Hallelujah! La Bien Aimée Has Arrived

Sometimes things just work out.

Thanks to the superhuman effort of Aimée Gille and her team at La Bien Aimée, we announce with joy the news that we have safely and tenderly received a shipment of the yarns that Aimée collaborated on with Jeanette Sloan for the projects in Field Guide No. 15: Open.

The whole thing got pretty tangled once Covid-19 hit. We were up to our eyeballs in creating Field Guide No. 15—samples made, photographs done, on the far side of the process that results in a Field Guide.

But as the pandemic really sank in, and the world altered, it became apparent that Aimée’s entire hand-dyeing operation in Paris had to shut down. It’s hard to dye yarn when the dyers are required to stay home. Impossible, actually! It was such a 2020 moment, to be sure.

Thankfully, in an act of supreme resilience, Aimée found a way. This is a collaboration that we have treasured and anticipated for more than a year, so we hope you’ll celebrate with us as we show you why La Bien Aimée is one of the most beloved yarn makers.

Helix

Two wools meet, and a beautiful new yarn is born. Exclusive to La Bien Aimée, Helix is a custom-milled base of 75% Falkland merino and 25% Gotland wool with a truly delicious depth of color. In a light fingering weight, this is the yarn that stars in Jeanette Sloan’s designs in Field Guide No. 15: Open.

This blend of two different wool fibers has really caught our attention. Falkland merino is white before it’s dyed. What happens when you blend in the light gray of Gotland wool? It allows for color of a special depth and richness.

Helix is glorious to see and to knit with, whether you’re working with it as a single strand or held double, as happens with Jeanette Sloan’s Mood Cardigan.

Jeanette wearing her own design, the Mood Cardigan

We have a dozen colors on hand, from superdeep to vibrant. You can see them all in the gallery at the top.

Merino Aran

La Bien Aimée color is beloved—subtle, bright, and everything in between. This Merino Aran is delicious 100% merino yarn feels wonderful against the skin, and the worsted weight makes for quick knitting. Superwash for easy care. In a dozen colors.

The definition of a snuggler, Jeanette Sloan’s Clerestory Shawl knits up beautifully in Merino Aran. Go with a tonal shade so that the lace will shine. Or whatever color you like—go where your heart leads you!

CLERESTORY SHAWL

If you’re new to lace, you are about to embark on a brilliant journey. Start with Jeanette Sloan’s Rib Lace Scarf, and choose the color of La Bien Aimée Merino Aran that makes you happy. You have 12 options.

THE AMAZING COLOR KNOWN AS Aimée’s Sweater

Aperture Stole

An airy confection, the Aperture Stole is Jeanette Sloan’s imagination at its most free.

Aperture Stole

Two different yarns, three different colors, two lace patterns, and a stripe pattern converge in an exquisite result.

We have kits of La Bien Aimée yarns for this design—work it as shown in the pattern, or play with these elements as you like.

The kit combines Helix and Kumo, a silk/alpaca blend that is deliciously airy.

The kit contains 1 skein of Helix for Color A, 1 skein of Kumo in Color B, and 2 skeins of Kumo in Color C.

We’re thrilled to have these special yarns for you—and grateful that Aimée found a way to make this happen.

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