In contrast to last week’s 25/75 linen/cotton blend, today’s fiber is a 30/70 linen/cotton blend. The two couldn’t be more different! In today’s LinCot review, coarse strands of strong linen engulf puffy thick/ thin roving of cotton. The resulting texture is incredible with bristles and softness at the same time. If you’ve ever thrummed with virgin wool and roving, I suspect the feel is similar. Apple Oak Fibre Works brings Irish naturalism to hand dyed yarn! Wife and hubby team, Jennifer and Tristan, apply botanical dyes to a variety of fibers (animal-based and plant-based) in both roving and yarn (and a few other specialty items).
Yarn Review Cestari Monticello
What an interesting study in contrast! I swatched out two cotton / linen blends back to back for the next yarn reviews and they couldn’t be more different. It was amazing to see how twist, pile, and how the two fibers were combined changed the effects and feel of the yarn. Up first, Cestari Sheep’s Monticello!
Puddles Spring Summer Round Up
Batten the hatches, check the generator, trim the trees back from the house, and stock the pantry with food for both humans and GDCSJ. Yes, this week has been a “check list” in prep for Hurricane Florence. Anyone else in hurricane mode with us? I’m delighted to see it’s down to a category 2, but know that it is still a threat so I’m ready with projects to snuggle it out with this guy! He doesn’t look to scared at all ?. Before we head full force into cold weather knits, let’s “paws” and recap the year thus far. Landfall Shawl – designed in honor of Hurricanes Harvey and Irma, looks like this is the shawl of the moment with …
Yarn Review Lana Grossa Organico Uni
I’ve always got my antenna up and tuned into “organic cotton,” so when I came across this brand on Webs, it hopped in my cart for a yarn review!
Yarn Review Classic Elite Yarns Mika
Joining rank with Sprout and Seedling, Classic Elite Yarns introduced Mika in January 2017. This sport weight sister to Sprout and Seedling embodies the same lofty nubby texture. Unfortunately, this review changed from I love it and am planning many a summer tank with Mika, to farewell Classic Elite Yarns ☹.
Shibui Knits Fern Yarn Review
The drape of this cotton grows more airy with each needle size. Ideal for summer knitting, especially items that are intended to hang loosely from the body. Knitting a variety of knit and purl combinations in the swatches, when it came time to designing I jumped in with lace, cables, and a fun self-edging… the yarn held up to it all!
Eco Elements Tranquil River
Last year a magazine call perked my interest – designs featuring all things eco. While scrolling Pinterest for some hot eco topics, I was captivated by the photos of melting glaciers / glacier rivers. While some glacier rivers are the consequence of regular freeze and thaw, others are emblematic of global warming.
Eco Elements Je Ne Sais Quoi
As the MKAL wraps up and the FO thread populates with all your stunning attitudes, let’s explore the eco element Fair Trade feature design, Je Ne Sais Quoi.
Fair Trade
Sitting in The Tea Leaf after treatment, I had many opportunities to chat with the owner, sommelier, and tea aficionado, Catherine. These conversations were the first remembrance I have on learning about “Fair Trade.”
Eco Elements Outdoor Studio
It just dawned on me – my release to go with the 3R’s (reduce, reuse, recycle) is green! What a happy, unplanned, surprise ?. Let’s go deeper than the unintended color coincidence and examine the Eco Elements seen in Outdoor Studio.