Shepherd's Wool

Shepherd's Wool

Stonehedge Fiber Mill

From their website: This three-ply yarn is spun to 1000 yards per pound, which in 4-ounce skeins is 250 yards per skein. It knits like any commercial worsted weight yarn, about 5 stitches to the inch on size 6-8 needles. This yarn is worsted spun, meaning it's very very smooth and almost shiny in appearance. It will give great stitch definition for intricate patterns such as lace, cables, and knit/purl patterns.

I LOVED this yarn! It is so very soft and fluffy, yet has beautiful stitch definition. It would make a spectacular Aran sweater, soft enough to wear right next to the skin. I found this at Stitches Midwest, and fell in love with it. These folks have milled other people's yarn for several years, and finally decided to manufacture some of their own. We are the luckier for their decision. You will not be disappointed with this yarn, nor with its price: only $8.99 for a 250 yard skein.

A Robin's Egg in a Pear Tree

4-ply Baby Yarn
Pear Tree Yarns
100% merino wool
50 grams = 175 yards
Gauge: 6.25 stitches per inch on US 3 Needles
My Color: Robin's Egg
Retail Price: $10.00


What a nice surprise this was! Notice the little specks of color in the close-up. This yarn is incredibly soft and wonderful to work with. It would truly do well for baby projects, or anything you want to wear next to the skin. It was so soft that I was sure it had alpaca or angora in it. But, no, it is just 100% merino wool. And a fine wool it is, too. It comes in heavier weights for larger projects as well. I highly recommend it.

Mongolian Cashmere 4-ply

Mongolian Cashmere 4-ply

Jade Sapphire

100 % Mongolian Cashmere
Gauge: 4¾-6 stitches/inch on US size 3-5 needles
55 grams = 200 yds.
My color: 68 Raspberry Mousse

Retail price: $36.75

Another hit from Jade Sapphire. What's not to like about cashmere? This stuff is incredibly soft and wonderful to work with. The pattern here is from 200 Stitch Patterns for Baby Blankets. It is called GROTTO and is pattern number 113, and is crocheted. It was enjoyable and easily memorized. I could have kept knitting this one forever!

Cruisin'

Cruise
Twinkle Yarns
70% Silk, 30% Cotton
50 gms = 120yds
My color: 39 Periwinkle


This yarn is a skinny, multi-ply yarn. In order to make this pattern, the Hamptons Halter (from Twinkle's Big City Knits), you have to hold 4 strands of the yarn together. That is, you must wind 4 hanks into 4 balls, then wind the 4 balls into one ball. That was a royal pain in the tush. If I was to do it again, I would probably just use a fatter yarn to begin with. But, I did what the pattern called for. There were only a few times when a ply got away from its friends and gave me trouble. The silk makes this a very nice yarn. Another warning abou the pattern, though: Something is wrong with the directions for the large size bra part. The bottom went along very quickly, but once I got to the bra part, I ended up taking it apart many times. I'm a pretty good knitter, but this one got the best of me. I was working on it while at Stitches Midwest, and Shelly, owner of Knitterly in Peta Luma, CA, said a customer of hers made it and had no problems, but she made one of the smaller sizes. Therefore, I think the problem is in the large size directions. I ended up just making the bra part in stockinette. The girls with me all thought it looked better that way for a bustier girl, anyway, to have less going on in the bra.

Rock Star & Cleopatra



Cleopatra up close


Cleopatra Ribbon
Tilli Tomas Yarn Co.
Nile threaded with large European Glass Beads
65% Dupioni Silk, 35% Bead
Gauge: 6.5 stitches = 4 " on recommended needle Size: #11
100 gr = 65 yds
My color: Burnt Orange

Rock Star
Tilli Tomas Yarn Co.
Spun silk studded with round glass beads
Pure and Simple studded with European Glass beads
70% Spun Silk, 30% Beads
Gauge: 5 stitches = 1 "on recommended needle Size: #7
100 grams = 100-150 yds
My color: Burnt Orange

To see this beautiful garment, click here . It is a shawl I made to test the pattern my friend, Nancy George, designed. It is called Simply Heaven Jacket/Shawl. The pattern can be purchased at http://www.knit-stop.com/ .

While I LOVE most Tilli Tomas yarns, I must say that this batch of Cleopatra was terrible. There are so many strings/ravelings hanging off, and the glue she uses to stick the ends together is awful! I couldn't believe a $47 skein of yarn could be such poor quality! I've seen other colors/hanks that weren't this bad. So check out your hank before you buy. I was glad when the Cleopatra part was over and I could move on to the Rock Star! That stuff is great!

