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A couple of new warmer weather yarns + a small schedule change this week

April 06, 2021

While temporarily dismantling the ball bands on Berroco Chai (see more below), I noticed that the yarn was manufactured in Italy. It's a new yarn, which means that although the development likely started a few seasons ahead, the production of the skeins in my hands very likely happened during the pandemic. It makes me wonder what the experience of those workers was like over the course of the past year, as they did the work to produce this pretty yarn.

On Thursday this week, Yarn Folk will be closing a bit early, at 1:45pm. Social Stitching will proceed at its usual time, 4-6pm.

Current open hours are Monday - Friday, 7am-3:30pm, and Saturdays, 9am-3pm. In-store shopping: mask covering nose and mouth required for the duration of your visit. We continue to be mindful about making it possible to maintain social distancing in the shop.

…to learn (and do)

three red and orange skeins of yarn with the words "Yarn Folk talks"

CURRENT CLASSES & EVENTS

Social Stitching via Zoom

Thursday, April 8, 4:00-6:00pm

https://us04web.zoom.us/j/981942707?pwd=TExyQlRPWnB3OW40QkFZRCs5aVRtQT09 OR open Zoom and enter 981-942-707 for the meeting ID

PASSWORD IS 330044.

Reminder: we've consolidated to just one Zoom event for now, but if you'd like to share project photos, chat, or share KAL progress, we'd love for you to create an account at yarnfolk.com and participate in the community we're building there. No intent to be yet another social network, but it's an option for sharing that doesn't depend on any outside platform. You can find it here.

...to anticipate

Eight balls of linen and silk yarn are arranged in two parallel lines diagonally across the frame. The colors of the top row are red, green, pale orange, and charcoal. The bottom row is tan, light grey, light blue, and dark blue. They are resting on a white cutwork tablecloth, and a jade plant is in the upper left corner.

Two new yarns this week, plus a few new colors of Lanas, Ultra Wool, and Aerial. First up is Chai, a linen/silk DK blend. I made both knit and crochet swatches with it, and liked the way both fabrics softened up (as linen does). We are stocking all eight shades, and look forward to seeing your breezy creations!

Five balls of speckled yarn on a cream colored filet crochet table cloth. The one in front is grey, behind that are pale red and medium blue, and in the back are teal and olive.

Also new is Mantra Stonewash, a recent variation on the Mantra solids. When we sampled the solid Mantra (available through the 1-2-3- Dropship Program) a few seasons ago, several of us enjoyed knitting with it, but I didn't end up stocking the yarn. The Mantra Stonewash, however proved irresistible. There are only five colors, but they are rich and earthy, and all are suited to the unique speckled look of the yarn. Each 50g ball contains 182 yards of 100% silk.

…to inspire

Model is wearing lavender tee, and is facing a wood wall to display the lacy back panel of the sweater.

Pattern inspiration for Chai and Mantra Stonewash is plentiful. Berroco's design collection for Chai includes long and short sleeved tees, a sleeveless tank, two shawls, and a poncho. Mantra Stonewash has its own collection, but is also compatible with all of the patterns for Mantra. Marsh, pictured above, struck me as a versatile summer layering piece--that lacy back panel is so pretty! And the Cinca capelet (Ravelry link, Berroco link) is another popular choice for this yarn, and takes only three balls.

...to stitch

Close-up view of the beginning of a triangular knitted shawl. The section closest to the camera is twisted 1x1 ribbing, following that is a section of stockinette with garter ridges, and behind that is a section of garter stitch stripes. The colors are green, gold, and multicolored speckles.

Malabrigo Temperance Shawl KAL

The Temperance Shawl KAL started on April Fools' Day, and as it happened, I initially misplaced the centered double decrease that is...in the center...of the shawl. I hadn't proceeded too far when I realized the problem, so I just took it out and started again. I'm currently on the third section, the twisted rib. Thank goodness for pointy needles! Pattern on Ravelry or directly from Malabrigo, and still plenty of Malabrigo Sock colors here.

Flax Light

Flax Light (Ravelry link, Tin Can Knits link) is just so stinking cute. And it's always fun to see how a variegated yarn is going to behave at any given gauge + stitch count. The yarn here is the new Knitted Wit Sport, in the Lazuli Bunting colorway. At the neck, the effect was more or less one-row stripes, which shifted to some fortuitous pooling in the front and back when the increases began, and resolved to small stripes/variegation until the sleeve separation, then wider stripes for the rest of the body.

The Knitted Wit Sport has good body, and a soft hand. It is a superwash Merino, and the recommended care is hand wash, lay flat to dry--but if your machine has a gentle cycle, I'd definitely test the swatch and see how it does.