Ophelia-John Everett Millais Series | UV Reactive

Inspired by Ophelia by John Everett Millais, this art-inspired colorway translates one of the most emotionally layered paintings in art history into fiber.

At first glance, the palette is grounded and natural — deep, water-dark greens form the foundation, evoking the slow current and shadowed riverbank that hold Ophelia in place. Within that depth, unexpected color begins to surface: flashes of violet, petal pink, cornflower blue, and soft gold emerge like wildflowers drifting just beneath the water’s skin.

Those brighter elements are not evenly distributed or decorative. They appear in fragments and interruptions, much like Millais’ painting itself, where beauty is layered over stillness and unease. The effect is immersive rather than busy — a slow reveal that rewards time and attention.

This is one of Laughing Cat Fibers’ most complex colorways, designed to unfold as you work. Under black light, hidden accents ignite dramatically, revealing another layer of intensity beneath the surface — a visual echo of the painting’s tension between serenity and loss.

Ophelia is made for projects that allow complexity to breathe — pieces where stitch pattern, texture, and color movement work together to tell a story rather than rush to a conclusion.

🎥 Be sure to check out the video show-and-tell clips in the photos to see both natural-light detail and black-light reaction.

Yarn Base Details

Chartreuse Cat Sock / Fingering Yarn
75% Fine Superwash Merino Wool (21.5 micron) / 25% Recycled Nylon
4-ply
Half skein · 218 yards

Siamese Sparkle Sock Yarn
75% Superwash Merino Wool / 20% Nylon / 5% Silver-Toned Stellina
2-ply · 438 yards per 100g skein

Manx Cat Recycled Nylon & Falkland Wool Sock Yarn
80% Superwash Falkland Wool / 20% Recycled Nylon
2-ply · 437 yards per 100g skein

Maine Coon Cashmere Blend Fingering Yarn
80% Superwash Wool (19 micron) / 10% Cashmere / 10% Recycled Nylon
4-ply · 437 yards per 100g skein

Maine Coon Cashmere Blend DK Select Yarn
80% Extra-Fine Merino Wool (21.5 micron) / 10% Cashmere / 10% Recycled Nylon
4-ply · 246 yards per 100g skein

Lambkin DK Yarn
100% Superwash Merino Wool (19.5 micron)
4-ply · 231 yards per 100g skein
Half skein · 123 yards

Siberian Sparkle DK Yarn
75% Superwash Merino Wool / 20% Nylon / 5% Silver-Toned Stellina
4-ply · 231 yards per 100g skein

Pixie Bob Cat Worsted Yarn
100% Fine Superwash Merino Wool
4-ply · 219 yards per 100g skein
Half skein · 109 yards

Sphynx Cat Superwash Bulky Yarn
100% Fine Superwash Merino Wool
2-ply · 109 yards per 100g skein

Pattern Shown in Photos

Iliada Shawl
Designed by Justyna Lorkowska
Available on Ravelry:
https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/iliada

Sample shown is knit using the Ophelia colorway.
Sample knit by Casey Carroll for Laughing Cat Fibers.

Please Note

All yarn is hand-dyed; no two skeins are identical.
For larger projects, alternating skeins is recommended for the most even color flow.
Colors may vary slightly depending on screen settings and lighting conditions.

Create Boldly. Make Art.