Do You Dream in Color?

Gaia (a.k.a. "Smooshy Sock)

Dream In Color Yarns

22 micron 100% Australian merino wool (Superwash)

Gauge: 6.5 to 8 sts. per inch on U.S. 1 to 3 needles

4 oz ≈450 yards

My Color: The ball band says 240, but looking at the website, it looks more like 250 In Vino Veritas

My Pattern: Ultimate Crocheted Socks by Dorothy Hardy in Crochet Me online magazine

From the company's website: "Inspired by the play of light in nature, our veil dyeing process brings depth and life to color, giving garments a subtle, dramatic shimmer and shine. While veil dyed yarn has all the unique character of other hand-dyed yarns, it will not “landscape” or “pool.” The result? A magnificent, flattering garment every time!"

What a wonderful yarn! I love it in all the weights, but this is the only one I've knit with. They're a company out of Chicago, which is where I first found them. But I bought the sock yarn here in Indiana at The Shuttle Shop in Warsaw, IN. I've really enjoyed working with it, and you dyehard/diehard sock knitters out there ought to give it a try if you haven't yet. The name is totally appropriate, as it is truly smooshy yarn.

Hey, Baby, What's Your Sign?

Zodiac
Karabella Yarns
100% Mercerized Cotton
Gauge: 5 sts per in. on US size 7 needles
50 g = 98 yds.
My color: 404
Pattern: Ribs and Lace Tank by Jodi Green in Interweave Knits Spring 2007

Okay, okay, I know I've said it 100 times but I really do hate cotton yarn. I swear I do. But this happened to be in my stash, and I saw a pattern for it in the 2007 Spring edition of Interweave Knits, and it was SO pretty, I decided to make it. I'm glad I did. I really love how this turned out. The yarn doesn't split, and it certainly doesn't fuzz up. It was pretty before I blocked it, but after blocking it, it was truly gorgeous!

Limari

Limari

Araucania
70% Wool, 20% Alpaka, 10% Silk
Gauge: 2.75 sts. per inch on US Needle Size: 11
100g = 73 yds
My Color: 569
Retail Price: $16.00


I walked into the yarn shop today and knew this had to come home with me. It is gorgeous. I quickly, and I mean quickly, knit up this swatch, thinking it was very much like Rowan Big Wool. Then when I searched for it at Araucania's own website, it wasn't even listed, it's so new. I finally found it at the distributor's site, Knitting Fever. There I found out it wasn't just wool, but also had my very favorite fiber, alpaca, along with silk! Who knew? I guess I could have read the ball band, but that would have been too easy. I enjoy a good sleuthing. So, if Rowan's colorways are a bit too bland for you, try this one on for size. It comes in a number of different hand-painted colors, which you can see at the Knitting Fever site linked to the Limari name.

Mogul

Tilli Thomas Yarn Company

100% Australian Merino wool studded with glass beads

Gauge: 18 sts x 26 rows = 4" on US Needles Size: US 7

100 grams = Approximately 80 yds (this yarn is sold by weight)

My Color: Pinecone
Retail Price: $28.00

Please click on the pictures to get an upclose view of this yarn. It is so beautiful. The beads didn't cause me any trouble in knitting, as some beaded yarn can. It's an interesting change from the silk and beads that Tilli Tomas is known for. Not quite as fancy pants, but still beautiful. I made it into a short little shrug, and only needed one ball and a bit of another.

Looks Like She's Bulked Up A Little, Bless Her Heart

Euroflax Linen Bulky/Chunky Weight

Louet North America

100% Wet Spun Linen
Gauge: 3.5-4 sts per inch on 5-6 mm needles (8-10 US)
Machine Washable and Dryable!
100gm = 150 yds

My Color: Blue Fescue 16-2822-2

Retail Price: $18.86

Oh, I liked this one much better than the sport weight version. I liked its bulk and its slightly haggard appearance. It softens considerably in the washer and dryer, and would make for a quick knit, or, as in this swatch, crochet garment or home decor item.

Cashmere Canapa

Cashmere Canapa

Hemp for Knitting

60% cotton
30% cashmere
10% hemp
50g = 129yds
gauge: 5.5 sts = 1" on needles: US 5
My Color: Cristallo Blue

Retail price: $11.00

This was an interesting new find for me at TNNA this year. I saw a lady wearing a cute little capelet in the ladies room, and asked her what it was. She said it was cotton, cashmere and hemp. I thought that seemed like a random combination. Then minutes later, there she was selling sample kits for it at the "Sample It" event (also known as frenzied buying for 30-45 minutes by rabid knitters and cross-stitch/needlepointers). The color she was wearing was already sold out by the time I made it to the table, so I got the blue one. I can't say this is the softest yarn I've ever used, but I guess it's better to knit with hemp than it is to smoke it. Maybe it is like flax, and will soften up when worn and/or washed, but unlike a plain linen yarn, this blend, with cashmere, cannot be put in the dryer. I'll post an update after I wash it, if that is the case.

