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Natural Fibre. Honest Colour.

All AppleOak yarns are made from natural fibres and coloured using traditional natural dyes wherever indicated. We work with wool, alpaca, yak, silk, goat, hemp, ramie and nettle — fibres chosen for their integrity, longevity and natural feel.

All coloured yarns are dyed in-house using natural dyes. We do not use heavy metals or synthetic colour-enhancing chemicals, and wherever possible our dyes are organically grown and processed by us in our studio in Co. Clare.

Use the filters on the left to explore our yarn ranges.

3 products
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Four balls of gray nettle yarn stacked vertically on a wooden surface.
NETTLE YARN
Himalayan Nettle Fibre
Hand-Spun
from €2,00
Quick view
Assorted skeins of yarn in various colors on a leafy background .
TURIN
Wool, Mulberry Silk & Ramie
Naturally Dyed
from €28,00
Quick view
a range of yarns from dark to light on a teal coloured wooden background
YETI
Yak & Mulberry Silk
Natural Colours
€40,95

NETTLE YARN
Himalayan Nettle Fibre
Hand-Spun

€26,50 Save €-26,50

HAND-SPUN NETTLE YARN

Himalayan Nettle Fibre | Naturally Undyed | Hand-Spun in Nepal

Our Himalayan nettle yarn is hand-harvested from wild nettle plants growing in Nepal and spun by hand using traditional methods. Untreated and naturally processed using only water and wood ash, it retains the integrity and character of the original fibre.

The yarn carries the quiet irregularity and variation inherent to hand-spun plant fibres. Its natural colours range from soft grey and beige to warm, earthy tones, reflecting the fibre’s origin.

Historically known as “poor man’s linen,” nettle fibre shares many of linen’s qualities — strength, breathability, and durability — whilst offering its own distinct texture and presence.

This yarn is entirely plant-based, biodegradable and produced through ethical small-scale production supporting rural families and traditional fibre knowledge.

In a nutshell

Fibre: 100% Himalayan nettle fibre
Weight options: Thin and medium weight
Length: approx. 265 m per 100 g
Form: skein or ball depending on weight

Processing: Hand-harvested and hand-spun
Treatment: Naturally processed using water and wood ash
Origin: Himalayan region, Nepal 🇳🇵

Colour: Naturally undyed (grey, beige, and earthy tones)

Weight options

Thin weight
• Smooth and relatively even
• Suitable for knitting, weaving, crochet
• Ideal for garments and other textile work

Medium weight
• More textured and uneven
• Suitable for weaving and structural textile work
• Less suited to fine knitting or garments

What it is ideal for

• Weaving
• Knitting (thin weight)
• Textile art
• Structural textiles
• Sustainable fibre projects
• Historical and heritage textile work

Character

Nettle fibre shares qualities with linen — strength, breathability, and longevity — whilst maintaining its own distinctive texture.

Each skein reflects the hand-spun process and the natural variation of wild plant fibre.

Care

Hand wash gently in cool water
Reshape whilst damp
Dry flat

With use and washing, the fibre softens naturally.

Ethical production

This yarn is produced through ethical, small-scale production in Nepal, supporting local women and families and preserving traditional fibre skills.

Wild harvesting ensures minimal environmental impact.

Customer reviews

Customer Reviews

Based on 2 reviews Write a review

Customer Reviews

Based on 2 reviews Write a review
Four balls of gray nettle yarn stacked vertically on a wooden surface.
Coiled gray nettle yarn on a teal coloured wooden surface
Coiled beige nettle yarn on a teal coloured wooden surface
Two gray nettle strings on a teal coloured wooden surface
3 skeins of nettle yarn on a teal coloured timber background
nettle yarn in ball form
nettle yarn hank close up
nettle yarn woven
nettle yarn woven
Nettle dress, woven and made by Sofia C.
retting of nettle fibre
retted nettle fibre
Himalayan Nettle
retted nettle fibre
preparing wood ash lye
preparing dried nettle fibre
hanging up nettle fibre to dry
lye soaked nettle fibre
weaving with cotton and nettle
preparing a cotton and nettle warp
putting nettle yarn onto bobbins for weaving
spinning nettle yarn and knitting nettle shawls
Four balls of gray nettle yarn stacked vertically on a wooden surface.
Coiled gray nettle yarn on a teal coloured wooden surface
Coiled beige nettle yarn on a teal coloured wooden surface
Two gray nettle strings on a teal coloured wooden surface
3 skeins of nettle yarn on a teal coloured timber background
nettle yarn in ball form
nettle yarn hank close up
nettle yarn woven
nettle yarn woven
Nettle dress, woven and made by Sofia C.
retting of nettle fibre
retted nettle fibre
Himalayan Nettle
retted nettle fibre
preparing wood ash lye
preparing dried nettle fibre
hanging up nettle fibre to dry
lye soaked nettle fibre
weaving with cotton and nettle
preparing a cotton and nettle warp
putting nettle yarn onto bobbins for weaving
spinning nettle yarn and knitting nettle shawls

