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Here are a few creative ideas and knitting inspirations using yarns from the Azun Sport range, whether with a single skein or several! Characteristics of Azun Sport yarns Azun is a yarn made from 1 00% Pyrenean wool , harvested and sorted by hand in the Val d'Azun and processed at the artisanal spinning mill in Niaux. It is a blend of wool from ewes from the lourdaises (57%) and the tarasconnaises (43%). The yarn is available in its beautiful natural ecru colour , as well as in a range of colours obtained by vegetable dyeing and without alum mordant, thanks to the expertise of the Atelier Myrobolan in Felletin, Creuse. A yarn entirely made in France and traceable ! Azun Sport yarn is available in 290 m / 100 g skeins in a range of colours, or in natural coloured cones per kg . It can be knitted with 3 - 3.5 mm needles. Sample after blocking (stockinette), 10x10 cm 23 stitches * 35 rows with 3 mm needles 20 stitches * 33 rows with 3.5 mm needles Azun yarns are authentic : they have a dry feel , roundness and fullness , but they don't sting ! They reflect the local terroir and pay tribute to the ewes that graze in the meadows and mountain pastures. With 1 skein of sport yarn, I can knit a hat! You only need one skein to knit a hat ! For example, I've knitted the #weekendhat by PetiteKnit in Campêche blue. It's a beanie with a double fold at the edges, so it keeps your ears warm. It fits well and is comfortable to wear. For the knitting accessories, you'll need stitch markers to mark the beginning of the round and the positions of the decreases, 60 cm circular needles for the main part and 80 cm for magic-loop knitting the small diameter of the tip of the hat. https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/weekend-hat-5 Treat yourself to one of the wonderful plant colours in the range! I knit a shawl with 2 skeins! An example of a pattern that can be knitted with any amount of wool is PetiteKnit's #sophieshawl. Simply weigh out the amount of wool you have and use half of it for each part of the pattern. I knitted the #sophieshawl myself with Azun Worsted yarn (the other yarn in the Azun range), which makes a big, fluffy scarf that's perfect for winter, but it's perfectly possible to knit it with Azun Sport yarn, for a finer finish. With 4 skeins or more, I can knit a jumper! It's springtime! It's time to move away from chunky winter jumpers and into lighter, mid-season styles that will keep us warm on chilly mornings. Here, for example, are two gorgeous patterns by Orlane Sucche (@tête_bêche on Instagram) that I knitted recently to experiment with textures using yarns from the Azun Sport range. Neve is knitted in acacia pink and Ilha in natural ecru. The roundness of the yarn makes the twists stand out beautifully. I used around 3.5 skeins for each model (size 2 for the Ilha and size 3 for the Neve). A little tip just for you! As my sample didn't match exactly in number of rows (33 rows for 10 cm with Azun compared to 30 rows in the Neve model, using 3.5 mm needles), I added a few rows of stockinette after the raglan increases, before separating the sleeves from the body. This way you get the right length of yoke! A trick I also used for the Ilha model. Other ideas for jumpers to knit (non-exhaustive list!): Ezra Vest by Orlane Sucche https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/ezra-vest Udo by Orlane Sucche https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/udo Forest keys vest par Teti Lutsak https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/forest-keys-vest Bifurca vest par Teti Lutsak https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/bifurca-vest Yule do by Isabell Kraemer https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/yule-do Emsworth byIsabell Kraemer https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/emsworth Anker's Cardigan - My Size by PetiteKnit https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/ankers-cardigan---my-size Maggie vest by PetiteKnit https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/maggie-vest Emy par Mauricette C https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/emy-4 Protea par Orlane Sucche https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/protea-2 Drevo pullover by Teti Lutsak https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/drevo-pullover Ophra by Isabell Kraemer https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/aphra Pinia by Isabell Kraemer https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/pinia-3 Field Day cardigan by Ozetta https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/field-day-cardigan Neve sweater by Orlane Sucche https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/neve-10 Ilha sweater by Orlane Sucche https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/ilha I hope you find these yarns as enjoyable as I do! Happy knitting, and don't hesitate to contact me if you have any questions or need advice. See you soon! Fanny from Knitty and Woolly

