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Yarns We Love
Space isn’t a concern in an online magazine, so we have asked each designer to provide a review of the yarn they used for their projects. When designers submit a proposal for a design, we try to accommodate their yarn choice. They are the best judge of what yarn will work best for their projects.
Berroco Lanas
219yds/200m, 100g/3.5oz
100% wool
https://www.berroco.com
I love that Berroco’s Lanas is a 100% non-superwash wool and still feels nice on your hands as you knit. The plied structure creates a crisp stitch definition, which was something I needed to help make the knit/purl texture patterns of Gloucester gansey visible with a darker color. Its blocked size is close to the pre-blocking size, so it helps you visualize how the final garment will look and fit as you’re knitting. It’s a well-behaved yarn that creates heirloom-worthy sweaters and comes in 59 colors, including heathers.
by Donna Estin—Gloucester
Berroco Ultra Alpaca Light
146yds/133m, 50g/1.75oz
50% Super Fine Alpaca, 50% Peruvian Wool
https://www.berroco.com
This is my second time designing with Berroco Ultra Alpaca Light, which I selected for its drape and halo. I began with the large and bold Candle Flames stitch pattern on the sweater back. The yarn’s halo gives the flames a slightly fuzzy, indistinct appearance—like a real candle. On the front and sleeves, the small eyelet pattern adds textural interest to the heathered yarn, without competing for attention with the candle flames on the back. The drape of the yarn allows the eyelets to open up and produce a sleek, rather than thick and chunky, fabric. The wide range of colors makes this yarn a great choice for colorwork projects, as well as for lace and cable designs.
by Ashwini Jambhekar—Candle Flames
Blue Sky Fibers Skyland
210yds/192m, 100g/3.5oz
40% Fine Highland Wool, 30% Baby Alpaca, 30% Silk
https://www.blueskyfibers.com
As I was choosing yarn for this capelet, I knew I wanted a wool blended with silk but in a weight that wouldn’t be too heavy, so I looked for a DK weight yarn. Skyland, by Blue Sky Fibers, was the perfect choice. The addition of alpaca results in a soft but still lightweight fabric, with a lovely drape, and the silk has just enough sheen to set off the bobble pattern. Stitch definition is excellent, and the large areas of stockinette turned out even and smooth.
Knitting with Skyland was a joy; based on how it feels next to my skin, I know I would turn to this yarn for my next sweater. Skyland comes in generous 210-yd skeins and is available in eleven colors, all inspired by celestial features and objects—from Red Sky and Meridian to Comet and North Star. The deep red of Red Sky will make a wonderful holiday wrap. During blocking, some dye was released in the water, so take care if mixing with other colors.
by Sharon Levering—Mantellina
Brooklyn Tweed Imbue Sport
190yds/174m, 50g/1.76oz
100% American Merino Wool
https://brooklyntweed.com
As soon as I learned that Brooklyn Tweed was offering Imbue in sport weight, I was anxious to try it. Since I manage the photo shoot, all the garments come to me; and we have had two sweaters which used Imbue, and I loved the lightweight sweaters that it produced. The sport weight is 3-ply rather than the worsted 5-ply, but it has the same properties as the heavier yarn. It shows off the embossed over-all cable pattern I chose, and the resulting fabric has a marvelous drape.
Imbue is a heathered yarn, but the color I chose, Crepe, is more of a solid color with tiny slubs of darker colors. This just added interest to the fabric. Twelve colors, ranging from bright to muted, are available and demonstrate the heathered nature of the yarn more dramatically.
by Arenda Holladay—Wallpaper
Brown Sheep Lamb’s Pride Bulky
125yds/114m, 113g/4oz
80% Wool, 15% Mohair
https://brownsheep.com/
Lamb’s Pride is a single-ply, loosely spun yarn that comes in many beautiful colors. The wool is next-to-the-skin soft, and the small amount of mohair gives just a shimmer of a halo. Lamb’s Pride comes in both a worsted and a bulky weight. The yarn is economical and always a reliable choice. I have used this yarn many times, and it holds up well, has minimal pill, and wears well. The grist is pretty heavy and when knit up, the yarn creates a dense and sturdy fabric. Lamb’s Pride Bulky was the perfect choice for this bomber-style jacket.
