Meet the Yarn: Cloud, part 2

I confess I put off swatching Cloud because I knew it was one of those yarns that I would fall deeply in love with. In the course of this post I'll explain why. Cloud is a yarn that is delicate yet strong. It is a two-ply heavy lace weight (light fingering) yarn in a blend of 80% Merino, 10% Cashmere, and 10% Nylon. Each 114g skein is 575 yards (526 meters). From meeting other yarns, we already know how all the colors love this blend of fibers.

While we've explored the fiber combination in many other Meet the Yarn posts, what makes Cloud special? Why would you want to choose it for your knitting and crochet projects?

Cloud's magic is in the structure of the yarn. In a very simplified explanation of the process, when fibers become yarn they come together as different strands that are twisted (plied) together. The number of strands and the amount of twist combine to create each individual yarn.

This yarn has a two-ply structure that is looser than many of Anzula's other yarns. In addition to a slight halo, this helps the yarn knit and crochet into delicate fabric with gorgeous drape. The nylon content helps to keep this yarn together and allows it to sing in every stitch.

Here are my two humble knit swatches. If you want to learn more about Cloud and knitting, please see Meet the Yarn Cloud, part I.

Cloud, knit swatches

It was delightful to knit. I kept dreaming of delicate lace shawls. I'm impressed by my restraint to only knit these two squares!

I got a bit carried away in single crochet. I tried to reign myself in on the other swatches. I generally keep my sketchbook nearby as I work these small conversations. However, I didn't let myself get near any paper and pencils until I was done. I'd still be swatching. I think it best to share these swatches and let you begin to think of possibilities.

My thoughts about Cloud are extra gushy because I received one of my favorite colors to swatch with, Charcoal, the very best of all greys. I knew I would love to explore how this heavy lace/light fingering weight behaves for crochet fabric. I'm not often right, but it was exciting to adore every moment spent swatching this yarn. I was surprised too. When I think of two-ply yarns of this weight, I tend to think of heirloom lace shawls. My swatches have shown me how versatile this yarn is across many different stitch techniques! I really should add a post stitch swatch. I can see everything from traditional heirloom pieces to lightweight sweaters, hats, and other accessories.

You don't have to take my word for it, while I was researching this post, there were over 1850 projects and over 2230 skeins are in Ravelers stashes. I know that there's much more that hasn't made it into Ravelry. (Want to learn how to add to stash to Ravelry? You can learn some tips for doing it from your phone at this link.)

Pattern Ideas

Ellipsoidal Shawl by Moon Eldridge, published in Knitscene, Spring 2020: [ ravelry | Interweave ]

Kokedama by Jen Lucas, published in her book, Top-Down Shawls [ ravelry ]

Almost Plaid by Jill Wolcott [ ravelry | jillwolcottknits.com ]

There are several crochet projects listed on Ravelry featuring Cloud, but only a handful of designs. Crocheters, please get designing!

Do you have an idea? A reminder that you can send a Yarn Support Request to Anzula here.

— Charlie interrupting this post to let designers know that we are accepting requests for crochet, knitting, and weaving in a variety of bases. Email me your ideas! I love all of you! —

All swatches in this post are shown in the Charcoal colourway with 3.75mm needles and 3.5mm hooks, any perceived differences in shade are due to the photographer.

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Penny Shima Glanz spends her days spinning yarn and code into memorable projects. Small businesses rely on her for smart technology decisions. Designers rely on her to sample, test, and edit their hand-knit and crochet patterns. She loves muddy trail runs, fosters kittens, and lives in Westchester, NY with her husband and cat (or two). www.pennyshima.com

Meet the Yarn: It Could Be Worsted, part 2

In the Northeast, as summer draws to a close, the heat and humidity fades and the foliage begins to hint at its beautiful autumnal colors. That's a verbose way to say that the desire to knit and crochet is returning. I want to finish projects fast, so I often turn to heavier yarns. As a crocheter, I don't often think of worsted weight yarns but as I discovered when reviewing For Better or Worsted I shouldn't discount them.

It Could Be Worsted is a worsted-weight blend of 50% superwash merino and 50% tussah silk. Don't fret that there's no cashmere, the silk is luxurious and as this is a rounded 4-ply, you get a yarn that is very squishy and soft. I was eager to swatch with my 190 yards (173 meters) and love how it works up in crochet -- even at this bulky-for-crochet weight. When paired with the shape of crochet stitches, the squishy round yarn begs to be worked. I found it hard to stop swatching!

Let's first look at the knitting. I apologize that tactile touch screens aren't a technical reality - you can see the depth of stitches! I had difficulty finishing the garter stitch swatch as I kept pausing to pet it.
 

It Could Be Worsted swatches, knit

In basic crochet stitches, by contrast, this yarn highlights the need to find the gauge (stitch tension) that creates a fabric you love. I'm not enamored by what my 4.5mm hook achieved but I know I want to explore this yarn further.
 

