Yarn Base Library

Nightingale Fibers yarns are sourced from suppliers who are committed to ethical and sustainable farming practices. Cynthia knits with every yarn before it is added to the line, and each yarn must be high quality and a pleasure to work with.

The names of the yarns are nurses who have made significant contribution to the health and well-being of people around the world, as well as nurses who influenced Cynthia's nursing practice throughout her more than 45-year career.

Lace

Gayle

Kid Mohair, from young Angora goats, is spun around a core of silk. The yarn is gorgeous on it's own, creating a light, airy fabric. Stranded with another yarn, it will add warmth, a beautiful halo and extra dimension to your work.

64% Kid Mohair/36% Silk
459 yards/50 gms (1.8 oz)

Gayle Lee (1939-2008) was a pioneer in Hospice care and patient advocacy; she founded the first Cancer Support Team in New York in 1978.

Eddie

A luxurious yarn and a dream to work with. It creates a fabric that is soft and shiny with a gorgeous drape. Perfect for luxury shawls, accessories and sweaters.

50% Superwash Merino/50% Silk
430 yards/ 100 grams (3.5 oz)

Eddie Bernice Johnson (1935-2023) was the first nurse elected to congress. She represented the State of Texas and was a champion for minority and women's rights.

Ernestine

A hard wearing sock yarn. Fabric will be soft and long lasting. Stitches will have some texture due to the twist of the yarn. In addition to socks, a perfect yarn for garments, including children's clothing, shawls and other accessories.

80% Superwash Merino/20% Nylon
400 yards/100 grams (3.5 oz)

Ernestine Weidenbach (1900-1986) was a Nurse Midwife and leader in Maternal Infant Nursing.

Margaret

Processed in the U.S. from American Merino wool. Because non-superwash wool absorbs dye differently from superwash wool, its colors are softer and may appear heathered. Its natural grip helps stranded colorwork stay neat by reducing slipping and distortion, and it also enhances textured designs such as cables. 

Merino, non-superwash
420 yards/115 grams (4 oz)

Margaret Sanger  (1879-1966) was a nurse and advocate for women's reproductive rights.

Patricia

A light fingering weight yarn that can be substituted for lace weight. Bluefaced Leicester (BFL) is a long wool suited for garments that must stand up to wear and the addition of nylon increases that durability. Ideal for socks, lightweight garments and shawls.

75% Bluefaced Leicester/25%Nylon
464 yards/100 grams (3.5 oz)

Patricia Benner (1942 -     ) is an edcuator and the author of "From Novice to Expert: Excellence and Power in Clinical Nursing Practice".

Madeleine

The twist of this yarn is crisp and the colors are bright and clear. The fabric will be light, with great stitch definition, perfect for cables and textured stitch patterns. Superwash wool can be machine washed, making it a good choice for baby items. Holding the yarn double, will result in a soft, squishy fabric. Great yarn for sweaters, vests, cowls and baby blankets.

Superwash Merino
325 yards/ 100 grams (3.5 oz)

Madeleine Leininger (1925-2012) was a nurse theorist who developed the concept of transcultural nursing care, the practice of incorporating a patient's culture, beliefs and values into their care.

Martha

Lovely, soft alpaca for lightweight garments and accessories. The alpaca and silk combination give colorway a a watercolor effect. The alpaca adds a light halo to the fabric.

80% Baby Alpaca/20% Silk
287 yards/100 grams (3.5 oz)

Martha Rogers (1914-1994) was a nurse researcher whose work focused on improving nursing education and practice in the United States.

Rachel

Shaniko Wool Company brings together a group of family ranches across the American West and is the leading U.S. source of RWS (Responsible Wool Standard)-certified American Merino. The yarn is soft and springy. The fabric created will be warm and lightweight, but hold it's shape and wear well.  The yarn is ideal for colorwork, texture patterns and simple stitches. Great for garments and accessories like hats, mittens, scarves and cowls.

100% Shaniko Wool
260 yards/100 grams (3.5 oz)

Rachel Robinson (1922-     ) was director of Nursing for Connecticut's State Mental Health Center. After the death of her husband, Jackie Robinson, she established a foundation in his name which provides scholarships and support services to students from underserved communities.

Dorothea

Our newest yarn. The perfect balance of softness, strength and sustainability. The Merino is completely traceable American wool from Shaniko Wool Company. The texture of this yarn is a little rustic but next to skin soft. The Alpaca adds a little halo and takes dye differently than the Merino, resulting in a more heathered appearance. Perfect for warm garments, cozy shawls and blankets, and accessories.

50% Alpaca/50% Merino
200 yards/100 grams (3.5 oz)

Dorothea Dix (1802-1887) worked for improved treatment of mentally ill patients and for better prison conditions.

Jean

Targhee sheep are dual-purpose sheep developed in the U.S. (Read more here.) The yarn is soft, lofty and wears well. Garments will be warm, maintain their shape and hold up to wear. Has good stitch definition, works well for textured patterns and colorwork. Great for sweaters, vests, hats, mitten and scarves.

US Targhee Wool
280 yards/115 grams (4.0 oz)

Jean Watson (1940-    )is a Nurse Theorist who developed the Theory of Human Caring: "Nursing is concerned with promoting health, preventing illness, caring for the sick and restoring health."

Clara

All around versitile yarn for quick, warm accessories.
Discontinued, limited supply. Sale

Superwash Merino
106 yards/100 grams (3.5 oz)

Clara Barton (1821-1912) was a prioneering American nurse who founded the American Red Cross.