by Debbie West—Reannen
Cascade Yarns Cascade 220 Fingering
273yds/250m, 50g/1.75oz
100% Peruvian Highland Wool
https://www.cascadeyarns.com/
Cascade Yarns has done it again! I was very happy to receive this yarn and immediately wound it from its hanks to useable balls. Once I began knitting I realized how soft and light this yarn is. The colors are beautiful—I would love to knit a Fair Isle encompassing a great many colors because I’m sure they would look beautiful together. For this stranded sweater, though, I think the colors chosen play well together and are fun to use. There were absolutely no knots, no problematic areas that you sometimes get when the spinning is too thick in some areas and too thin in others, and no tangling when wound. Once blocked, the yarn bloomed and became even more beautiful. In short, the yarn made this project a pleasure to knit, from beginning to end, and I could not be happier with the choice—or the result.
by Sara Louise Greer—Helena
Freia Fine Handpaints Ombré Heather
330yds/302m, 150g/5.3oz
100% Shaniko Merino Superwash
https://freiafibers.com
This beautiful worsted-weight yarn is a delight to work with. As the amazing colors of the heathered ombre emerge, the magic happens. Soft to the touch and easy to wear, the large, oversized balls (150g) mean that two balls will result in a lovely scarf, and with three balls you can create a small adult sweater. Additionally, this special yarn is spun with ethically grown wool and respectful farming practices. The fact that it is superwash makes long-term care easy.
by Charles Gandy—WOW
Jamieson’s Shetland Spindrift
115yds/105m, 25g/.88oz
100% Pure Shetland Wool
https://simplyshetland.com/
Shetland Spindrift is ideal for Fair Isle knitting. It is a fingering weight yarn with a good amount of tooth to enhance colorwork patterns. I had never used the yarn before, and it certainly did not disappoint. The beauty comes out even more after blocking, and the stitches seem to even out and lock in. The company boasts a color pallet of 225 colors, and the choices seem endless. A feature I appreciate is the small amount of yarn per skein. Since the skeins are only 105 meters and 25 grams, there is not a lot of waste after knitting a project. I had no problem knitting the hat with one skein for each of five colors.
Because it is 100% Shetland wool, some who are sensitive to harsher wools may find it scratchy and plan to not wear it next to skin. That being said, it is a wonderful yarn for colorwork and at an affordable price.
by Cindy Dell—Northern Hearts
Knit Picks Heatherly Worsted
218yds/199m, 100g/3.53oz
80% Acrylic, 20% Merino Wool
https://www.knitpicks.com/
I used this yarn only for the embroidery accents in the baby blanket, but the yarn is so very soft and does not feel like an acrylic blend at all! I would love to actually knit something with this yarn sometime soon.
Heatherly can be machine-washed and dried without felting or shrinking, but the mill recommends hand washing and drying to preserve heirloom knits.
There is a wide range of cheerful colors available, all in pastels and soothing colors. Heatherly would make a great choice for baby knits.
by Heather Storta—Garden of Flowers
Knit Picks Swish Worsted
110yds/101m, 50g/1.76oz
100% Fine Superwash Merino Wool
https://www.knitpicks.com/
Swish Worsted is a superwash 100% wool yarn. Because it is a merino wool, the yarn is super soft! Comparing to Wool of the Andes Superwash, Swish has a little bit more twist and is a rounder yarn. Where Wool of the Andes is a bit more “rustic” feeling (yet still soft), Swish is smooth and bouncy and provides a nice sheen to the finished fabric.
Swish would make a great choice for anything where you need a superwash yarn and want next-to-skin softness. A wide range of colors is available, in neutrals and pastels to brights.
by Heather Storta—Garden of Flowers
Knit Picks Wool of the Andes Superwash Worsted
110yds/101m, 50g/1.76oz
100% Superwash Wool
https://www.knitpicks.com/
I have used the non-superwash version of this yarn often, and really like it. This superwash variety was also a pleasure to knit with! It has just a slightly more slippery finish to the final fabric, but maintains the same bounce and stitch definition as its non-superwash sibling. The finished fabric has some fuzz to it; the yarn is soft but not smooth.
