The inspiration for our skeins comes from People of Color
in historical manuscripts and paintings.
MEDIEVAL COLLECTION
OUR YARNS
A deep red, with gold flecks, and added layers of turquoise/navy and sea-moss green make this medley a kaleidoscope of color. This colorway represents the trio of beautiful Theban legionnaires.
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The manuscript image comes from: Georgius Jehner von Orlamünde, ca. 1480.
Image held in the Moritzkirche (St. Moritz/Maurice) church, founded in 14th century. Used with permission.
This colorway captures the figure on the right of Georgius Jehner von Orlamünde's painting which features the three Theban legionnaires. This inspiration comes from the rich navy/turquoise blue outfit with black shading.
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The manuscript image comes from: Georgius Jehner von Orlamünde, ca. 1480.
Image held in the Moritzkirche (St. Moritz/Maurice) church, founded in 14th century. Used with permission.
This design resembles the gorgeous center figure of the Thebans, who wears a rich crimson red outfit while adorning striking orange accents in the manuscript image.
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The manuscript image comes from: Georgius Jehner von Orlamünde, ca. 1480.
Image held in the Moritzkirche (St. Moritz/Maurice) church, founded in 14th century. Used with permission.
This colorway represents the leftmost figure in the Theban trio. It features a vibrant, mossy green with blue undertones, complimented with a regal gold blend.
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The manuscript image comes from: Georgius Jehner von Orlamünde, ca. 1480.
Image held in the Moritzkirche (St. Moritz/Maurice) church, founded in 14th century. Used with permission.
This variegated yarn is predominantly red and blue with slightly lesser yellow/gold accents to represent John Blanke's trumpet and fleur de lis on his heraldry flag. This inspiration reflects the French version of John Blanke's vibrant outfit. The loud colors capture his boisterous musical talent in fiber arts form.
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This image is from a tapestry of Le Camp du Drap d’Or, the meeting of Kings Henry VIII and François Ier, ca. 1520, probably Tournai. The tapestry is called "Wrestling at the Field of the Cloth of Gold.”
The stunning reddish-orange blend of colors on both sides of this skein fades softly into an off-white in the middle. The middle of the skein is speckled with a beautiful emerald green and sun yellow to offer dimension, and to reflect the green on the beautiful medieval trumpeter's dress along with the gold strand on her head.
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The manuscript image comes from: BnF: Français 22971, fol. 2r. Used with permission.
The intense vermillion with fiery red undertones reflects the Moor's beautiful tunic with slight variation in coloring. It's one of those colors that's difficult to capture in pictures but is a deep, rich, lush red you will surely adore.
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The manuscript image comes from: British Library: Royal MS 16 G VI, fol. 167r. Used with permission.
This colorway is a gorgeous medley of colors from a deep pink to a powder blue, transitioning to a deep navy blue and finally an emerald shade. The transitions from one color to another are soft and blended, not abrupt. It's truly a balancing act that makes the yarn really look lush and regal like Balthazar. This colorway represents Balthazar giving a gift to Jesus in a nativity scene painting.
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The painting is a late medieval painting by Dutch artist, Gerard David, c. 1515.
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The base color is variegated flamingo-like pink with speckles of sapphire, emerald, and navy blue. This gives a lively, bold look and also works as a glorious galaxy medley. A regal blend fitting for King Balthazar!
The painting is a late medieval painting by Dutch artist, Gerard David, c. 1515.
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This is a stunning blend of deep forest green and blue-green and chartreuse. St. Maurice was the most well-known of the legendary Theban Legionnaire army, particularly because he was said to have led a rebellion which ended in his martyrdom. Being canonized, he was represented throughout the Middle Ages and early modern period often. This rich green blend suits Maurice's bold, vivacious, and striking presence gloriously.
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The manuscript image comes from: Anonymous German Artist Martyrdom of Saint Maurice and the Theban Legion Germany (c. 1500). Brühl., Katholische Pfarrkirche St. Margaretha. Used with permission.
The vibrant complimentary blue and orange colors are dispersed throughout to give almost a "tiger-like" look to the yarn with some of the yarn remaining white to reflect Domes Day Man's striped tunic, as depicted in the The Domesday Abbreviato from c. 1241.
