the focus on the cabled center, and a relatively open gauge creates a light and drapey fabric despite the density of the pattern. Pattern includes directions for both a throw and an afghan size.
Sheepscot Mitts
The SHEEPSCOT MITTS with their simple texture and utilitarian design are the perfect accompaniment to outdoor chores in cold weather. They are easy to work and suitable for a range of hand sizes. Wool is the original technical fiber and we put our samples to the test during out photo shoot where they ended up stained with oil after working with a chainsaw. A short soak in some warm water with a drop of Dawn dish soap and they were as good as new. We wanted an everyday approach to working with and wearing wool. Handknits don't just have to be for special occasions, they can be a useful and hard-wearing part of our everyday lives. .
Sheepscot Hat
The SHEEPSCOT HAT is a companion piece that echoes the textures of the Sheepscot Mitts. Directions are given for a beanie style with a narrow rib hem or a watch cap style with a deep foldover brim. Hat is worked from the bottom up in alternating sections of 2x2 rib and moss stitch, and crown is shaped with single decreases for a smooth, rounded top.
Coombe Daylights & Nightshades
I couldn’t resist writing another version of Coombe for a beautifully drapey pullover worked in either Daylights or Nightshades. Follow the ease guidelines to get either a relaxed classic fit or a more contemporary oversized fit. Choose from two styles of sleeves to make it your own; a graceful balloon sleeve with slightly gathered cuff, or a traditional tapered sleeve. Instructions are given to help you match our sample, but because this sweater is knit top-down, body and sleeve lengths are fully adjustable. Even the collar can be customized to suit you exactly.
Collection Contributors
Yarn: Harrisville Designs Shear Merino-Dorset
Designs: Sarah Solomon
Technical Editing: Dawn Catanzaro and M. F. Corwin
Models: Teresa Flores, Swifty Corwin, Colin Kennard, Haley Krafton, Jessica Savage
Photography: Jennifer Bakos
Art Direction: Hope Benik and Sarah Solomon
Styling: Emmi Haddock
Photoshoot Logistics: Lindy Palmisano
Location: Wellscroft Farm, Harrisville, NH
Sample knitting/pattern testing by: Sue Golden, Katelynn Hanners, Carlene Avalone, Dawn Catanzaro, Debbie Heller, Sue Hanson, Terezia Vitale, Patrice Safarik and Sarah Solomon
#harrisvilledesigns #shearmerinodorsetcollection #shearmerinodorset #shearmerinodorsetaran #shearmerinodorsetdk