Tonalita, Tonalita, Men Have Named You

Tonalita
Trendsetter Yarns
52% Wool, 48% Acrylic
50 gr = +/- 100 yards
Gauge: 4.5sts = 1" on US #9 needles
Non-Felting
My Color: 2348 Sunset
Retail price: $7.95


This is really a beautiful yarn, very soft and nice to work with. I enjoyed the changing colors, and the way the solids melded together as a strand of each was spun together, then changed to the next color singularly. I was surprised to learn that a yarn this soft had acrylic in it, but that may, indeed, be part of what makes it so soft. Unfortunately for you felters out there, it's also what makes it unfeltable. It's against-the-skin-soft, though, so it would be great for a scarf, sweater, hat, or even mittens.

Squiggle Magic

Colibri

Katia Yarns

51% Cotton, 4% Nylon, 45% Acryl
19 sts, 24 rows on 4 mm needles
50 gr = 204 metres
My Color: 7500

Retail price: $14.70

If you ever wanted to make one of those Squiggle Shawls, then this might be the yarn for you. Typically, you need two yarns: a fat one and a really skinny one. You do several stitches of the skinny one, then throw the fat one in there for a few more stitches. This is done randomly and makes a neat looking fabric. Well, this yarn does it all by itself. It is both yarns in one, and all you have to do is knit. No thinking necessary, and no tangling of the two yarns together. I liked it and think it makes an interesting summer fabric.

Do That Crazy Hand Jive

Fingering Weight Merino
Nature's Palette by Hand Jive Knits
100% merino wool
Gauge: 7 to 8 stitches per inch on US 1-3 needles
Retail price: $11.00
50 gr = 185 yards
My Color: Odd Duck #3, Dye Lot 916
Stitch Pattern: Twisted Rib


This is such a beautiful yarn! Darlene Hayes' colors are amazing, especially for natural dyes, which tend not to be so....colorful. As with other naturally dyed yarns and rovings I've used, this one had a teensy-tinsy bit of dye stuff particles here and there (maybe little bits of cochineal shells), but I do mean teeny bits, nothing problematic. When I washed the swatch out in a bowl, there was quite a bit of dye in the first dip, but the second rinse was better, and excess color was virtually non-existent in the third and final rinse. This yarn is machine washable, so go ahead and make your favorite pair of socks, as with this yarn, they are sure to be. Or, if modular knitting is more your thing, this would be great for that, too.

A Sunbrella and a Fan in One

Ceramic

Needful Yarns

5% Ceramic, 95% Viscose.
50 gr = 98 yds.
Gauge: 16 sts x 20 rows to 4 " on US #8 needles/Metric: 5mm/UK:6 - circ

My Color: 7008

Retail price: $13.55

Neither of these photos really does this swatch justice, but the bottom one is closer to the true color. I attempted a bit of yarn-over laciness in the middle, but this yarn does not want to be lace. It's better as a straight fabric, in my opinion. I was very excited about this yarn, as I tend to run a little hot during the summer. This one claims to help you feel 5 degrees cooler, give UVA & UVB protection, and is static free. I have yet to make it into a wearable garment, so I can't confirm or deny those claims, but it's a fun, silky, squarish ribbon-like yarn, that is certainly worth a try. If you have a garment made from it, please let me know!

Chanel Number 2, and 3, and 4, and 5, and 6, but not 9 (that one's for Coco)

Arusha
Curious Creek Fibers
50% Silk ~ 50% Merino Wool 2-ply
Spun in Switzerland ~ Hand-painted in the USA
100 g. = 138 yds. ~ 125 m.
Gauge: 3-3.5 st. / inch on US #11-13


Well, Coco may not have so much on me after all, as, this time, I've come closer to the look I was going for. Much better than yesterday (see original post here). All it took was a little half-linen stitch, and the Curious Creek Fibers weren't so curious after all. The trick was slipping the stitch with the yarn in front instead of in the back. It seems that any combination of their colors is gorgeous when done in this way. Even the back of the fabric is pretty. I see a turquoise and brown Chanelesque jacket in my future....