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The manuscript image comes from: The National Archives, ref: E 36/284. Used with permission.
This muted soft blue, white, and gold colorway creates a delicate looking yarn inspired by the beautiful maiden who adorns the flowy white gown with hints of blue and gold.
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The manuscript image comes from: Publius Terencius Afer, Comoediae [comédies de Térence] ca. 1411;Bibliothèque de France, Ms-664 51v. Used with permission.
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This colorway is based on the Black wizard, Noiron, who is referenced in a medieval French legend involving the heroic knight Renaud de Montauban. Noiron inspired a rich medley of gorgeous rusty red and deep golden yellow with grey specks reflecting his silvery-grey armor.
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The manuscript image comes from:
Vivien envoie un enchanteur noir auprès de Maugis. Renaut de Montauban by David Aubert, enlumineur, Bruges, 1462-1470. Bibliothèque nationale de France, Bibliothèque de l'Arsenal, Ms 5072 Rés., f. 319v. Used with permission.
This gorgeous versatile deep navy colorway with lighter inflections is inspired by the Black knight and his vibrant blue tunic in this 13th-century manuscript image.
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The manuscript image comes from: The Murthly Hours. NLS MS21000, f. 14r. Used with permission.
This exquisite colorway is inspired by the mythical Black king, Agolant who battled King Charlemagne in a series of legendary conflicts. King Agolant's gorgeous colorway gives mermaid-like vibes with this turquoise/teal, red, golden yellow, and orange medley.
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The manuscript image comes from: British Library: Royal MS 16 G VI, fol. 167r. Used with permission. Used with permission.
The colors here are inspired by John Blanke in the 1511 English manuscript. The dominant greys and mustard, golden yellows represent the interconnection between his new and old homelands, while the red and green specks reflect the extra stories (sometimes hidden parts) that add depth and complexity to those from the diaspora.
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The manuscript image comes from: The 1511 Westminster Tournament Roll. Used with permission.
This solid emerald green with deeper inflections is perfect for so many projects, especially clothing. You can pair this gorgeous deep green with a Balthazar's gift for a colorful mix and match or offset it with one of the solid greys from the Renaissance collection.
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The manuscript image comes from: The center image of the Triptych by Geertgen tot St Jans. This figure is one of the Magi in the Adoration of the Magi. c. 1485. Národní galerie, Sternbergpaleis, Praag. Used with permission.
This is a beautiful minty green shade that represents the stunning and regal Black queen of Sheba, as she was often depicted in medieval manuscripts. Minty green was her colorway and this shade isolates the gorgeous mint color exquisitely.
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The manuscript image comes from: The Queen of Sheba from a manuscript (Staats- und Universitätsbibliothek Göttingen, 2 Cod. Ms. Philos. 63, Cim., fol. 122r) of Bellifortis by Conrad Kyeser. Used with permission.
This blend of three soft pastel colors, pink, light blue, and light periwinkle plays together to create transition colors to connect the 3 dominant colors together. This is inspired by 3 Ethiopian women from a 14th-century Austrian manuscript.
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The manuscript image comes from a panel of the first folio in Evangeliarium by Johann, von Troppau, 1368. Department of Manuscripts and Rare Books (HAN). Sammlung von Handschriften und alten Drucken. Cod. 1182. Used with permission.
Inspired by the dress of the maiden who comforts Ethiopian Queen Candace in a 14th-century Austrian manuscript, this soft navy colorway almost replicates a cornflower blue. It's a beautiful pastel solid shade that will go with so many other colors or work beautifully on its own.
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The manuscript image comes from: The manuscript image comes from a panel of the first folio in Evangeliarium by Johann, von Troppau, 1368. Department of Manuscripts and Rare Books (HAN). Sammlung von Handschriften und alten Drucken. Cod. 1182. Used with permission.
This solid lilac colorway is a soft pastel inspired by a Black figure that has a purple tunic on in a 14-century Austrian manuscript. The colorway plays off of the purple tone with this lush soft pastel variation. Pair it with other pastels or deeper shades, a variegated colorway or neutrals like black or grey.
