A Sad Farewell to Zephyr, Super Lamb, and More

Jagger Spun, of Springvale, Maine, has announced that it has ceased all yarn production and will sell off its inventory, likely by the end of this year. In a letter to customers, the company said materials and labor cost increases are behind the closures.

“Five years ago, we had four different dye houses: we now have one dye house and dyeing costs have tripled,” the letter said. “With the cost of fiber and labor also continuing to rise, it has become increasingly difficult to remain profitable.”

Jagger Spun was founded in the 1980s by David Jagger, a fourth-generation descendent of Uriah B. Jagger. A spinner by trade, Uriah emigrated to southern Maine from Bradford, England near the end of the 19th century and found employment at a local spinning mill. A dozen years later his sons, Samuel and Fred, started their own mill, which they named Jagger Brothers.

Valued by Handweavers

Handweavers have long treasured the company’s Zephyr yarn (wool-silk), various types and weights of merinos (including Super Lamb), and a broad range of other wools and wool blends.

We dipped into Handwoven’s archives and found some articles and projects that use Jagger Spun yarns to jog your memory (or inspire new projects).

• In her video course about deflected doubleweave, Janney Simpson discusses combining Zephyr with other types of yarn.

Janney Simpson’s Layers of Air Scarf from Handwoven’s November/December 2016 issue. Photo by Joe Coca

• Janney’s Layers of Air Scarf is a wonderful example of the way Zephyr combines with very fine silk.

• The Yarn to Love Scarf, designed by Anu Bhatia in color and weave for a rigid-heddle loom, uses three sizes of Jagger Spun wool.

• A four-shaft Bead Leno Scarf designed by Deanna Deeds uses Zephyr, Super Lamb, and Kokadjo (a silk and superwash wool blend).

Elizabeth Hill’s Grellow and Yay Scarf will brighten a dreary day. Photo by Harper Point Photography

• Elizabeth Hill’s delightful four-shaft Grellow and Yay Scarf uses Zephyr.

• Anu Bhatia’s deflected double weave Spanish Mosaic Scarf also uses Zephyr.

• Karen Donde’s deflected double weave Dozen Roses Scarf uses Jagger Spun‘s Superfine Merino.

• Deb Essen’s Ms and Os Infinity Hood uses Kokadjo.

• A six-shaft version of the classic Swedish snowflake uses Zephyr.

Get It While You Can

If you’ve never woven with Jagger Spun yarn, you owe it to yourself to add a project or two to your list. Time is running out!

You can find it at the Jagger Spun website, or at yarn retailers including Halcyon Yarn, Lunatic Fringe here and here, Yarn Barn, Lofty Fibers, Camilla Valley Farm, The Woolery, Eugene Textile Center, WEBS, Jane Stafford Textiles, and Revolution Fibers.