Note: the new 3-ply version of this yarn comes in 160 yards per 4-oz skein, not 210.**

100% Fine Montana Wool

From their website:
“We take great pride in our flock of Beaverslide Merino sheep, grown under wholesome and humane conditions. Our animals live in an essentially extreme climate, so their wool is noticeably “loftier” than that which is imported.

Our 2-ply fisherman’s weight line is processed in Maine, at a mill established in 1821. The wool is processed naturally, in contrast to larger mills, which often treat the wool with harsh chemicals to dissolve vegetable matter, mothproof or superwash. It is also non-carbonized (not heated to extremely high temperatures to destroy plant matter). Wool doesn’t burn, but carbonizing apparently alters its molecular structure and creates a harsh product. In an effort to avoid this over-processing, a few flecks of straw remain in the product, but are easily removed as you knit.

The yarn is “mulespun”; mule spinning gives yarns characteristics all their own. The draw allows for a more uniform product, and the relaxation of the tension allows the yarn to “fluff up” more. Many experts consider the mule to make the very highest quality of handwork yarns.

…we also offer 20 rustic, rough-spun McTaggart Tweeds, also in a fisherman weight. These are a bit heavier and knit up at about 3.5 stitches per inch on size 8 - 10 needles.”