YARN REVIEWS
Offering luxurious fibres, hand-dyed loveliness and soft fabrics, the latest new yarns will provide a treat for your needles
The latest yarn releases, tested and rated
NORTH SHIRE YARNS 4ply Baby Alpaca, Silk, Cashmere
Shade pictured More Gin Please Skein weight/length 100g/400m Needle size 2.5mm (UK 13-12/US 1-2) Tension 27 sts and 38 rows to 10cm Fibre content 70% baby alpaca, 20% silk, 10% cashmere Care Hand wash RRP £19.00 Contact 07931 817171 www.northshireyarns.co.uk Full of lusciously silky softness, this luxurious blend of fibres is such a treat to knit with. It’s dyed in small batches, creating gorgeous variegated colourways that range from vibrant confectionery shades to delicate neutrals and pastels. The knitted fabric has lovely drape, with a subtle glow beaming through an indulgent halo.
CASCADE YARNS Sorata
Shade pictured Peridot (19) Skein weight/length 100g/400m Needle size 2.25-3.25mm (UK 13-10/US 1-3) Tension 26 sts and 36 rows to 10cm on 3.25mm Fibre content 70% baby llama, 30% silk Care Hand wash RRP £17.99 Contact www.cascadeyarns.com New Sorata is an ideal yarn for shawls and garments full of swing and drape. Its exquisitely soft blend of fibres are spun to give a smooth silken handle and a lightweight feel, as well as a gorgeous gleam. The palette features 13 shades, including soft neutrals and bright springy hues. Cascade offers pattern ideas with three lace shawl and scarf designs, free to download.
COOP KNITS Socks Yeah!
Shade pictured Krypton (1002) Skein weight/length 50g/212m Needle size 2.25mm (UK 13/US 1) Tension 36 sts and 48 rows to 10cm Fibre content 75% superwash merino wool, 25% nylon Care Machine wash 30°C RRP £6.00 Contact www.fyberspates.com/retailers Can a yarn be mouth-watering and eye-watering (in a good way) at the same time? We think so, and we love these new dazzling neon shades that have been added to the Socks Yeah! collection. Perfect for jazzy summer socks, they’ll cheer up your knitting and your feet. This is a smooth, matt yarn that feels soft and comfortable next to the skin all year round.
FINE FETTLE FIBRES Northumbrian Rose
Shade pictured Cragside Rose Skein weight/length 50g/170m Needle size 3.75mm (UK 9/US 5) Tension 25 sts and 32 rows to 10cm Fibre content 40% rose fibres, 35% alpaca, 25% Bluefaced Leicester wool Care Hand wash RRP £12.50 Contact 01670 600001 www.finefettlefibres.uk A collaboration between Northumbrian artisans has resulted in this gorgeous new yarn blended from local alpaca, BFL wool and crushed rose stems. Northumbrian Rose glimmers with life and light, and is soft and silky to work with. The eight hand-dyed shades are subtle and sophisticated, and the knitted fabric is wonderfully lightweight and floaty.
DAUGHTER OF A SHEPHERD Ram Jam
Shade pictured Light Grey Skein weight/length 50g/115m Needle size 4.5mm (UK 7/US 7) Tension 18 sts and 26 rows to 10cm Fibre content 100% wool Care Hand wash RRP £9.00 Contact www.daughterofashepherd.com Ram Jam is another stellar creation from Rachel Atkinson, with a 100% Yorkshire provenance and a “waste-not, wantnot” attitude! This is a blend of wools that would otherwise have gone to waste, spun into a worsted weight full of charm and authenticity. There are four shades, including a creamy white and a deep brown (almost black), and two blended greys.
ROWAN SELECTS Mako Cotton
Shade pictured Spring Green (06) Ball weight/length 50g/100m Needle size 5.5mm (UK 5/US 9) Tension 19 sts and 25 rows to 10cm Fibre content 63% cotton, 37% lyocell Care Hand wash RRP £9.50 Contact 01484 950630 www.knitrowan.com This new spring/summer yarn from Rowan is a chainette-constructed blend of cooling fibres. This construction gives an excellent amount of bounce to the yarn, which helps make a supple fabric that moves with you and feels so comfortable. Stitches are plump and well defined, and the seven colourways range from muted pastels to zingy brights.