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The manuscript image comes from: The manuscript image comes from a panel of the first folio in Evangeliarium by Johann, von Troppau, 1368. Department of Manuscripts and Rare Books (HAN). Sammlung von Handschriften und alten Drucken. Cod. 1182. Used with permission.
This pastel medley pulls together the blue, green, orange, pink, and yellow hues found in a 15th-century German manuscript depicting Moorish knights battling Moses' forces in an updated medieval scene. One side of the skein is a light orange and soft pink blend with soft yellow undertones and the other side a light green and blue mix with golden undertones. The transitions and blending is soft as the gold works throughout to give balance to each color. The knights may be in mud, bu there is no muddiness to the skeins, just beautiful soft tones that would work great in the Spring or Fall.
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Image from Moses Defeating the Moors from Rudolf von Ems’s World Chronicle, about 1400–10, German. Tempera colors and gold leaf on parchment. The J. Paul Getty Museum, Ms. 33, fol. 66v.
It's not often to come across the Ethiopian Queen Candace in medieval manuscripts, but here she is sprawled out in a story where her son comes back to life. Her beautiful indigo dress is softened to a pastel periwinkle. This solid color has some slight variation, not just to match the manuscript but to give your projects a little more dimension and will look glorious when the light hits your work.
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The manuscript image comes from: The manuscript image comes from a panel of the first folio in Evangeliarium by Johann, von Troppau, 1368. Department of Manuscripts and Rare Books (HAN). Sammlung von Handschriften und alten Drucken. Cod. 1182. Used with permission.
This soft pink colorway is a solid that is perfect if you need a pastel tone. A very muted pink flamingo shade, this colorway works great with so many others. The inspiration comes from a panel image of a 14th-century Austrian manuscript depicting Ethiopian Princess Ephigenia. The colorway is a muted version of her beautiful dress and flowing arm sashes.
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The manuscript image comes from: The manuscript image comes from a panel of the first folio in Evangeliarium by Johann, von Troppau, 1368. Department of Manuscripts and Rare Books (HAN). Sammlung von Handschriften und alten Drucken. Cod. 1182. Used with permission.
Inspired by a Black knight in an chaotic medieval war image depicting Moses battling Moors, this pastel green colorway has a very subtle yellow and light cool blue undertone to add some dimension to your projects. Think of soft sage and fern greens. This is a beautiful variation of that imagery. Perfect for blankets, sweaters, baby items, and toys.
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Image from Moses Defeating the Moors from Rudolf von Ems’s World Chronicle, about 1400–10, German. Tempera colors and gold leaf on parchment. The J. Paul Getty Museum, Ms. 33, fol. 66v.
This is a solid light yellow colorway that is a beautiful addition to the pastel collection. The pale yellow color is not intense and not too washed out, it's a rather perfect balance. Yellow is a lovely neutral tone that works well on its own or paired up. Especially good for baby items. The colorway is inspired by one of the gorgeous Black figures in pale yellow who is part of Balthazar's entourage in a 14th-century “The Adoration of the Magi" painting.
Image from “The Adoration of the Magi,” held at the Met Museum. The unknown artists is an Italian follower of Giotto, c.1340-43.
This neutral tone is inspired by a figure of a Moor wearing a dark, camel colored tunic, as depicted in a 15th-century German tapestry. The tonal colorway has warm, earthy undertones that lift the brown color. This is great paired up with warm colors like red, orange, or cream, and would work really well for amigurumi lovers who love making little cute bears.
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Detail from Tapestry with Wild Men and Moors, Alsace, Strasbourg, ca. 1440, linen and wool slit tapestry, Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, Charles Potter Kling Fund.
This beautiful tonal is a rose color with a very light dusted brown to give it that "dusty rose" look. It reflects the various rose shades of Raimondo de Cabanni's tunic he wears in his wedding portrait. This tonal color has some lighter inflections to give depth and dimension but is a strong colorway that will work with so many other colors from blues, pinks, yellows, browns, and neutral creams, blacks, and greys.
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The public domain image comes from The marriage of Philippa of Catania and Raymond of Campania (c.1345). From Jean Fouquet, ''Des cas des nobles hommes et femmes'' (1458), folio 347r, now in Munich, Bayerische Staatsbibliothek.