Yarn Bases and Care
Yarn Bases & Care
All Sassy Black Yarns bases are chosen with real projects and real wear in mind — soft enough to enjoy working with, sturdy enough to use and love, and flexible for both knitters and crocheters.
Most colorways are dyed in small batches of six or fewer skeins in my studio in Manchester, CT. I work with a mix of superwash merino, Peruvian Highland wool, and baby alpaca so you can choose the base that fits your project, climate, and fiber preferences.
Bases at a Glance
| Weight | Composition | Yardage | Ply | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fingering / Sock | 100% Peruvian Highland Wool (Zebra) | 437 yds / 100g | 2 | Statement accessories, colorwork, bold texture. Built-in marled/striped effect before dye is even added. Non-superwash, more structure — great for colorwork. |
| 70% Superwash Merino / 30% Nylon | 437 yds / 100g | 4 | Socks, shawls, everyday accessories, light sweaters. Classic sock yarn — soft, springy, durable. Shows off speckles beautifully. A great first SBY base. | |
| 100% Baby Alpaca | 437 yds / 100g | 4 | Shawls, cowls, scarves, next-to-skin pieces. Soft, drapey luxury. No nylon, so not recommended for hard-wearing socks. | |
| 90% Superwash Merino Wool / 10% Lurex | 411 yds / 100g | 1 | Socks, shawls, and statement accessories that want a little shimmer. A soft merino base with a fine metallic thread running through it — great for special-occasion pieces or any project that could use a bit of sparkle. | |
| DK | 100% Peruvian Highland Wool | 245 yds / 100g | 4 | Garments, textured patterns, colorwork yokes. More tooth and structure — classic woolly sweater feel. Non-superwash. |
| 100% Peruvian Highland Wool (Zebra) | 245 yds / 100g | 2 | Garments and colorwork that want built-in visual texture — the marled zebra effect works especially well in yokes and simple stitch patterns. | |
| 70% Superwash Merino / 30% Nylon | 245 yds / 100g | 4 | Sweaters, cardigans, shawls, kids' knits. Soft, durable workhorse. Easier care thanks to superwash + nylon. | |
| 75% Superwash Merino / 25% Nylon (Half Skein) | 123 yds / 50g | 4 | Smaller projects, color testing, or stretching a fade further — same soft, durable DK feel as the full skein, in a half-size portion. | |
| Sport | 100% Peruvian Highland Wool | 328 yds / 100g | 3 | Lightweight sweaters, colorwork, hats, mitts. A lovely in-between — lighter than DK, more body than fingering. Non-superwash. |
| Worsted | 100% Peruvian Highland Wool | 218 yds / 100g | 4 | Classic sweaters, hats, mittens, blankets. Traditional wool feel, great stitch definition, excellent in cables and colorwork. Non-superwash. |
| 100% Peruvian Highland Wool (Zebra) | 218 yds / 100g | 2 | Bold accessories and simple garments where you want the built-in marl to do the visual work — hats, cowls, and textured sweaters. | |
| 100% Baby Alpaca | 181 yds / 100g | 3 | Cowls, scarves, shawls, wraps. Soft, luxurious warmth with lots of drape and halo. | |
|
Minis (20g skeins) |
70% Superwash Merino / 30% Nylon | 87 yds / 20g | 4 | Heels, toes, cuffs, stripes, colorwork accents, borders, edgings, and building fades without committing to full skeins. |
| 80% Superwash Merino / 20% Nylon (Zebra) | 79 yds / 20g | 2 | Same mini-skein uses as above, with the built-in zebra marl for extra visual interest in small doses — great for accent stripes. | |
| 100% Peruvian Highland Wool | 91 yds / 20g | 4 | Non-superwash mini for colorwork accents, borders, and fades where you want that classic wool structure in a small dose. | |
| 100% Peruvian Highland Wool (DK) | 49 yds / 20g | 4 | A DK-weight mini for heavier accent stripes, colorwork, or fade-building in worsted/DK projects. |
Care Instructions
Superwash Bases (Merino/Nylon blends)
- Hand wash in cool water with a gentle wool wash for longest life
- If machine washing, use a delicate or wool cycle, cool water, and a mesh bag
- Lay flat to dry — avoid the dryer to preserve color and fabric
Non-Superwash Wool & Alpaca (Peruvian Highland, Baby Alpaca)
- Hand wash in cool water with a gentle wool wash
- Do not agitate aggressively (to avoid felting)
- Gently squeeze out water; do not wring
- Lay flat to dry, reshaping the piece as it dries
Always check the product label for exact instructions — the above is a general guide.
A Note About Hand-Dyed Color
Because all SBY yarn is hand-dyed in small batches, you can expect:
- Slight variation between skeins
- More complexity and uniqueness in speckled and variegated colorways
- Dye-lot differences over time
For projects using multiple skeins of the same colorway: alternate skeins every few rows (knit) or rounds (crochet), and check you're happy with the fabric and pooling before you fully commit.
Not Sure Which Base to Choose?
If you know what you want to make but aren't sure which base is best, you can:
- Check the Yarn Details on any product page
- Visit the Sweater Quantities & Dyed to Order page for planning larger projects
- Send me a note and tell me: what you want to make, knit/crochet/both, and how you like your finished fabric to feel (light, drapey, sturdy, cozy, etc.)
I'm always happy to help you match a Sassy Black Yarns base (and colorway) to your next project. 💜