A wide range of colors are available (about 48 at the time of this writing) from neutrals to pastels to brights so colorwork could certainly be an option with Wool of the Andes Superwash. Care instructions are to machine wash on gentle cold cycle, and tumble dry on low.
When I need a superwash wool, I will definitely consider using this yarn again!
by Heather Storta—Garden of Flowers
Kremke Soul Wool Edelweiss Alpaca 4-Ply
109yds/100m, 25g/.88oz
65% Virgin Wool, 25% Polyamide, 10% Alpaca
https://kelbournewoolens.com/
When searching for the perfect yarn for my Sound of Music socks, I came across a yarn called Edelweiss. Naturally, I couldn’t resist, especially when it is as soft and snuggly as Kremke Soul Wool’s Edelweiss Alpaca 4-Ply. Not only was it on theme, but I quickly discovered it was a dream to work with, provided wonderful stitch definition, and blocked effortlessly. This super fine weight yarn’s smooth texture and soft hand made for the perfect blend of warmth, softness, and stability. It is everything you want in a sock yarn. A few long stray alpaca fibers were evident during the knitting process, but I think that only added to the subtle, yet cozy, rustic charm this yarn offers.
Edelweiss Alpaca 4-Ply can be machine washed cold on the gentle cycle and laid flat to dry. It is currently available in 56 of the most gorgeous and versatile solid colors. And at only 25g, it provides wonderful color flexibility without the commitment of multiple full-sized skeins. The more I use it, the more I think it may even solve a problem like Maria, or become one of a few of my favorite things!
by Jennifer Kent—Sound of Music
Lanaknits allhemp6
165yds/150m, 100g/3.5oz
100% Long Fiber Hemp
https://lanaknits.com
Lanaknits allhemp6 is a natural fiber yarn similar to100% linen. The long fiber hemp is very sturdy and non-stretchy. It may seem stiff at first, but it softens up as it’s handled. A nice thing about that little bit of stiffness is that the yarn doesn’t tangle easily. Multi-stranded allhemp6 has an even, consistent twist and comes in hanks. It is available in more than 20 colors, including earth tones and jewel tones.
Allhemp6 can be washed by hand or in the washing machine (no hotter than 105˚F/40˚C), then laid out flat to dry. The blocking was the most exciting surprise for me. This yarn is very strong, even when wet, and can be stretched and pulled quite assertively. When blocked, it has a truly gorgeous drape and retains its shape nicely.
by Mary Forte—Daisies and Asters
Magpie Fibers Nest
350yds/320m, 100g/3.5oz
100% Non-superwash Corriedale Wool
https://ww.magpiefibers.com
When designing this gansey pullover, I wanted to use a yarn that was spun in the same way as the yarns used by the gansey knitters of old but without trying to duplicate the “fisherman’s iron” fabric that the original ganseys were known for. I wanted something that gave me good stitch definition yet wasn’t overly dense or heavy; I found that with Magpie Fibers Nest.
Although it might look more like a fingering weight yarn, it does knit up at a light sport weight gauge, and blooms beautifully when blocked. I really loved the way it felt as the stitches slid along the needles and the yarn through my fingers as I worked. While I would have loved to have made the sweater in one of the more traditional-looking dark blue colors that Magpie Fibers offers, the Twilight Honey was perfect for this piece. In fact, it was difficult to choose a color since they’re all so great!
by Therese Chynoweth—Perranporth
Manos del Uruguay Fino Mini-skein Set
90yds/98m, 20g/.7oz per mini-skein
70% Extrafine Merino Wool, 30% Silk
https://fairmountfibers.com/
There were a few specific qualities I was looking for in a yarn for this project: I needed five colorways in mini-skeins that featured both subtle color changes in a variegated yarn and tonal changes in a semi-solid yarn. As this was an accessory that would be worn next to the wearer’s skin, a soft, smooth finish was also a requirement—and that was ensured by the luxurious blend of merino wool and silk. You’ll find a variety of mini-skein sets to choose from, and although this was my first time using this yarn, it certainly won’t be my last!
by Michael Harrigan—Burkle
Miss Babs Putnam
400yds/365m, 110g/3.9oz
75% Superwash Merino Wool, 25% Nylon
https://www.missbabs.com/
Putnam is a 4-ply fingering weight yarn that has a nice smooth finish. It is round and bouncy but sturdy. It is the perfect yarn for socks since the 4-ply construction and the ample twist means the finished fabric will stand up to wear when worked at an appropriate gauge.
