Give me a little Hempathy

Hempathy

Elsebeth Lavold

40% Hemp, 40% Cotton, 20% Modal
50 g=175 yd
Gauge: 22-23 sts /4" on US 4 needles

My color: 015

From the Elsebeth Lavold website: A lovely yarn, made up of 40% Hemp, 40% Cotton and 20% Modal. The hemp content provides for a great drape and a linen-like feel, the cotton adds softness, and the modal provides elasticity.

I agree with their description, but for this swatch, I held two strands together throughout, and thus, ended up with a thicker swatch. One strand would definitely be drapey and nice shawl. The website also gives links to several patterns using this yarn.

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.