As you've probably been able to tell, I've been on a little bit of a swatching binge recently! This was precipitated, in no small part, by some very lovely yarn samples I was sent by Blacker Yarn.
They have a new yarn coming out shortly - Tamar.
Sue Blacker recently posted on the Blacker blog about this yarn - I do love a yarn with a story!! Basically, it is named after the Tamar river between Devon & Cornwall (in England). It's an homage to the watery hills and valleys of the area, the history of the people and their beliefs throughout time. There's a beautiful fairy tale accompanying this yarn, and I'd highly recommend heading over to the blacker blog for a wee read.
I could ramble on about this yarn for ages, because it's great, but I'll try to summarise into something sensible:
Composition: spun from British rare breeds, including Teeswater, Wensleydale and Leicester Longwool
Yardage: 4ply - 350 m / 380 yds. DK - 220 m / 238 yds.
Practicalities: cool handwash only
Handle: despite feeling fairly 'rustic' due to the longwool used, this yarn is easily next to skin soft. The longwool also affords it a weight and drape which would be beautiful in accessories and garments alike. I can see folk thinking it's not soft enough, it doesn't compare to buttery merino, but I imagine it would last significantly longer.
Stitch definition: despite the halo (which is very attractive and, not to forget, warm!) the stitch defition is very clear, I've worked up a wee lace sample which turned out beautifully.
Range: available in 4-ply and DK, this is suitable for a wide variety of projects. The colour palette is also amazing (as below!).
All in all, I adore this yarn, and hope to work with it as soon as I'm able! Have you tried it yet? What are you knitting with at the moment?
They have a new yarn coming out shortly - Tamar.
Sue Blacker recently posted on the Blacker blog about this yarn - I do love a yarn with a story!! Basically, it is named after the Tamar river between Devon & Cornwall (in England). It's an homage to the watery hills and valleys of the area, the history of the people and their beliefs throughout time. There's a beautiful fairy tale accompanying this yarn, and I'd highly recommend heading over to the blacker blog for a wee read.
I could ramble on about this yarn for ages, because it's great, but I'll try to summarise into something sensible:
Composition: spun from British rare breeds, including Teeswater, Wensleydale and Leicester Longwool
Yardage: 4ply - 350 m / 380 yds. DK - 220 m / 238 yds.
Practicalities: cool handwash only
Handle: despite feeling fairly 'rustic' due to the longwool used, this yarn is easily next to skin soft. The longwool also affords it a weight and drape which would be beautiful in accessories and garments alike. I can see folk thinking it's not soft enough, it doesn't compare to buttery merino, but I imagine it would last significantly longer.
Stitch definition: despite the halo (which is very attractive and, not to forget, warm!) the stitch defition is very clear, I've worked up a wee lace sample which turned out beautifully.
Range: available in 4-ply and DK, this is suitable for a wide variety of projects. The colour palette is also amazing (as below!).
All in all, I adore this yarn, and hope to work with it as soon as I'm able! Have you tried it yet? What are you knitting with at the moment?