Another Coco I Am Not

Arusha
Curious Creek Fibers
50% Silk ~ 50% Merino Wool 2-ply
Spun in Switzerland ~ Hand-painted in the USA
100 g. = 138 yds. ~ 125 m.
Gauge: 3-3.5 st. / inch on US #11-13
My Color: Anemone

Merinos Otto Shadow
Baruffa (distributed by Trendsetter)
100% EXTRA FINE MERINO WOOL 8 PLY
50gr. = 99 yds
Gauge: 5 sts=1" on US #8 needles
My Color: 1775 Rose Blossom


This swatch is a few different attempts at a Chanel-looking fabric. The bright colored yarn is the Arusha, while the more subtle color is the Otto Shadow. The light color of the Otto disappears in the bottom of the swatch, while the two-row slipped stitches of the middle part are a bit too long for my taste. I'm more partial to the top of the swatch, where I only slipped the stitches on one row. The Otto yarn is SO nice a soft, and very, very springy. I really loved it. The Arusha is so very beautiful. Their colors are amazing. I don't know why this yarn doesn't just walk right out of the store on a daily basis. People don't know what they're missing.

A Linen By Any Other Name is Still the Same

Linen (by Louet)
Claudia's Handpainted Yarns
100% Linen - sport weight
100 grams/270 yds
Gauge: 6 sts/inch on 3 - 3.5 mm needles
My Color: Blue Terra Cotta
Retail price: $31.50


This is the same yarn as Euroflax Linen sport weight by Louet, which I have reviewed previously here. This, however, has been beautifully hand-painted by Claudia, and comes in some gorgeous colorways. It is not yet shown on her website, but if you like linen, you'll like this one. I worked this swatch in the lace pattern that is used on a camisole in Joan McGowan-Michael's new book, "Knitting Lingerie Style." I happened to get an autographed copy at TNNA this month, but you can get a signed one, too, at her website. Just click on the link to the book in this post, and it will take you to the page.

Rainbow Sherbet

Kelly

Filtes-King Yarns

55% Cotton/45% Acrylic

108 Yds.
Gauge: 19 sts x 26 rows to 4" on US Needles size 8.0 (Metric:5mm UK:6 - circular)

My Color: 67

Retail Price: $4.95

This is a great yarn for a quick summer sweater like this one. It goes fast, and the color changes are fun. It makes a nice sturdy fabric on size 8 needles.

Noro Tidiori

Tidiori

Noro Yarns

60% rayon, 35% nylon & 5% cashmere

40g= 97 yds.

Gauge: 20 sts per 4 inches/10cm. on size 7 U.S. (4.5mm) needles

Retail Price: $8.80

I'm not a huge fan of Noro yarns, but this one was fun. I started making a swatch, and the colors just kept changing and changing, so I didn't stop the swatch till the ball was done! It's not something you could felt, and the cashmere is not readily apparent, but the color changing makes you want to keep on knitting.

Hey, Kid, Do You Bamboo?

Alchemy Bamboo


Bamboo and KidLin Pixie held together


Louet Sales KidLin Pixie



Bamboo
Alchemy Yarns
100% bamboo
Gauge: 6 stitches = 1" on US needle size: 5
50 gr = 138 yards
Color: Full Metal Alchemist 11 C
Retail price: $30.50

KidLin Pixie (Lace Wt.)
Louet Sales
49% Linen / 35% Kid Mohair / 16% Nylon
Gauge: 5 sts per inch on 3.75-4.5 mm needles (5-7 US)
50 gm = 250yds
Color: 35 Raffia Tan
Retail price: $12.50

Each of these yarns by itself is incredible, but together, they're even better. The Bamboo is so silky, and the KidLin is nice and soft. The Bamboo would make a great summer sweater or tank, with its luster and saturated color, and the two together would be great in a Fall weather garment.

Homespun?

Homespun Silk

Great Adirondack Yarn Co.

50 % silk, 50 % wool

220 yards

Gauge: 4 stiches =1" on US size 9 needle

Retail price: $37.00

This yarn is as lovely to work with as it is to look at. The colors are amazing, and it shows no signs of being "homespun." It would make a gorgeous summer top or shawl.

Fabu-lous

Fabu
Muench Yarns
90%Viscose, 10% Polyester.
50 gr, 72 m/79 yds
Gauge: 3 1/2 sts per 1" on US 10 needles
My Color: 4314
Retail price: $14.00

The colors in this one are gorgeous, but it is a bear to knit by itself. It really needs to be held with something else, unless you are a masochistic knitter.