One skein should be enough for most socks, but knitters with larger feet or who want taller cuffs should order an extra skein just to be sure. This yarn can be machine washed, but Miss Babs recommends drying flat for best results.
Putnam comes in a wide range of colors, in Miss Babs distinctive Wild Iris and Babette shades, ranging from multi-color variegated to tonal solids. Jewel tones, neutrals, pastels, and warm tones are all options, so whatever color you are looking for, she is sure to have it! I thoroughly enjoyed knitting with Putnam, and can’t wait to work up another pair of socks using it!
by Heather Storta—Beehive Diamonds
Noro Malvinas
328yds/300m, 150g/5.3oz
100% Wool
https://knittingfever.com/
Malvinas is a single-ply yarn that gracefully shifts from thick to thin, creating a fabric rich in texture. Crafted from 100% merino wool, sourced from the Falkland Islands off the coast of Argentina, Malvinas embraces the essence of natural beauty. The yarn has a generous loft, resulting in a finished piece that is wonderfully warm yet light in weight. Gentle color gradations are brought about through kettle dyeing.
The variation in width, along with the large amount of loft, offers a broad range of gauges for working with the yarn. Noro recommends a gauge of 14–18 stitches, suggesting US 7–8 needles, though larger needles are needed to achieve the lower end of this range. The care instructions on the label can be a bit confusing. Noro recommends dry cleaning the knitted item but also advises drying it flat and in the shade. I was able to successfully block the poncho using the immersion technique, gently rolling it in a towel, and then drying it flat.
by Leslie Gonzalez—Stormy Skies
Palmer Yarn Company Lux DK
231yds/211m, 100g/3.53oz
80% Merino Wool, 10% Cashmere, 10% Nylon
https://palmeryarnco.com/
The best part of the h+h trade show is discovering new-to-you yarn companies. As Donna Estin and I strolled through the aisles, we were struck by the sophisticated palette of Lux DK from Palmer Yarns. After a conversation with Kimberly Palmer, the owner and dyer, I knew I wanted to use it for a design in this issue. A quick look at their core color gallery, you will see why I had a hard time selecting colors. I’m partial to lice stitch as a way of making simple stockinette more interesting, and I knew I wanted a dark sweater with light colored lice. I chose Raisin, a complicated color which in some lights is decidedly brown and in other lights has a definite purple tint, a lot like, well, a raisin. Weathered is the light color.
Lux DK is a merino/cashmere/nylon blend, which makes it soft and luscious. It was a delight to work with, and I look forward to wearing the sweater on a bright fall day.
by Arenda Holladay—Dots
Purl Soho Line Weight
494yds/452m, 100g/3.5 oz
100% Merino Wool
https://www.purlsoho.com
Made in Peru, Purl Soho’s Line Weight is a beautiful, loosely spun single-ply yarn. The yarn has a surprisingly large fuzzy halo, likely due to the pairing of the traditionally short-staple-length merino wool and the loose-spun single construction. Line Weight’s merino created an impressive halo behaving like a tamer version of mohair or angora. Soft and easy to work with, I would recommend weaving in ends as promptly as possible. I waited until the project was completed, and the yarn tails had fuzzed up considerably.
For the Line Drive tank, I worked the Line Weight base looser than what was recommended on the ball band, and the resulting fabric was very soft with a lot of drape. Despite the looser gauge, the fabric was very cohesive and perfect for warmer weather.
Overall, Line Weight is a gorgeous base with over 20 color choices. It is a very special yarn that will pair well with all your lighter weight knits.
by Mary E. Jacobs—Line Drive
Purl Soho Tussock
328yds/300m, 25g/.88oz
60% Super Fine Kid Mohair, 40% Silk
https://www.purlsoho.com
Tussock is Purl Soho’s version of the popular silk/mohair blend yarn, with a shiny silk core and huge mohair halo. It is an elegant base with over 25 colorways. Listed as a super fine— halo aside—I find a base like this to be more of a lace weight. Made in Japan, Tussock is a gorgeous yarn on its own. It would also pair well held together with another thin yarn, but I prefer it on its own so its uniqueness can really shine.
