Aurora Borealis (Mini Skeins)- 50% Alpaca/50% Mulberry Silk/ Lace Weight Base

This lovely color is on our 50% Baby Alpaca / 50% Mulberry Silk, and is a 2 ply Thicker, Lace Weight Base with approximately 60 yards, per 10 gram skein. Each skein is a hand dyed work of art, along with the quality you have come to expect with our luxury yarns.

This yarn is ultra-soft due to both the Baby Alpaca and to the Mulberry Silk, which itself has a "lovely shimmering glow." Baby Alpaca is both incredibly soft and very lightweight.  It is also naturally hypoallergenic, which makes it a wonderful choice for people who have allergies, or who are sensitive to other types of fibers.

Originating in China over 5,000 years ago, "sericulture" is known as the ancient process of spinning silk into a beautiful textile which is a dream to work with. Mulberry Silk is made from the cocoon of the Bombyx mori moth.  Before metamorphosis, the caterpillar feeds exclusively on the white mulberry leaf.  This is one of the reasons why Mulberry Silk is known for its luxurious quality. It is smoother and stronger than any other silk in the world, making mulberry silk such a sought after yarn to work with. Famous for its durability and lightweight quality, mulberry silk is able to retain up to a third of its weight in moisture. This allows it not to have an odor when damp, and it also does not require a long time to dry, therefore making it a relatively easy fiber to work with.

There are many differences between Mulberry Silk and Silk. The first being its uniformity, since the Bombyx mori moth only  feeds on white mulberry leaves, the strands they produce are longer and are more refined. Other silks are made from shorter fibers that can create abnormalities in the material. Secondly, Mulberry Silk is always pure white with absolutely no exceptions. Its texture is luxuriously soft, and because of its premium status, Mulberry Silk is more expensive than other types of silk. Lastly, it is also hypoallergenic and antibacterial which is ideal for people with allergies, and a fantastic choice for those with sensitive skin. Mulberry Silk actually contains the natural protein sericin, which reduces the risk of an allergic reaction.

Put these two lovelies together and you have a yarn which is both gorgeous and durable. Mulberry Silk is a wonderful choice for pieces that will be next to vour skin, such as shawls, scarves, cowls, sweaters, hats, mittens and other accessories and garments.

Our beautiful Mulberry Silk takes to natural dye very well, as the dye readily absorbs into the fibers surface. Thus far, we have found this base to be somewhat lighter in shade with a lovely shine, compared to other bases in the same color ways.

We suggest using a US 0-3 Knitting Needles and a size B-E Crochet Hook. (This is only a suggestion, everyone's tension varies, please use what is the most comfortable for you!)

All of Sand Castles and Sea Shells Yarns are certified mulesing free.

As with all naturally hand dyed yarns, we recommend hand washing your finished piece, using a PH Balanced Soap such as Mrs. Myer's Clean Day Lavender Laundry.