Frequently asked questions

If you have any unanswered questions, the FAQs may help you.

• If your question is not listed, please send me a message via the website or an email to info@ovillo-wolle.de.

I, Corinna Berkemeier, will then get back to you.

My recommendation for knitting with 2 skeins of one colour

The yarns are hand dyed and colours from one batch may vary in colour intensity and finish. To avoid a big difference in colour from one skein to the other in the knitted piece, I recommend to knit both skeins alternately (change the balls after every 2nd row).

Colours that are permanently available in the range have their own names. Colours with a number are only available as long as stock lasts.

1. Do you have a shop?

No, I don‘t have a shop. I sell my colourways at markets and festivals of yarn and via my online shop (www.ovillo-wolle.de).

2. I can‘t find my desired colour in your shop. Can I order this colour?

Yes, I can also dye your colour on request.

Custom dyeing is possible from 2 skeins per colour and quality.

Please check my online shop (www.ovillo-wolle.de) before placing your order to find out which qualities I dye.

Processing time for custom dyeings: approx. 3 weeks (also depends on the quantity of dyeing ordered).

Important: Custom dyeings are binding orders!

Order process: You contact me by PN or by mail (info@ovillo-wolle.de). For the processing of the desired colour I need a photo, a concrete description or otherwise a medium that reflects your idea of the planned colourway.

Please plan enough yarn for your project! It is hardly possible to match the exact colour of the already dyed skeins for another skein afterwards. I mix most of my colours myself.

After dyeing, I will contact you by e-mail and send you a photo of the dyed skeins. You will give me your address for the invoice and shipping. After receipt of payment (bank transfer) I will send the goods.

How much do custom dyeings cost?

Depending on which wool quality is desired, there are different costs. Please have a look in my online shop for the qualities I dye. The prices per skein (incl. VAT plus shipping costs) will then also apply to a custom dyeing.

3. What does mulesing mean?

Mulesing is a common method in Australia and New Zealand to protect animals from myiasis. Myiasis is a condition where fly larvae enter the animal's intestine and cause it to become severely ill. The method of removing the skin around the animal's tail without causing pain is called mulesing (named after the inventor of the method John W. H. Mules).

Ovillo doesn‘t stock yarns from mulesing practising countries such as Australia and New Zealand. My suppliers source from Argentina, Uruguay and Europe. In these regions, the fly that causes myiasis doesn‘t exist. So mulesing is not used there.

4. What does it mean to change the strands after every 2nd row when knitting?

My recommendation to knit with 2 strands of ONE colour:

Yarns are hand dyed and colours from one batch can vary in colour intensity and finish due to this. To avoid a big difference in colour from one skein to the other in the knitted piece, I recommend knitting both skeins alternately (change the knots after every 2nd row).

5. After the colour name I find this: "B1", "B2" etc. What does this mean?

"B1", "B2" etc. stands for "batch". Batch is the batch at Ovillo.

Looking at the name you can see if the colourway comes from the same dye bath.

6. You recommend hand washing, can I also wash the yarns with the washing machine?

Basically, we recommend washing the yarns by hand to preserve the fibres and the colour intensity. It is possible to wash the yarns in the washing machine. Please make sure to use the wool wash cycle (30 degrees), a mild wool detergent (no fabric softener!) and a low spin cycle.

I dye my yarns with acid dyes, which I fix by adding vinegar. After the dyeing process, each skein is washed out by hand with a wool detergent (here I use "Eucalan" - you can also buy this from my online shop). Very intensive (dark) colours can still bleed from time to time (colour residues come out during washing). This is not a reason for complaint.

Each strand is carefully controlled during the dyeing and washing process. Factors such as the ph-value of the water and the wool detergent used can influence possible bleeding.

Tip: If you want to combine dark and light colours in one knitted piece, I recommend that you make a stitch test. Wash the sample by hand with a wool detergent and check whether the colours bleed. If any colour residues bleed out, please contact me by mail: info@ovillo-wolle.de.

7. How much yarn do I need for a size 40 sweater?

The amount of yarn you need depends on your body measurements, your knitting strength (do you knit loosely or tightly?!) and the pattern you will be knitting. For a size 40 garment, I assume you will need 4 skeins (with a yardage between 400m and 425m on 100 g per skein). Please order enough yarn for your project. Re-dyeing is possible, but the shade will vary in nuances.

8. I can't find patterns to buy and download from your site. Where can I find these?

I don‘t offer any downloadable items in my online shop. Knitwear designers with whom I have a cooperation sell their articles on all well-known portals such as Ravelry.

Status: 01.12.2021