It Could Be Worsted swatches, crochet

The same is true for my net lace swatch. It's nice, but I'm not sure it's right. I think in this sort of stitch, it's best as an edging. While it would reduce the weight of an accessory, I'm not confident it would maintain its shape if it were the all-over stitch for a design.

It Could Be Worsted swatch, lace

The texture swatch shows promise, though I do think a hook adjustment is in order. I often stopped to squish this swatch. Can you feel the texture? 

It Could Be Worsted swatch, texture

What made my heart sing? This simple humble granny square motif! What does this mean to me? I don't see a 70's granny square vest in my future for this yarn, but it shows me in a way the previous swatch didn't that it's important to explore textures. I also think short rows and exploring the direction the fabric is worked is what makes this swatch work so well for me. Do you agree? 

It Could Be Worsted swatch, motif

Is this yarn better suited to some projects over others? I think accessories for a special event which highlight the silky shine are best. A garment at this weight would be very warm and, depending on the stitch pattern, dense and heavy.

How does it compare to For Better or Worsted? You can't swap yarn for yarn without adjustment. They're not quite the same grist and that slight difference could add up if you're making a large project. For a small accessory I'd make sure to purchase extra yarn, swatch, and know that the fabric will be different as silk isn't the same as a cashmere/nylon blend.

My swatch photos comparing For Better or Worsted and It Couldn't Be Worsted aren't quite a fair comparison. As I promised in that first post, I tossed the For Better or Worsted in the washing machine (with my weekly load of laundry) and laid them flat to dry. The result is that the stitches are no longer as round as they were after a gentle hand wash.

It Could Be Worsted swatches

_All swatches of It Could Be Worsted are in the Nimbus colourway with 4.5mm needles and hooks, any perceived differences in shade are due to the photographer._

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Penny Shima Glanz spends her days spinning yarn and code into memorable projects. Small businesses rely on her for smart technology decisions. Designers rely on her to sample, test, and edit their hand-knit and crochet patterns. She loves muddy trail runs, fosters kittens, and lives in Westchester, NY with her husband and cat. www.pennyshima.com

You can find It Could be Worsted at these shops:

Admit Ewe Knit - Raleigh, NC
Amazing Threads - Maple Grove, MN
Baskets of Yarn - Charlotte, NC
Do Ewe Knit - Westfield, NJ
Fiber Artwork - Huntsville, AL
Harps & Thistles - Cuyahoga Falls, OH
KnitKnit - Couer d’Alene, ID
Knitorious - St Louis, MO
Knitting Garden - Coral Gables, FL
Sated Sheep - Dripping Springs, TX
Swift Stitch - Santa Cruz, CA
Online @ Kitterly.com

You’ll find great pattern ideas for It Could be Worsted on our Pinterest page here!

Meet the Yarn: Lucero, part 2

Do you want some sparkle in your life? Lucero takes the good parts of a superwash merino and cashmere blend and to that adds 10% sparkling stellina. If you know me in person, you know that I'm not into anything bright or flashy. My wardrobe is black, black, and more black; however, there's something about the stellina sparkle in yarns that I love. It's the understated subtly that challenges you to take a second glance. I might be bold and go on record that I find it creates fabric more luxurious than cashmere.

Lucero Swatches

The sparkle takes simple stitches--and if you'll excuse me I need to get this out of the way--helps them shine! The twist of the yarn made knitting or crocheting it a dream.

Lucero Swatches, knit

Lucero Swatches, crochet

Lucero Swatch, single crochet

Lucero Swatches, single crochet & stockinette

But what about a motif you ask, wouldn't it be garish? I think it's lovely. The stellina plays hide and seek and the result is effective. I could see accent motifs paired with Cricket. Don't worry, it's in my queue for a swatch review!

Lucero Swatch, motif

But the stellina will be too much in a heavily textured swatch right? No! I love how my stitch count and gauge combined to make a subtle shade diagonal in this swatch. Again the result is directing me to the thesaurus -- it's divine. I think the added depth of crochet texture stitches makes the sparkle more mysterious.

Lucero Swatch, texture

And lace! Oh my the lace! The stitch definition here made me swoon.

Lucero Swatch, lace

This is a new-ish yarn to the Anzula lineup so there aren't many exclusive designs for it yet, but I think you could swatch and then swap for a design calling for Cricket or a sport/DK weight. I'd be wary to work it into items that need to be hardwearing such as socks, but that's a personal preference. So what else could you make? After what I thought would be a brief spin around ravelry I discovered I'd fallen down a rabbit hole. My pattern advice is: swatch and sample potential stitch patterns. You will find a combination of colourway , stitch, and type of project that speaks to you.

All swatches are in the Sophia colourway with 3.75mm needles and hooks, any perceived differences in shade are due to the photographer.

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Penny Shima Glanz spends her days spinning yarn and code into memorable projects. Small businesses rely on her for smart technology decisions. Designers rely on her to sample, test, and edit their hand-knit and crochet patterns. She loves muddy trail runs, fosters kittens, and lives in Westchester, NY with her husband and two resident cats. www.pennyshima.com