Borocera Silk
Wild Borocera Silk is hand spun in the central highlands of Madagascar. This gorgeous "thick and thin" yarn is imported into Rwanda as a single ply. Then the women of Handspun Hope ply and hand-dye it organically with mostly native Rwandan plants.
Each skein is at least 109 yards and 50g, but because they are handspun, the weight of each skein will vary. When choosing a project, look for something that drapes and highlights the spectacular texture of the yarn.
Pattern Suggestions:
Ranunculus - (pictured)
Sophie Shawl
Age of Brass and Steam
Close to You
May I Borrow This Please?
Hipster Cowl
Randomly Hopeful Kerchief (pictured)
Colors may vary slightly from what you see on your screen.
Impact
Conservation initiatives focusing on Borocera silk empower local communities and the women of Voajanahary by providing them with an alternative source of income. Rather than resorting to logging or other ecologically damaging activities, women are taught sustainable sericulture techniques to cultivate and harvest silk cocoons, which they legally collect from Isalo National Park. This newfound economic opportunity has led to a shift in mindset, where local Malagasy people become guardians of the Tapia rainforests, protecting the very source of their livelihoods.
Wild Borocera silk is a shining example of how conservation and sustainability can go hand in hand. By harnessing the allure of this exquisite material, Malagasy women and men alike are preserving the Tapia rainforests and their inhabitants, enriching the lives of local communities, and promoting ethical practices on a global scale.
SHIPPING
We are committed to shipping your order as quickly as possible via UPS or USPS. You can expect to receive your items within 5 - 10 days. If you have placed a PREORDER, please check the product description for delivery dates.
To pick up your order at String Theory, choose PICKUP IN STORE during checkout. Orders not picked up within 90 days will be considered legally abandoned and payment will be forfeited.
Domestic packages are shipped with an $8.95 flat rate. For orders over $100, the rate will be 10 cents(a little crazy, but true!)
We are no longer able to ship internationally.
Digital patterns will be delivered immediately for free via email with a link to download your purchase.
RETURNS
Unused items in their original condition and packaging can be returned for store credit within 6 months of purchase.
No returns or exchanges are available for sale items, trunk show purchases, shipping charges, preorders, or jewelry.
Thanks for your understanding.
If String Theory cancels the class for any reason, we will refund your registration fee. If you are able to cancel at least one week prior to your scheduled class, you will receive a store credit for your registration fee. If you cancel less than a week prior to the class, you will receive store credit only if we are able to fill your spot. Unfortunately, we are unable to provide class make-ups.
String Theory Fan Club Cancellation Policy
Annual members can cancel anytime within the first 30 days for a refund, minus a $25 cancellation fee. After 30 days there are no refunds on annual plans. Monthly subscribers can cancel at any time.
Customer Reviews
I am a spinner/weaver/knotter and was curious about this yarn. I ordered two different colors to compare the dyes. They were coarse and knit up quickly. The surprise came after I soaked the scarf in warm water with Knit IQ. It dried into a very pretty smooth piece with lots of textural interest from the slubs. It will be very comfortable to wear . And I love it for its unique qualities.
I’ve had my eye on this yarn for a while. I bought it to make a slip stitch cowl. After having done a few projects with synthetic yarn, I really enjoyed the pure organic nature of this silk. There were a couple of knots and even breaks, but overall the yarn is sturdy and soft and a pleasure to knit. The colors I chose were in the same value range. When I started to get concerned that I would run out of Madder Root, I simply swapped it out with the Natural for the remainder of the pattern and ended up with this lovely ombré effect. For a yarn splurge, I couldn’t have made a better choice.
This was my first experience working with silk yarn. Because the skin is inconsistently thin/thick it was difficult choosing a needle size or checking the gauge. It’s very dry and lacks any stretchiness making it seem sticky on the needles and hard on the hands. I ripped out the original piece I started (scarf) because the knitted fabric seemed too thick and lacked any drape. Maybe I’ll try pairing it with some other yarn and use aluminum needles.
I am hoping that String Theory gets more of this yearn in--white has been out of stock for quite awhile and new colors would be welcome. The yarn has a rustic and yet silky film--just beautiful!
By purchasing yarn from String Theory, you’re lifting up a number of small and female-owned businesses.
We help women in Rwanda, who survived the genocide, educate a new generation. We help women in Uruguay find meaningful work without leaving their rural homes. We help a family in New Hampshire maintain a mill, a tradition spanning hundreds of years. We support sustainable farming in Michigan.