Here are some creative ideas and knitting inspiration using yarns from the Azun Worsted range. And you'll see that, even though it's a slightly thick yarn, you can knit beautiful summer jackets in no time! Characteristics of Azun Worsted yarns Azun is a yarn made from 100% wool from the Pyrenees , harvested and sorted by hand in the Val d'Azun and processed at the traditional spinning mill in Niaux. It is a blend of wool from from lourdaises (57%) and tarasconnaises (43%) ewes. The yarn is available in its beautiful natural ecru colour , as well as in a range of colours obtained by vegetable dyeing and without alum mordant , thanks to the expertise of the Atelier Myrobolan in Felletin, Creuse. A yarn entirely made in France and traceable ! Azun Worsted yarn is available in 193 m / 100 g skeins in a range of colours, or in cones per kg in natural colours. It can be knitted with 4 - 5 mm needles (a good yarn idea for beginners!). Sample after blocking (stockinette), 10x10 cm 18 stitches * 28 rows with 4 mm needles 17 stitches * 25 rows with 5 mm needles Azun yarns are authentic : they have a dry feel , roundness and fullness , but they don't sting ! They reflect the local terroir and pay homage to the ewes that graze in the meadows and mountain pastures. I knit a shawl with 2 skeins! An example of a pattern that can be knitted with any amount of wool is PetiteKnit's #sophieshawl. Simply weigh out the amount of wool you have and use half of it for each part of the pattern. I knitted the #sophieshawl with 2 skeins in 2 different colours for a two-tone effect, which makes a big fluffy scarf perfect for winter. https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/sophie-shawl-2 With 3 skeins or more, I can knit a jacket or a sweater! Here are two beautiful designs from Rosa Pomar, the Burgos jacket with buttons, and the Capital V jacket with plunging collar. I really like the idea of these two sleeveless jackets, which can be worn in the summer over a short- or long-sleeved tee, a shirt, a dress, etc. I love the plunging collar on the Capital V with the double-knit detail at the bottom, and the button detail on the Burgos is also very pretty. The loose fit of these jackets makes them really comfortable. I knitted these two jackets with Azun Worsted yarn in rhubarb yellow for the Burgos and oak beige for the Capital V, a natural shade that's easy to match! As well as being a quick and easy project to knit, I used less than 2.5 skeins for each model, in sizes 2 (Burgos) and 3 (Capital V). And good news, you can even knit a headband with less than 50g of yarn leftovers! https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/burgos https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/capital-v-2 Other ideas for jumpers to knit (non-exhaustive list!) Janni by Orlane Sucche https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/janni Calix cardigan by Orlane Sucche https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/calix-cardigan Lakes Pullover by Ozetta https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/lakes-pullover Highland Slipover by Ozetta https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/highland-slipover-2 Earth pullover by Ozetta https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/earth-pullover-2 Champagne cardigan by PetiteKnit https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/champagne-cardigan Pelica vest by Rosa Pomar https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/pelica Kallias cardigan by Isabell Kraemer https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/kallias Abbas by Rosa Pomar https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/abbas Towns sweater by Ozetta https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/towns-sweater Bakehouse cardigan by Hook Mountain Handmade https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/bakehouse-cardigan Capital V by Rosa Pomar https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/capital-v-2 Burgos by Rosa Pomar https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/burgos Port jacket by Ozetta https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/port-jacket As well as some jacquard designs by Tania Barley: Frost flowers https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/frost-flowers-11 Woodbine https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/woodbine-6 Taiga https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/taiga-7 I hope you'll find these yarns as enjoyable as I do! Happy knitting, and don't hesitate to contact me if you have any questions or need advice. See you soon! Fanny from Knitty and Woolly

You've probably already heard the story of the woollen jumper that shrunk and felted in the wash... So when it's a garment you've spent hours knitting, you'd rather avoid this kind of mishap! The very idea of having to look after your woollen knitwear can be frightening, or even demotivating, when it comes to embarking on a natural wool knitting project. "A woollen jumper? Too complicated to look after! ". I'd like to reassure you, it's actually very simple and I'll explain why in this article! To understand why wool felts under certain conditions, we need to look at its structure , which is relatively complex (see figure below). The surface of a wool fibre is made up of cuticles, resembling scales that can open and close depending on ambient humidity and temperature . Able to store up to 80% of air in its own volume, wool is warm and cool at the same time! This flaky structure increases its surface area in contact with the air while slowing down its circulation, over a wide temperature range. This characteristic gives wool its insulating power . And that's why we love it: it keeps us warm and can also keep us cool - yes, yes! However, under the effect of mechanical action and in the presence of water and