After graduating with a degree in fashion design and working in NYC for several years, designer and yarnmaker Jill Draper realized she craved a closer relationship with her materials. Now based in the scenic Hudson Valley region of upstate New York, Jill partners with local wool growers and mills to create the yarns of her dreams.
All Jill Draper Makes Stuff yarns are made domestically from sheep to skein, showcasing the many beautiful breeds of American wool while appreciating the work of each person and animal involved in the process.
We’re delighted to welcome back two of our favorite squishy, sheepy, and sustainable Jill Draper yarns to space: Ellsworth and High Plains!
Jill Draper Makes Stuff Ellsworth
Made from dense, springy Dorset wool grown in upstate New York, Ellsworth is a true lace weight single-ply yarn. The sturdy structure of the wool means stitches will block into crisp shape and wear well for years without fear of pilling. Lace isn’t the only thing this yarn is great for – Jill recommends holding multiple strands together for heavier weight projects. This soft woolen-spun yarn’s vibrant colorways are a melange of dyed-in-the-wool colors with evocative names like “Oklahoma Carmine” and “Golden Oyster Mushroom”. Irresistible!
Yarn Details
- Lace weight
- 100% Dorset wool
- 880 yards (805 meters) per 113-gram cone
- 26-32 stitches = 4″ on US#2 to US#5 (2.75-3.75mm) needles or US#C-2 to US#F-5 hooks
- Hand wash, dry flat
- $28, in-store only
Jill Draper Makes Stuff High Plains
Kitten-soft with a soft luster and an amazing drape, High Plains is truly dreamy! Spun from superfine (<15 micron) Merino wool grown in Montana, this incredibly soft, phenomenally squishy yarn is perfect for things you want to wear right next to your skin. A sturdy 4-ply twist gives this springy worsted-spun yarn plenty of durability for projects from cuddly shawls and cowls to cozy sweaters and hats, in gorgeous hand-dyed semisolid shades with equally delicious names: “Irish Butter”, “Blood Orange”, or “Spice Cake”, anyone?
Yarn Details
- Fingering weight
- 100% superfine Merino wool
- 395 yards (361 meters) per 113-gram skein
- 28-30 stitches = 4″ on US#1 to US#3 (2.25-3.25mm) needles or US#B-1 to US#D-3 hooks
- Hand wash, dry flat
- $34, in-store only
Our Pattern Picks
Adventitious
Sizes
1 (2, 3, 4, 5) (6, 7, 8, 9) (10, 11, 12); finished bust circumference 37 (41.25, 45.5, 49.75, 52) (56.25, 60.5, 64.75, 69) (73.25, 75.5, 79.75)”, suggested positive ease 8-12″.
Yarn
1 (1, 2, 2, 2) (2, 2, 2, 2) (2, 2, 2) cones Jill Draper Makes Stuff Ellsworth (100% Dorset wool; 880 yards/805 meters per 113-gram cone).
Gauge & Suggested Needles
30 stitches & 38 rounds = 4” on US#2 (2.75 mm) needles in stockinette stitch, after wet blocking.
Amma Granny Square Top
Sizes
One size; finished bust circumference 40″, adjustable to fit smaller or larger sizes.
Yarn
1 cone Jill Draper Makes Stuff Ellsworth (100% Dorset wool; 880 yards/805 meters per 113-gram cone).
Gauge & Suggested Needles
5 rounds = 4” on US#E-4 (3.5 mm) hook, after wet blocking.
Iterate
Sizes
Lace weight (Fingering weight); 70 3/4” X 28”, (75″ x 20″).
Yarn
Lace weight: 1 cone Jill Draper Makes Stuff Ellsworth (100% Dorset wool; 880 yards/805 meters per 113-gram cone).
Fingering weight: 2 skeins Jill Draper Makes Stuff High Plains (100% superfine Merino wool; 395 yards/361 meters per 113-gram skein).
Gauge & Suggested Needles
Lace weight: 18 stitches & 32 rows = 4” on US#4 (3.5 mm) needles, in Pattern 1, after lace blocking.
Fingering weight: 15.5 stitches & 28 rows = 4” on US#6 (4 mm) needles, in Pattern 1, after lace blocking.
Sol
Hey, we know that person!
Sizes
(1, 2, 3) [4, 5, 6] {7, 8, 9}; finished bust circumference (34.25, 38.5, 43) [47.25, 51.75, 56] {60.25, 64.75, 69}”, suggested positive ease 2-8″.
Yarn
(2, 2, 2) [2, 2, 2] {3, 3, 3} skeins Jill Draper Makes Stuff High Plains (100% superfine Merino wool; 395 yards/361 meters per 113-gram skein).
Gauge & Suggested Needles
22 stitches & 28 rows = 4” on US#3 (3.25 mm) needle in stockinette stitch, after wet blocking.
Malduguns (Fen Fire) Sweater
Sizes
1 (2, 3, 4, 5) (6, 7, 8, 9); finished bust circumference 28.25 (32, 35.75, 39.75, 43.75) (47.25, 50.75, 54.75, 58.25)”, suggested negative ease 2-4″.
Yarn
3 (3, 3, 4, 4) (4, 5, 5, 5) skeins Jill Draper Makes Stuff High Plains (100% superfine Merino wool; 395 yards/361 meters per 113-gram skein).
Gauge & Suggested Hook
19 stitches & 18 rows = 4” on US#G-6 (4 mm) hook in half-double crochet, after wet blocking.
Tendril
Sizes
One size; 70″ x 32″.
Yarn
1 skein Jill Draper Makes Stuff High Plains (100% superfine Merino wool; 395 yards/361 meters per 113-gram skein).
Gauge & Suggested Hook
US#G-6 (4 mm) hook.
See more pattern ideas for Ellsworth and High Plains here! These two yarns are also great options for many patterns suggested for our Nostalgia Stitch Along, running April 2-June 4, 2026!
