Yarn Lab: A Pair of New Tencels for Effortless Weaving

Big Dipper and Little Dipper are Tencel yarns newly created by Yarn Barn of Kansas. We asked Samantha Haring to put them on her loom for some sampling. Here’s what she had to say.—Handwoven editors

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Whether I’m dyeing or weaving, Tencel is one of my favorite fibers to work with. It’s durable, easy to care for, wonderfully lustrous, and it weaves into luxurious fabrics—all at a price that won’t make your wallet wince.

For this Yarn Lab, I worked with Yarn Barn of Kansas’s new Big Dipper (5/2) and Little Dipper (8/2) Tencels. I limited my palette to shades of blue and green, all of which were gorgeous and beautifully saturated colors. Tencel yarns tend to be a bit squeaky and stiff on the loom, and the Dippers were no different—but wet-finishing transformed the samples into supple, silky fabric that feels delightful against the skin.

The Yarns

Big Dipper 5/2 Tencel: 2,000 yd/lb; 100% lyocell
Colors tested: Silver Blueberry, Marbled Mint, Peridot

Little Dipper 8/2 Tencel: 3,360 yd/lb; 100% lyocell
Colors tested: Nymph, Jubilant Jade, Caribbean Sea, Peridot

After running into Tencel inventory and quality problems that put the retailer in a tough spot, Yarn Barn of Kansas decided to produce its own line—now available as Big Dipper (5/2) and Little Dipper (8/2). They found a mill in Canada to spin a high-quality base usable as a warp yarn with even tensioning, and then worked with Brown Sheep Company in Mitchell, Nebraska, to do the dyeing.

The Samples

Both Dippers behaved well in warp and weft. Warping was smooth, and I encountered very few knots. Weaving was effortless, and I had no selvedge issues or breakage— something I’ve struggled with on occasion with other Tencels.

Click on a picture to learn more, and use the arrow keys to scroll. Photos by Matt Graves

With my Tencel fabrics, including these samples, I use a slightly more assertive wet-finishing technique than the manufacturer recommends (Yarn Barn of Kansas recommends handwashing and air-drying flat). I machine wash on cold using a delicate cycle, line-dry until mostly dry, and then finish with a tumble in the dryer on low heat for a few minutes. Once the fabric is completely dry, I lightly iron using a cotton setting with a touch of steam.

In my experience, this method helps properly set the Tencel and enhances the finished texture of the fabric. For all subsequent washings, I stick to the gentler approach of handwashing and line-drying.

Final Thoughts

I enjoyed working with both Big Dipper and Little Dipper and will gladly weave with them again. The yarns handled beautifully on the loom, producing soft, lustrous fabrics with excellent drape. Little Dipper appears to shrink slightly more than other 8/2 Tencels I’ve used, something to consider when planning warp dimensions.

These yarns are versatile and pair beautifully with a variety of weft fibers (laceweight merino is a dream on a Tencel warp). I’d happily use both weights for scarves, shawls, and other wearables.

Considering weave structures, I’m usually drawn to twills when working with Tencel, and these samples reinforced that preference. I also particularly enjoyed doing the hand-manipulated lace work on the 5/2 warp.

Overall, Big Dipper and Little Dipper are a pleasure to weave, and pieces woven with them would be a delight to wear.

You’ll find all the details about each sample, including setts, shrinkage, and weaving notes, in the Spring 2026 issue of Handwoven.

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Read more about how and why Yarn Barn of Kansas developed Big Dipper and Little Dipper, and why they chose Brown Sheep Company to dye their new yarn lines.