heat (which undeniably happens when you put your wool in the washing machine at 30-40°C and spin it), the scales of the different fibres interlock with each other in an irreversible way (figure opposite)! The wool will never return to its original state. It has felted and this is a disaster for our beloved hand-knitted jumper. Of course, methods have been invented to prevent wool from felting in the wash. These include superwash treatment , which, depending on the chemical treatment used, eliminates or covers the wool's scales (e.g. the chlorine-Hercosett process ). The wool can then be machine-washed without any risk of felting. But you've probably seen it coming, chemically treating wool and removing or covering its scales means it loses its insulating power and, at the same time, its biodegradability (because it has been coated with polymer), and that's a shame, isn't it? What's more, these chemical treatments consume a lot of energy and have an impact on the environment and our health . That's why at Knitty and Woolly you'll only find natural wool that hasn't undergone any chemical treatment . After all, natural wool has so much more to offer! But then, are these scales that open and close really that much of a hassle to look after our woollen clothes? Well, no, it's actually this characteristic of wool that means we don't have to wash our clothes ! "What do you mean you don't wash your woollen jumpers? Well, I reassure you, I do wash them, but maybe once a year, no more! The very structure of wool makes it self-cleaning . And yes, it does the job for us, which is great, isn't it? Here are some of the properties of wool that explain this fact: -Wool can absorb up to 35% of its weight in moisture , which is then released as water vapour into the air (2). As a result, you don't sweat and you avoid unpleasant odours. -The natural properties of wool combine very well to limit the proliferation of bacteria responsible for unpleasant body odours . -Wool doesn't stain , crease or smell . So what should you do to look after your woollen knitwear? Here are a few tips for different situations. Immediately after knitting , there is the first necessary wash , the " blocking ". This is used to give the project its final shape and at the same time to wash it for the first time. To do this, soak your work in warm to cold water with a mild soap-free or special wool detergent. I use a homemade Marseille soap detergent , which is nothing more or less than 20% grated (real) Marseille soap in water (slightly heated to melt the soap). Simply immerse it in the water and leave it alone for at least 20 minutes . Then, gently pick it up without wringing it or letting it relax, and rinse it with clean water to remove any remaining soap. The next stage is spin-drying. As we want to avoid distorting the fabric, we don't twist it! You can first squeeze it between your hands to remove as much water as possible, then lay it flat in a towel and roll it up before walking on it to squeeze the garment. If this sounds like a strange process, I can assure you that it becomes very natural. Finally, it's very important to leave the garment to dry flat to prevent it from becoming misshapen. In general, we use a blocking mat which allows us to use combs to fix the final shape of the garment. A little patience with the drying process and you're done! If it's not stained , simply shake it outside to remove dust and refresh it, or even leave it to cool for a few hours in winter. If you're sceptical, give it a try - you'll be surprised! Of course, there's nothing to stop you giving your knitwear a bath once or twice a year. I'd advise you to do this in summer, as knitwear dries out more quickly in the heat, especially thick winter jumpers. If it's stained (which can of course happen), which I do in these cases if the stain is small, I rub it lightly with a damp cloth . It should go away. If not, you can always soak it again with a little Marseille soap as explained above. And what about plant-dyed wools ? At Knitty and Woolly , the wool is dyed in a workshop that uses traditional vegetable dyes . As this method only uses natural materials, it's normal that the care of the wool requires special attention . But here again, it's very simple . Plant dyes are sensitive to changes in pH . So say goodbye to harsh detergents and turn instead to eco-friendly detergents or homemade Marseille soap detergents. And that's all there is to it! To sum up , natural wool is fascinating because of its complexity and many properties . It doesn't need to be washed often, and that's better for everyone! You save water , energy and soap , so the impact on the environment is limited . And you avoid wearing clothes full of chemicals that are harmful to your health. Taking care of your woollen knitwear has never been easier , as there's not much to do, and I hope that, if you haven't already done so, you'll dare to knit with natural wool ! Don't hesitate to give me your feedback on how to look after your woollen knitwear. See you soon! Fanny Founder of Knitty and Woolly (1) Hassan MM, Carr CM. A review of the sustainable methods in imparting shrink resistance to wool fabrics. J Adv Res. 2019 Jan 31;18:39-60. doi: 10.1016/j.jare.2019.01.014. PMID: 30788174; PMCID: PMC6369147. (2) Liya Zhou, Xunwei Feng, Yanfeng Du, Yi Li. Characterization of Liquid Moisture Transport Performance of Wool Knitted Fabrics. Textile Research Journal . 2007;77(12):951-956.

