Valley Yarns

A full weight range under one name

What sets this range apart is coverage. Rather than a handful of hero yarns, Valley Yarns runs a ladder of weights in comparable fibres, so you can knit a 4 ply shawl, a DK cardigan and a bulky throw and keep a family resemblance across all three. Huntington sits at the fine end, Southwick, Superwash Sport and Haydenville DK cover the middle, Northampton and Superwash carry the classic worsted weight, and Berkshire Bulky, Haydenville Bulky and Superwash Super Bulky handle everything quick and warm. Charlemont, Wachusett, Brodie and Hardwick are the special-occasion yarns.

Choosing by project

• Socks and fine shawls: Huntington and other 4 ply bases, where a superwash treatment matters for washability.
• Everyday jumpers: Northampton or Valley Yarns Superwash worsted, the safest choice for pattern gauges written in worsted or aran.
• Baby and children's knits: superwash DK and sport weights, because they go through a machine.
• Blankets and quick gifts: Berkshire Bulky or Superwash Super Bulky on large needles.
• Colourwork: a woollen-spun, non-superwash base grips better and blocks the pattern flat.

Superwash or not

The word appears repeatedly in this range and it changes how the yarn behaves. Superwash wool has had its scales smoothed or coated so it will not felt in the machine — invaluable for socks, baby items and anything a household will not hand-wash. The trade-off is drape: superwash relaxes and grows a little when wet, so blocking a superwash garment to a generous size and expecting it to shrink back is a mistake. Non-superwash wool holds its shape more stubbornly, blooms when washed and is the better choice for stranded colourwork and structured cables.

Tension, substitution and quantity

Because these yarns are sold across so many weights, substitution is usually a question of matching metres per 100g rather than the label alone. Two yarns can both be called worsted and knit up quite differently. Swatch at least 12cm square in the stitch pattern you will actually use, wash it exactly as the finished piece will be washed, and measure once dry — superwash bases in particular can shift by half a stitch after their first bath. Buy the whole quantity in one dye lot; if you cannot, alternate two balls every couple of rows through the body so any difference is invisible.

Care and keeping knits looking new

Follow the ball band first. Superwash bases generally take a cool, gentle machine cycle in a mesh bag, but tumble drying will still cook the fibre — dry flat. Non-superwash wool wants a cool hand wash, a squeeze rather than a wring, and a towel roll. Pilling on softer blends is normal for the first few wears; a wool comb or a sweater stone takes it off without damaging the fabric. Store folded, with the woollens kept clean, since moths are attracted to worn wool rather than freshly washed wool.

Valley Yarns questions

What weight is Valley Yarns Northampton? It is a classic worsted-weight wool, the natural choice for patterns written in worsted or aran.

Is Valley Yarns machine washable? The Superwash bases are, including the DK, sport, bulky and super bulky versions. Non-superwash yarns need hand washing.

Can I substitute Valley Yarns for another brand? Yes, if you match metres per 100g and confirm the tension with a washed swatch.

Which Valley Yarns is best for a first jumper? A worsted-weight base such as Northampton or Superwash: fast to knit, easy to see your stitches, forgiving to seam.

Is it suitable for weaving as well as knitting? The smoother, firmly spun bases handle warp tension well, and the finer weights suit finer setts.