Breed: Manx Loaghtan
Wool Category: Nautrally Coloured
Brand: Blacker Yarns
Form: 50g ball
Preparation: Woollen Spun, 4ply (more like DK).

What does the wool or fibre feel like?
The hand-squish-grab:
Lovely and soft. Beautiful golden brown colour. Some very very slight hairiness. Smells quite sheepy.
Initial thoughts on use:
Good for mittens/gloves, hats and sweaters. Not sure how hardy it would be so unsure if good for socks for example.

Cast on:
How many stitches:
40st on 5mm metal needles
What does this yarn feel like to knit with?
Feels fairly soft through the fingers but the slight hairiness is more apparent than with the HSG.
Size of unwashed swatch:
9in x 9in
Describe the feel/observances of the unwashed swatch:
Medium stretch. Fairly soft with some coarseness. Slightly crisp. Good squish on the garter ridges. Ok stitch definition. Slight hairiness. Garter ridges very defined.

Washing & Blocking & Wearing –Test One:
How did you block it and to which dimensions?
Blocked in cold water without any soaks or washes so I could see how the yarn itself acts without anything else affecting it. Blocked at in 9.5in x 9.5in.
How has the swatch shrunk or changed/observances after test one?
The swatch has increased in size. Slight bloom.
What is the feel and look of the washed blocked square?
Lovely and soft. Gorgeous golden brown colour, like demarera sugar or golden syrup. Still fair bounce. Blocking pin points quite pronounced. Stitch definition is fair. No kempy coarse fibers. Quite airy.
Wear test for a day:
Soft against the skin with no prickle. Would be lovely for garments/items that would rest against the skin.

Washing & Blocking & Wearing –Test two:
How did you block it and to which dimensions?
Blocked to same dimensions using eucalan soak.
How has the swatch shrunk or changed/observances after test one?
Hasn’t changed much.
What is the feel and look of the washed blocked square?
Light bloom. Buttery soft. Similar to first test.
Wear test for a day:
Soft against the skin, very wearable.

Rubbing against itself vigorously – has it piled, felted or changed?
A little extra fuzziness

Final and Overall Assessment:
Describe the swatch and fabric now: include size of swatch
8.5x8.5in. Lovely and soft with a gorgeous colour.
Thoughts on the life, longevity and uses of this wool:
Do these differ from your initial thoughts? Definitely good for hats, gloves, shawls etc. Very lovely. Not sure of the hardiness. Didn’t pill or felt when rubbed against itself.
Would you consider using this breed wool again?
Yes.
What else have you learned or observed from this test drive?
Gauge can change dramatically between blockings!