Nov
12
Chillier weather makes tweed and tweed-effect yarns the order of the day. Think hardy, textured fibres that will withstand the elements and equip you to explore sweeping landscapes.
We've picked out a range of textures and colours, from stonewall grey and to vibrantly flecked berry red, but if you head down to your local yarn shop or an on-line store you'll find a wonderful array of colours to choose from.
Once you're dressed in your finest tweedy knits you won't be able to resist the urge to get outside and fully experience the beauty of autumn!
Debbie Bliss – Luxury Tweed ChunkyShade pictured 07
Skein weight/length 100g/100m
Needle size 6.5mm (size 3/US 101/2)
Tension 12 sts and 19 rows to 10cm
Fibre content 85% merino wool, 15% angora
Care Hand wash only
Contact 01535 664222; www.designeryarns.uk.com
This range provides a chunky version of Debbie Bliss’s popular Luxury Tweed yarn. It makes a beautiful knitted fabric that is both sturdy and surprisingly soft for a traditional-looking tweed yarn.
Being chunky weight, the fabric knitted up very quickly and gave wonderful texture in the moss stitch used for our samples. The flecks present in the yarn are in contrasting shades; dark green, bright pink, purple and brown in the bright red yarn pictured above. 16 shades are available, and patterns can be found in Debbie Bliss’s new collection, The Big Easy.
Gedifra – Riana Big ColorShade pictured Red Heather (5945)
Ball weight/length 50g/30m
Needle size 10mm (size 000/US 15)
Tension 10 sts and 14 rows to 10cm
Fibre content 50% new wool, 45% acrylic, 5% viscose
Care Hand wash only
Contact 01325 394237; www.coatscrafts.co.uk
This new super chunky yarn from Gedifra has much to offer. When knitted, it gives a subtle self-striping effect, adding interest to the flecked, single ply yarn. It is bouncy and stretchy, having a hazy finish when knitted into fabric.
Riana Big Color is available in five shades that complement the 17 solid colours of the Riana Big range. The new yarn range is supported with patterns in Gedifra’s winter magazine, Gedifra Highlights 092, a collection of 32 patterns showcasing their new yarn collections.
Rowan – Felted Tweed AranShade pictured Ivy (727)
Ball weight/length 50g/87m
Needle size 5mm (size 6/US 8)
Tension 16 sts and 23 rows to 10cm
Fibre content 50% merino, 25% alpaca, 25% viscose
Care Machine wash at 40C
Contact 01484 681881; www.knitrowan.com
Rowan have introduced two new qualities of the highly popular Felted Tweed yarn; aran and chunky. The yarn is subtly flecked and is constructed from 4 plies twisted together. The surface of the fabric has a gentle haze of long fibres that add to the pleasingly rustic look, with the resultant knitted cloth keeping a soft, slightly felted feel.
Ten stunning heathered shades are available in the aran weight, with a further ten in the chunky, and both yarns have the added advantage of being machine washable.
The Yarn Yard – CroftShade pictured Scots Pine
Skein weight/length 100g/420m
Needle size 2.25mm (size 13/US 1)
Tension 28 sts and 32 rows to 10cm
Fibre content 75% wool. 25% nylon
Care Hand wash only
Contact Natalie@theyarnyard.co.uk; www.theyarnyard.co.uk
This now discontinued sock yarn range is a total delight. It forms a light and yet firm fabrics with beautifully saturated colour. There is some gentle variation in the intensity on the skein, but it balances and gives an even overall effect when knitted. There are still skeins of it available as production is continued, though in limited quantities.
Our sample had an almost vintage feel with the flecks of the wrapping strands giving a tweed appearance to the swatch. As with all hand-dyed products, it is important to purchase enough yarn to complete your project in one go to avoid wide variances in colour.
Louisa Harding – Willow TweedShade pictured Ash (4)
Skein weight/length 50g/116m
Needle size 4mm (size 8/US 6)
Tension 22 sts and 30 rows to 10cm
Fibre content 40% alpaca, 40% merino wool, 20% silk
Care Hand wash only
Contact 01535 664222; www.designeryarns.uk.com
Louisa Harding’s Willow Tweed line is a contemporary take on a traditional tweed. Made from a soft blend of alpaca, merino and silk, the yarn has a crisp, firm handle. With excellent stitch definition and a strong slub, the knitted fabric has an interesting, dimensional quality. In 12 bright pastel shades, this yarn has a fresh look.
Louisa’s new pattern collection, Little Cake, contains lots of beautiful projects using Willow Tweed.
Stylecraft – Chunky SignatureShade pictured 2387
Skein weight/length 50g/60m
Needle size 6mm (size 4/US 10)
Tension 14 sts and 20 rows to 10cm
Fibre content 50% wool, 50% acrylic
Care Hand wash only
Contact 01535 609798; www.stylecraft-yarns.co.uk
Chunky Signature is a now discontinued line (though stocks are still available) of heavier weight yarn from Stylecraft. The sample was a real pleasure to knit. It has a fantastic, soft feel with a beautiful haze to the knitted fabric. The stitches lie really evenly, which is not always the case with moss stitch, giving a smooth, regular fabric.
The yarn is constructed from different coloured fibres that are then spun into an airy single ply. When knitted up, the fabric has a flecked appearance. Eight beautifully-rich autumn shades are available.
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