Manchelopis is a very special yarn, as is the amazing project that produces it!
Manchelopis' unspun, twist-free strands make this yarn rare and it creates the most wonderfully airy and fascinating fabric when knit up. We are absolutely in love with Manchelopis and can't wait to see what beautiful projects you create with it!
Produced entirely in the region of Castilla-La Mancha, a land rich with history and the home of Wooldreamers!
This unique collection was created to honor the Manchega sheep, a breed native to the region, and the source of Manchego cheese! Manchega sheep are most commonly raised for dairy rather than their wool; with Manchelopis we aim to highlight the value of this natural fiber.
Manchelopis is blended from the wool of two unique flocks being raised with traditional ranching practices with compassion for the sheep and the lands they graze on. With one flock producing dark brown wool and the other white, this line began with a range of colors in a light to dark gradient by blending the two wools together.
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The white wool comes from Las Banderas Livestock, situated in la Serrania de Cuenca. The flock of Manchega sheep is looked after by Raul who practices transhumance, taking the sheep from pasture to pasture with the seasons.
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The dark brown wool comes from a flock of rare black Manchega Sheep raised by Jose de Jesus Gimenez Diezma Ranch. The sheep graze freely on the lands of Los Montes de Toledo and only seek shelter when they require Jose’s care.
Manchelopi comes in a 100g “wheel”, the unspun 2 ply structure of this yarn allows for it to be worked at a variety of gauges depending on the desired fabric!
Worked as a 1 ply: 503yds/ 460m per 100g, suggested needle US 2-4 / 2.75mm - 3.5mm
Worked as a 2 ply: 251yds/ 230m per 100g, suggested needle US 4-9 / 4.5mm - 5.5mm
This yarn is delicate and easy to pull apart however, once knit, the fabric is very hardwearing and durable and still maintains its airiness and bounce. It is so soft that you can happily wear it right next to the skin!
When (not if) you accidentally break the yarn, just rub it together in the palms of your hands to rejoin and you'll never know the difference. This wonderful property means that you'll like have no ends to darn in when adding/changing yarns - just splice together! Perfect for patterns when changing yarns often.
The wool is about as unprocessed as you can get. It smells earthy, and you'll probably have to pick out the odd bit of straw. It has just the right amount of natural lanolin to sooth your skin and it naturally insulating and anti-bacterial.
Suggested pattern: Miles Shirt Jacket by Ozetta or any of her other patterns that use this yarn