Alice | De Rerum Natura | Merino & Linen yarn

Alice from De Rerum Natura is a blend of 75% organic Mérinos d'Arles from sheep raised in Provence and 25% linen grown in northern France and Belgium and specially selected for this yarn for its great fineness and softness. The natural spring of the Arles merino gives the yarn great elasticity, while the linen gives it a luminous aspect and a pleasant touch against the skin.

These two very different materials are intimately blended and then comb-spun to increase the strength and softness of the fibres. The three plies of this yarn are then twisted with a tension calculated to create a balanced, round yarn while retaining its suppleness.

Finally, the yarn is dyed using ecological dyes that comply with GOTS specifications to reduce its environmental impact. We make this very special yarn in Italy, near Biella.

These colours are mixed with the lighter highlights of the linen fibres, which are more or less intimately blended, giving a unique texture to this yarn with its very natural, pleasantly irregular appearance. (Here and there, you'll find longer fibres that escape from the yarn and are easily removed by hand). Alice can be knitted very tightly for resistant socks without synthetic materials, or more loosely for jumpers and flowing accessories that benefit from the drape and softness of linen.

This yarn lends itself equally well to simple stockinette stitch, to which it will give personality, or to elaborate motifs that will be enhanced by its fluidity. The mix of materials and the finesse of the yarn make it possible to knit light pieces that are pleasant to wear in any season, on their own or layered.

Yarn Details

75% Organic merino d'Arles (France) and 25% linen (France and Belgium)

236 yds (216 m) / approx 50g*

Light fingering weight yarn, 2,5 mm (US 1.5) to 3,5 mm (US 4) needles 

This yarn is not superwash treated. We recommend washing your knitted fabric in warm water with soap or a suitable detergent. If you wish to test the wool programme of your machine, we advise you to do so first with your sample.

Gauge Guide

With one strand of Alice: (10 x 10 cm in Stockinette stitch)

28 sts x 36 rows = 10 x 10 cm in stockinette stitch with 2.5 mm (US 1.5) needles (tight gauge)

26 sts x  34 rows = 10 x 10 cm in stockinette stitch with 3 mm (US 2.5) needles (standard gauge)

24 sts x  32 rows = 10 x 10 cm in stockinette stitch with 3.5 mm (US 4) needles (supple gauge)

22 sts x  30 rows = 10 x 10 cm in stockinette stitch with 4 mm (US 6) needles (loose gauge)

With two strands of Alice held together: (10 x 10 cm in Stockinette stitch)

19 sts x 28 rows = 10 x 10 cm in stockinette stitch with 4 mm (US 6) needles (tight gauge)

18 sts x  26 rows = 10 x 10 cm in stockinette stitch with 4,5 mm (US 7) needles (standard gauge)

17 sts x  24 rows = 10 x 10 cm in stockinette stitch with 5 mm (US 8) needles (supple gauge)