Today Scheepjes has announced a new yarn that I’m really excited about and I’m able to give you an exclusive preview! Check this out:
Hellz yesssss, that’s a long gradient yarn right there!! It’s not just your average gradient either, as it has a few characteristics that set it apart from the rest, one of which I like A LOT.
Firstly, it comes in some really lovely colours!
I know, I’m about to repeat myself, but I love yarn colours with names! There is nothing sadder than a beautiful ball of yarn with the name “1042”, ya know? Yarns just need imaginative names. There’s something about fun and clever yarn names that makes me love it just that little bit more. This isn’t just me, right?
These names, though? Is anyone else hungry? Between this and the candy and ice cream sneak peeks Scheepjes have been sharing for the last few days. I’m starvin’ and all I want is a slice of cherry pie and ice cream, omg. Mental note: must learn how to make cherry pie. No wait, don’t. Find someone who can make cherry pie and promises to only give it to you in small amounts because you have no self control.
Anyway, they are also huge! The largest gradient yarn I’ve used was 800m, but this has 1000m per ball. Yeah, you heard that right… one thousand meters. I have three balls here with me and have plans for a project using two of them together. Check these babies out!
Jumpin Jelly (759) and Cotton Candy Man (760)
I have a real thing for rainbow colours lately, it seems. Aren’t they gorgeous?! I had an idea in mind for a design for this yarn and my original idea was to use Jumpin Jelly and Liqourice Yum Yum, but in the end I went for the two rainbow colours. I’m not 100% sure what I’m doing yet as I have to ideas fighting it out in my head. One is less complicated than the other, and the more complicated one requires math (groan), so I’m not entirely sure which direction I’m going to go in yet. I think it will depend on how quickly I finish some other tasks and how much time I have.
The yarn is 60% cotton and 40% acrylic, and before you start going on about cotton and splitting – I’m getting to it! Remember I said that there was one aspect of this yarn I really loved? Well, it’s the fact that it it has that little bit of extra twist, which makes it less splitty, way less splitty. I’ve used some other gradients in the past, and don’t get me wrong, I really liked them… but only once I got over the teeth grinding annoyance of how much they split on me. Some were ok, but others… when they were bad, they were really bad. That’s what makes this yarn so nice to knit wtih.
I’m lucky enough to have a these balls of the Whirl here with me and I’ve knitted some test swatches, which were a lot more enjoyable to knit without the splitting. The yarn is very soft and an absolute joy to work with. I used a 4mm (darker purple) and 3.5mm (lighter purple) and find that I like the 3.5mm more when knit in garter stitch. It’s still soft and has a nice drape, the 4mm was a little too loose for me with my tension.
I’m not sure what I’ve gotten myself into with this design, I mean, it’s TWO KILOMETERS of yarn! That’s a lot! haha Just between you and me, though, I’m hoping I can pull off the more interesting option as I’d be pretty chuffed with myself if I could make it turn out as cool as it appears in my head. I am not even going to fool myself into thinking that I won’t need my husband to help me with the math!
Here’s a bit more info on the yarn:
Recommended hook / needle size: 3.5-4mm
R.R.P: £20.99 / €24 ,50 / $25.99
If you are as excited as I am about Whirl, you will be able to find it internationally via WoolWarehouse* or your local Scheepjes retailer from March 6, 2017
This post was made in coordination with Scheepjes. All work, photos, thoughts and opinions are my own.
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