Tussock is shockingly warm despite its thinness. It is light and has a lot of loft. I would recommend weaving in ends very soon after making them as I had waited and found them a bit felted and challenging to duplicate stitch. I would also recommend checking your work frequently, for if an error is ever found, the less chance the mohair has to intertwine and the easier it will be to rip down to the error to fix it.
I really enjoyed working with Tussock and admired its beauty immensely. In the Line Drive tank, Tussock made a very interesting thin/thick play next to Purl Soho’s Line Weight base, but I could see Tussock employed alone for a very elegant diaphanous garment that would be surprisingly warm.
by Mary E. Jacobs—Line Drive
Sweet Georgia Tough Love Sock
425yds/388m, 115g/4 oz
80% Superwash Merino Wool, 20% Nylon
https://sweetgeorgiayarns.com/
While walking around the show floor of h+h, I was glad to find one of my favorite companies who supplies yarn to our designers. I prefer for our Canadian designers to use yarn from Canadian suppliers, and they often suggest using Sweet Georgia, located in Vancouver, Canada, and I am happy to oblige. For this issue, a Canadian designer proposed using Tough Love Sock (color Seaside) for a pair of cabled socks, but family issues prevented her from completing the project. I knew I had the time to work up a pair of socks, especially since I wanted to try out the Fleegle Heel (see Sharon Levering’s article) and Tough Love which I had never used. The designer sent me the yarn, and I immediately realized that it was very close in color to the one used to accompany Sharon’s article. This gave me an opportunity to test out the Sweet Georgia website and the time it takes to get the yarn in the US. The website is easy to use, and the yarn arrived in record time.
The name Tough Love is a very good name for the yarn. It is tough (I tested this by frogging several times), and if you use it, you will love it. And there are 88 fabulous colors. I chose Watershed, a lovely blue to replace a pair of much-loved and well-worn socks.
P.S. Some lucky winner of the Newsletter contest will get the Seaside skein in the September contest.
by Arenda Holladay—Full of Holes
Universal Yarn Wool Pop
284yds/260m, 100g/3.5oz
50% Bamboo, 35% Superwash Wool, 15% Polyamide
https://universalyarn.com/
Bamboo Pop (a 50/50 blend of bamboo and cotton) is one of my favorite transition-weather yarns for lightweight sweaters and garments; so when I discovered they had a yarn called Wool Pop, I was excited to give it a try. It’s a lovely blend of bamboo and superwash wool with a small amount of polyamide for elasticity. The combination of these two fibers gives the finished garment a lovely drape, and the bamboo provides a slight sheen to the fabric. Because the two fibers take dye in different ways, the yarn has an almost heathered appearance, with darker and lighter tones throughout. It’s a wonderful addition to their line of yarns and would be suitable for those transition-weather and summer-weather garments and accessories.
by Tonia Lyons—Brockway
Wonderland Yarns Mad Hatter
Regular full skein: 344yds/314m, 113g/4oz
5-pack mini-skeins: 86yds/79m, 28g/1oz each (430yds)
100% Superwash Merino
https://frabjousfibers.com/
Wonderland Yarns are hand dyed in Vermont, USA, by the folks from Frabjous Fibers. Mad Hatter from Wonderland Yarns is hand-dyed in an array of gorgeous colorways. This 100% superwash merino yarn has a soft and bounce feel and can be worn next to the skin. With its excellent stitch definition and hand-dyed beauty, Mad Hatter can be used for many projects, from cabled to textured ones. The 5-pack mini-skeins Mad Hatter creates more opportunities to play with a pretty range of color palettes. It can be used for colorwork projects, such as a striped shawl, scarf, or sweater.
I used both regular full skeins and 5-pack mini-skeins Mad Hatter for my Zigzag Path pullover. I will put Mad Hatter yarn on my go-to list and try different colors for my future projects.
by Quinny Zhang—Zigzag Path
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