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Wool selection The raw material, wool, is at the heart of my work. The different selection and sorting steps are explained here. Collection and sorting The quality of wool varies not only from one breed of sheep to another, but also from one farm to another, depending on the way they are reared, the lambing period and the health of the animals. Wool is of much higher quality if it comes from a healthy flock (I'll tell you more about sheep farming in the Hautes-Pyrénées here). Quality wool means strong, long, wavy and fine fibres, and a beautiful colour. So wool selection is a vital first step. Once a year, the wool is sheared by professionals. I then collect the wool from farms in the Val d'Azun. To make yarn, Only the best fibres having the qualities described above are selected. However, some parts of a fleece do not meet these criteria (they sometimes contain hair or jarre - to find out more about the composition of wool, see the dedicated article on my blog ) and are not selected. Then comes the sorting stage, which I do entirely by hand. But what exactly does the sorting involve? A freshly shorn fleece will contain dust, plant debris such as hay, but also parts soiled by droppings. All this debris is removed by hand, a long and tedious but essential job! Characteristics of selected wools In the lourdaise ewe, the fibres are long, ensuring the strength of the yarn. The wool is also very pliable and, once washed, has a beautiful, luminous ecru colour. A small percentage of animals have a magnificent dark brown fleece, tending towards black. I sets these brown fleeces aside to use them in my handmade creations. The ivory-white Tarasconnaise wool, which adds its finesse and plumpness, is combined with the wool of the lourdaise ewes in a unique blend. Subscribe to the newsletter Write your email here Register Thank you for your registration !

Approach Originally from Val d'Azun in the Hautes-Pyrénées, daughter of a sheep breeder and a mother who paints, I have been passionate about crafts since my childhood (pottery, pyrography, painting, etc.). Very quickly, my heart fell on the arts of yarn and wool, this extraordinary natural and renewable resource. ​My grandmother taught me knitting, a technique that I continue to explore as I grow up! My years of study and the obtaining of my doctorate in physico-chemistry in France destined me for a scientific career and I continued my research activities in Belgium in Antwerp, where I have since put down my luggage with my family. I knit every day, which brings me a lot of happiness. A few years ago I started creating designs, some of which I adapted as a pattern. This freedom in creation is a real satisfaction. And that's not all: I also transform wool in an artisanal way in my workshop. It is in particular the daily practice of knitting that pushed me to wonder about the modes of transformation of the raw material, wool. Under what conditions is it produced and where is it processed? What happens to the wool of our local breeds of sheep? Much less famous than their merino cousins, the breeds of sheep bred in our beautiful Pyrenees also deserve to be known! ​ Far from my native lands, I was quickly overtaken by my passion for the arts of yarn and my peasant roots. The need to create being stronger, I decided that the creation of my company should not remain an idea in mind but become reality! So I hung up my lab coat to devote myself fully to the creation of my business. My name is Fanny and after a long reflection and preparation, I founded my company Knitty and Woolly in 2023 to promote wool from the Hautes-Pyrénées, share my passion for wool and knitting through workshops and pursue in my own way the project initiated by my father. Indeed, it is very important to me to promote the wool of the lourdaise sheep and to participate in the development of this breed of massif still greatly threatened. The wool of the Tarasconnaise sheep, another local breed, has different qualities and properties and I therefore found the idea of ​​combining them for a unique mixture relevant. Knitty and Woolly offers you... Yarn for your creations Azun yarns are made from 100% wool from the Hautes-Pyrénées, traceable and without chemical treatment (no carbonising, bleaching or superwash treatment). The yarns are made in Niaux in Ariège, in a spinning mill with a fascinating history. To add a touch of colour , I called on the Myrobolan workshop in Creuse to carry out a traditional vegetable dyeing process. For knitting ideas, visit my blog ! Handwoven wool bracelets At Knitty and Woolly , wool is also processed by hand, for unique creations in small quantities. Discover the collections of hand-woven bracelets called Pyrenees and Sun in a range of natural and plant-based colours. To to find out all about how they are made, visit my blog . Workshops I offer workshops to share , transmit and introduce you to the many qualities of wool and its uses. Wool transformation process and introduction to knitting will be on the program. The workshops are organized in Antwerp (Belgium). knitting patterns I also take great pleasure in imagining and creating knitting patterns. Some have been translated into patterns available on Ravelry. Whether it's collaborating with other designers for the realization of designs, or for the use of Knitty and Woolly yarns in a model, you can send me an email via the contact form. Knitty and Woolly on Instagram and Pinterest Come and discover my woolly universe on the social media! Instagram Pinterest Subscribe to the newsletter Write your email here Register Thank you for your registration !