TURIN
Wool, Mulberry Silk & Ramie
Naturally Dyed

€28,00 Save €-28,00

TURIN

Wool, Mulberry Silk & Ramie | Fingering Weight | Naturally Dyed

Turin is one of the most versatile yarns in our collection — combining softness, strength, and luminosity in a beautifully balanced fibre blend.

Made from wool, mulberry silk, and ramie (processed nettle fibre), this yarn offers the softness and elasticity of wool, the sheen and fluidity of silk, and the strength and durability of ramie — a traditional plant fibre related to nettle.

This balanced combination makes Turin especially well suited to garments requiring durability and resilience, including socks, sweaters, and garments worn regularly.

Soft yet strong, Turin knits smoothly and creates fabrics with gentle sheen and excellent longevity.

The wool is sourced from South America. Ramie and mulberry silk from China are blended and spun with the wool in Czechia. Each skein is then naturally dyed at AppleOak FibreWorks using traditional, sustainable natural dye methods and organic dye materials.

Turin takes up natural colour beautifully, producing rich, saturated tones with subtle tonal variation.

In a nutshell

Fibre: 60% wool, 20% mulberry silk, 20% ramie
Weight: Fingering weight (4-ply)
Length: 425 m per 100 g skein
Skein weight: 100 g
Recommended needle size: 3 mm

Origin:
• Wool from South America
• Mulberry silk from China
• Ramie fibre from China

Production: Spun in Czechia 🇨🇿
Colour: Naturally dyed at AppleOak FibreWorks, Ireland 🇮🇪

What it is ideal for

• Socks
• Sweaters and cardigans
• Shawls and scarves
• Naturally dyed knitwear
• Durable everyday garments

Character

The combination of wool, silk, and ramie creates a yarn that balances softness with durability.

Silk adds gentle sheen and fluid drape, whilst ramie contributes strength and longevity. Natural dye colours develop depth and subtle variation across the blended fibres.

Care

Hand wash gently in cool water
Reshape whilst damp
Dry flat

Avoid prolonged direct sunlight when drying.

Shade continuity

Each skein is dyed using traditional natural dye methods. Subtle variation between skeins is a natural and valued characteristic of natural dyeing.

For larger projects, we recommend alternating skeins during knitting.

Colourways

Each colourway is naturally dyed at AppleOak FibreWorks using traditional natural dye sources.

Colourway Description Natural dye source
Bán Natural White Undyed
Gall Darach Oak Gall Beige Oak galls
Sionnach Fox Orange Madder
Solas na Gréine Sunshine Orange Madder & Buckthorn
Buí Yellow Buckthorn (colour deepens with time)
Coinneach Moss Green Sage
Gleann Glen Green Weld & Indigo
Foraoise Forest Green Weld & Indigo
Gorm Indigo Blue Organic Indigo
Criostail Crystal Purple Cochineal (*insect-derived, not vegan)
Corcra Purple Cochineal & Indigo (*insect-derived, not vegan)
Bándearg Pink Cochineal (*insect-derived, not vegan)
Mónóg Cranberry Red Cochineal (*insect-derived, not vegan)

*Cochineal is an insect-derived natural dye and is not vegan.

