About Orry Yarn
Orry Yarn is a Scottish-born yarn brand designed and developed by The Orry Mill. Every ball is spun and dyed in Yorkshire by Laxtons of Bradford — one of Britain's most respected spinning mills — to specifications we developed ourselves. The result is a 100% merino DK yarn built around three things: exceptional softness, a colour palette with genuine purpose, and complete transparency about how and where it's made.
The brand was funded by a Kickstarter campaign that closed at 414% of its target, with 226 backers supporting the idea before a single finished product existed. That response told us something important: there is real appetite for a British-made, design-led, independent yarn brand with a clear identity. Orry Yarn is that brand.
The Yarn
Fibre: 100% Merino wool
Weight: DK
Ball weight: 50g
Length: approximately 115 metres per ball
Made in: Yorkshire, England
Spun by: Laxtons of Bradford
Merino DK is one of the most versatile yarn weights you can own. It sits comfortably between 4-ply and Aran — light enough for year-round garments, substantial enough for warm winter knits. Orry Yarn's merino is soft against the skin from the first wash, with excellent stitch definition that suits everything from clean stockinette to textured stitch patterns and colourwork.
The Colour Palette
The 16 Orry Yarn colourways are not an afterthought. They were designed as a system — inspired by the granite, heather, ferns, sea light and moorland weather of Scotland's Ayrshire coast — and the palette is built so that every colour works harmoniously with every other. That matters practically: it means you can combine shades for colourwork, stripes or gradient projects without second-guessing your choices.
The colours are designed to feel contemporary without chasing trends. They reflect real Scottish light — muted, layered, and quietly beautiful — and they're intended to stay in the range long-term, so you can always come back for more.
The Patterns
Every Orry Yarn launch includes original patterns designed by Thilde, Creative Director of The Orry Mill (MA Fine Art, Glasgow School of Art). The pattern library draws its names from Ayrshire geography and Scottish textile history: the Ailsa Jumper, the Eglinton Houndstooth Cowl, the Darvel Cabled Beanie, the Polnoon Tank Top.
Patterns range from beginner-friendly accessories through to garments for experienced knitters. Each one is designed around the Orry Yarn palette and proportioned for the DK weight, so you can trust that the yarn and pattern are a matched pair.
Yarn School Kits
Several Orry Yarn patterns are available as full Yarn School kits, which include the yarn, the printed pattern, and access to video tutorials via our online learning platform. Kits are designed to reduce the barrier to knitting — particularly for beginners who want guidance alongside their materials — and to build the kind of skill and confidence that turns a single project into a long-term craft.
If you're new to knitting or returning after a break, the Yarn School kits are the best place to start with Orry Yarn.
Why Buy Orry Yarn?
There are thousands of DK yarns on the market. Here is what makes Orry Yarn different:
British manufacturing. Every ball is spun and dyed in Yorkshire. We work directly with Laxtons of Bradford, a mill with over a century of expertise, and we specify our own yarn count, twist, and dye process. This is not a white-label product.
A designed colour system. The palette was developed as a collection, not a set of isolated shades. Colours are named, numbered, and intended to work together — which matters for colourwork and multi-skein projects.
Transparency. We are working towards full fibre traceability, including QR-code provenance linking back to the flock. That work is ongoing, but our commitment to knowing exactly what we're selling and where it comes from is fundamental to the brand.
Independent. Orry Yarn is owned and operated by The Orry Mill, a small independent business based in Eaglesham, Glasgow. When you buy Orry Yarn, you are supporting a British-made product and an independent Scottish business.
Buy Orry Yarn
Orry Yarn is available online at The Orry Mill and in our shop in Eaglesham, Glasgow. Orders are dispatched promptly with free UK delivery on qualifying orders.
Explore related collections: Merino Yarn · DK Yarn · Knitting Kits · All Yarn