Beneath the Bark
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Yardage
Sold Individually By The 100g Skein
#1 - Fingering (Super Fine) Weight - 80/20 Extrafine Merino Nylon Superwash - Approximately 400m (437yds) per 100g
#3 - DK (Light Worsted) Weight - 80/20 Extrafine Merino Nylon Superwash - Approximately 200m (218yds) per 100g
#4 - Worsted (Medium Aran) Weight - 100 % Extrafine Merino Superwash - Approximately 166m (181yds) per 100g
#5 - Bulky (Chunky) Weight - 100 % Extrafine Merino Superwash - Approximately 100m (109yds) per 100g
This colourway lives where light is scarce and persistence is everything. It is the quiet moment inside the forest where growth happens unseen, pressed tight against rot, stone, and age. Purples surface like bruised leaves in shadow, not ornamental but necessary, proof that life does not require permission to continue. Beneath the Bark is not about flourishing loudly. It is about enduring.
The palette moves through deep bark browns, charcoal greys, and weathered stone, broken open by stubborn violets and muted lilac tones. Pale bone and soft ash lighten the darkness just enough to let the colour breathe, like filtered light through dense canopy. The purples never shout. They insist.
Worked up, the fabric shows a steady rhythm of contrast and cohesion. The darker tones ground the piece, while the violet threads rise and fall through the stitches, creating movement without chaos. Stockinette reveals gentle striping and depth, while textured patterns pull the colours closer together, emphasizing their relationship rather than their difference. This is a colourway that rewards slow knitting and close attention.
Beneath the Bark shines in garments meant to be worn often and kept for years. Sweaters, cardigans, mitts, socks, and shawls that feel rooted rather than decorative. It pairs beautifully with simple silhouettes and thoughtful textures, cables, ribbing, and moss stitch especially, where the colour can settle into the structure.
This is resilience made visible. Growth under pressure. The quiet strength of something alive where no one thought it could be.
Irresistibly Soft. Exceptionally Dyed.
Every skein is hand-dyed on luxuriously soft, high-quality yarn that feels as good as it looks—made to be worn, loved, and remembered.
Yardage
Sold Individually By The 100g Skein
#1 - Fingering (Super Fine) Weight - 80/20 Extrafine Merino Nylon Superwash - Approximately 400m (437yds) per 100g
#3 - DK (Light Worsted) Weight - 80/20 Extrafine Merino Nylon Superwash - Approximately 200m (218yds) per 100g
#4 - Worsted (Medium Aran) Weight - 100 % Extrafine Merino Superwash - Approximately 166m (181yds) per 100g
#5 - Bulky (Chunky) Weight - 100 % Extrafine Merino Superwash - Approximately 100m (109yds) per 100g
Yarn Gauge
#1 - Fingering (Super Fine) - 400m/100g
27 - 32 Stitches Over 10cm (4") Using US 1-3 (2.25mm - 3.25mm) Needles
21 - 32 Stitches over 10cm (4") Using US B-1 To E-4 (2mm - 3.5mm) Hooks
#3 - DK (Light Worsted) - 200m/100g
21 - 24 Stitches Over 10cm (4") Using US 5-7 (3.5mm - 4.5mm) Needles
12 - 17 Stitches Over 10cm (4") Using US 7 To I-9 (4.5mm - 5.5mm) Hooks
#4 - Worsted (Medium Aran) - 166m/100g
16 - 20 Stitches Over 10cm (4") Using US 7-9 (4.5mm - 5.5mm) Needles
11 - 14 Stitches Over 10cm (4") Using US I-9 To K-10.5 (5.5mm - 6.5mm) Hooks
#5 - Bulky (Chunky) - 100m/100g
12 - 15 Stitches Over 10cm (4") Using US 9-11 (5.5mm - 8mm) Needles
8 - 11 Stitches Over 10cm (4") Using US K-10.5 to M-13 (6.5mm - 9mm) Hooks
Washing and Care
Here’s how to wash your hand-dyed wool items with care!
1. **Washing**: Always hand wash in **cold water** using a wool wash or a gentle detergent like Dawn dish soap. While wool washes are great, be cautious—they can sometimes cause colors to bleed. Even though our yarns are Superwash, handling them gently is key. The rule here is: better safe than sorry!
2. **Rinsing**: Once washed, gently squeeze out the excess water—**never wring or twist** the yarn, as this can damage the fibers. Instead, carefully press the water out.
3. **Absorbing Moisture**: Lay the item flat on a towel, then roll the towel up with the item inside to help absorb extra water. You can repeat this step with a second towel if needed.
4. **Drying**: Once most of the moisture is absorbed, carefully **lay your item flat to dry**. Make sure to spread it out on a clean, dry surface, reshaping it if necessary to maintain its original shape. Avoid hanging it up, as this can stretch the fibers. Let it dry naturally—air drying is best for wool.
5. **Color Fastness Tip**: Some suggest adding a few tablespoons of vinegar to the wash to help maintain color. While we heat set all our yarns and allow them to cool in the dye bath to prevent bleeding, scented detergents or very hot water can sometimes pull dye out. Stick to **mild detergents and cool water** to keep your colors vibrant.
Remember, avoiding hot water is essential—cold, cool, or room-temperature water is always safe!
About The Bases
In late 2020, before Arcane officially launched, we began collaborating with a mill to create a yarn line designed entirely around our needs. At the time, we’d tested everything from 70/20/10 Merino/Bamboo/Nylon blends to 100% Merino, and a handful of 75/25, 80/20, and 85/15 Merino/Nylon mixes from various suppliers.
What we wanted was simple but specific: the softness of our beloved 85/15 base with the broader versatility and durability of the industry-favorite 80/20. From that pursuit, the Arcane 80/20 Base was born, luxuriously soft, springy, and ready for any project that lives close to the skin. Each variation in this range shares the same 19.5 micron extra fine Superwash Merino fiber and meticulous spinning standards, adjusted only for weight and ply.
Fingering Weight — 80/20 Merino/Nylon Superwash
3-ply (4/16Nm) construction with a delightfully plush handfeel. Perfect for socks, shawls, and lightweight garments.
Composition: 80% extra fine (19.5 micron) Superwash Merino, 20% Nylon
Length: ~400m (437yds) per 100g hank
DK Weight — 80/20 Merino/Nylon Superwash
4-ply (4/9Nm) version of the Arcane base, balancing drape and structure. Ideal for sweaters, accessories, and cozy layers.
Composition: 80% extra fine (19.5 micron) Superwash Merino, 20% Nylon
Length: ~200m (218yds) per 100g hank
Worsted (Aran) Weight — 100% Merino Superwash
Spun from extra long-staple 19.5 micron Merino (3/5Nm), this base is soft, strong, and has a silky sheen. It’s washable, resilient, and deeply dye-absorbent, excellent for garments, baby knits, or accessories.
Composition: 100% extra fine (19.5 micron) Superwash Merino
Length: ~166m (181yds) per 100g hank
Chunky (Bulky) Weight — 100% Merino Superwash
Made with the same ultra-soft 19.5 micron fiber, this 2/2Nm base knits up into lofty, cloudlike fabric. Great for quick projects, blankets, hats, scarves, or anything that needs warmth and bounce.
Composition: 100% extra fine (19.5 micron) Superwash Merino
Length: ~100m (109yds) per 100g hank