Customer reviews

Assorted skeins of yarn in various colors on a leafy background .
Turin Bán ~ Wool/Silk/Ramie yarn undyed
a skein of brown yarn on a teal coloured timber background
An orange skein of naturally dyed yarn on teal coloured wooden background
An orange skein of naturally dyed yarn on teal coloured wooden background
Skein of yellow naturally dyed yarn on a teal coloured wooden background
Skein of green naturally dyed yarn on a teal coloured wooden background
Skein of green naturally dyed yarn on a teal coloured wooden background
Skein of green naturally dyed yarn on a teal coloured wooden background
Skein of blue naturally dyed yarn on a teal coloured wooden background
Purple skein of naturally dyed purple yarn on a teal coloured wooden background
Skein of naturally dyed purple yarn on a teal coloured wooden
Pink skein of naturally dyed purple yarn on a teal coloured wooden background
Light red skein of naturally dyed purple yarn on a teal coloured wooden background
Turin ~ Wool/Silk/Ramie yarn naturally dyed in the shade
Assorted skeins of yarn in various colors on a leafy background .
Turin Bán ~ Wool/Silk/Ramie yarn undyed
a skein of brown yarn on a teal coloured timber background
An orange skein of naturally dyed yarn on teal coloured wooden background
An orange skein of naturally dyed yarn on teal coloured wooden background
Skein of yellow naturally dyed yarn on a teal coloured wooden background
Skein of green naturally dyed yarn on a teal coloured wooden background
Skein of green naturally dyed yarn on a teal coloured wooden background
Skein of green naturally dyed yarn on a teal coloured wooden background
Skein of blue naturally dyed yarn on a teal coloured wooden background
Purple skein of naturally dyed purple yarn on a teal coloured wooden background
Skein of naturally dyed purple yarn on a teal coloured wooden
Pink skein of naturally dyed purple yarn on a teal coloured wooden background
Light red skein of naturally dyed purple yarn on a teal coloured wooden background
Turin ~ Wool/Silk/Ramie yarn naturally dyed in the shade

YETI
Yak & Mulberry Silk
Natural Colours

€40,95 Save €-40,95

YETI

Yak & Mulberry Silk | Laceweight / Light Fingering | Undyed Natural Colours

Yeti is one of the most refined yarns in our collection — an exceptional blend of Tibetan yak down and mulberry silk.

Yak fibre is among the softest and warmest natural fibres available, offering insulation, breathability, and remarkable softness. Blended with mulberry silk, the yarn gains strength, gentle luminosity, and fluid drape.

Spun as a balanced 3-ply yarn, Yeti combines softness with durability and produces fabrics of remarkable lightness and warmth.

Undyed and presented in its natural shades, this yarn reveals the inherent beauty of yak and silk fibres. Each colour reflects the natural tones of the animals and fibres themselves.

Spun in Mongolia using yak fibre from Tibet and mulberry silk from China, Yeti represents the highest level of fibre craftsmanship.

In a nutshell

Fibre: 50% yak hair, 50% mulberry silk
Yarn type: 3-ply (Nm 14/3)
Weight: 4ply/Fingering weight
Length: 466 m per 100 g skein
Skein weight: 100 g
Recommended needle size: 2–3 mm

Origin:
• Yak fibre from Tibet
• Mulberry silk from China

Production: Spun in Mongolia 🇲🇳
Colour: Undyed natural shades

What it is ideal for

• Lace shawls and wraps
• Lightweight sweaters and garments
• Fine scarves and accessories
• Textile art and weaving
• Garments worn close to the skin

Character

Yak fibre provides exceptional softness, warmth, and breathability. Silk contributes strength, sheen, and fluidity.

The result is a yarn of remarkable refinement — light, soft, and deeply comfortable to wear.

Undyed natural shades create depth and subtle tonal richness.

Care

Hand wash gently in cool water
Use wool-safe detergent
Reshape whilst damp
Dry flat

Shade continuity

This yarn is undyed. Subtle variation between skeins is a natural and valued characteristic of the fibre.

Colourways

Undyed natural shades:

Snow White – Natural off-white
Champagne – Pale warm beige
Silver Light – Soft silver-grey
Silver – Cool silver grey
Earth – Warm grey-brown
Black – Deep charcoal black

Each shade reflects the natural fibre colour.

Pattern inspiration

Check out Criostal, designed by Ailbíona McLochlainn a delicate shawl pattern that highlights the beauty of Yeti in its simplicity.

Customer reviews

Customer Reviews

Based on 1 review Write a review

Customer Reviews

Based on 1 review Write a review
a range of yarns from dark to light on a teal coloured wooden background
A skein of white silk and yak yarn on a teal coloured wooden background
A skein of beige silk and yak yarn on a teal coloured wooden background
A skein of grey silk and yak yarn on a teal coloured wooden background
A skein of grey silk and yak yarn on a teal coloured wooden background
A skein of grey silk and yak yarn on a teal coloured wooden background
A skein of black silk and yak yarn on a teal coloured wooden background
a range of yarns from dark to light on a teal coloured wooden background
A skein of white silk and yak yarn on a teal coloured wooden background
A skein of beige silk and yak yarn on a teal coloured wooden background
A skein of grey silk and yak yarn on a teal coloured wooden background
A skein of grey silk and yak yarn on a teal coloured wooden background
A skein of grey silk and yak yarn on a teal coloured wooden background
A skein of black silk and yak yarn on a teal coloured wooden background