| Rowan British Sheep Breeds DK Undyed |
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| Written by Barbara Rottman | |||
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Rowan expanded its Purelife collection with a group of light worsted yarns for the fall, British Sheep Breeds DK Undyed. The 2009 Rowan Purelife Winter Collection features garments knit in this new yarn plus earlier releases of British Sheep Wool and Organic Wool, yarns in Rowan’s “green” organic line. Rowan’s “thinkcleanknitgreen” yarns are blends of wool shorn from British sheep and spun into undyed yarn.
The Look Even without the photographs of the sheep on the belly band, this yarn immediately makes you think of wooly sheep. The natural color, wooly fibers, silky feel and luminous sheen are all qualities of fine wool, and British Sheep Breeds is unmistakably fine wool.
The Feel British Breeds DK is soft and silky; there is no scratchiness in this yarn. The fleece has been well cleaned. The silky smoothness is partly due to the natural oils in wool. British Sheep Breeds has no “sheepy” odor, even when wet. It is clean, smooth and evenly spun, and rates a “7” on the softness scale.
The Patterns Rowan includes three designs for classic garments in 2009 Rowan Purelife Winter Collection.These patterns highlight the simple, “green” nature of British Sheep Breeds DK, but this yarn is a good choice for any medium gauge project. This smooth yarn has a medium twist that yields good stitch definition and excellent drape, making it a good choice for cardigans, pullovers, baby wear, or accessories. The natural colors will show cables or openwork. The marled yarns will knit into a tweedy fabric that is effective in plain stockinette or garter stitch.
Color Range
All the shades of British Sheep Breeds DK are completely natural and undyed, named for the breed the wool comes from. Of course this results in a somewhat restricted range of colors, but the natural beauty of the fleeces argues against covering them with color. The lively marls combine two breeds, or two colors, of wool. Learn about each breed of sheep from the brief description and photo included on the label.
Working It British Sheep Breeds DK knits as standard DK on US #6 needles at 22 stitches over 30 rows for a 4" square. It is smooth, glides easily over the needles and does not split, twist, pull or snag. Using high quality wool is one of the great pleasures of knitting; don’t deny yourself the chance to work with this natural wool yarn.
What I’d Like to Make with It British Sheep Breeds DK is bound to be lovely in any classic garment. This soft wool can be transformed into warm in accessories like hats, mittens, or scarves, and the natural colors will accent almost any wardrobe. Garments knit at a medium gauge of 5.5 stitches per inch will be fine enough to allow detailed patterning and careful tailoring, but not so fine as to intimidate the knitter. The yarn and color range is suitable for men, women or children’s garments. Knit something for an environmentally conscious person who will be pleased to know that the wool is made from a renewable natural resource, spun in a natural undyed state, and hand knit with care.
Knitting Outside the Box If you know a new mom who is concerned about commercial finishes, dyes or other chemicals coming into contact with her baby’s skin, knit a pair of soakers as a baby gift. Soakers should be knit in wool because it has natural wicking properties, drawing moisture away from the body. Undyed natural British Sheep Breeds DK is a perfect choice for these suddenly popular again diaper covers. Check out one of the many free patterns on the web for help in knitting a pair of retro soakers for a baby on your gift list.
Blocking It Dry flat away from heat or sun.
Washing It Hand wash, warm. Do not dry clean.
Wearability This yarn will wear well in all types of garments. It will retain its soft, silky appearance, drape, and shape with proper care. The yarn is not likely to pill, snag or twist.
Overall Recommendation If you are looking for an organically produced yarn of high quality and superior performance, choose British Sheep Breeds DK. This outstanding Rowan yarn earns a very strongly recommended rating of “10”.
Where to buy Rowan British Sheep Breeds DK Undyed yarn: Yarnmarket.com
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