Nature Cotton

Nature Cotton
Araucania Yarn Co.
100% Cotton
+/- 100 gr. = 105 yd.
Gauge: 13 st. / 4" on Needle Size 5 - 6 US. / 9 - 8 UK
My Color: AZ07
My Source: The Knit Stop, Indianapolis, IN
Retail Price: $7.95



Yet another challenge to my "I Hate Cotton Yarns" mantra, the Nature Cotton was actually nice to work with. It was soft, unlike its mercerized cousins, and maybe the mercerization is what ai really hate. I'm certainly being made to question my mantra alot these days! This swatching has been good for my closed-minded stance towards cottons. This one is thick and thin, like a cotton verson of Manos del Uruguay wool, and is, therefore (in my humble opinion) good for more casual wear. If you want your stitches to look perfect, this one would not be a good choice. However, if you want it to feel soft, this is a great choice.

Nah Nuh, Nah Nuh, Boo Boo

Big Baby
Alpaca With A Twist
100% baby alpaca
100 gr = 82 yds
Gauge: 3 stitches per inch on #11 needles
My Color: 5004 Summer Squash
My Source: The Knit Stop, Indianapolis, IN
Retail price: $13.00

Well, I'm not a fan of Squash, summer or otherwise, but I'm a huge fan of alpaca, and this one is no exception. It is SO soft and SO squishy, that I quickly fell even more deeply in love with this fiber. I can see a nice winter cardigan or blanket out of this, as it would be so nice to snuggle up with.

Blue Lagoon

Giotto

Colinette Yarns

50% cotton 40%rayon & 10% nylon
100 g = 144 metres
Gauge: 11sts to 16 rows per 4" on 8mm needles

My Color: Lagoon

My Source: The Knit Stop, Indianapolis, IN

Retail price: $26.50

For some reason, the shine of this ribbon yarn doesn't show up well in these photos, so for another look at it, check the Collinette website. The yarn is really beautiful, and aptly fits its name. I pictured a blue lagoon in the Caribbean while I knit this lovely little tank top. It is "Gloria" from the book Rock Gods and Movie Stars, and it only took two days to make (not full days, mind you. Just two days of my knitting time). In other words, it was FAST! I really enjoyed using it, and look forward to making something else from the Rio colorway that's also in my stash.

Salsa Caliente

Salsa

Garnstudio

50% cotton, 40% tactel polyamid, 10% polyamid

50g = 68m

Gauge: 13 sts x 17 rows = 10x10cm on needle size 8mm.

My Color: 06

Retal price: $12.60

I've used ribbon yarns before that felt like knitting with strips of paper, but this stuff was surprisingly soft. I really liked it. It would be much more comfortable to wear than its stiffer cousins.

Gelato and a Bath

Italian Ice
Knit One Crochet Too
61% cotton/26% linen/13% viscose
Texture: mate ribbon with shiny wrap
50 gr = 76 yards
Gauge: 16 sts per 4" on needles size US 9 (5.5mm)
My Color: 611 robin's egg
Retail Price: $9.00

I'm neutral on this one. Didn't love it, didn't hate it. But the bath mitt is cute. K1C2 has a kit with this yarn and a bar of soap, and a pattern for a mitt and a soap pouch. It would make a cute gift, as a kit or as the completed items.

You Are An Obsession

Obsession
Classic Elite Yarns
100% cashmere
Gauge: 3.24 - 3.5 sts/inch on US #10½ needles
50 grams/1.75 oz = 95 yards/87 m
My Color: H60585 - Camel
My Source: The Knit Stop, Indianapolis, IN
Retail Price: $45.00



I can definitely see how this yarn could become one. An obsession, that is. It has about 100 plies of pure cashmere, and when you put them all together, you get an amazingly soft, luscious yarn. It becomes a big, thick, yummy fabric that would be incredible to come home to on a cold day.

Diva-ine

Diva

Muench Yarns

10% Glass Beads, 23% Cotton, 67% Nylon

50 gr = 33 yds

Gauge: 8 sts & 8 rows to 4" on US Needle #19

My Color: 5301

My Source: The Knit Stop, Indianapolis, IN

Retail price: $42.00

Es ist gut! You might just walk on by this one at your LYS, but if you happen to pick it up, you're in for a nice surprise. It just looks like your average ball of ribbon yarn, so the price might shock you. But on closer examination you will see some hidden jewels, literally. From the Muench Yarns website, I quote: "A wide woven ribbon of beautiful shiny microfiber rayon, combined with a coordinating soutache thread with glass beads sewn down the middle." Now I don't know what a soutache is, but the rest of it describes this yarn perfectly. As with other novelties, I found the beads showed up best on the purl side, so keep that in mind if you're designing your own beautiful number in this yarn.